How to choose a bike by height

Selecting 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"