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