How to get a new bike the right size?

[Huntsman]

6ft 3" tall. 32" inside leg.

Short legs. Long body.

How do I choose a frame size to buy?

[Black can man]

Huntsman said:

6ft 3" tall. 32" inside leg.

Short legs. Long body.

How do I choose a frame size to buy?

All the big retailers will have their size chart. but if you are serious about you're cycling then a proper bike fit would be best but they can be costly i hear.


Have a look on the Rose bikes sizing video, i found that the best one without a proper bike fit


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0NUp4CW0fg


This one is more detailed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteUPJjL32o

Edited by Black can man on Tuesday 12th April 16:58

[TheTrash]

Bike shop, that's what they are for

[Magic919]

What sort of bike?

[Jimbo.]

Huntsman said:

6ft 3" tall. 32" inside leg.

Short legs. Long body.

How do I choose a frame size to buy?

Try them for size, remembering that the stated "size" means bugger all other than for comparing one size of a particularly model to another. And that each increase/decrease in size doesn't make for an obviously bigger/smaller bike. As an example, the "54cm" Specialized Tarmac I've just picked up was a whole 1mm longer, but c.20mm taller than the "52cm" version.

[Huntsman]

Magic919 said:

What sort of bike?

Something to ride to work on. Mostly tarmac, but a few stretches of gravel. Total 6 miles each way.

Needs to be fairly upright for comfort, not too much weigh on my wrists.

[andyb28]

I would imagine you want a Hybrid for that kind of journey.

I have a road bike and a hybrid and use the hybrid for the kind of journeys you mention. Something to consider is when being sized for a hybrid, you generally want one size down to what a racer would be.

So as I am 6ft tall, I ride a 56 road bike, but a 54 hybrid. You would probably be a 58 road bike and 56 hybrid. But sit on one and try it.

Halfords do some very well made Boardman hybrid bikes, which are well worth a look.

[hast2]

TheTrash said:

Bike shop, that's what they are for

If it's anything like my local bike shop, it'll be staffed by students that just work the till and know nothing about bikes

[Huntsman]

andyb28 said:

I would imagine you want a Hybrid for that kind of journey.

I have a road bike and a hybrid and use the hybrid for the kind of journeys you mention. Something to consider is when being sized for a hybrid, you generally want one size down to what a racer would be.

So as I am 6ft tall, I ride a 56 road bike, but a 54 hybrid. You would probably be a 58 road bike and 56 hybrid. But sit on one and try it.

Halfords do some very well made Boardman hybrid bikes, which are well worth a look.

Usefull.

I might post a side shot of me on the current bike.

Staggered at the cost of bikes! Last new bike I bought was £79.99.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Be careful with bike shops, some are better than others

My last bike I bought from a shop, I could have done with a size smaller

I was in another shop and saw them sizing a customer on a road bike, the shop assistant said "as you can touch the floor with your toes on the saddle, this is the right size for you!"

Manufacturer websites usually give good size indicators for which frame size as a starting point, most people are usually covered by two sizes

[Searider]

Pop up to Peter Hansford at Park Gate.

[Herman Toothrot]

hast2 said:

If it's anything like my local bike shop, it'll be staffed by students that just work the till and know nothing about bikes

I have the same issue with my local bike shop, one key member of staff that knows his stuff the rest clueless.

On a separate note sizing is so difficult, half the time the manufacturers can't get it right. I bought an expensive mountain bike from an online only company so no chance of a test ride, I phoned the company, spoke to them at length gave all measurements, they said absolutely, certainly Medium will be perfect. Soon as I got it I thought the reach seemed short, but thought sure i'll get use to it, manufacturer said they were sure it was right. I'm now sure a few 1000km later they were wrong and I'm absolutely certainly not a medium but a large. Expensive mistake, new frames 1000euros and ebay says I'll likely only get £250-300 for mine as it looks quite used

[scherzkeks]

Herman Toothrot said:

I have the same issue with my local bike shop, one key member of staff that knows his stuff the rest clueless.

On a separate note sizing is so difficult, half the time the manufacturers can't get it right. I bought an expensive mountain bike from an online only company ... (

So true. I had the same experience when I bought a MTB from a certain popular German direct dealer. Luckily, I know a lot about fitting from many years as a roadie. The staff were near clueless, despite being provided with exact measurements.

[Craikeybaby]

I agree, I bought my bike online and am not convinced by the fit. It doesn't help that I've got short legs and a long body, but will be trying out my next bike before I buy it.

Edited by Craikeybaby on Tuesday 3rd May 12:16

[iguana]

I'm a similar height & a Giant Roam in Xl fitted the bill for me, tyres pumped to max it's good on road, down a bit fine on light trail, I spec'd a longer flatter bar stem & bar ends plus spd clips as wanted a lower more stretched out riding position, had a proper bike fit too.

I'm doing mid length rides- 25-40milers & loving it, not ideal but will be used as my tri bike this yr too.

[Huntsman]

Searider said:

Pop up to Peter Hansford at Park Gate.

I did that and the work scheme for a bije less tax.

Collected a Giant Escape 2 with an added adjustable stem yesterday. Massive improvement!