What size frame do you have?

[Steph]

Do you ride mountain or road? And what are your inseam measurements?

I am 5'5" and have an inseam of 30. According to my calculations that means I would ride a 15.5" frame for a mountain bike. Can you go bigger or smaller? Would it be too hard for me to ride say a 17" frame?

[baskingshark]

I am a complete beginner - I just bought my bike about three weeks ago, so I'm not qualified to give advice in any way. However, before I bought my bike, I got lots of advice on this type of question from all the great people on this board, mainly telling me - go to the bike shop and test out some bikes.

The bike I eventually bought is a WSD bike and is labelled as "Small - 5'3" - 5'6", but I'm 5'7" and it fits me perfectly - I guess I have short legs in comparison to me height.

[Cindyloo]

I have both mountain and road. My first mt bike was a specialized rockhopper size 15 (or 15.5 I can't remember). It was too small so I sold it a year later. Now I have an old beater mt. bike size 16.5 and it fits me like a glove. My road bike is a Trek 1000 WSD size 51 cm and it fits me well. I am 5'5 with a 30 inch inseam (that was a fun measurement at the bike shop). I would think a 17 inch frame would be doable, you would just have to check it out to see.

[velocilex]

My frames are all over the place-- it's all about geometry for me (I'm 5'5", inseam 31"). My Kona DD is a whopping 56 cm and fits me wonderfully. I love that bike. My Contessa CR1 (WSD) is a 52 cm and also fits like a glove. My Lemond Etape is a 53 cm and has never fit me properly. The 51 cm model was no better. I need a bike with a longer head tube or my short little arms just can't cope.

[run it, ride it]

k, I definitely just molested myself with a tape measure: inseam 31.5"

I'm 5'5" and ride a 54" Trek WSD. I may never be able to reach the handlebars quite right.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Both actually

On the MTB - it is a 19" which I ride with the seat rather high

On the road bike - it is a 57" Trek WSD

I'm 5'10"

[CyclChyk]

there is a website that is great for determining your bike size. It tells you what to measure and based on your entries, tells you frame size, handlebar width, and seat placement. You might want to check it out:

http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/default.asp and click on the link for bike fit!

[Bikingmomof3]

I am rather new to cycling, but from my experience each bike I tried fit diferently.

Anyway, I am 5'4 and own a Trek 1000, which is 50cm.

[jobob]

Frames vary a lot, in geometry, bottom bracket placement, you name it.

So don't automatically assume that if you fit on a X size frame from one manufacturer, the size X frame from another manufacturer will fit.

It's a lot like buying jeans. I wear a size 10 in some brands of jeans, but I had the happy experience recently of trying on another brand in size 10 and I couldn't even pull them up over my butt.

[mlove]

My Trek Hybrid is a 14. I just got fitted so I can get a Pilot and I fit between a 47 and 50. I tried the 50 and it was great.

[madisongrrl]

I am 5'5" and have an inseam of 30. According to my calculations that means I would ride a 15.5" frame for a mountain bike. Can you go bigger or smaller? Would it be too hard for me to ride say a 17" frame?

It would depend of the particular standover height of each bike as well as the top tube length. Is 30 inches your inseam with your cycling shoes on?

[SadieKate]

Frames vary a lot, in geometry, bottom bracket placement, you name it.

So don't automatically assume that if you fit on a X size frame from one manufacturer, the size X frame from another manufacturer will fit.

Well said, Jo!

If you're a complete newbie to buying bikes, get a professional to help. There are so many measurements plus musculoskeletal issues (such as how flexible and where you flex) that must be accounted for. Don't depend on numbers alone.

The labeled sizes I ride for both mtb and road are all over the ballpark -- it's just an arbitrary label used by the builder.

[Eden]

Bodies and frames vary a lot. I'm shorter than most of you at only 5', but I have a 29" inseam, which seems closer to some of you that are a lot taller. Even so I still ride a very small bike, since I need the really short top tube. My 700c road bike is a 44cm and the 650c frame I'm getting is a 47cm, the 650c TT bike I picked is a 48, but has the shortest top tube of all my bikes (yes I'm starting to feel like I might have too many...).

[Steph]

Is 30 inches your inseam with your cycling shoes on?

No, I was barefoot. I will go to a bike shop next week to try on a few.Thanks for all the advice!

[Steph]

Thanks for the link CyclChyk, that was an great site!