Related Sponsors

What are the rules for fitting an entry level mountain bike?

Home » Mountain Biking » Mountain Bike Fitting » What are the rules for fitting an entry level mountain bike?

When you walk into any good bike shop, you will probably be intimidated by the many rows of different bikes stacked floor to ceiling. How can you possibly find the right bike for you among so many choices? Take heart. The process of choosing an entry level mountain bike is actually quite simple and direct, and within a few minutes, you will be choosing safely among a comfortable handful of excellent options. You see, mountain bikes are sorted according to size, much like clothes or shoes. That means that only some of the bikes that will confront you will actually be your size.

The first method for sizing bikes is simply Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large. The other sizing scheme labels bikes according to the corresponding heights of the central frame of the bike in inches: 13”, 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”, 23”. An experienced bike shop employee will be able to size you reliably. I, for example, am 5’ 10” and ride a Large, or 19” mountain bike. You may have heard that you can tell if a bike is your size by straddling the frame with feet on the ground, and looking for 2 inches of space between your crotch and the frame. This rule of thumb is a common misconception, however. Because each of our bodies is built differently, such a simplistic rule is not nuanced enough to be trustworthy. The best bet for finding your size is to get help from an experienced salesperson.

If you have ridden a road bike, you may find the mountain bike sizing system a bit imprecise. Road bikes must be fitted to the millimeter, according to the exact body proportions of the rider. This is due to the aggressive forward-leaning aerodynamic posture that these cyclists must assume and hold for long periods. On a road bike, small variations in the centering of the knee over the bottom foot bracket can lead to stress injuries in the knees or hips. Similarly, handlebar maladjustment can lead to neck and shoulder injury. Mountain bikers sit in a less taxing posture atop the bike, and this allows for more flexibility in bike proportions. In addition, mountain bikers, riding the trails, tend not to hold the same posture, but rather, move around on the bike, partially protecting from repetitive stress injuries.

Next Page: How is fitting a custom bike different?

Related Mountain Bike Fitting Articles