All about frame height for a road bike

Mar 4, 2024 7 min

The buycycle frame sizes guide

Anyone who rides an inappropriately sized bike not only complains of physical discomfort after a short time. Performance and endurance also suffer a rapid decline. The neck and back ache, and the legs don't generate the power they used to.

Especially when racing, the fun comes from speed, which comes from your power. Finding the right frame height is a real challenge in the bike community. After all, the frame size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, sometimes smaller and sometimes larger. In addition, the supposedly suitable size can fail due to one's own anatomy, for example, particularly long arms or legs. It is often said that you have to test ride many models.

Accurately measuring the stride length, in conjunction with experience reports, makes finding the right one easier than thought. Here, you get additional tips on the ideal frame height, facilitating your search for the dream bike.

1. What is understood by frame height?

In advance, no one should be misled by the terms frame height and frame size. The exact value is meant behind both terms. Superficially speaking, it is the distance between the bottom bracket and seat tube. With information on frame height, manufacturers try to ensure an uncomplicated classification of the frame geometry for the end user.

As a customer, you should be able to see which model potentially fits your own body size best. The frame geometry includes dimensions of tubes, angles and distances. A detailed discussion of this is not necessary to be considered a passionate road cyclist. There are a few terms that are nevertheless good to know. There is what is known as the stack-to-reach ratio.

"Stack, the height of the front of the frame, and Reach, the length of the front half of the frame, determine the rider's posture." - Anja Benson @buycycle

The driving dynamics are significantly influenced by the wheelbase, i.e., the distance between the axle centers of both wheels, or the steering angle.

The steering angle describes the inclination of the fork. It plays a vital role in the mountain bike. A bicycle frame offers numerous other special features to explore. You quickly realize this topic is complex and does not have to be fully penetrated.

Since the frame geometry significantly determines rider posture and riding dynamics, it is also decisive for the type of racing bike. While the gravel bike still emphasizes comfort, aero road bikes are completely designed for competition and favor a very sporty posture. How one's own seating position ultimately turns out and whether one has found the right size for oneself also depends on the other components.

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Handlebars, including stems or the height of the saddle, controlled by the seatpost, are also relevant. Manufacturers provide great assistance in finding a suitable bike by specifying a frame height. If you like to sit a little sporty, you should tend to a slightly smaller frame size.

This is also the recommendation, especially in the racing bike sector: relatively a little too small than too large. A longer stem can be added so that the bike is not too short. More comfort and smoothness, however, brings a model with a slightly too large frame height.

2. Which frame height is for which body size?

Manufacturers often specify the appropriate body height and inner leg length for the frame height of their bike models. The length of the seat tube is also often specified in centimeters.

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A certain experience in which rider posture one prefers to pedal can be helpful. A rather sporty bent forward may mean reaching for a slightly smaller model. Those who prefer to cover long distances may prefer a comfortable, more upright posture of the larger frame. The all-rounder remains, of course, just the right frame size.

After this consideration, it is important to determine the stride length and body size. The next section provides a guide to measuring the stride length. The ideal frame height can be calculated by multiplying your stride length by the factor 0.665. The stride length is, therefore, the more relevant factor. The body height allows comparison with the manufacturer's specifications. With the right road bike, frame height flows into one's anatomy.

People have partictorsos, or arms. The wheel can be individually fine-tuned with adjustments through the handlebars, stem, or saddle position. Manufacturers' specifications for their frame sizes should not be compared; the stem or saddle position and the wheel can be individually fine-tuned.

"Anyone who has had a good experience with the frame size of one brand should not transfer this to other manufacturers." - Alice Huot @buycycle

Like clothing, a size M, for example, does not turn out the same everywhere. Experience reports help here. An exchange with friends and family, a look on the Internet, or a visit to a showroom of the respective manufacturer or any bike store provides information.

3. How to measure the stride length?

The stride length is easy to determine yourself. Nic also explains it in the YouTube video attached below. You need a tape measure, loose saddle, or a book. You stand in front of a straight wall. The legs should have a small distance.

Now, clamp the book or the saddle in the crotch. Measure from the tip of the saddle to the floor. In the case of the book, measure from the top to the floor. The step length in centimeters determined in this way is now calculated to arrive at the appropriate frame height.

To do this, multiply the stride length by a factor of 0.665. The result should be between approx. 48 cm and 64 cm. Alternatively, you can go to a bike store and get professional help with measuring.

4. What frame height do you need for a road bike?

As mentioned, you meet an all-rounder with the calculated frame height resulting from your own stride length. Both fast sprints and long distances are feasible on a road bike of this size. Competitions require greater aerodynamics and a more tilted pelvis. Smaller, shorter frames make this a preferred posture.

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Fitting a longer stem is recommended to avoid joint pain. An extensive road bike frame promotes a more upright posture, which is considered more comfortable and can aid performance during long tours. Other types of bikes also consider stride length when determining frame height.

You will find an adapted geometry for competition if you are specifically looking for a triathlon bike. An additional search for a smaller frame is not necessary. On the frame size of cyclocross bikes and fixies, everything said about road bikes and gravel bikes is applicable.

A trekking bike inherently offers a more upright seat and more comfort for long distances potentially covered. A frame that is too small is more of a nuisance here. City or Holland bikes are known for their low entry and particularly straight, comfortable seat. However, other things become relevant regarding frame size for both MTB Full and MTB Hardtail.

For example, there should be enough space between the top tube of the bike frame and your crotch so that fast dismounting is possible on the terrain. The top tube length, on the other hand, is not decisive. After all, a shortened or long stem and seat post can compensate for a lot.

"The length of the head tube is crucial for the height of the front. The longer the head tube, the more difficult it is to ride uphill." - Anja Benson @buycycle

A small frame provides maneuverability and agility. This can be an advantage on technical trails. Larger frames are more sure-footed. The size of children's bikes is not specified based on the frame height. Here, the wheel size provides information about the appropriate model.

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Depending on the age, the manufacturer recommends the size in inches. Body size and frame height are often given as additional guidelines. BMX bike is also often advertised with the wheel size. Here, it is not about a comfortable fit. Instead, the focus is on acrobatic jumps and tricks, mainly standing on the pedals.

5. How do I know my bike ordered online will fit?

You cannot take a test ride if you buy a used bike online directly from the manufacturer, via bicycle wholesalers, or other platforms. Before buying a bike online, you can go to a bike store or showroom. There, you can test comparable models. Sometimes, even this is not feasible.

If you follow the manufacturer's specifications and possibly obtain further empirical data on how the models turn out, you are often already on the safe side. If the ordered dream bike still does not convince in the practical test, the handlebars, stem, and saddle can help.

Moving forward

buycycle offers a variety of top brands with years of expertise on their bike sizes. The indicated sizes are reliable. We are happy to assist you in choosing the right bike. The buycycle team will happily help with unique questions about the frame height.

That's it! If you have further questions about frame heights or the topic of bicycles in general, you can always continue on the blog or contact our team.

And a look at buycycle if you want to find your new dream bike or sell your old one. Until then, as always, we wish you Happy browsing and cycling!

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