How do I know my size for a road bike?

How do I know my size for a road bike?

A key measure of road bike size is your saddle height. You can work this out roughly by using the LeMond formula: measure your inside leg length and multiply this by 0.885. You can also do it empirically by setting your saddle so that you can place the centre of your foot on the pedal with your leg straight.

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller road 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.

Can a road bike be 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.

Does road bike size really matter?

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.