Riding a bike has many benefits as you are able to explore new parts of the world and see your hometown from a different perspective. In this article, we will be exploring how to measure a bike size.
Riding a bike has many benefits for yourself but also for the environment, and you can also save time (and anger!) by getting off the road and enjoying a more peaceful commute on your bike.
If you are interested in getting a bike, you must be thinking, what color bike? What style of bike? But you might not be thinking about what size bike you need.
This often gets overlooked, but having the right size bike is vital in making sure that you are comfortable on your ride.
If you are unsure how to measure a bike size, don’t worry! This guide will help you understand what you need to take into consideration when choosing the right size bike for you. All you need to do is think about the color and style you want!
What You Need To Know
Before we delve into how to measure a bike size, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Once you walk into the store, you will need to know what sort of bike you are looking for and what your measurements are.
The measurements that you need to have handy are your height and your inseam as these will help to choose the right size bike for you.
Measuring Yourself
You need to measure your height and your inseam to make sure that you have the right size bike as you don’t want to end up with a bike that is too short for your height.
To measure your height, you need to stand with your back against the wall and have someone measure the distance between the top of your head and the floor.
To measure your inseam, you simply need to measure the length between the top of your groin and the floor. Make sure that you are standing straight against a wall so you can make sure that you are measuring the full length.
Once you have these measurements, you can refer to a bike chart to see what will be the best frame for your size. It is also a good idea to see if you have a long or short reach. To do this, you can compare your arm length against your height. A longer arm length means a longer reach.
How To Measure The Bike Size
To measure a bike size, you will need a tape measure and some string. If you have a bike that is already your perfect size but you need a new one, this method will help you to know what size bike you need next.
Firstly, you need to measure the length of the top tube of the bike. To do this, you need to measure between the center of the top tube where the handlebars and the seat post are.
After this has been measured, you need to measure the seat tube length, but you will have to remove the handlebars and the seat first. Once they are removed, measure from the stem end of the bike seat tube to the other point.
Next, take a piece of string and measure across one end of the bike tube and then up to meet the frame. This will measure how high your handlebars are. Using the string again, measure from the top tube to the seat.
To measure the wheelbase, you will need to measure the distance between the wheel axels and the front of the bike. You will also need to measure the chainstay with a specific ruler that has been calibrated.
A long chainstay and your bike will be stable over bumpy ground, and a short chainstay will make your bike easier to move.
The front center of the bike can be measured by measuring the distance between the axle and the front dropout. Measuring the frame angles can be tricky, but the bike needs to be vertical to measure the head tube angle using the clinometer app.
The seat tube angles need to be measured based on how much they are angled from being vertical. Using the clinometer app again, place your phone on the seat to measure the seat tube angle.
Why The Size Is Important
There are a few reasons why making sure that your bike is the right size for you is important.
Comfort
The size of the bike will determine how comfortable you will be when riding it so you need to make sure it is the correct size. You need to make sure it is suitable for your height and build so you can bike over different surfaces and still feel comfortable.
Safety
As you will properly fit the bike, your ride will be so much safer. You will find it easier to ride and you won’t be constantly trying to get comfortable, so you will be minimizing the risk of injury to yourself and others.
Different Bikes Have Different Frame Sizes
Depending on what bike you choose, the frame sizes can slightly vary. If you choose a mountain bike, they have different measurements compared to road bikes, so it is important to be aware that the frame sizes may change depending on the type of bike.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, measuring a bike size is extremely important in making sure that you are more comfortable and safer on your bike rides.
If you are using the wrong size bike, you won’t have full control over the bike and the discomfort you feel will cause you to not be paying full attention to the road.
This could cause harm to yourself or others, so it is important that you have the correct size bike.
It is easy to get your measurements correct for your bike, but it can be difficult to measure a bike size. If you follow this guide, you will be able to get the right measurements for your bike to make sure that you can continue using a bike that fits you perfectly.
Hopefully this guide helps you with how to measure a bike size!
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