How do you measure your mountain bike size?Or road bike size? From which point to which point?

Answer 1

It depends on the manufacturer - Some measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the "Top" of the seat tube - others measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the center point where the toptube crosses the seat tube... And some even get more confusing by measuring to the top of the top tube..?

I find the more critical fit on a road bike to be cockpit length ~ so don't worry about too much/too little stand over, if the cockpit is too short or too long, you won't be comfortable.

Furthermore, in most cases, a frame can be more accurately described by measuring the top tube length - Center of Head Tube & Top tube to the center of the seat tube & top tube junction.

Mountain Bikes are different - They are measured by the seat tube length, there is little consideration for cockpit length, some like a Mountain bike to fit a size smaller, to be more flickable on the trail.



I hope this helps you out!

Answer 2

Bigringtravis has it right on road bikes, but I think that for mountain bikes it's the same, top tube length is more important, but often overlooked. The way you measure it is a little different, since frames tend to be of more different shapes than road bikes. You have an effective top tube length, which you have to measure by the midle of the headtube, and draw a horizontal line to where in intersects the saddlepost.

Some prefer a longer top tube for cross country, but shorter for freeride or twisty trails.

I think (I'm not sure) that most road bikes are measured in cm, while mountain bikes are measured in inches (most often for hardtails, that is, bikes with only front suspension), and sizes for full suspension bikes (S,M,L,XL...).

Answer 3

if you are talking about frame size, there is one general spot that is measered - the top of the seat tube to the middle of the space for the bottom bracket. these sizes range from 13" up to 22". other ways to measure frames are by the top and bottom tube length, but only the extreme roadies mess with those numbers. 90% of cyclists just get that one number in a size thats good for them.

wheel size is different. if you have a good eye, you can look at a wheel and tell what size it is. most common is the 26", but there are smaller 24", 20" 16" but those are for younger riders. 29er biker are making a comeback as well.

Answer 4

Mountain bikes and road bikes are traditionally measured from the center of the bottom bracket (where the cranks bolt on) to the center of the top tube (that goes from the handlebars to your seat.).

Road bikes are measured in centimeters, and mountain bikes, being an American invention, are measured in inches.