Bike Size

One of the most common question to appear on Yahoo Answers Cycling section is "What size bike should I buy?"

I will pop my stock answer here for general information.

The frame size varies depending upon the style of bike you have. A mountain bike will have a higher ground clearance than a road or comfort bike and so a 19" mountain bike frame would fit me. But a 19" road bike frame would be too small.

As a general rule. Stand over the frame with your feet 12" apart. The top tube should be between 2"-4" from your family jewels. If your assets are any nearer to the top tube you will do yourself an injury if you have to dismount quickly.

Using a wall for support, rotate the crank so that the peddle is at its lowest point. Adjust the saddle height so that your leg is locked out when your heal is on the peddle. In this way your leg should be slightly bent when riding on the balls of your feet.

The saddle should be about 1' from the frame, give or take. This will give you a bit of flex, offering a little suspension. If the saddle is so high that you do not have at least 1.5" of seat post in the frame, or the seat post is beyond the safety mark, then the frame is too small for you. If the saddle is down on its lowest point or just above, the frame is too big for you.

If the frame is too big for you, then you will find yourself stretched out accross the frame, rather than sitting comfortably.

When buying a bike, try and attend a test weekend, or at least get to rent the bike you are interested in or even ride it around the car park. It might look like a dream bike, but if you don't like what you are sitting on, chances are that you will not grow into it. Bikes can be very expensive, so even if all of the magazine critics love/hate it, it is you that has to ride the bike and the final decision is up to you. If it isn't comfortable, don't buy it.

Female/Male geometry is different. In comparison to men, women have short bodies and long legs. This means that if a woman rides a male bike that fits her legs, she will be stretched out over the frame because the length is designed with a mans longer body in mind. Bear this in mind when selecting a bike.

Luck