How do you know what size bike to get?

Answer 1

First, you have to decide what type of riding you are going to do.

Road Riding: Fast, mainly for exercise, and self accomplishment. Includes climbing, descending, sprinting, spinning, and flat land riding. Always on the road, sometimes in traffic. Bike would include 20-27 'speeds'. Weight range is anywhere from as low as 15lbs to 25lbs; tires are just centimeters wide. The lighter the better, but more expensive.

Triathalon: Similar to road bikes, but steeper geometry, and more streamlined bike. The bike is made for long sprints typically 25km, all flat. Bike is made to go FAST.

Track Riding: Fast! On an oval track, usually made from wood, sometimes from concrete. Bike is called a fixed gear bike (wheels move, means pedals/cranks move). Usually no brakes, sometimes front brake. Braking is done by resisting the crank/pedal rotations with your legs. Bikes have only one gear, usually fairly low and steep geometry.

Cyclocross: The cross between a Mountain Bike, and a road bike. Essentially a road bike, with slightly larger tires with knobs, and more durable components. Riding is done in the hills, over obstacles, and through mud. Half the race is spent off the bike running due to weather conditions, and technicallity of course.

Mountain Biking:

Cross Country (XC): Similar to road riding, but done on a mountain bike. Always on dirt, over rocks, roots, and other obstacles. Bike typically are of hardtail form (no rear suspension) or have 3-4 inches of suspension. Usually weigh in around 20-28lbs. Tire size is typically 1.95" to 2.1". Steep geometry, almost of that of a road bike, to aid in climbing. This makes the bike a little bit more "Twitchy".

Downhill (DH): Bikes are made to do exactly what it says, go downhill. The most mental aspect of cycling. The riders decend usually at ski resorts, with lift assist. Trails consist of the most challenging terrain, from large rocks, boulders, roots, drops, jumps, fast wide open sections, shale rock. Riders attempt to decend these trails as fast as possible, while staying in one piece, and not crashing. Bikes are around 38-50lbs, and have 6-10 inches of suspension. Tire sizes range from 2.3" to 3".Bikes are the durable to withstand abuse from terrain ridden. Super slack geometry to aid in absorbing impacts, steep terrain, and more stability.

Freeride (FR): Bikes that fit into this category are made to literally take a beating. While still able to be pedaled up, these bikes are made to take large drops, large jumps, and ride slower, technical terrain. Riders typically shuttle by driving a vehicle to the top to drop riders off. The trails consist of fast sections, large jumps, large drops, skinny planks to ride on, boards with horizontal planks called ladders, teeter totters, etc. These riders are only looking to have as much fun as possible. Bikes weight ranges typically 35-45lbs, 5-8" of suspension, and 2.3-3.0" tires. Bikes are the most durable to withstand abuse from terrain ridden. Bikes geometries are fairly slack, but slightly steeper to that of a DH bike.

All Mountain (AM): This blends the best of XC, Downhill, and Freeride all into one. This is for the most common rider. One that want's to ride the all of the mountain, and not really get held back from doing something they want to. Bikes are usually 30-38lbs, and have 4-7 inches of suspension. Just slightly steeper geometry than a FR bike.

Dirt Jumping/Urban (DJ): Riding the local dirtjumps, or taking on the city to find obstacles to ride. Basically BMX riding on larger bikes. Bikes are usually hardtails, with 3-4 inches of suspension. Sometimes the frames are made of steel, others are made of alluminum. Bikes have similar geometry of XC bikes but much shorter seat tubes.

4x/Mountain Cross/Dual Slalom (4x/MX/DS): This form of racing is very similar to that of BMX racing, but on a hill. Four riders on a time going over a series of jumps and turns, racing. Dual Slalom is 2 riders on separate identical tracks, racing through gates. Bikes usually are hardtails, or full suspension with 3-4" of suspension. Bikes are slacked out similar to Freeride bikes.

*Note, recreational bikes will be most similar to XC bikes, but with added weight, and fewer components.

Cruisers: Just like you see at the beach. More upright sitting position. Made for exactly that, cruising. Bike usually have large tires, fenders, and chopper style handle bars. Some have 3 gears, others have one. Elegant paintjobs made to appear 'pretty'.

Hybrids: This type of bike is the combination of a recreational mountain bike, a cruiser, and a road bike. Very upright position. Very little suspension travel, and larger, less-knobbed tires. Made for riding the sidewalk, either to get excersise, or just to get outside.

After you have figured out what you would like to do, the next step is figuring out your price range. Then, your size. To best do this, go down to a local bike shop, and ask one of the salesmen.

Answer 2

Many manufacturers will post some crude recommendations along the lines of "if you're this tall, you should have that size bike" but for a more accurate result you should take your proportions into account. How long your legs are in relation to your torso, that kind of thing.

Check out the link below, and it'll guide you through it.

Answer 3

measure you legs with a tape measure on the inches side If your legs are a even number take away two inches If it is and odd number take away 1 inch

Answer 4

Name your bicycle by the first letters of your middle and last name, for example,

if your name was, (Caleb Patric smith) You would name your bike PS.

Answer 5

Mountain bikes are generally measured in frame size (inches), which is the distance from the center of the crank to the top of the frame at the seat tube.

Answer 6

Anything with 2 wheels propelled by human legs is a bicycle.