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Should I buy a mountain bike, what size should it be?

2 min read

Asked by: Joyce Lopez

It’s still important to consider seat tube and top tube length when buying a bike.



What size mountain bike do I need?

Bike size Frame size Rider height
Small 14-16in 162cm-170cm (5ft 4in-5ft 7in)
Medium 16-18in 170cm-178cm (5ft 7in-5ft 10in)
Large 18-20in 178cm-185cm (5ft 10in-6ft 1in)

Should I size down or up for a mountain bike?

depends on the bike in question, and intended usage. if you need quick and nimble, size down. if you need stability at high speeds, then size up. The difference in most sizes can be compensated for with <20mm stem change, if you are truly between sizes.

What height is a 27.5 bike for?

What height is a 27.5 inch bike for? 27.5 inch bikes are suitable for adults between 5’2” and 5’10”. That said, adults of all heights can ride this wheel size. Some brands claim that 27.5” wheels are especially useful for riders 5’7” and under.

How tall should you be for a 26 inch mountain bike?

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.

What size bike do I need for my height?

Fitness And Hybrid Bike Size Chart

Rider Height Suggested Frame Size
Feet and Inches Centimeters Inches
5′ 5″ – 5′ 9″ 165 – 175 17 – 18
5′ 9″ – 6′ 0″ 175 – 183 19 – 20
6′ 0″ – 6′ 3″ 183 – 191 21 – 22

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

Neither a smaller or bigger frame is better for everyone and generalizations in frame sizing are almost always risky. If your riding position is established first the best decision for you will likely become much more clear. Consider bike fit the holy trinity of comfort, power, and efficiency.

How do you tell if a 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.

Why is 27.5 better than 29?

Take test rides: As you consider 27.5 and 29 in. wheels, keep in mind that the best way to learn the differences is to feel them for yourself.



27.5” vs. 29er: Which Mountain Bike is Right for Me?

27.5″ 29ers
Traction Good Better
Attack angle Good Better
Weight Lighter Heavier
Maneuverability Better Good

What wheel size is better 27.5 or 29?

Simply put, a 29er offers more speed, efficiency and stability, while a 27.5-inch bike offers a snappier trail feel. So unless you are particularly tall or small then the choice of wheel size very much depends on the trail you ride and your personal preference for the ride feel.

Is 29 inch bike good for what height?

If you’re 5’6′ or taller, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6′ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.

Is a 28 inch bike good for what height?

Road bike sizing chart

Rider Height (feet/inches) Rider Inseam (inches Bike Frame Size (centimeters)
5’0″-5’3″ 26.5″-28″ 48-50 cm
5’2″-5’5″ 27.5″-29″ 50-52 cm
5’4″-5’7″ 28.5″-30″ 52-54 cm
5’6″-5’9″ 29.5″-31″ 54-56 cm

How tall should you be for a 27 inch bike?

How Tall Should You Be for A 27 Inch Bike? Ordinarily, you should be 5’6″ – 5’9″ to ride a 27-inch medium size bike, 5’9″ – 6’0″ for an extra-large bike, or 6’3″ – 6’6″ for an XX-Large option. So, anyone who is above 5’6″ can find a fitting 27-inch road bike to ride.

What is the weight limit for a 26 inch bike?

For a 24- or 26-inch bicycle, the maximum capacity is 250 pounds. This includes cruisers, all-terrain, BMX-style and mountain bikes.

How do I know if my mountain bike is too small?

Signs Your Mountain Bike Is Too Small

  1. Feeling Squashed. Bikes that are too small force the rider into a hunched position which reduces the amount the rider is able to move around on the bike. …
  2. Feeling Unstable at Speed. …
  3. Not Comfortable.


How do I know if my mountain bike is too big?

If you struggle to make turns or need to sit up straight to reach the handlebars, the frame is likely too large. You may also notice that you cannot quickly turn or pick up speed easily due to the way that you sit in a larger frame. Pain or discomfort after riding also indicates that the frame is too big for your size.

Why do pros ride smaller frames?

How To Choose The Right Size Mountain Bike | Frame …

How do I know if my mountain bike is too big?

5 Signs Your Mountain Bike Is Too Big

  1. Struggling in Tight Turns. Are you finding it challenging to get your bike around slow, tight turns? …
  2. Lack of Front Wheel Grip. …
  3. Challenging to Lift the Front Wheel. …
  4. Feeling Like a Passenger. …
  5. Not Comfortable. …
  6. Feeling Squashed. …
  7. Feeling Unstable at Speed. …
  8. Not Comfortable.

How do I know if my mountain bike is too small?

If you notice that your arms and legs are more sore than normal after a long ride, the frame may be too small. A bicycle frame that is too small could also be uncomfortable to ride. If you feel awkward or cramped, the frame is probably too small for your height.

What size mountain bike should I get if I’m 5 10?

Mountain bike sizing chart

Rider Height (feet/inches) Rider Inseam (inches) Bike Frame Description
5’2″-5’6″ 27″-29″ Small
5’6″-5’10” 29″-31″ Medium
5’10”-6’1″ 31″-33″ Large
6’1″-6’4″ 33″-35″ X-Large

How should a mountain bike fit?


Quote from video: And now i love it okay so we're gonna do that this is how you measure your knuckle height aka. Body rad. So wear your bike shoes uh put your feet in a bike stance. If you're a mountain biker.

What happens if you ride a bike too small?

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.

How do you ride a bike that is too big?

Lowering the Bars.



On a bike that’s too big you can lower the bars a fair amount by making sure the stem is at the lowest point on the steerer tube without any spacers underneath. If your bars are already at this point, the next way to lower the bars is to get a stem with a high angle such as 15 or so degrees.