Cycling Apparel Road Bikes Accessories Additional Info
Sizing for
Road Bikes - Knowing What You Need Before You Purchase
Sizing for road
bikes is easier than you think!
You will learn how to do this yourself so you will be a step ahead when
you are ready to purchase.
Being a step ahead will help you feel confident and empowered when you
actually go to the bike shop.
There are a few different things you should do to optimize your riding
and your sizing for road bikes experience.
Where to Start to Get the Proper Road Bike Size?
It is very
helpful having someone else to help you do the measuring.
Get
a hardback book long/tall enough to stick out from between your
legs.
With the book in hand, stand up with your back against the wall.
You will
want your shoes off for this to get a correct measurement.
Once against the wall, place the book snuggly in your crouch and firmly
against the wall.
This is
where the other person comes into play. Have them measure
from the top of the book to the floor.
This measurement will give you your inseam. You will want this
measurement in centimeters (cm).
To convert this to cm you will multiply your inseam measurement by 2.54.
The number you will get will need to be multiplied by .65 to get your
frame size in cm.
Example:
You have a 34 inch inseam. You multiply this number by 2.54.
34 x 2.54 = 86.36, take 86.36 and multiply it by .65. 86.36 x .65 =
56.134.
Round to the nearest whole number to get your frame size.
For this example, 56 cm should be the size of frame you should be
looking for, or close to it.
There is a couple of more things you should know about getting your
sizing for road bikes correct.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Road Bike?
Once you have
gotten your bike home and are ready to use it.
You will want to do a little bit of fine tuning before you hit the
road.
This is so you do not create unneeded strain on your leg muscles. Your
ride will be more comfortable once you have fine tuned your bike.
You will
learn how to optimize your seat position.
It will be assumed you have clipless pedals, yet the concept still
works if you do not have clipless pedals.
This exercise will be easier having another person help you.
Get on your bike
Clip into the pedals
Put your pedals at the 3 and 9 o'clock position
with your feet parallel to the ground
You will know
your seat height is at the correct position when your knee is over the
ball of your foot and over the axle of the pedal.
This position will be the most comfortable during your rides.
Now you know how to get the most comfort and power out of your bike.
Adjusting your stem, the piece which holds your handlebars, is purely
optional.
To get a more aerodynamic riding position you will want to lower your
stem.
You will do the reverse to get a more upright riding position.
By not having your seat in the correct height you will know it after a
few rides. Your legs
will feel constantly strained while riding and more sore after your ride.
Once you experience the constant strain and fatigue you will know it
when your seat is at the correct height. It will seem like your legs
magically got better.
You will be able to ride longer and harder with out constant leg
strain.
With your seat at the correct height and your handle bars just where
you want them, you are ready to ride! Sizing for road bikes is complete!
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Get
a hardback book long/tall enough to stick out from between your
legs.
