What bicycle size do I need?

What bicycle size do I need? This is a common question buyers ask and one that many ask themselves. There is no direct answer, and it depends on the type and brand of bicycle you are getting. An important factor to take into consideration is also the confidence level of the rider.

Figure showing some commonly used measurements of a bicycle geometry, namely top tube, seat tube and standover lengths.
Commonly used measurements. (Source: Wikipedia)

Generally, seat tube length is used for mountain bikes, while top tube length is used for road bikes and hybrid bikes in most bicycle size charts. (See figure “commonly used measurements”.)

If you are a beginner, standover length is what you should take into consideration as you might prefer to have your feet touch the ground for example.

To categorise the size of a bicycle and the recommended rider’s height, we generally uses these 2 size charts, unless brand specific charts are available.

Last but not least, if you are looking into professional cycling, read more into bike geometry and road bike position.

Good luck!

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