How to Size a Bicycle and Bicycle Seat to fit the rider

If you want to save yourself from back pains, prevent the injuries, or enhance the enjoyment – all while riding a bicycle, the best thing you could do is to get a properly sized bike. There are many methods out there claiming to teach you just that. However, as you might have noticed by your search on the Internet, most of these methods are for the nerds. In simple words, they are too complex and consist of inapplicable methods.

Thus, if you have been looking for a simple yet effective method, you’ve landed at the right place.

Step # 1: Determine your Inseam

Determining your inseam is one of the easiest things in the world. All you need is a measuring tape and a pair of pants which fit you well. Once you have got both these “tools” at your disposal, use the measuring tape to measure the distance from the bottom of the leg to the crotch. This is your inseam.

Step # 2: Measure the height of the bike

As you might guess, the term “measuring your bike’s height is equivocal” for it doesn’t convey much. To do this, measure the distance from the top frame of the bike to the ground. Now, in order to make sure that the bike fits your size, compare this measurement with your inseam.

For a bike which would fit you properly, its height should range from 1-2’’ of your inseam. In other words, while standing with flat feet on the ground, your crotch should almost touch the bar.

Step # 3:  Measure the distance between pedal and seat

Before carrying on with this step, make sure that the pedal is in its “lower” position. That would greatly refine our measurement.

Now that you have met the above-mentioned requirement, take out the measuring tape and measure the distance between the pedal and the seat. Make sure that the upper part of the measuring tape touches the center of the seat. Finally, note down this measurement.

Now, make sure that you’re comfortable with this bike, compare this measurement with your inseam. If a bike is properly sized, this measurement should be 1-2’’ less than your inseam measurement.

Why? If your bike meets this criterion, it means you won’t have to bend your leg while pedaling it. Consequently, there would be no pains in your leg.

Step # 4: Measure your total Reach

Unlike all the above steps – which are crucial if you want to land a perfectly sized bike, this is more to do with your comfort level. That is, if you want to, you could leave this method untouched. However, if you want to go the extra mile in achieving your comfort, scroll down.

With the term “Total Reach”, we mean the distance your hands cover when stretched fully. Firstly, spread your hands fully in the horizontal direction. Now, ask someone to measure the distance from the tip of one hand to the same of the other. Note down this measurement as A.

Secondly, measure the distance from the top of your crotch to your shoulder height. Note down this measurement as B. Now that you’ve got these measurements successfully, use the following formula to measure your total reach.

Total Reach = (A+B)/2

Step # 5: Alternative method

If you feel that the above-mentioned criteria are too difficult to meet – and want to go for a simpler version, here is an alternative method.

Sit on the seat and extend both of your legs. If they are able to touch the ground, congrats, you’ve got a perfectly sized bike!

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