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What size do I require?
If you do not know the exact size of bike you require then please contact us for guidance. Most bikes can be sized by taking into account the rider's height, the rider's proportions and the type of riding the bike is required for.
We have provided geometry data alongside bikes to help size them. However, If you are unsure about your ideal bike size then we would suggest you visit our store and take advantage of our expert advice, try a few different sizes or even take an extended test ride on one of our demo bikes.
Any telephone or email advice guidance we offer on bike sizing is based upon our experience of selling and fitting bikes to customers in our shop. However, the choice of bike size is your responsibility and if you do not know what size you require we would urge you to visit our store to be fitted.
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What dimensions are important?
The most important dimension of a bike is its reach. The bike's reach from saddle to bars will affect comfort, biomechanical performance, handling and aerodynamics. The bike's reach is determined by the frame top tube, the seat angle and the stem. It is possible to vary a bike's reach by a small amount by using a different length stem but this is only for fine tuning. Moving a saddle fore or aft is NOT a correct method for adjusting reach. Your saddle position and height is determined by your leg length, pedalling style and a small variance for comfort. Once this position is determined the saddle should never be moved to change reach.
The standover height of a frame is also important. It is ideal if you can stand over the frame with your feet flat on the floor and have a gap between the top tube and your crotch. However, a frame should never be selected on this requirement. A frame should always be selected on reach and then the standover should be checked. Road bikes and hardtail mountain bikes generally allow for the standover criteria to be achieved. Long travel mountain bikes may not allow a measureable gap to be achieved between the top tube and rider. This is a result of the whole bike being higher off the ground and having to allow for suspension travel.
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Not all bikes are the same
Most manufacturer's design their bikes to give a rider position suitable for the bike's purpose.
For instance a Road Race bike will have a longer reach than a comfort road bike. This is will result in a slightly more aerodynamic position for the road race bike versus a more upright (probably more comfortable) position on the comfort road bike.
Similarily, a lightweight MTB race hardtail will have a relatively long reach compared to a full suspension MTB trail bike. This means the hardtail will probably have a more biomechanically efficient position, whereas the trail bike will have a more upright position better for stability and manouvering.
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