General Cycling Discussion - What frame size for me?

I have found this frame size chart, and it might help people make a beter choice.

Use the sizing chart below to find the right sized road bike for you. Knowing your height and inseam measurements, you should be able to determine what size frame will be most comfortable for you. Of the two measurements, height and inseam, inseam is more important.


Road Bike Sizing Guide

Determining Your Road Bike Frame Size:

Height Inseam Length Bike Frame Size
4'10" - 5'1" 25.5” - 27” 46 - 48 cm
5'0" - 5'3" 26.5" - 28" 48 - 50 cm
5'2" - 5'5" 27.5" - 29" 50 - 52 cm
5'4" - 5'7" 28.5" - 30" 52 - 54 cm
5'6" - 5'9" 29.5" - 31" 54 - 56 cm
5'8" - 5'11" 30.5" - 32" 56 - 58 cm
5'10" - 6'1" 31.5" - 33" 58 - 60 cm
6'0" - 6'3" 32.5" - 34" 60 - 62 cm
6'2" - 6'5" 34.5" - 36" 62 - 64 cm

The best online guide I have found is this: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

The best online guide I have found is this: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

That's the best one I know of, too...but why would a person contemplating a bike purchase and unsure of size not look for professional help? If only there were a type of store that SOLD bikes, and was staffed by people knowledgeable in that area.
I don't work in a shop or have any connection with one, but there are so many questions about this, and the answer is so obvious...

Old School Bike shop Floor test: if you can lift the front wheel off the ground a couple inches ,
while straddling the bike , then It's not too big.


what kind of bike for what kind of riding is the kind of question the bike shop employee would ask ..

You want a race bike , a seller of race bikes would help you fit like a racer,
but thats a poor fit for a tourist or someone JRA on a bike path with their kids.

I have found this frame size chart, and it might help people make a beter choice.

Use the sizing chart below to find the right sized road bike for you. Knowing your height and inseam measurements, you should be able to determine what size frame will be most comfortable for you. Of the two measurements, height and inseam, inseam is more important.


Road Bike Sizing Guide

Determining Your Road Bike Frame Size:

Height Inseam Length Bike Frame Size
4'10" - 5'1" 25.5” - 27” 46 - 48 cm
5'0" - 5'3" 26.5" - 28" 48 - 50 cm
5'2" - 5'5" 27.5" - 29" 50 - 52 cm
5'4" - 5'7" 28.5" - 30" 52 - 54 cm
5'6" - 5'9" 29.5" - 31" 54 - 56 cm
5'8" - 5'11" 30.5" - 32" 56 - 58 cm
5'10" - 6'1" 31.5" - 33" 58 - 60 cm
6'0" - 6'3" 32.5" - 34" 60 - 62 cm
6'2" - 6'5" 34.5" - 36" 62 - 64 cm

Sorry, mate, but if yer gonna put up a chart at least make sure it's all in either "cm" or "in" but NOT BOTH!!!

Sorry, mate, but if yer gonna put up a chart at least make sure it's all in either "cm" or "in" but NOT BOTH!!!

Even in the UK we measure in imperial----But Bike sizes are Metric. If you put the bike size in Imperial-What size is the 51cm frame that I ride? And how tall is 5'6" in Metric?

A long legged, short torso guys might use this chart and be able to stand over the frame, but not reach the handlebars. It's much easier to add on to seat tube (by raising the seat post) than it is to lengthen or shorten the top tube (proper stem lengths only vary about 40mm). Therefore, buy based on effective top tube length not "frame size" that is based on seat tube length. (not to mention that different manufacturers measure seat tube differently anyway).

" Nightstand" Well Mate, that chart is not written by me but by Specialized bikes, straight of their site.