Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

I think I chose the wrong road bike size

5 min read

Asked by: Mark Wardwell

What happens if you get the wrong size bike?

Issues From Incorrectly-Sized Bikes



Riding a frame that is the wrong size will eventually lead to pain in your lower back, especially if you’re on a road bike. Adjusting a seatpost or handlebar won’t compensate for the frame. Fatigue – Pedal efficiency is a major reason for getting a bike that’s perfect for your size.

What happens if a road bike frame is too small?

Having too small of a bike places you too far forward on the bike. Sliding your saddle back can help solve this. The first way to do this is to loosen the bolts on the rails of the saddle and slide it back as needed. If you find you can’t slide it back far enough, you can get a seat post that has increased set-back.

What if my road bike is too big?

If you’re current bike seems too big, you can get some relief by pushing the stem further down the seat tube and adjusting the saddle position to compensate for the larger frame. For example, lowering the handlebars and saddle height and removing all the spacers from the seat post may help the bike fit a little better.

Should you size up or down on a road bike?


Quote from video: Discussion. If you're stuck between two sizes. And you're going to run a sweat back bar definitely choose the larger. Size this will help with the reach a little bit but definitely the stack height.

Is it better to have a bike too small or too big?

As several have pointed out, it is best to get something that actually fits you but with that in mind, it is better to go a little smaller than a little larger of a frame.

Is it bad to ride a bike too small for you?

There are mostly two issues with bikes that are too small: A frame that’s too short may cause problems for steering (toe strike against the back of the front wheel and/or the handlebar colliding with your legs). This is safety critical. It may not be possible to put the saddle at the appropriate height.

Why do pros ride smaller frames?

So, why do pro cyclists ride small frames? Pro cyclists choose smaller frames to acquire a more aerodynamic position thanks to the lower head tube. Also, compact frames are more agile, easier to manipulate, and have a shorter wheelbase resulting in more stability when cornering.

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller bike frame?

If your arm span is longer than your height, go for a bigger frame. If it’s shorter, get the smaller one. On a bigger bike, the reach to the handlebars will be longer. If you have proportionally longer arms, you are likely to feel more comfortable on a bigger frame.

How do I know if my bike is the right size?

Using your child’s inseam in relation to the bike’s seat height is the best and most accurate way to ensure a perfect bike fit. The frame and the wheel size work together to determine the seat height of a bike.

How do I know if my bike is too big for me?

Quote from video: You've got your reach roll. So if you're looking over the bars you can see that front hub like i can clear as day. Means you maybe have not enough reach you're a bit too restricted here you can see

Can you ride a smaller bike frame?

A smaller frame will be marginally less reliable, and more prone to break, due to bigger stresses in its structure; longer stem and seat post mean bigger levers to exert force on the frame. But this should not be a significant effect.

How should a road bike fit?

Quote from video: The first step of bicycle fit is going to be to adjust the saddle height to adjust the saddle height start with your hips parallel to the ground and with your crank arms. In line with a seat tube.

What size bike should I get for my height?

Fitness And Hybrid Bike Size Chart

Rider Height Suggested Frame Size
Feet and Inches Centimeters Inches
5′ 1″ – 5′ 5″ 155 – 165 15 – 16
5′ 5″ – 5′ 9″ 165 – 175 17 – 18
5′ 9″ – 6′ 0″ 175 – 183 19 – 20

Should you be able to touch the floor on a bike?

The height of your saddle is important for the most comfortable position and safe riding style. When you sit on the saddle, both feet should reach the floor and the balls of your feet should be touching the ground.

Is my road bike too big Reddit?

Quote from video: Похожие запросы

How do I know if my bike is the right size?

Using your child’s inseam in relation to the bike’s seat height is the best and most accurate way to ensure a perfect bike fit. The frame and the wheel size work together to determine the seat height of a bike.

Can I ride an XL bike?

Yes, you can ride a bike that’s bigger than the standard for your size.

What size person is a 26 inch bike for?

26-inch bikes are a common size for adults. Riders with a height of 5′ and above are typically tall enough to comfortably fit on bikes with 26” wheels. However, riders taller than 5’5” may be better suited to the slightly larger 27.5” or 29” models that offer better traction and stability.

What height is a 24 inch bike for?

Bike Size Charts – To know what age is 24 inch bike for, they are most suitable for kids and teens with an estimated height of 4’5” to 4’9” inches, mostly for kids seven years old and over. For kids, the wheel diameter is measured according to their height.

Can a 6 foot person ride a 24-inch bike?

If you are six feet tall, you probably need more than a 20-inch bike to ride comfortably. You can choose to use more leg muscles for better pedaling and more comfort on the ride.” This means that if you are six feet tall, you can’t ride an adult 24-inch bike.

Who fits a 24-inch bike?

In simple words, a 24-inch bike size is suitable for people with small height, ranging from 4’6” – 5’4” inches or 140 to 165 in centimeters. It is best to be used by the children of age between 8 to 10 years or the adults with small height.