A bicycle is a vehicle that has been familiar to everyone since childhood. It is on a bicycle that a small child begins to learn how to ride, and after that, the “iron horse” is used for walking or professional sports.
Today, the sporting goods market has more than a wide range of bicycles. However, there are certain standards in size. It is about the dimensions that will be discussed in this article.
Features of choice
The first step is to understand why you need to own information about the size of the bike. So, such parameters are, of course, very important, since it depends on them:
- whether it will be convenient to ride on it, whether it fits the parameters of the rider;
- method and possibilities of its transportation;
- in what place can it be stored.
Also, the dimensions of a bicycle are paid attention to if they buy it in an online store: the shipping cost often depends on its size in a box, if it is paid.
Varieties of bicycles
The first thing that determines the size as a whole, the dimensions of individual components and parts, is the type of bicycle. It happens:
- road;
- single-pendant or two-pendant;
- mountainous;
- highway;
- urban
- Cruise
- trekking;
- tourist;
- BMX;
- hardtail;
- hybrid;
- female, teenage, childish, classic.
Each of the above types is used for different types of riding in a particular area and territory. For example, design features mountain bike designed for skiing on mountainous, rocky terrain, and urban perfect for regular trips on a flat road.Trekking bicycles are preferred by cyclists who love great speed and professional cycling.
Standard sizes
Every manufacturer that manufactures bicycles, from the simplest “iron horses” to professional models, is required to take into account the standards clearly defined in the norms and requirements. According to the rules and regulations, the maximum length of the bike can be 2 meters, the minimum is 1.8 meters, and the height is 1.2 meters. Now consider this in more detail.
Frame dimensions
Data that correspond to the parameters of the mountain bike and mountain bike frame are shown in the table below.
Table 1
Frame size | Size in centimeters | Inch size | Human height in cm |
XS | 33 – 35,6 | 13 – 14 | up to 155 |
S | 38,1 – 40,6 | 15 – 16 | 145 – 165 |
M | 43,2 – 45,7 | 17 – 18 | 156 – 178 |
L | 48,3 – 50,8 | 19 – 20 | 172 – 185 |
XL | 53,3 – 55,9 | 21 – 22 | 180 – 195 |
XXL | 58,4 – 61 | 23 – 24 | 190 – 210 |
Here are just the parameters of folding mountain and folding city bicycles do not correspond to those indicated in the table. Only one size is available for them, which is suitable for people from 155 to 185 centimeters tall.
In table No. 2 you can see the dimensions of the frame of road and highway bikes.
table 2
Frame size | Size in centimeters | Inch size | Human height in cm |
XS | 41 – 59 | 13 – 14 | 157 – 163 |
S | 51 – 54 | 15 – 16 | 163 – 170 |
M | 55 – 57 | 17 – 18 | 170 – 178 |
M / L | 57 – 59 | 19 – 20 | 178 – 183 |
L | 58 – 60 | 21 – 22 | 183 – 190 |
X L | 61 – 63 | 23 – 24 | 190 – 198 |
These models are suitable for walks and competitions. So, choosing a bike of this kind, it is necessary to take into account the parameters of the frame.
Steering wheel
The handlebar is an integral part of every bike, thanks to which the transport is controlled. A bicycle wheel may be:
- direct;
- Riser steering wheel, or as it is also called “horns”.
The direct wheel is most often mounted on mountain and trekking bikes. Experts say that more convenient for driving is a steering wheel of the “horn” type, since it makes it possible to adjust the position of the hands. But behind the wheel of a direct type, the hands are held exclusively in one position.
Wheel sizes
The diameter of the wheels of the bicycle is what the buyer first of all pays attention to when choosing a transport. If we talk about models that are designed for an adult, the diameter of their wheels can be 26, 27, 27.5, 28 and 29 inches. Depends on the diameter of the wheels:
- the effort that will need to be applied to accelerate;
- the maximum speed that the vehicle can develop;
- how easy and convenient it will be to manage it.
It is also worth noting the fact that For each type of bicycle, wheels of a certain diameter are designed. For example, bikes with 26-inch wheels are ideal for off-road riding, pits and for overcoming various obstacles. Wheels of 27.5 and 28 inches are the average size that most cycling enthusiasts prefer. There are manufacturers who sell adult models with 20-inch wheels. Such models are used by fans of extreme driving.
Package Dimensions
Earlier in the article, we already said that the dimensions of the bike in the box are of great importance. Of course, when buying a vehicle, you can check the packaging information with the sales assistant. But there are approximate parameters that can be followed.
Wheel diameter inches | Length cm | Height cm | Depth cm |
12 | 80 | 40 | 19 – 22 |
16 | 90 – 100 | 45 | 19 – 22 |
20 | 110 – 115 | 55 – 60 | 19 – 22 |
24 | 120 – 127 | 62 – 67 | 19 – 22 |
26 | 135 – 141 | 72 – 76 | 19 – 22 |
27,5 | 137 – 142 | 72 – 76 | 19 – 22 |
28 | 138 – 143 | 73 – 78 | 19 – 22 |
29 | 140 – 145 | 74 – 80 | 19 – 22 |
Folding | 80 | 40 | 20 |
Fetbike | 156 | 76 | 26 |
In most cases, manufacturers and sellers pack the goods in a box whose dimensions are larger than the size of the bike. For example, a model with 28-inch wheels will be placed for transportation in a container 2 meters long.
Criterias of choice
Depends on the size of different parts of the bike how comfortable and convenient it will be to ride on it, if riding on it will not harm human health. When choosing a model, you need to pay attention to:
- height and weight of the person who will ride the bike;
- wheel diameter;
- frame size;
- type of steering wheel;
- type of terrain on which the ride will be carried out.
The ideal option is to purchase such goods exclusively in a specialized store, where you can sit on a bicycle, pedal, hold the wheel.Such an experiment will make it clear whether it is right for you.
On how to choose a bike by height, see the next video.
