How to check if a bike is the right size

Let’s say you’re standing in front of a bike that you’re interested in buying and you even know what size bike it is. According to all the size charts, the bike should be about right, but how do you know for sure? And what if you’re right on the line between two sizes? Read on to learn some of the most important things to consider when looking for the perfect fit.

Important: getting the right fit on a bike is just as important as choosing the right size frame. If you're feeling unsure or experience pain when you ride, you should consider brining your bike to a shop. The Bike Shoppe can help! 

Standover Height

Standover height is essentially the distance between the top tube and the ground at the point where you stand over the bar. This is an important measurement to get right because you’ll want some space between your groin and the bar when you hop off the seat. For most bikes you’ll want an inch or more of standover room for a super comfortable fit. You can easily test this by pulling the bike up until it touches your body when you’re standing. If you can pull the wheels up an inch or more, you should have plenty of space.

Leg Extension

After you’ve made sure you have enough standover room, you’ll want to make sure your legs have the proper amount of extension. You can adjust the seat height to get the right fit, but if you’ve jacked the seatpost up to the max and your legs are still very bent when you pedal, you might need a bigger size.

Here’s how to get proper leg extension:

On the downstroke, or when the pedal is closest to the ground, you should look to have around a 15-20° bend in your knee. Depending on the person you may prefer more or less bend, but you want to avoid having your knees come up too high when you pedal, which is uncomfortable, inefficient, and bad for your joints.

Another way to check your leg extension is to put your foot on the pedal and see if you can lower your heel below the axle of the pedal on the downstroke. If you can push your heel a little further than the axle, that’s often an optimum position in terms of efficiency and comfort.

Reach

Reach is pretty much what it sounds like. Specifically, the official reach measurement is usually the horizontal distance between the bottom bracket and the head tube. More generally, it translates to how far you have to reach to grab the handlebars.

Reach is something to consider mostly when you’re an experienced rider and you’re in between two sizes. Selecting a bike with a longer reach will feel “roomier”, more stable at speed, and generally more confident on technical terrain. A shorter reach will help the bike feel more responsive, but depending on what kind of riding you do, that may or may not be what you’re after.

Bike sizing FAQs

What size bicycle is right for my height?

Before you think about what size bike you are, you’ll want to decide what kind of bike you want. As we state in the article above, road bikes and mountain bikes often use a different sizing system, so figure out what style you’re looking for first, then consult the charts above.

Should your feet touch the ground on a bike?  

Ideally you should be able to touch your toes to the ground when sitting on the seat, but if you can put your feet flat on the ground it often means that your seat height is too low. If your seat is too low, your knees will be overly bent when pedaling and that can cause discomfort and joint pain, not to mention it’s not a very efficient way to ride.

If you feel more comfortable with your feet flat on the ground, check out Electra bikes. They use something called Flat Foot Technology which is a frame design where the pedals are moved forward on the frame so you can get proper leg extension while pedaling but still put your feet flat on the ground when you want to.

Should your legs be straight when riding a bike?

You don’t want your leg to be totally straight on the down stroke, but you don’t want it overly bent either. As we state in the article above, try to get a 15-20°bend in your knee on the down stroke, or position your seat so your heel can reach below the pedal axle. This is all subjective, the most important thing is to find what works for you.

How much does a bike fitting cost?

A professional bike fitting is more exact and thorough than a bike shop employee giving you some quick advice. At The Bike Shoppe we offer professional bike fitting services so you can get the most comfort and performance out of your ride. We offer fittings for recreational riders, as well as racers and triathletes.

Do I need a 26 or 29 bike?

26inch wheels were the mountain bike standard in the past, but most mid and upper tier mountain bikes you’ll see on the market today use either 29inch wheels or the slightly smaller 27.5inch wheels. 29ers and 27.5 bikes have faster top speeds and roll over obstacles easier than 26inch wheels, so if you want to ride off-road, you’ll appreciate bigger tires. 26inch wheels are often great for kids who have graduated from their 24inch kids bike but aren’t quite big enough to use the bigger wheels found on most adult bikes.

What size bike does a ____ year old need?

Kids bike sizing is more about height, inseam, and confidence than age. One 8 year old might ride a different size bike than another 8 year old. Because kids grow at different rates, the absolute best way to get the right size kids bike is by having them try it out. But certainly check out the size chart above so you can get a good idea of where they might be.

What size is a 26 inch bike?

The 26 in a 26 inch bike refers to the wheel size, so that measurement isn’t always the best way to judge how big a bike is. Some youth bikes are measured by this wheel size, but more commonly you’ll find 26-inch wheels on a variety of adult frame sizes.

Is a 26 inch bike for adults?

In short, yes! 26inch wheels are used on adult bikes and have been for years. That being said, most modern mountain bikes have switched to 27.5 and 29 inch wheels for their superior speed, traction, and rollover power. However, 26 inch wheels are super strong and universally available, so bike tourers often use them for traveling abroad.