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    All about frame height for a road bike

    Sophia Willmes
    Sophia Willmes
    Mar 4, 2024 6 min
    All about frame height for a road bike

    The buycycle frame sizes guide

    Anyone who rides an inappropriately sized bike not only complains of physical discomfort after a short time. Performance and endurance also suffer a rapid decline. The neck and back ache, and the legs don't generate the power they used to. Especially when racing the fun comes from speed, which in turn comes from your power. Finding the right frame height is considered a real challenge in the bike community. After all, the frame size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, sometimes smaller and sometimes larger. In addition, the supposedly suitable size can fail due to one's own anatomy, for example, particularly long arms or legs. It is often said that you have to test ride many models. By accurately measuring the stride length, in conjunction with experience reports, it is easier than thought to find the right make. Here you get additional tips on the ideal frame height, which will facilitate your search for the dream bike.

    1. What is understood by frame height?

    In advance, no one should be misled by the terms frame height and frame size. The same value is meant behind both terms. Superficially speaking, it is the distance between the bottom bracket and seat tube. With information on frame height, manufacturers try to ensure an uncomplicated classification of the frame geometry for the end user. As a customer, you should be able to see which model potentially fits best to your own body size. The frame geometry includes dimensions of tubes, angles and distances. A detailed discussion of this is not necessary to be considered a passionate road cyclist. There are a few terms that are nevertheless good to know. There is what is known as the stack-to-reach ratio. Stack as the height of the front of the frame, and Reach as the length of the front half of the frame, determine the rider's posture. The driving dynamics are significantly influenced by the wheelbase, i.e. the distance between the axle centers of both wheels, or the steering angle.

    The steering angle describes the inclination of the fork. It plays a particularly important role for the mountain bike. A bicycle frame offers numerous other special features to explore. You quickly realize that this topic is very complex and does not have to be penetrated in full depth. Since the frame geometry significantly determines rider posture and riding dynamics, it is also decisive for the type of racing bike. While the gravel bike still emphasizes comfort, aero road bikes are completely designed for competition and favor a very sporty posture. How one's own seating position ultimately turns out and whether one has found the right size for oneself also depends on the other components. Handlebars including stems or the height of the saddle, controlled by the seatpost, are also relevant. By specifying a frame height, manufacturers provide a great deal of assistance in finding a suitable bike . If you like to sit a little more sporty, you should tend to a slightly smaller frame size. Especially in the racing bike sector, this is also the recommendation: rather a little too small than too large. A longer stem can be added so that the bike is not too short. More comfort and smoothness, however, brings a model with a slightly too large frame height.

    2. Which frame height for which body size?

    Manufacturers often specify the appropriate body height and inner leg length for the frame height of their bike models. The length of the seat tube is also often specified in centimeters. A certain experience in which rider posture one prefers to pedal can be helpful. Rather sporty bent forward may mean reaching for a slightly smaller model. Those who rather cover long distances may prefer a comfortable more upright posture of the larger frame. The all-rounder remains, of course, just the right frame size. After this consideration, it is important to determine the stride length and body size. A guide to measure the stride length follows in the next section. The ideal frame height can be calculated yourself by multiplying your own stride length by the factor 0.665. The stride length is therefore the more relevant factor. The own body height serves more for the comparison of the manufacturer's specifications. With the right road bike frame height flows into the own anatomy. People have particularly long or short legs, torso or arms. With adjustments through handlebars, stem or saddle position, the wheel can be individually fine-tuned. Manufacturers' specifications for their frame sizes should not be compared with each other. Anyone who has had good experience with the frame size of one brand should not transfer this to other manufacturers. Similar to clothing, a size M, for example, does not turn out the same everywhere. Experience reports help here. An exchange with friends and family, a look on the Internet or a visit to a showroom of the respective manufacturer or any bike store provides information.

    3. How to measure the stride length?

    The stride length is easy to determine yourself, Nic also explains it to you in the YouTube video attached below. For this you need a tape measure and a loose saddle or a book. You stand in front of a straight wall. The legs should have a small distance. Now clamp the book or the saddle in the crotch. Measure from the tip of the saddle to the floor. In the case of the book, it is measured from the top of the book to the floor. The step length in centimeters determined in this way is now calculated to arrive at the appropriate frame height. To do this, multiply the stride length by a factor of 0.665. The result should be between approx. 48 cm and 64 cm. Alternatively, you can of course go to a bike store and get professional help with measuring.

    4. What frame height do you need for road bike?

    As already mentioned, you meet an all-rounder with the calculated frame height, which results from your own stride length. Both fast sprints and long distances are feasible on a road bike of this size. Competitions require greater aerodynamics and a more tilted pelvis. Smaller, shorter frames make this a preferred posture. To avoid joint pain, it is recommended to fit a longer stem. A large road bike frame promotes a more upright posture, which is considered more comfortable and can aid performance during long tours. Other types of bikes are also all about stride length when determining frame height. If you are specifically looking for a triathlon bike, you will find an adapted geometry for competition. An additional search for a smaller frame is not necessary. On the frame size of cyclocross bikes and fixies, everything said about road bikes and gravel bikes is applicable.

    A trekking bike inherently offers a more upright seat and more comfort for long distances potentially covered. A frame that is too small is more of a nuisance here. City bikes or Holland bikes are known for their low entry and particularly straight, comfortable seat. However, for both MTB Fully and MTB Hardtail, other things become relevant when it comes to frame size. For example, there should be enough space between the top tube of the bike frame and your own crotch, so that fast dismounting is possible in the terrain. The top tube length, on the other hand, is not decisive. After all, a lot can be compensated for with a shortened or long stem as well as the seat post. The length of the head tube is crucial for the height of the front. The longer the head tube, the more difficult it is to ride uphill.

    A small frame provides maneuverability and agility. This can be an advantage on technical trails. Larger frames are more sure-footed. The size of children's bikes is not specified on the basis of the frame height. Here, the wheel size provides information about the appropriate model. Depending on the age, the manufacturer recommends the size in inches. Body size and frame height are often given as additional guidelines. The BMX bike is also often advertised with the wheel size. Here it is not about a comfortable fit. Rather, the focus is on acrobatic jumps and tricks, mainly standing on the pedals.

    5. How do I know my bike ordered online will fit?

    If you buy a used bike online directly from the manufacturer, via bicycle wholesalers or other platforms, you will not be able to take a test ride. Before buying a bike online, there is the option of going to a bike store or showroom. There you can test comparable models. Sometimes even this is not feasible. On the basis of the manufacturer's specifications and possibly obtaining further empirical data on how the models turn out, you are often already on the safe side. If the ordered dream bike still does not convince in the practical test, it can be helped by handlebars, stem and saddle. Buycycle offers a variety of top brands with years of expertise on their bike sizes. The indicated sizes are reliable. We are happy to assist you in choosing the right bike. For special questions about the frame height, the buycycle team will be happy to help.

    That's it! If you have further questions about frame heights or about the topic of bicycles in general, you can always continue on the blog or contact our team team. And a look at buycycle if you want to find your new dream bike or sell your old one. Until then, we wish you, as always: Happy browsing, happy cycling!