Choosing the Correct Road Bike Size: 4 Things You Need to Know
When it's time to buy a new bike, there's a lot of factors that you need to decide on so you can be sure to spend your money wisely. It's not just a matter of choosing the design, you also need to be comfortable, to have the right bike for what you're going to be doing, and have the right size so it fits you well. The various brands and models out there all offer many different options like that, and it's up to you to find the right one, as long as you know what to look for. In the case of road bikes, for example, the most critical part is finding the size that fits you best. Here's four things you should know about choosing the correct road bike size for you and your needs.
Road Bike Size Chart*
| Inseam (inches) | Frame Size (inches) |
|---|---|
| 27 | 18 |
| 28 | 19 |
| 29 | 20 |
| 30 | 21 |
| 31 | 21 |
| 32 | 22 |
| 33 | 23 |
| 34 | 23 |
| 36 | 24 |
| Inseam (cm) | Frame Size (cm) |
|---|---|
| 69 | 46 |
| 71 | 48 |
| 74 | 51 |
| 76 | 53 |
| 79 | 54 |
| 81 | 56 |
| 84 | 58 |
| 89 | 60 |
| 91 | 61 |
* Please note, that this size chart is a general guide and sizes may vary by road bike manufacturer. Remember that when you straddle the bike, there should be one to two inches of clearance between the groin and the top tube of the road bike frame.
The frame itself is often the bike measurement that's advertise. This is the overall height of the bike, and will determine whether you're sitting comfortably when you're riding it around. To get the right size for you, there's two measurements you need to take. The first is your inseam, while the second is simply your height. Any good bike shop will be able to tell you which bike size you need, or you can look at this attached chart as a general guide. This is the first and most important part, because if the frame isn't the right size, you'll end up being very uncomfortable, or you won't be able to ride for as long as you would normally.
While buying online is often the cheapest option, and you can still do that, a good way to find out if a bike is the right size is simply by trying it. Go to a bike store, and try bicycles of the size you think you should get. To know if that size is right for you, try to imagine yourself riding along a road. Ideally you should be slightly crouching forward, and not have any difficulty reaching the pedals. While most shops won't let you go off to do a test drive, most of them will let you sit on a bike and see if it fits. If you are looking for more information about how to choose a road bike, check out the Road Bike Buying Guide at REI.com.
Finally, one last thing to remember is that on a good bike, almost everything can be adjusted. The frame itself is set, but the seat, the handle and the pedals can all be switched up or down. This is important, and often a good way to get a more precise calibration is to have an employee at the bike shop adjust it for you. This can also make a big difference on how comfortable you are while riding down the road.
Overall, it's not hard to find the right bike for you, once you know your own size, and what bike you need. Then, it's often just a matter of small adjustments to get it to be perfect. Once that's done, you can look at the available designs, colors, and so on. By focusing on the important things first like size, you avoid being stuck with a bike that doesn't fit well.