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"

[Lenusik]

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.

I am 5'6" and I ride Trek Medone WSD 54cm - it is not inches. This is a correct measurement especially if your legs are long. If you have trouble reaching handlebars, switch the stem.

[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?

[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!

[esther231]

I'm 5' 1" with an inseam of 28". I have a Trek Pilot WSD 47 cm. Fits me beautifully.

[CorsairMac]

5'2" - 29" inseam, ride a Trek 1000 WSE 47 CM and LOVE it!!!

[Denise223]

Originally posted by Eden I'm shorter than most of you at only 5', but I have a 29" inseam

Yep, you are shorter -- I beat you by 1/4" I was 5' 1&1/2" last year - I shrunk an inch !!

My bike is a 13" & inseam is 28".

Peace & Love,

Denise

[silver]

I ride a Road bike, a trek 1000. It is a 58cm. I am 5'8" and my inseam is 34.5 inches. Most people react negatively when I tell them my bike size saying that must be too big for me. but I think it's a good fit. I have been playing with the seat position lately and think that I've made some improvements. I've been riding a lot more lately and feel like my body has adjusted to a more aggressive fit.