| Choosing the right size road bike isn't as simple as just | | | | Shoulders: From the back measure across the |
| straddling one and riding off into the sunset. There are | | | | shoulders from bone to bone. You need to have the |
| a lot of factors that go into choosing a frame size. | | | | person measuring feel for the bones at the edge of |
| You need the right height and length. The size of a | | | | the shoulder. Measure to the nearest centimeter. This |
| bike is listed by the length of the seat tube so a 52 cm | | | | will be the bar width you need. If it is an odd number |
| frame should be 52 cm long along the seat tube. But | | | | round up one size. |
| this isn't always the case. Check with the companies | | | | Now to the equations |
| size chart as some brands us a virtual size rather than | | | | To figure your total reach enter your number into this |
| the real length of the seat tube. | | | | equation |
| It's pretty complicated but I've tried to make it as simple | | | | Total Reach=(Torso+Arm Length)/2+40 |
| to follow as possible for you to make sure you get the | | | | Top Tube Length |
| right size. | | | | Take your Total Reach and subtract 100 mm (medium |
| Inseam: in bare feet or socks. stand with back against | | | | stem length) to give you the top tube length you would |
| the wall, heels 8 inches apart, feet parallel. With a stiff | | | | need with a 100 mm stem. You can vary this number |
| hard cover book, place it against the wall between | | | | with different stem lengths. Tall riders will usually need |
| your legs and slide it up until it doesn't go any further, | | | | longer and shorter riders will need shorter stems. |
| keeping the base of the book flat against the wall. You | | | | Frame Height |
| can also use a carpenters square. We just want a | | | | Frame Height = Leg Length*0.67/10 |
| level measurement. Measure from the floor to the top | | | | Once you have the Top Tube Length and Frame |
| of the book to the millimeter. | | | | Height, look through the sizing charts to find the model |
| Torso: measure from the floor to the base of the | | | | that come the closest to matching the two |
| sternal notch. Feel down your neck to the bone below | | | | measurements. There probably won't be model that |
| the soft spot at the base of your throat. Record this | | | | matches perfectly but if you are within a centimeter |
| measurement in millimeters. Take the total length from | | | | you can easily fine tune with stem length and seatpost. |
| the floor and subtract your inseam length to give you | | | | There are other details that can be looked at such as |
| your torso length. | | | | frame angles and head tube length but this will go a |
| Arm: Hold arm out to the side with your thumb up like | | | | long way towards you picking the right size. |
| your hitchhiking. Measure from the rib cage in the | | | | Understanding what you need still doesn't replace a |
| armpit to the first knuckle of the thumb. Measure each | | | | quality shop the does custom fitting but will keep you |
| arm separately. Measure to to the mm as well. Record | | | | from being directed to the wrong size. |
| the left and right individually and average the two. | | | | |