1. \nStart With Your Own Measurements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/What-size-mountain-bike-do-i-need.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhen shopping for a new mountain\nbike, you will need to have some of your own measurements to hand. Before\nheading out to buy a bike, measure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Your height<\/li>
- Your inside leg<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
You probably already know your\nheight. If not, then check your height by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Standing\nagainst a wall looking straight ahead (you should have no shoes on).<\/li>
- Mark\nthe wall at the top of your head.<\/li>
- Step\naway and measure from the mark on the wall to the floor.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To measure your inside leg\nenlist some help first to make it easier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Again,\nstand against a wall with no shoes on.<\/li>
- Ask\nyour helper to measure from the floor to level with your crotch.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Write down both measurements in\ncentimetres and inches and bring them to The Edge with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Understand How Mountain Bike Frames Are Sized<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/how-are-mountain-bike-frames-sized.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTypically mountain bike sizes start at extra-small and go up to extra large. There are also manufacturers who make XXS and XXL mountain bikes. Mountain bikes are built differently from hybrids and racers, so it\u2019s essential to make sure you use the right kind of size chart for reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bike size measurement that\nis shown on a size chart (like the one below) typically refers to the length of\nthe seat tube. This is the tube that your bike seat slots into. To measure the\nseat tube length, measure from the top down to the centre of the bike\nchainring. If you are comparing an old bike to a size chart, be aware that some\nmanufactures use different measurement methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There can be some variation\nbetween frame sizes from different manufacturers, with one\u2019s medium frame being\nslightly different from another\u2019s. Some mountain bike manufacturers also have\ntheir own sizing guides. We advise trying a few different makes of the same\nsized bike to find the one that fits best. When trying out bikes instore,\nremember that seats and handlebars can be adjusted for a better fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Understanding Mountain Bize Weights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Understanding](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/Understanding-mountain-bike-weights.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMountain bike weight isn\u2019t\nsomething that is included in the bike size charts, but it is something to\nconsider. Modern mountain bike frames are mostly made from lightweight\naluminium and alloys. Thanks to these super strong lightweight materials, a\nbigger bike frame doesn\u2019t mean a much heavier bike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What really changes the weight of the bike frame, though, is the mountain bike type. A hard tail mountain bike <\/a>for example has less hardware than a full suspension<\/a> mountain bike. Depending on the rider\u2019s strength and size, this can make the ride very different. When you are trying out bikes for size, keep the bike type and how you will use the bike in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. What To Do When Your Between Bike Sizes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"what](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/what-to-do-when-you-are-between-mountain-bile-sizes.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIt is often the case that a\nrider\u2019s measurements suggest that one of two bike frame sizes are suitable. In\nthis scenario, we can\u2019t recommend enough that you buy a mountain bike that you\nhave tried first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bigger bike size is usually\nadvised when a rider is between to sizes. This allows for better control and a\nmore comfortable ride. With a smaller frame, there may be a need for\nmodifications that may or may not affect how the bike performs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What feels right is the tried\nand tested measure when choosing between two bike sizes. Trust your body to\ntell you if it feels too cramped or too stretched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Mountain Bike Size Chart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhen shopping for a new mountain\nbike, you will need to have some of your own measurements to hand. Before\nheading out to buy a bike, measure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Your height<\/li>
- Your inside leg<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
You probably already know your\nheight. If not, then check your height by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Standing\nagainst a wall looking straight ahead (you should have no shoes on).<\/li>
- Mark\nthe wall at the top of your head.<\/li>
- Step\naway and measure from the mark on the wall to the floor.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To measure your inside leg\nenlist some help first to make it easier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Again,\nstand against a wall with no shoes on.<\/li>
- Ask\nyour helper to measure from the floor to level with your crotch.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Write down both measurements in\ncentimetres and inches and bring them to The Edge with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Understand How Mountain Bike Frames Are Sized<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTypically mountain bike sizes start at extra-small and go up to extra large. There are also manufacturers who make XXS and XXL mountain bikes. Mountain bikes are built differently from hybrids and racers, so it\u2019s essential to make sure you use the right kind of size chart for reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bike size measurement that\nis shown on a size chart (like the one below) typically refers to the length of\nthe seat tube. This is the tube that your bike seat slots into. To measure the\nseat tube length, measure from the top down to the centre of the bike\nchainring. If you are comparing an old bike to a size chart, be aware that some\nmanufactures use different measurement methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There can be some variation\nbetween frame sizes from different manufacturers, with one\u2019s medium frame being\nslightly different from another\u2019s. Some mountain bike manufacturers also have\ntheir own sizing guides. We advise trying a few different makes of the same\nsized bike to find the one that fits best. When trying out bikes instore,\nremember that seats and handlebars can be adjusted for a better fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Understanding Mountain Bize Weights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMountain bike weight isn\u2019t\nsomething that is included in the bike size charts, but it is something to\nconsider. Modern mountain bike frames are mostly made from lightweight\naluminium and alloys. Thanks to these super strong lightweight materials, a\nbigger bike frame doesn\u2019t mean a much heavier bike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What really changes the weight of the bike frame, though, is the mountain bike type. A hard tail mountain bike <\/a>for example has less hardware than a full suspension<\/a> mountain bike. Depending on the rider\u2019s strength and size, this can make the ride very different. When you are trying out bikes for size, keep the bike type and how you will use the bike in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. What To Do When Your Between Bike Sizes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIt is often the case that a\nrider\u2019s measurements suggest that one of two bike frame sizes are suitable. In\nthis scenario, we can\u2019t recommend enough that you buy a mountain bike that you\nhave tried first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bigger bike size is usually\nadvised when a rider is between to sizes. This allows for better control and a\nmore comfortable ride. With a smaller frame, there may be a need for\nmodifications that may or may not affect how the bike performs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What feels right is the tried\nand tested measure when choosing between two bike sizes. Trust your body to\ntell you if it feels too cramped or too stretched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Mountain Bike Size Chart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"understanding](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/understanding-mountain-bike-wheel-sizes.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Mountain](\"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/tesc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2021\/06\/Mountain-bike-fitting-service.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n