Mountain Bike Sizing Information

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What does the sizing of a mountain bike refer to? I'm looking for an entry-level mountain bike. I'm 5'5". What size should I get?

someantha replied: "it's not your height that matters so much as the length of your legs, torso, and arms. some manufacturers design their bikes differently for men and women, as they have different skeletal frames. your best bet is to find a reputable shop(s) near you, try the bikes out. the staff will help you pick one out that is the correct size for your body."

andyjwhit replied: "i'd agree with the first answer, it varies a lot from manufacturer to manufacturer. some list sizes in inches (15", 17", 18"...) and this refers to the length of the seat tube on the frame, usually from the centre of the bottom bracket (the axle on which the cranks and pedals turn), to the top of the seat tube where the seat post clamp is located. However, a bike with a longer seat tube, will also have other bits that are longer, most importantly the top tube (oddly enough, the horizontal tube running along the top), and also the head tube (where the forks and handlebar stem attach). Other manufacturers just use a Small, Medium, Large, XL system. At 5'5" you probably want to look at 16" or 17" frames, or a small or a medium. The only real way to tell though is to go to a proper bike shop and sit on a few, then ride the ones you like."

Daniel H replied: "What matters is the length of your legs--because you need about an inch or better clearance between your crotch and the top tube. A medium or 56cm bike may fit you or it may not. Some bikes have a nicely slanted top tube. This allows you to ride a larger size, which will come with higher, more comfortable handlebars. Your arm length may also need fitted. This is where a smaller bike could be nice. Smaller bikes have shorter top tubes and this makes the handlebars closer. I'm 6 foot tall with very short arms. So, I have to ride a tiny (tiny for me) 56cm bike with epic length seat post and stem risers in order to take advantage of the short top tube. Most of the "comfort mountain" class will fit you just fine because their ergonomics have a great clearance for standover height and comfortably close handlebars. These also fit the bill for price range."

Mountain Bike Sizing? I want to get into Mountain Biking and I am about 5' 9''. What size bike should I buy?

mr ski man replied: "I found this website useful when sizing up for myself"

boiseboy2113 replied: "17 inch frame"

beckihrh replied: "You should go try them out in person. Go to a place like REI etc."

wyldfyr48 replied: "Probably 26" wheels. Some bikes come in metrics. Go to a bike shop and try out several before you buy. A good bike shop will let you do a test ride. The important thing is how the seat is adjusted. A good salesperson at a bike shop will tell you how. Basically, you should just be able to have both feet flat on the ground when you extend them while sitting. I have a Klen and just love it. Enjoy!"

mockingbird replied: "The employees at a reputable bike shop will be able to size you when you go in to check out bikes. It depends on more on your inseam measurement than height. I'm 5'8" and mine's an 18" frame, I believe."

jfkdotcom replied: "It depends on the manufacture of the bike your looking at. Are you going to get a full suspension or a hard tail? How often do you rid and what kind of ridding do you like to do? There is a lot that will go into a proper fit, @ 5'9" you are kind of in between a medium and large in most frames so you will need to decide how to achieve a good center of gravity on the bike your looking at. I would recommend a full suspension to any level rider and just like anything else out there, you get what you pay for. I build, race and custom fit bikes for a living in the mountains of Colorado, my suggestion to you is find a quality bike shop that will spend time with you and help you understand what is available and find out what your needs are. good luck, don't just buy anything!"

cbikego replied: "Most MTB's are sized as Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large these days. At 5'9" you would be a Medium. If buying 2nd Hand, go to a bike shop and try out a Medium just to be sure. Good Luck :)"

s25 replied: "I am 5ft 8in I own a Rocky Mountain 17in frame. Fits well."

What size mountain bike for a female, 5 "2' 120 lbs? I'm looking to get into mountain biking, and I was wondering what size bike frame and what sixe wheels I need, because of my short height.

M R replied: "You will want to stay with 26' wheels. You'll be looking at the smallest frame sizes mostly. My girl friend is 5' 0" and rides a 13.5" frame. Fits fine."

m replied: "I'm short myself (5' with shoes on), and I bought a mountain bike with 26" wheels and an "XS" frame, Raleigh M20. A friend of mine who is about 2 inches taller bought a Raleigh hybrid "S" frame. that one has bigger wheels, 700cc. Your best bet is to try out different sizes at a bike shop."

AviationMetalSmith replied: "You might want to try a Mountain Bike with 24" x 2.125" wheels. 24 inch wheels are every bit as good as 26 inch wheels."

What's a good mountain bike size for me? I'm a female, 4'11" tall and weigh 115 lbs. I'm looking into getting a Trek mountain bike but don't know what size to go with. They had some that were 13" and some 15" which the store rep recommended for me but I'm still not sure which will better suit me. What should I look for regarding proper fit? Also, when I ride standing up, where should most of my body weight be? Should it be in the center of the bike or more towards that back?

edward w replied: "I would tend to lean towards the 15" frame for your size but, It is your inseam measurement that is important when you stand over the bike (off the seat just in front of the seat with both feet planted on the floor and you should be able to lift the bike off the floor equally about 2" with both tires off the floor) the rest of the fit is entirely up to you as far as seat height and weather or not it is forward or back and the length of the stem and handlebar position and most all of this is determined by YOU after you have ridden the bike for a couple of weeks and you will better determine what suits you best. Of course your Local bike shop should be able to assist you with all of this too. When you ride standing up then you are likely climbing a hill and on a mtn bike your torso should be more over the handle bar for better front end control and when you descend you should be far back on the seat for better control, you are almost never in the center of the bike unless you are on flat ground and then you are in a normal ridding position. At your height either one of these frame sizes in a Trek will likely work for you but you should test both to be certain."

What size mountain bike frame for a 6 ft guy? What inch size frame do I get if i'm looking for a mens mountain bike?

brandon replied: "probably a medium or a 17 to 19 inch"

Mike S replied: "26"

amosunknown replied: "large or 17-19 inch. you can google a size chart, or check the main manufacturer sites. kona or santa cruix or whatever that company is."

obnoxiousposter replied: "If looking for metric sizes, I'd get a 56 or 58 cm."

charlitozolo replied: "I'd say a 20 inch would work fine depending on you in-seem. I've been cycling for almost 10 years now so I know what I'm talking about. :)"

jp replied: "21 with a top bar of 23"

kona boy replied: "a 19 inch or a 21 inch but if you want a bike for dirt jumping 17 inch frame."

uncleneal replied: "Get thee to your local bike shop and get fitted. It is worth the extra time and effort!"

bmxcollections replied: "To determine your proper frame size, youll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement . Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6" apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenters square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor, in centimeters. (You can convert inches to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54.) Repeat two or three times, for consistency, and average the results to get your inseam length. Frame size refers to the length of the frames seat tube. Pro frames are measured along the seat tube in one of two ways, center-to-top (C-T) or center-to-center (C-C). C-T measures the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube or seat lug (See image bellow). C-C measures from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube. Since C-T measures to a point higher on the frame, a frame measuring 55cm C-T would also measure roughly 53.554cm C-C, a difference of 11.5cm. To size your C-T road frame, we use a guideline of .67 x inseam length. For example, if you have an 85cm inseam, your C-T frame size would be .67 x 85cm, or 57cm. LeMonds formula, from his former coach, Cyrille Guimard, establishes C-C size by the formula .65 x inseam length, which yields virtually the same frame size when you add the 11.5cm difference between C-C and C-T. Larger riders (6'0" and up) may find that this formula puts them on a too small, and uncomfortable, road frame. A taller cyclist who wants a more comfortable frame may be better off selecting a frame 2728cm less than inseam length, C-T. For a mountain bike, we start by recommending a frame in the range of 1012cm smaller than you take in a road frame. For example, if you ride a 55cm C-T road frame, look for a 4345cm (1718") C-T mountain frame. Frame Dimensions ------------------------------... A1 Seat Tube Length (CT) A2 Seat Tube Length (CC) B Top Tube length (CC) C Stem Length (CC)"

Atilla replied: "Try everything from an 18 to a 21 inch, or large to extra large if the company sizes that way. There's no standard among bike brands as to how they measure. Some do it from the center of the BB to the center of the top tube. Others do center to top of the seat tube. And so on, ad practically infinitum. So try anything that's even remotely close. Just give yourself three to five inches of standover clearance to get in the right ballpark, then dial in fit with seatpost height and fore-and-aft adjustments in the seatpost, plus stem length and rise."

What size mountain bike frame do i need? Im about 5' 10.5", but have longer legs compared to the average person (but not massive!) Looking at buying a downhill mountain bike but not sure what size frame to get?

Alex replied: "Not sure about the longer legs, but assume that you probably want a medium frame - 18 or 19". How to size your frame. Stand over your mountain bike with your feet about a foot apart. The frame should be about 2" - 4" clear of your family jewels. If the frame is too big you will bash your nads on the top bar. Extend your saddle so that, with your heal on the peddle your leg is fully extended. This means that when riding on the balls of your feet your leg will be slightly bent. If your saddle is right down on its lowest point, or only two or three inches above, your frame is too big. You want the seat post to have about a foot in height so that it adds to the bike suspension by flexing. If, however, your leg is slightly bent and the seat post is beyond the safety markings on the tube, the frame is too small and you should look at the next size up. Finally, lean over and grab the bars. If you feel too stretched and uncomfortable, then the bike style is probably wrong for you. Different manufacturers have different geometry. Try out a few until you find a comfortable set up. Luck"

How do you tell what size mountain bike you need? I am 6' 4 and 250...im a very athletic person and I want to know the proper sized Mountain bike to buy. Any ideas?

vi3tzkm replied: "You go to the store and sit on it LOL"

Steve H replied: "The size of the frame of your bike is based on mainly your height. Go to a bike store, they can help you out."

Chrys replied: "you measure your inseam and ask the people at the bike store to show you those that fit...make sure someone other than YOU measures your inseam. You can't do it properly."

Eric Arthur Blair replied: "Go to a good bicycle store and talk to them. There are a lot of different factors to consider. # What Type of Mountain Bike Should You Get? - Choosing the Right ... A quick guide to choosing the right type of mountain bike for you. How to decide what type of mountain bike will fit your needs best. [Site popularity rank: #76] mountainbike.about.com/od/buyersguideandreviews/f/What_bike.htm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing the right bike The cost of a mountain bike is dependent on two interrelated things: Weight ... The mountain bike itself can be divided up into three distinct areas: the ... [Site popularity rank: #6,197,191] - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing a Mountain Bike - bgindy.com Bicycle Gargage Indy: Sales and Service of bicycle products and service in Central Indiana with two s in Indianapolis and Greenwood, IN. [Site popularity rank: #1,015,398] bgindy.com/page.cfm?pageID=373 - 50k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing the Right Size Bicycle Frame - Cycling Discover more on choosing the right size bicycle frame in this helpful guide. ... A mountain bike typically not only needs to be smaller frame-wise than a ... [Site popularity rank: #5,875] - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - # What Should I Know About Choosing Mountain Bike Tires? Mountain bike tires come in an array of shapes and sizes, and choosing the ... The first thing you should do when choosing mountain bike tires is decide ... [Site popularity rank: #2,996] - 22k - Cached - Similar pages - # How To Choose a Mountain Bike | How To Do Things.com Choosing a mountain bike is easier than learning how to ride it. This article shows you how to find a mountain bike that's right for you. [Site popularity rank: #8,597] - 29k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing the Right Tires for Your Mountain Bike | Start Mountain ... If you take a few basic concepts into consideration, it shouldn't be too difficult to choose the right tires for your mountain bike. ... [No popularity rank] startmountainbiking.com/mountain-bike-tires - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing a Mountain Bike Essentially when choosing a mountain bike its pretty straight forward youre looking for a bike that you can a)afford and b)like the colour of. ... [Site popularity rank: #150,008] - 29k - Cached - Similar pages - # Choosing Your Mountain Bike - What to Look For Sep 3, 2008 ... A mountain bike is a moderately expensive purchase to make, with a lot of options to consider and the companies selling them don't make it ... [Site popularity rank: #205] ezinearticles.com/?Choosing-Your-Mountain-Bike---What-to-Look-For&id=1464521 - 49k - Cached - Similar pages - # Five Tips for Choosing Mountain Bike Suspension Forks - Associated ... Oct 28, 2007 ... One of the easiest ways to upgrade your bike is to buy mountain bike suspension forks. If you want to buy one, there are many things you ... [Site popularity rank: #840] - 55k - Cached - Similar pages -"

marc replied: "YOU GO TO A BIKE SHOP THEY WILL SHOW YOU SOME BIKES THEN YOU SIT ON IT IF YOU LIKE IT YOU BUY IT OR ELSE YOU KEEP LOOKING"

edward w replied: "very likely that you will need a 24" frame size with a standard 26" wheel size for your height. Your weight will be fine and is not generally a consideration for a mountain bike as most good bikes (not wal mart, kmart or Target, Dick's sporting goods or anyother like those) will be fine for you. Make sure that the store you get your bike from sells ONLY BIKES and nothing else (other than accesories for bikes). You inseam determines standover height only and other aspects of the right fit are determined by your reach to the bars (stem length) and the handlebar style and what height your seat is at when sitting on the bike. GO get fit as that is first before anything else. Almost any brand out there will work for you and not too many shops ever have your size in stock and they will be able to order it for you if they dont have it on the floor but you will have to ask for it. Assuming your inseam measures between 32" and 35" this would be the appropriate size for you and the only other size would be a 21 or 21.5" size for an inseam under or right at that minimum 32" inseam."

Bob A replied: "Visit the local bike shop and get fitted. You wont find a bike at Walmart or department store that will fit you. Take your inseam x .59 to get the correct size for a mountain bike. Google bike shops for your area."

John replied: "Short answer: A reputable bike shop can fit you. If you really want to "dial in" the fit, some shops use a precision setup called a "Fit Kit", though that's used more for road bikes than MTBs. Longer, more DIY answer: On a bike with a top tube that runs basically horizontally, a.k.a. a "diamond frame" bike, straddle the top tube with both feet flat on the ground. You should have at least 2 fingers of clearance between the top tube and your crotch -- a bit more if you're going to be hitting technical trails and coming off the seat a lot. That determines the "frame size" -- how long each of the 3 long tubes (top, seat, and "down") need to be to make the main triangle of the frame "diamond" big enough so your leg can extend properly to pedal efficiently, and so your reach to the handlebars will be neither to long nor too short. At 6'-4" you'll need a big frame, i.e. the top tube, down tube and seat tube will each be proportionally longer than a bike for someone shorter. OK, you found a frame that fits. The "frame size" is the number of inches, or centimeters, between the center point of the pedal axis (that bearing is called the "bottom bracket") and the top of the seat tube (the fixed tube that's part of the frame, not the adjustable height "seat post" that sticks out of it). Now to set the seat height. Sitting on the seat with the bike (and you) leaning against a wall, if you put the *heel* of your shoe on the pedal, your leg should be perfectly straight and your knee locked if the seat just supports you without it feeling too high. Then when you move your foot into the actual pedaling position (ball of foot centered over pedal), your knee will be slightly bent for optimal pedaling efficiency and knee health. Selecting the right frame size and setting the seat height are the two big items. From there you get into second level stuff like choosing a handlebar shape, stem height and angle (to position the handlebars in space), and seat fore-aft position on its rails (look under the seat). The shop where you buy your bike can do all this. If buying a bike used, have it -- and the way it fits you -- checked out by a reputable shop before paying the seller. Your weight won't be a problem with a real mountain bike -- its tube diameters will be sized for strength, to take the stresses of downhill bumps and jumps, and you'll have suspension. You'll want at least front shocks if not full (front and rear) suspension if you'll be riding challenging single-track terrain. John Ciccarelli, cycling coach San Francisco"

Your Best Fiend replied: "Go ask at your local bike shop. People could tell you all sorts of methods, but they will make little sense without a bike in front of you. There are multiple factors that come into play here, and it will be very difficult if not impossible to give you a good answer on here. Consider the factors you need to consider: leg length, torso length, arm extension, riding style, riding terrain, cost, etc."

pmt853 replied: "There is no substitute for actually trying a bike out for size by sitting or riding on it. Visit your local bike shop and they should be happy to advise on the right size and let you try a couple out for comfort, you don't have to buy from them."

mountain bike sizing, help!? I am looking into buying a new mountain bike and spotted a deal for a secondhand bike. The frame measures 18 inch from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the seatpost tube and the top tube measures 22 inch from the centre of the headset to the centre of the seatpost down tube. i dont really understand this i am six foot (183 cm) would this bike fit me alright. any help would be much appreciated

Bob A replied: "Take your inseam X .59 to get the correct mountain bike frame size. The 18 inch will probably be too small and the cockpit will be cramped for you. My guess is a 20 - 21 inch frame. "

MtBikr replied: "The size one rides is based on inseam not height. However you may find an 18" frame just right. If you ride tight tech. trails a slightly smaller frame will work better when the trails get tight. Get sized to make sure you get the proper frame or find someone with a bike with the same frame size and try it out."

What size mountain bike would I need? I'm almost 6'5" and wanting to get a mountain bike but I'm not sure what size fram and tires I should be looking for. What do you suggest?

Bob A replied: "You will have to go to the local bike shop to get fitted."

What size Mountain Bike should I buy if I am 5'9" with a 30In Inseam? I am looking for Mountain Bikes on Craigslist and see sizes from 19" to 22" I was not sure of the best size for someone my size.

readycpa replied: "You would probably need a medium (17"-18")"

M R replied: "I'm 5' 8" with 30" inseam and ride a 16" Giant. I'd check 15" to 17". The ones you are looking at are certainly too big."

mtbwacky replied: "M R is right my wife is 5' 10" and she rides a Medium usually sizes around 18"."