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Debunking The Myths Rider Height Best Fit Measurement
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Rider Height Best Fit Measurement -- The best single and simple
fitting measurement that I use is rider height, which effectively combines the
torso and inseam dimensions, but I think a floor to clavicle dimension may be
more accurate. Using rider height appears at first glance to be an overly
simplistic and questionable fitting measure. However, it is actually much more
accurate than many other fitting measurements, especially if combined with a few
other measurements and some common sense. The key to height’s effectiveness is
that the rider’s height is the sum of three dimensions.
1) Inseam, floor to crotch barefoot; 2) Torso, crotch to clavicle; 3) Clavicle to top of head. Of the three, frame size is proportional to both inseam and to the torso length. The neck and head affect frame size very little. So by using rider height to size frames, I am assuming that the clavicle to top of head dimension does not vary too much. It usually runs around 11 inches. If the head dimension is considerably off, then the frame size needs to be adjusted for it. Fortunately, it is the smallest o the three dimensions, and as such, experiences the least variation. A good side benefit is that most people already know their height pretty accurately. Riders sometimes experience difficulty measuring themselves for the other types of dimensions we frame builders like to see. My recommendation for rider height to frame size for road frames using English size measurement (center of BB to top of top tube along the seat tube) are:
My recommendations for correct mountain bike rider height to frame size are valid only for Klein frames because of different methods used to determine mountain bike frames sizing by different manufacturers. Each manufacturer should have a comparable sizing recommendation.
Along with correct frame sizing, other important areas of fit need to be considered and implemented: seatpost adjustment, saddle height and adjustment, handlebar reach and height, riding position (pro racers in road or mountain will usually use different positions than amateur racers) and riding style. Overall fit means the cyclist is in a comfortable and efficient pedaling position. When someone is fit properly, they look comfortable and they feel comfortable. It may not be the same position that someone else uses. SUMMARY Frame size is best determined by:
It may also be affected by:
Gary Klein |