How To Pick The Correct Mountain Bike For Your Size?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The easiest way to determine your frame size is by

, but many riders find that they are between sizes. Choosing to go up or down a size depends on your personal riding style and body proportions. A bike with a longer reach will have a longer wheelbase. That makes it more stable, especially on high-speed descents.

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

What size mountain bike do I need 5 11?

Rider Height (in) Rider Height (cm) Frame Size (in) 5′ 7′′ – 5′ 10′′ 169cm – 178cm 17′′ – 18′′ 5′ 11′′ – 6′ 1′′

179cm – 185cm

19′′ – 20′′
6′ 2′′ – 6′ 4′′ 186cm – 193cm 21′′ – 22′′ 6′ 4′′ + 194cm + 23′′ +

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller bike frame?


If your arm span is longer than your height, go for a bigger frame

. If it's shorter, get the smaller one. On a bigger bike, the reach to the handlebars will be longer. If you have proportionally longer arms, you are likely to feel more comfortable on a bigger frame.

How do I know what bike frame size I need?

Height Bike Size 5'7” to 5'11” (170-180 cm) 16 to 17 inches 6'0” to 6'2” (180-188 cm) 17 to 19 inches 6'2” to 6'4” (188-193 cm) 19 to 21 inches 6'4” or taller (193+ cm) 21 plus inches

How tall should you be for a 29 inch bike?

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.

Is 26-inch bike good for what height?

that are 26 inches in size work well for

children and adults who range from approximately five feet to six feet tall

. They can also be appropriate for some taller people, but the best way to find out if it's a good fit is by testing ride one!

What size bike should a 5'11 Man ride?

Your Height / Inseam Bike Size 5'7′′ to 5'11” with 29′′ to 31′′ inseam M (medium) 17 inch bike 5'11” to 6'2′′ with 31′′ to 33′′ inseam

L (large) 19 inch bike
6'2′′ to 6'4′′ with 33′′ to 35′′ inseam XL (extra large) 21 inch bike 6'4′′ to 6'6′′ with 35′′ and up inseam XXL 23 inch or bigger

How do I know if my mountain bike is too small?


If you notice that your arms and legs are more sore than normal after a long ride

, the frame may be too small. A bicycle frame that is too small could also be uncomfortable to ride. If you feel awkward or cramped, the frame is probably too small for your height.

What does a 26 inch bike mean?

While a 26-inch bike

suit cyclists who are at least 4'10 and about 13 years or older

, a 26-inch bike suit riders who are at least 5'5′′, just like 27.5-inch bikes. You should note, however, that 28-inch bikes are rare. So, in most cases, guys who are 5'5′′ or taller consider 27.5-inch and 29er bikes. 26-Inch Vs. 29er.

Is it OK to buy a bike one size smaller?

So, in short, more power is almost always ideal, but how long it can be maintained in a certain position, and how comfortable that position is, is what really matters for most riders.

Neither a smaller or bigger frame is better for everyone

and generalizations in frame sizing are almost always risky.

What happens if a mountain bike is too big?

Bikes that are too big can also cause

a great amount of discomfort on your neck, back, knees and shoulders

. If you find yourself overly stretching to reach the handlebars you will find it uncomfortable, especially on longer rides around your arms and wrists.

Is 21 inch bike too big?

A 21 inch bike frame is an XXL size

suitable for people over 6 foot 2 inches tall

.

Is a 24 inch bike good for what height?

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′′

Can a 6 foot man ride a 26 inch bike?

Out of many bike sizes, the 26-inch bike is suitable for every adult. It's also one of the most common sizes people use nowadays. In detail,

if you're around 6.2 feet tall, then the 26-inch bike is perfect for you

. But remember that it's not the only way you can consider before choosing a specific model.

Is a 27.5 or 29er better?

Simply put,

a 29er offers more speed, efficiency and stability, while a 27.5-inch bike offers a snappier trail feel

. So unless you are particularly tall or small then the choice of wheel size very much depends on the trail you ride and your personal preference for the ride feel.

What is the advantage of 29 inch wheels on a mountain bike?

29” Wheel Advantages


29” wheels often feel smoother to ride due to the higher air volume in their larger tires

. The extra air volume acts as additional suspension – some say that it feels like having an extra inch of travel to ride the bigger wheels.

What is the advantage of 29er mountain bikes?

Ride Experience

Largely because of their lower attack angle, 29ers

roll over trail obstacles easier than 27.5-inch wheels

. This translates to a slightly smoother ride and a bit less effort to keep the bike going.

Are 26 mountain bikes obsolete?

26-inch mountain bikes are in steep decline.

While they are certainly not dead, they may be dying

. Larger tires are taking over so MTB's need to be able to accommodate, resulting in many switching to a bigger wheel size. Hardtails are definitely not dead but they no longer dominate.

What size is a 54 bike frame?

Rider height 5'2′′ – 5'5′′ (157 – 165 cm) 5'6′′ – 5'9′′ (167 – 176 cm) Frame size

50 cm

54 cm

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.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.