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Frame size:
Better bikes are usually offered in several frame size options
in order to be able to fit different sized bike riders properly.
Sizes are listed according to the seat-tube measurement. This
is not the case with mass-market bikes that only advertise wheel
size because they do not offer frame size choices, so be careful
when comparing.
The Key: As a general rule, standover
height is the key to finding the right bicycle frame size for
you. Find your measured inseam (not pants size inseam) by holding
a book with its spine up snug and level between your legs while
standing with your feet about 6" to 8" apart. Now, measure
from the spine of the book to the floor. You may need an assistant
if you’re using a tape measure, but a yard stick works well
if you are alone. We suggest taking this measurement while wearing
shoes you will typically wear for riding. Compare your measured
inseam to standover heights of the bike you’re considering.
See appropriate category below for guidelines and geometry charts
for individual models to make final determination.
(Hint: measured inseam is generally an
inch or two or more longer than pants inseam.)
Mountain Bikes:
For Mountain Bikes we recommend 2" to 4" of clearance.
You can ride a frame with more clearance, but you’ll need
to set the seat position higher thus leaning you farther forward
and putting more weight on the handlebars. This can be uncomfortable
for many people and may even cause back pain. On the other hand,
while you can certainly ride any frame you can stand over, too
large a frame size may feel unwieldy.
Often, people find they can fit more than
one frame size. In this case, choose based on your riding style.
The smaller size may be better for more aggressive riders, while
the larger size will tend to be more comfortable and better suited
to more casual riders.
A special note on our Full Suspension
bikes: Our Apogee and Ignition models have, essentially, V-shaped
top-tubes so actual clearance in not an issue. Use our Effective
Standover numbers for comparison and expect a wider range of fit
with acceptable clearance at about 1" (or less) to about
5".
Roadbikes: For
Roadbikes with traditional style geometry (Aprisa, Classic, X-Ray
& Corrida) the tolerances tend to be a little tighter than
is the case with MTB's. We recommend 1/2" to 3" of clearance
with other factors generally the same as for mountain bikes.
Compact frame roadbikes like our Vantage series are intended
to have more standover clearance than traditional roadbikes. Standover
clearances of 2" to 5" are normal. These bikes have
longer seatposts so that the saddle may be raised to the appropriate
level for typical riders of that particular frame size.
With either style frame, it is generally agreed that handlebar
height should be set to about 2" below the saddle height,
but personal preferences may vary. Lower handlebars will allow
for a more aerodynamic riding position while higher handlebar
may be preferable for more casual riding. Most of our roadbikes
are equipped with flippable stems so that one may change the handlebar
height by choosing either a positive or negative stem angle. Threadless
headsets do not allow for raising or lowering of handlebar height
other than by changing the stem angle or, ultimately making adjustments
to steerer tube length. Unfortunately, once the steerer is cut
it is not very practical to do this.
It should also be noted that the rotation of the handlebar and
positioning of levers will have a profound effect on comfort.
Since most riders spend a good deal of time riding with their
hands on the lever hoods, a "rule-of-thumb" guideline
for handlebar positioning is to make sure your wrists are fairly
straight when riding on the hoods (that is, in a normal riding
position with elbows slightly bent). If your wrists are stressed,
in either upward or downward direction, they will tend to tire
much more easily.
Kid's Bikes: Considerations for fitting
bikes for children is quite similar to adult bikes with a few
notable differences. First, kid's bikes are usually sized according
to wheel size (ex: 20" or 24" for MTB). It is rare to
find a choice of different frame sizes for a given wheel size,
and IBEX is no exception in this. Secondly, kids grow fast and
it's common for parents to try to buy a bike with "room to
grow". Please use some common sense in this. Kid's bikes
are designed with a fairly wide range of rider size in mind. Depending
on the particular child, some leeway is expected, but it's a shame
to see a child forced to ride a bike that is far, far too big
for them. Remember, riding a bike that's unwieldy takes half the
fun out of riding and can be downright dangerous.
Other considerations: Saddle height
is fairly non-negotiable. For best performance and stamina on
should set saddle height so that when you are riding your knee
is slightly bent with pedal in its lowest point. If your seat
is set too high you may have pain in the front of you knee from
overextending or in the back of your knee if the saddle height
is too low.
Top-tube lengths and subsequent riding position "reach"
are designed to work well for the majority of riders fitting the
standover range for each frame size. Most will find that adjusting
the saddle height, saddle for-and-aft & handlebar position
(by rotating – especially with riser bars) enough to fine-tune
their riding position to be both efficient and comfortable. However,
people are built differently, and some may want to further adjust
riding position by changing to a different stem (length and/or
angle). Unfortunately, we are not able to make these kinds of
changes for you in advance.
A final word: While we're happy to make recommendations
on size, it is, ultimately, up to you to decide from the info
presented which size should be the correct fit. If you order a
bike from IBEX that does not fit properly, we'll be happy to exchange
it (assuming we have an alternate size that will work better for
you). However, we cannot cover additional shipping charges involved
in the exchange. Therefore, it only makes sense to give careful
consideration to size selection before placing your order.
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