Sizing Yourself For Your Bike

The best frame size for a cyclist is as small vertically as possible, with enough length horizontally to allow a stretched out, relaxed upper body. This frame will be lighter and stiffer than a larger one, and will handle better and be more comfortable than a smaller one.

Bicycle South would be glad to help determine the proper bicycle size. They use the Body Scanning System, which is a quick, easy, and non-invasive laser driven custom fitting center. With this process they can guarantee the right fit the first time. After all, fit is the most important thing and it only takes a few minutes. Click here for more information.

To determine the proper frame size on your own, you’ll first need to get an accurate inseam measurement. Stand with your back against a wall, your bare feet 6” apart on a hard floor, looking straight ahead. Place a book or carpenter’s square between your legs with one edge against the wall, and pull it up firmly into your crotch, simulating the pressure of your saddle while riding. Have a helper measure from the top edge of the book to the floor.

Since some bicycles are measured in centimeters, you’ll have to convert from inches by multiplying by 2.54.

Palisade 1.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
15” 52cm 704.7cm 5’0”-5’5” 152cm-165cm
17” 54cm 730.4cm 5’4”-5’9” 163cm-175cm
19” 55.5cm 764.8cm 5’8”-5’11” 173cm-180cm
21” 56cm 797.1cm 5’9”-6’0” 175cm-183cm
23” 58cm 845.6cm 5’11”-6’3” 180cm-191cm

Newest 3.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
42cm 51.0cm 71.1cm 5’0”-5’4”
152cm-163cm
46cm 53.0cm 74.0cm 5’3”-5’7”
160cm-170cm
50cm 54.5cm 77.4cm 5’6”-5’10”
168cm-178cm
54cm 56.5cm 79.6cm 5’9”-6’0”
175cm-183cm
58cm 59.0cm 84.0cm 5’11”-6’3”
180cm-191cm

Sunfire 3.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
15” 55.5cm 73.2cm 5’3”-5’5”
160cm-165cm
17” 56.6cm 76.8cm 5’4”-5’9”
163cm-175cm
19” 56.8cm 79.2cm 5’8”-5’11”
173cm-180cm
21” 58.1cm 82.2cm 5’10”-6’1”
178cm-185cm
23” 59.5cm 84.7cm 5’11”-6’4”
180cm-193cm

Nevada 4.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
15” 53cm 70.3cm 4’11”-5’6”
150cm-168cm
17” 57cm 72.8cm 5’4”-5’10”
163cm-178cm
19” 59cm 75.9cm 5’8”-6’1”
173cm-185cm
20.5” 60.5cm 78.9cm 5’9”-6’2”
175cm-188cm
22” 62cm 81.4cm 5’11”-6’4”
180cm-193cm
24” 63.5cm 86cm 6’1”-6’7”
185cm-201cm

Crosstown 3.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
15” 54cm 74.4cm 5’2”-5’5”
158cm-165cm
17” 55cm 75.5cm 5’4”-5’8”
163cm-173cm
19” 56cm 79.9cm 5’7”-5’11”
170cm-180cm
21” 56.5cm 84.7cm 5’10”-6’1”
178cm-185vm
23” 57.9cm 87.7cm 6’-6’5”
183cm-196cm

Absolute 4.0

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
15” 52cm 704.7cm 5’0”-5’5” 152cm-165cm
17” 54cm 730.4cm 5’4”-5’9” 163cm-175cm
19” 55.5cm 764.8cm 5’8”-5’11” 173cm-180cm
21” 56cm 797.1cm 5’9”-6’0” 175cm-183cm
23” 58cm 845.6cm 5’11”-6’3” 180cm-191cm

SE Draft

Size Effective Top Tube Standover Height Height Range
49cm 52.0cm 74.6cm 5’2-5’5”
158cm-165cm
52cm 54.0cm 76.0cm 5’4”-5’7”
163cm-170cm
54cm 55.0cm 77.8cm 5’6”-5’9”
168cm-175cm
56cm 56.0cm 79.7cm 5’8”-5’11”
173cm-180cm
58cm 57.0cm 81.7cm 5’10”-6’1”
178cm-185cm
61cm 59.0cm 84.4cm 6’0”-6’4”
183cm-193cm