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