How to buy the right frame size

The following calculation should be applied when you try or measure a bike for size.  It is best if you can actually test the bike you are buying but in the age of internet shopping, knowledge is power!

Racing or Road Bikes:
Standing flat footed on the ground, you should have a minimum of at least 1 inch clearance between yourself and the top tube of the frame

Mountain Bikes:
Standing flat footed on the ground, you should have a minimum of at least 3 inches clearance between yourself and the top tube of the frame.

A basic calculation can be used to estimate your required frame size if you are not able to physically measure yourself against a bike:

1.  Note your inside leg measurement to the floor.
2.  Subtract 3 inches for mountain bikes or 1 inch for road bikes.
3.  Subtract 10 inches from that value.
4.  This will give you the maximum frame size that you will need.

• Remember that as bikes get bigger in height they also get longer. The distance from the seat post to the handle bars increases by 1 inch for every additional 2 inches in frame size.

You must also make sure that although you may be able to stand astride a bigger framed bike, you can still reach the handlebars and safely manage the controls.

Saddles on all bikes are adjustable by between 4 and 10 inches so any bike can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.