- 1). Consider your height when assessing bicycle frame sizes. Generally, a person who is on the short side (under 5 feet 7 inches tall) rides a smaller size bike--typically a 13- to 17-inch or 48- to 54-centimeter frame. Taller people require bigger frames, ranging from 19 to 23 inches or 56 to 63 centimeters.
- 2). Look at how your knee bends as you pedal before making a decision. If your height dictates that you ride a medium-size frame (17 inches or 54 centimeters), be certain that at the bottom of each pedal stroke, you have a slight bend in your knee, as suggested by Joe Lindsey of Bicycling Magazine. Adjust the seat height to get at this, but never ride with a seat that is below your handlebar. This puts you more upright on the bike than you need to be. Consider a smaller frame. The length of your legs, relative to the rest of your body, is more important than your actual height.
- 3). Evaluate your horizontal fit on the bike. As the late bicycling expert Sheldon Brown, notes, the frame's top tube length is important. The top tube is the portion of the frame that extends from the seatpost to the handlebar. When you grip the handlebar, you want your elbows to angle slightly. Individuals with short or long torsos, relative to the length of their legs, may require a smaller or larger size frame.
- 4). Consider fixing a horizontal fit issue by using a shorter or longer stem. The stem is the part of the bike that holds your handlebar. Changing the stem effectively shortens or lengthens your frame's top tube length.
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