There’s a lot to consider when choosing a new bike. Style, discipline & cost are all important, but arguably the most critical factor to securing that perfect ride is selecting the correct size. This ensures you have the most comfortable, enjoyable & efficient experience possible on a bike that’s built for you.
We offer a range of brands with their own unique measurements and sizing. Select your chosen brand below to find out which size and model are perfect for you.
Scroll down for a detailed guide on getting the most accurate measurements. We always recommend visiting your local Leisure Lakes Bikes store to get the perfect fit and take a free test ride!
How To Measure Yourself
Measure Your Height
Most of our size charts match your height to the appropriate frame size so you need to be sure you’ve measured your height accurately! Take off your shoes and stand with your back against a wall. Make sure your legs are together and your shoulders are back.
Place a pencil on top of your head and mark the wall (the best and easiest way to do this properly is with a friend to help you). Measure from the floor to the pencil mark with a tape measure.
Range of Reach
For most people to get the right frame size, measuring your height will suffice.
However, you may find that your height is on the borderline of the range we suggest for a particular frame. If this occurs you need to measure the range of your reach or “Ape Index”.
This will ensure you get a comfortable distance between the handlebars and your saddle. Stand up straight with your back against a wall. Lift your arms out horizontally on either side of you. Measure the distance from the fingertip of one hand to the fingertip of the other. This will give you your arm span. Subtract your height from this figure to get your Ape Index.
If the result is positive (your arm span is greater than your height) you should go for the larger size of bike. If the result is negative (your arm span is less than your height), you should opt for the smaller size.
Stand Over Height
You should also consider your inside leg measurement when choosing your bike to ensure adequate standover height. Standover height is the clearance between the top tube and the bottom of your crotch.
For mountain bikes, we recommend a distance of 2-4 inches and for road or hybrid bikes 1-2 inches of clearance is required. This will ensure comfort when you’re stopped and standing astride the bike.
Our bike sizing charts often take standover height into consideration but if you have a particularly long or short inside leg measurement in relation to your height you will need to bear this in mind when selecting your frame size.
Riding Style
The riding style and desired discipline (MTB or Road etc.) will also impact the frame size you should choose. For example, a trail devotee looking for an aggressive ride may prefer a smaller, more manoeuvrable bike size. It all really comes down to personal preference and how the bike feels to you.
Our sizing charts aim to be as specific as possible so you can easily look up the particular type, make and model of bike you’re looking for.
Remember, the sizes given in our guides are suggestions and should be used for general advice only.
For the best possible fit, we recommend visiting your local Leisure Lakes Bikes store.
You can also call 01772 644 340 for expert advice tailored to you!