Choosing Correct Frame Size
Bikes are available in a range of different frame sizes. When making an online purchase through us as you cannot see the bike in person, so ensure that you pick the correct frame size to match your body for a much more comfortable and efficient ride. The most important factors when choosing frame size are the type of bike in question, the height and body shape of the rider and finally what feels comfortable.
How Bike Frames Are Measured.
The frame size measurement is the most important indicator of a bike’s size. The standard definition of this figure is the measurement from the bottom bracket (the locus of the pedals) up to the collar of the seat tube.
Bear in mind however, that a few manufacturers will measure from where the top tube and the
seat tube join which will give a slightly different value. If you prefer you can contact us directly to confirm the frame size of a particular manufacturer.
It is conventional for the frame size of road bikes to be measured in centimetres and the size of hybrid or off road bikes to be given in inches. A few manufacturers will simply give standardised sizes like S, M, and L.
The frame size tells you the length of the frame tube however the whole bike will be in proportion, so bigger bikes won’t just have a higher saddle but the handlebars will be further
from the saddle etc. For this reason it can be dangerous to buy a bike which is out of proportion to the rider’s body.
See the tables below to help determine which frame size is required.
Measuring Your Own Height.
When matching frame size to height you will need an accurate figure for the current height of the rider.
The easiest way of measuring height is to stand against a wall. Remove shoes and stand with
legs together and back flat against the wall. Make a mark on the wall from the top of the
head then measure the height from the floor to the mark. If a second person can help, it will ensure maximum accuracy.
If your height is halfway between two frame sizes then you might want to measure the ape
index to help decide which frame to choose. The ape index is a measure of arm length in
relation to height. It is found by measuring the length from fingertip to fingertip with arms outstretched horizontally; you will require someone to help you do this.
If the ape index is strongly positive then the arms are longer than the legs and therefore
the rider might want to consider a larger frame size, if the ape index is strongly negative
then the arms are shorter a smaller frame size should be considered.
The Stand Over Clearance
Stand over height indicates how high the bike is from the top of the top tube to the ground. When mounting and dismounting the rider will be swinging their leg over the top tube, and
will need to ensure that they have adequate clearance. For road bikes they will require at least 1.5 inches and for mountain bikes a 2.5 inch clearance is recommended. The clearance is
the difference between your inside leg measurement and the stand over height of the bike in
question.
Normally if the correct frame size for height has been chosen this won’t be a problem.
However if the rider has an unusual inside leg measurement then this is another factor to
consider specifically, as inadequate stand over clearance could render a new bike
uncomfortable and difficult to use.
Road Bike Size Guide
| Rider Height | Suggested Frame Size | ||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Frame Size (cm) | Frame Size |
| 4′ 10″ – 5′ 0″ | 148cm – 152cm | 47cm – 48cm | XX-Small |
| 5′ 0″ – 5 ‘3″ | 152cm – 160cm | 49cm – 50cm | X-Small |
| 5′ ‘3″ – 5’ 6″ | 160cm – 168cm | 51cm – 53cm | Small |
| 5′ 6″ – 5′ 9″ | 168cm – 175cm | 54cm – 55cm | Medium |
| 5′ 9″ – 6′ 0″ | 175cm – 183cm | 56cm – 58cm | Large |
| 6 ‘0″ – 6’ 3″ | 183cm – 191cm | 58cm – 60cm | X-Large |
| 6 ‘3″ – 6’ 6″ | 191cm – 198cm | 61cm – 63cm | XX-Large |
Mountain/Bike Size Guide
| Rider Height | Suggested Frame Size | ||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Frame Size (Inches) | Frame Size |
| 4′ 10″ – 5′ 2″ | 148cm – 158cm | 13″ – 14″ | X-Small |
| 5′ 2″ – 5 ‘6″ | 158cm – 168cm | 15″ – 16″ | Small |
| 5′ ‘6″ – 5’ 10″ | 168cm – 178cm | 17″ – 18″ | Medium |
| 5′ 10″ – 6′ 1″ | 178cm – 185cm | 19″ – 20″ | Large |
| 6′ 1″ – 6′ 4″ | 185cm – 193cm | 21″ – 22″ | X-Large |
| 6 ‘4″ – 6’ 6″ | 193cm – 198cm | 23″ – 24″ | XX-Large |
Hybrid Bike Sizing Chart
| Rider Height | Suggested Frame Size | |||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Size | Centimetres |
| 4′ 10″ – 5′ 1″ | 147 – 155 | 13 – 14 | XS | 47 – 49 |
| 5′ 1″ – 5′ 5″ | 155 – 165 | 15 – 16 | S | 50 – 52 |
| 5′ 5″ – 5′ 9″ | 165 – 175 | 17 – 18 | M | 53 – 54 |
| 5′ 9″ – 6′ 0″ | 175 – 183 | 19 -20 | L | 55 – 57 |
| 6′ 0″ – 6′ 3″ | 183 – 191 | 21 – 22 | XL | 58 – 61 |
| 6′ 3″ – 6′ 6″ | 191 – 198 | 23 – 25 | XXL | 61 – 63 |
Women’s Road Bike Size Guide
| Rider Height | Suggested Frame Size | ||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Frame Size (cm) | Frame Size |
| 4′ 10″ – 5′ 1″ | 147cm – 155cm | 44cm – 46cm | XX-Small |
| 5′ 1″ – 5′ 3″ | 155cm – 160cm | 47cm – 49cm | X-Small |
| 5′ 3″ – 5′ 5″ | 160cm – 165cm | 50cm – 52cm | Small |
| 5′ 5″ – 5′ 8″ | 165cm – 172cm | 53cm – 55cm | Medium |
| 5′ 8″ – 5′ 10″ | 172cm – 180cm | 56cm – 57cm | Large |
Women’s Mountain / Hybrid Bike Size Guide
| Rider Height | Suggested Frame Size | ||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Frame Size (Inches) | Frame Size |
| 4′ 10″ – 5′ 2″ | 148cm – 158cm | 13″ – 14″ | X-Small |
| 5′ 2″ – 5′ 6″ | 158cm – 168cm | 15″ – 16″ | Small |
| 5′ 6″ – 5′ 10″ | 168cm – 178cm | 17″ – 18″ | Medium |
| 5′ 10″ – 6′ 1″ | 178cm – 185cm | 19+” | Large |
Children’s Bike Size Guide
| Rider Height | Suggested BMX Size | ||
| Feet and Inches | Centimetres | Approximate Age | Wheel Size |
| 3′ 0″ – 3′ 6″ | 91cm – 107cm | 2 – 4 Years | 12″ |
| 3′ 7″ – 4′ 0″ | 110cm – 122cm | 5 – 7 Years | 16″ |
| 4′ 0″ – 4′ 10″ | 122cm – 147cm | 7 – 11 Years | 18″ |
| 4′ 10″ – 6′ 4″ | 147cm – 193cm | 11+ Years | 20″ |
Mens Sizing
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | XXL | ||
 |
A | Chest | 34-36″ | 36.5-38.5″ | 39-41″ | 41.5-43.5″ | 44-46″ |
| B | Waist | 30-32″ | 32-34″ | 34-36″ | 36-38″ | 38-40″ | |
| C | Inside Leg | 31″ | 32″ | 33″ | 34″ | 35″ | |
| D | Armwarmer Length | 17.5″ | 18.5″ | 19.5″ | – | – | |
| – | Armwarmer Bicep | 10-12″ | 12-14″ | 14-16″ | – | – | |
| – | KneeWarmer Length | 12.5″ | 13.5″ | 14.5″ | – | – | |
| – | KneeWarmer Thigh | 19-21″ | 22-24″ | 25-27″ | – | – | |
| – | LegWarmer Length | 24.5″ | 25.5″ | 26.5″ | – | – | |
| – | LegWarmer Thigh | 19-21″ | 22-24″ | 25-27″ | – | – |
Womens Sizing
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | XXL | ||
 |
A | Chest | 30.5-32.5″ | 33-35″ | 35.5-37.5″ | 38-40″ | 40.5-42″ |
| B | Waist | 27-29″ | 29-31″ | 31-32″ | 32-34″ | 34-36″ | |
| C | Inside Leg | 29″ | 30″ | 31″ | 32″ | 33″ | |
| D | Armwarmer Length | 17.5″ | 18.5″ | 19.5″ | – | – | |
| – | Armwarmer Bicep | 10-12″ | 12-14″ | 14-16″ | – | – | |
| – | KneeWarmer Length | 12.5″ | 13.5″ | 14.5″ | – | – | |
| – | KneeWarmer Thigh | 19-21″ | 22-24″ | 25-27″ | – | – | |
| – | LegWarmer Length | 24.5″ | 25.5″ | 26.5″ | – | – | |
| – | LegWarmer Thigh | 19-21″ | 22-24″ | 25-27″ | – | – |
Gloves sizing
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | XXL | ||
 |
A | Mens Gloves | 7.5-8″ | 8.5-9″ | 9.5-10″ | 10-10.5″ | 11″ |
| A | Womens Gloves | 6.5-7″ | 7.5-8″ | 8.5-9″ | – | – |