What size bike is right for you? Find out based on your height

When choosing a new bike, you should first focus not on design or price, but on selecting the correct frame size.

This guide will help you choose the right bike frame based on your height, includes a bike size chart, and gives tips on how to take the necessary measurements at home without any special tools.

Choosing a bike by rider height

Your bike size determines whether you ride comfortably or end up getting tired quickly and feeling pain in your knees or lower back. Many riders who suffer from discomfort on the bike come to VELONOVA’s bike-fit (rider position) specialists looking for a solution and often hear that the problem is not poorly adjusted components, but a poorly chosen frame size – most commonly, a frame that is too large.

Quick recommendation: your bike size right now

How to quickly measure your height and inseam

When choosing a bike by rider height, knowing only your total height is not enough. You’ll also need to measure your inner leg length (inseam). Here’s how to do it:

1. Stand barefoot against a wall, straight, with a book between your legs – so that it touches the crotch.
2. Mark the highest point on the wall (the top edge of the book).
3. Measure the distance from the floor to this mark – this is your inseam (cm).

LeMond formula: Road bike frame size (cm) ≈ inseam × 0.67

For example, if your inseam is 78 cm, a suitable road bike frame size would be around 52 cm (78 × 0.67).

If you did not measure your inseam in advance, when you come to see a bike in person, pay attention to the distance between the top tube and your crotch (standover height) while standing with both feet flat on the ground.

• For road and city bikes, a gap of 2–5 cm is recommended.
• For mountain bikes, a gap of 5–10 cm is recommended.

Bike size charts by type, rider height and frame size

Not all bikes are measured the same way. Mountain, road and hybrid models have different proportions, so you should choose from the correct category.

Which size to choose: smaller or larger?

If you are between two sizes, follow these professional guidelines.

• Always choose the size that matches you best and, if your height sits between two sizes, it’s usually better to go for the smaller one. The frame will be lighter and the bike will be easier to handle.
• You do not need a bigger frame for a more “sporty” position. If you want a more aerodynamic (flatter) position, it is better to adjust the stem length and handlebar position. Do this gradually or with specialist advice – an overly aggressive position can cause back and other pains.
• Besides frame size, it’s very important to consider the bike’s geometry. Every body is different – some people have longer arms, others a shorter torso, so two riders of the same height may feel very different on the same bike. You should also pay attention to parameters like reach (horizontal distance to the handlebar) and stack (frame height). These values help you tailor the bike to your body proportions more precisely and make sure you ride comfortably and naturally.

Kids’ bikes: sizes by height

When choosing a bike for a child, height is the key factor. Children grow at different rates, so bikes should always be sized by checking whether their feet comfortably touch the ground when they sit on the saddle. The most common mistake is buying a bike “to grow into”. An oversized bike can be unsafe, uncomfortable and may discourage the child from cycling altogether.

Does the bike fit? Quick checklist

Once you’ve chosen a bike model, take a few minutes to check the fit:

• Standover height: 2–5 cm clearance between the top tube and crotch for road bikes, 5–10 cm for mountain bikes.
• Saddle height: with the pedal at the lowest point, your leg should be slightly bent – roughly 25–35°, or, if you lean against a wall, placing your heels on the pedals and pedalling backwards, your leg should straighten fully.
• When sitting on the bike, your elbows should be slightly bent and your shoulders relaxed.
• A short test ride will help you feel whether the handling is comfortable.

Although almost all bike components can be adjusted, if the frame is too long or too short in terms of reach (distance to the handlebar), no amount of adjustment will achieve perfect comfort.

By taking the time to choose the correct size, you ensure safe, comfortable and, most importantly, enjoyable riding for many years.

To find a bike that fits you perfectly, get in touch with the VELONOVA team – in our physical store, specialists will help you choose the right bike size based on your height and needs, and when shopping online you can receive remote advice and individual recommendations.