| By Mr.Andrew Caxton | | | | judgment of the frame size. You could take the |
| The purchase of a mountain bike can be a tedious and | | | | measurement from center to the top or from center |
| time consuming process. However keeping basic | | | | to center. This can be a bit uncertain since a little |
| criteria in mind for example, primary criteria like bike | | | | variation can cause inaccurate fitting. The mountain |
| sizing and secondary criteria like body type, frame size | | | | bike’s have adjustable seat tube as well as |
| etc. can go a long way in helping you select the right | | | | adjustable handlebar tube. However inaccurate |
| mountain bike for a smooth and comfortable ride | | | | measurement can result in an uncomfortable ride. Time |
| always. When out to make a new purchase we tend | | | | and Patience – the Key to achieve the right |
| to keep a lot of factors in mind to ensure that our | | | | adjustment The still position is the best way to judge |
| purchase matches our set criteria. Though such | | | | your mountain bike sizing. Just ensure that the back |
| factors may be relevant while buying a new bike, the | | | | wheel is kept off the ground with the help of a stand. |
| most important criteria is that the size of the bike | | | | The top bar of the bike should level with the ground |
| should match the size of your body. The metal type, | | | | and for this the front of the bike also should be kept |
| the technical aspects and other factors should never | | | | off the ground. Keep a leg on the pedal and see that |
| be given priority over the bike’s size while | | | | the knee is in line with the pedal simultaneously keeping |
| selecting the right bike. Different people have different | | | | the pedal in the same level. In most mountain bikes this |
| thoughts to evaluate the selection of the right bike size | | | | position can be achieved by slightly adjusting the seat |
| but the most common evaluation factors are as given. | | | | forward and backward. There are shops specializing in |
| For the selection of the right bike, the inseam | | | | mountain bikes and can provide information and |
| measurement is one of the factors to be considered. | | | | assistance in assessing the right mountain bike sizing. |
| The inseam must be measured keeping the seating of | | | | The efforts put in to select the right mountain bike |
| the bike in mind therefore the inseam of your trouser | | | | sizing may prove to be time consuming and demanding |
| may not be the correct measurement. To accurately | | | | but the result will be a mountain bike which feels like a |
| get the sizing of your mountain bike, you can do the | | | | part of your body and gives extremely effortless and |
| following – supporting yourself against a wall, | | | | smooth riding even in uncomfortable and rough terrains. |
| place a ruler or a hard object like a stick between your | | | | Thus as already pointed out, selecting your mountain |
| legs while keeping your feet apart at around 6 to 8 | | | | bike based on the right sizing is the most important |
| inches. Raise the object until it fits into the crotch just | | | | criteria and any other advice about body type etc. |
| like a seat would and mark this distance on the wall | | | | should be treated as secondary. |
| with someone’s help. Your mountain bike | | | | Andrew Caxton is the author of more resources |
| inseam should be equal to the measure between the | | | | published at . A website with tips on bike sizes, |
| floor and the wall marking. Another factor is the | | | | amongst many related topics. |