{"id":35001,"date":"2022-04-06T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=276602"},"modified":"2022-04-06T13:22:22","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T11:22:22","slug":"what-size-mountain-bike-do-i-need-plus-tips-on-bike-fit","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/what-size-mountain-bike-do-i-need-plus-tips-on-bike-fit\/","title":{"rendered":"What size mountain bike do I need? Plus tips on bike fit"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By BikeRadar\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 06 April 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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\u201cWhat size mountain bike do I need?\u201d It\u2019s a question frequently asked \u2013 for good reason \u2013 because choosing the correct size of bike is one of the most important decisions you\u2019ll make.<\/p>\n

We recommend you don\u2019t buy a bike<\/a> until you\u2019ve understood how to get one that\u2019s the right size for your height and body shape. Our ultimate guide to bike geometry and handling<\/a> will help.<\/p>\n

The best mountain bike<\/a> for you, that fits correctly and is set up properly, will be a joy to ride, making it easier to tackle trails faster with more control. But a bike that\u2019s too small can be twitchy, nervous and uncomfortable on longer rides, technical descents or when you\u2019re just pootling along the flat.<\/p>\n

Read on for some advice on what mountain bike frame size you should be considering, especially if you\u2019re in any doubt about it.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also help you understand the changes you can make to your bike\u2019s parts to help it perform better for your measurements, personal requirements and preferred discipline. For example, the best mountain bike suspension forks<\/a> can be adjusted to suit you.<\/p>\n

And before we get started, if drop handlebars are your thing, then head to our guide to road bike sizing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What size mountain bike do I need?<\/h2>\n
Ask an experienced rider about bike fit and they\u2019ll tell you that all bikes feel and ride differently, even if their numbers look almost the same on paper.<\/p>\n
Manufacturers\u2019 listed mountain bike frame sizes can be confusing. How to measure a bike frame<\/a> is not set in stone.\u00a0The traditional method is to list the seat tube length, but even that varies because some are measured to the top of the seat tube and some to the middle of where the top tube joins the seat tube.<\/p>\n
Many manufacturers simply list their bikes as S, M and L, perhaps with XS or XL at either end.<\/p>\n
And, more recently, bike manufacturers have begun listing their bikes\u2019 sizes based on reach figures rather than seat tube and top tube lengths.<\/p>\n
This means they\u2019ve been able to grow the bike\u2019s reach figure, wheelbase and top tube length while trying to keep seat tube lengths and stack heights shorter and lower.<\/p>\n
Smaller seat tube lengths mean that shorter people can fit on bikes with a longer reach figure because they can adjust the seat height lower, opening up the potential to ride a larger bike.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s still important to consider seat tube and top tube length when buying a bike. The seat tube length will dictate the lowest saddle height that can be set and the top tube length will roughly dictate how stretched out a rider will feel.<\/p>\n
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