How Are Bicycle Sizes Measured?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Adult are measured by their frame size

. Most manufacturers now measure the frame from the centre of the crank axle, to the top of the seat tube. Most road bikes are measured in centimetres (cm), whereas mountain bikes are generally measured using inches (in).

How is a 26 bike measured?

Once you are into 26′′ wheel bicycles (road bikes typically have have 700c, 27′′ or 28′′ wheels), then size is only determined by Frame Size. The size of the frame is measured from the top of the frame at the point where the seat post is inserted, down to the centre of the axle carrying the pedal arms (bottom bracket).

What does a 12 inch bike mean?

Kids bikes are “sized” by the diameter of their wheels.


The tiniest pedal bikes

start with 12-inch wheels while bigger bikes go all the way up to 24-inch wheels. When your kiddo is ready for 26-inch, they are generally ready for an adult size ride, although some bike manufacturers make smaller “youth” size 26′′ bikes.

What height is a 28 inch bike for?

This bicycle is suitable for adults having a height range of

6 feet or above

. The 28-inch bicycle is also called 29er which is mostly the mountain bike suitable for mountain biking due to large-sized wheels that are highly stable with high velocity having greater control and durability.

Can a 6 foot man ride a 26-inch bike?

But when it comes to adults who are taller than 5'7′′, a 26-inch bike will be slightly smaller. In such a case, adults who are 5'5′′-6'0′′ should get a 27.5-inch bike, while

those taller than 6 feet should get a 29-inch bike

. Overall, adults can ride bikes with a wheel diameter that is between 26 inches and 29 inches.

Is 27 inch bike for what size person?

Your Height / Inseam Bike Size 5′ to 5'4′′ under 27′′ inseam XS (extra small) 49 cm bike
5'4′′ to 5'8′′ with 27′′ to 29′′ inseam


S (small) 49 cm to 54 cm bike
5'8′′ to 5'10” with 29′′ to 31′′ inseam M (medium) 52 cm to 56 cm bike 5′′10′′ to 6′ with 31′′ to 33′′ inseam L (large) 54 cm to 58 cm bike

How do you determine what size bike to buy for a woman?

Rider Height Frame Size (in Inches) Frame Sizes (S,M,L) 4'10”-5'2′′ 13-14 XS 5'2′′-5'6′′ 15-16 S 5'6′′-5'10” 17-18 M 5'10”-6'0′′ 19-20 L

Is 20 inch bike for adults?

Smaller bikes fit neatly into the category of children's cycles, while larger two-wheelers are designed for older children, teenagers, and adults.

Not so with the 20-inchers

. This strange size category includes bicycles for riders of virtually every size and persuasion.

Is 24-inch bike good for adults?


Generally, a 24-inch bike is designed for people less than 5'4′′

, though this is not a hard and fast rule. If you are 5'4′′ or taller you may find yourself having trouble riding one as your body will be much longer than the bike. Your height and weight will determine how much you can comfortably handle on this bike.

What age is 20 inch bike for?

Wheel Size Age (Years) Height (Inch) 16 Inch / 18 Inch 5 – 7 3′ 8′′ – 4′ 2′′ 20 Inch

6 – 9

3′ 10′′ – 4′ 6′′
24 Inch 8 – 11 4′ 2′′ – 4′ 9′′ 26 Inch 9 – 12 4′ 6′′ – 5′ 0′′

What size is a 20 inch bike?

Wheel Size Age Height 14′′ 2 – 4 years 37 – 44′′ 16′′

4 – 6 years


41 – 48′′
20′′ 5 – 8 years 45 – 54′′ 24′′ 8 – 11 years 49′′ – 59′′

What size bike should I get for my height?

Rider Height Suggested Frame Size Feet and Inches Centimeters Inches
5′ 1′′ – 5′ 5′′


155 – 165


15 – 16
5′ 5′′ – 5′ 9′′ 165 – 175 17 – 18 5′ 9′′ – 6′ 0′′ 175 – 183 19 – 20

Is 29 inch bike good for what height?

If you are under 5'6” tall, a 26-inch mountain bike is still likely to be a better fit.

If you're 5'6′ or taller

, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6′ tall can rejoice: You'll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.

Do bikes come in 28 inches?


Most 28-inch wheels are steel and though uncommon in the U.S., they are still common on roadsters in Asia and the Netherlands

. However, wheels with identical diameters to some 28-inch wheels, the 29-inch mountain bike wheel and 700C road wheel, are typically aluminum.

Can a woman ride a 24-inch bike?

Conclusion.

A woman can ride a 24-inch bike when she meets the weight limits and her height is compatible with the bike

. If you are finding it hard to get an adult bike, then opting for a 24-inch kid's bike can be a loophole for you.

What is a good size bike for a 6 foot man?

Mountain bikes use standard measurement, and a 6-foot tall man will fall somewhere

between 18 and 20 inches

, depending on your inseam measurement. If you're between sizes, it's best to size up, since you can make up the differences with a higher seat and longer stem.

Is a 26 inch mountain bike for adults?

A 26-inch bike

works well for people who are 4'10-5'7, or 147 cm to 170 cm

. Also, it works well for people whose leg inseam is 25-30 inches, or 63-76 cm. However, the frame size may need adjustment depending on your height.

How tall should you be for a 24 inch bike?

In general, a 24-inch bike is designed for people of

4-foot 6 inch height to 5.7 inches

in height (which is like 140.208cms to 173.736 cms). That is to say, taller people can ride this bike with comfort. If the Rider height is around 6 feet, then you better invest in a bike with more space and larger tires.

What size bike should a 5'2 woman ride?

Women's hybrid bikes Rider height Suggested frame size Feet and inches Centimetres Inches 4ft 10in – 5ft 2in 148 – 158cm 13 – 14in 5ft 2in – 5ft 6in

158 – 168cm


15 – 16in

What size bike should a 5 4 woman get?

It depends on the woman's weight and whether she feels comfortable on it. Generally, women who are 5 ft. 4 inches and below can ride on

24 inch wheels

so long as they aren't too heavy for the bike. The safer and more reliable method to find a suitable bike is to go by frame size.

What size bike does a 5'10 woman need?

Rider Height Suggested Women's Road Frame Size Feet & Inches Centimetres Frame Size (cm) 5'3′′ – 5'5′′ 160cm – 165cm Small (50cm – 52cm) 5'5′′ – 5'8′′ 165cm – 172cm Medium (53cm – 55cm) 5'8′′ – 5'10” 172cm – 180cm

Large (56cm – 57cm)

What size bike does a 5'5 woman need?

The women that are 5 feet, 5'1′′ range, it's a personal preference between a

24′′ or a 26′′

. And then also, if you have shorter arms or shorter legs, that's gonna depend, too. Shorter arms or shorter legs, if you're 5 foot or 5'1′′, I'd recommend a 24′′.

What size bike should a 5 3 woman get?

Height Bike Size 4'11” to 5'3” (150-160 cm) 13 to 15 inches 5'3” to 5'7” (160-170 cm)

15 to 16 inches
5'7” to 5'11” (170-180 cm) 16 to 17 inches 6'0” to 6'2” (180-188 cm) 17 to 19 inches

What does 20 inch mean on a bike?

The '20 inch' refers to

the size of the wheels

. Traditionally it is a common size and follows on from 14” and 16”, and then comes before 24”, 26” and beyond. It is also the wheel size of choice for the vast majority of BMX bikes.

What height is a 21 inch bike for?

HEIGHT FRAME SIZE
5'7′′ to 5'9′′

21 to 22 inch
5'9′′ to 5'11” 22 to 23 inch 5'11” to 6'1′′ 23 to 24 inch 6'1′′ & over 24 to 25 inch

What bike size means?


Bike frames are commonly measured in centimetres or inches representing the length of the seat tube

. For example, a manufacturer may measure the seat tube length of a bike as 51cm, and then describe it is a small frame.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.