How to choose a bike by height
Bicycle frame size is a parameter that should initially be considered when choosing a bicycle. With the increase or decrease in the size of the bicycle frame, the size of the upper, lower, as well as the seat tube increases.
By choosing the right bike size, you will ensure a comfortable ride for every day.
There are 3 types of designations: “(inches), conventional units (XS, S, M, L, XL) and centimeters (cm). The size line for a particular bike model is usually either even or odd.
Size selection for mountain, city and hybrid bikes
Frame size (inch) | User height (cm) | Frame size (cm) | Frame size (conventional units) | Designation |
13" | 130 - 145 | 33 | XS (XSmall) | Minimum |
14" | 135 - 155 | 35.6 | XS (XSmall) | Minimum |
15" | 145 - 160 | 38.1 | S (Small) | Small |
16" | 150 - 165 | 40.6 | S (Small) | Small |
17" | 156 - 170 | 43.2 | M (Meduim) | Medium |
18" | 167 - 178 | 45.7 | M (Meduim) | Medium |
19" | 172 - 180 | 48.3 | L (Large) | Big |
20" | 178 - 185 | 50.8 | L (Large) | Big |
21" | 180 - 190 | 53.3 | XL (XLarge) | Very large |
22" | 185 - 195 | 55.9 | XL (XLarge) | Very large |
23" | 190 - 200 | 58.4 | XXL (XLarge) | Maximum |
24" | 195 - 210 | 61 | XXL (XLarge) | Maximum |
Road bike size selection
Frame size
(regular geometry) |
Height of cyclist | Frame size
(Giant Compact Road™ Geometry) |
Frame tube length
(seat/top) |
49 - 51 cm | 157 - 163 cm | XS | 42 / 52 cm |
51 - 54 cm | 163 - 170 cm | S | 44 / 53.5 cm |
55 - 57 cm | 170 - 178 cm | M | 50 / 55.5 cm |
57 - 59 cm | 178 - 183 cm | M/L | 53.5 / 57 cm |
58 - 60 cm | 183 - 190 cm | L | 55.5 / 58.5 cm |
61 - 63 cm | 190 - 198 cm | XL | 58.5 / 61 cm |
Size selection for folding bikes (Giant, Author, Shulz, Strida, etc.)
Bike model | Optimal Growth |
Author Simplex | 150 - 195 cm |
Shulz Easy | 150 - 185 cm |
Shulz Goa-3 | 155 - 185 cm |
Giant Expressway 1 and 2 | 155 - 185 cm |
Giant Halfway | 160 - 180 cm |
Giant Subway | 160 - 180 cm |
Strida LT, 5.2, SX, SD | 153 - 193 cm |
Choosing the size of children’s bikes
Child's age, years | Height, cm | Wheel diameter, inches |
1 - 3 | from 75 to 95 | < 12" |
3 - 4 | 95 to 101 | 12" |
4 - 6 | from 101 to 115 | 16" |
6 - 9 | from 115 to 128 | 20" |
9 - 13 | from 126 to 155 | 24" |
BMX bike size selection
Height of cyclist | Frame size |
140 - 150 cm | 19.5" |
150 - 170 cm | 20.0" |
170 - 180 cm | 20.5" |
180 - 190 cm | 21.0" |