Why is selection under parameters necessary?
First of all, choosing the right bike, the rider feels comfort. Sitting comfortably makes it easier to exercise. This is especially important for children and novice cyclists.
The level of driving comfort directly affects health. By choosing the right transport and setting it up for yourself, it is possible to minimize the risk of injury.
If the bike is not suitable for height, there is a higher chance of damage to the joints, ligaments and tendons. The danger is that microtraumas occur, obviously imperceptible, which subsequently leads to chronic health problems.
Finally, when the bike is picked up and set up for the rider, it actively responds to the work of the pedals, quickly picking up speed. Therefore, the feeling of flight and incomparable pleasure are palpable.
The reverse rule also works: on the coolest and most expensive bike, it will be difficult to accelerate when the seat rubs or the legs do not reach the pedals well. Not to mention the higher chance of losing control and falling.
How to calculate frame size by height?
This is the primary parameter for choosing a two-wheeled transport. Its importance is especially clearly understood by those who, in childhood, had to learn to ride an adult bicycle.
First of all, you can use a special table, where the size of the frame is indicated for the height of a person. The latter is indicated in inches, centimeters, or standard size under the letter designation - S, M, L, and so on. Inches can be converted to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54.
On a bike with a large frame, you feel stable even at high speeds. Photo: youtube
If there is no size in the table that ideally matches the height of a person, choose the closest one in the direction of decreasing or increasing. But the difference should be no more than 7 cm.
The table is not always at hand. As, however, not all cyclists consider it right to be guided by such a tool. There is another way to calculate the desired frame size, which many people call more accurate:
? It is necessary to measure what is the distance from the buttocks to the heels
? The resulting figure is multiplied by the overall coefficient - 0.65 (for a mountain bike - 0.56)
? The result - the ideal size of the "iron horse"
The most accurate way to choose a bike by height is a practical one. It is necessary to stand nearby - the frame should not reach the buttocks a little. Approximate distance - palm. This is important to prevent injuries: during sudden braking, there is no risk of running into the frame with the crotch.
Wheel diameter
This parameter is predetermined by the height of the person and the nature of the ride:
✅ It is more convenient to ride a bike with wheels with a diameter of 24 or 26 inches around the city
✅ If you are going to travel out of town, over rough terrain, the indicator should be more: 26, 28 or 29 inches
It is important to know that the size of the wheels determines the amount of energy the rider needs to pedal. The larger the diameter, the less effort is needed to pick up speed. Also, transport with wheels from 26 "is more obedient and comfortable: vibration is damped before reaching the saddle and steering wheel.
Bicycles with wheels up to 24" are recommended for children and people up to 150 cm tall. Less than 20" are rarely used: they have the advantage of compactness, but they lose in comfort and riding pleasure.
The ratio between the wheels and the frame is also important. If the latter is too large, the transport will be unstable, especially high risks of falls when driving on rough roads.
How to find a model by weight?
First of all, the manufacturer indicates the maximum load that the bike can withstand. However, this does not mean that the larger the person, the more massive the transport should be.
An important nuance: bicycles with frames that are structurally lowered back require more effort from the rider. And the more weight, the more uncomfortable the trip will be, as well as the higher the level of physical activity.
Even models with lightweight thin frames are deceptively fragile. But with them it is more fun to drive: it is easier to pick up speed, they are more obedient in control and brake well.
The thinner the frame, the better the maneuverability. Photo: youtube
If the cyclist weighs more than 100 kg, you need to choose transport taking into account the following recommendations:
? It is better to give preference to models with reinforced rims
? It is important to check the reliability of the suspension fork
? Make sure the frame and transmission are strong
If a person weighs more than 140-150 kg, reinforced models of a road or tourist type are needed.
Features of the choice of transport for children
There are tables in which it is proposed to choose an “iron horse” for a child by age and height. Only the first criterion is dubious - children are of completely different heights at the same age. Therefore, it is more correct to focus on how tall the child is.
If the bike is small, the knees will cling to the handlebars, the legs will not be able to fully unbend, so it is difficult for the child to pick up speed and enjoy the ride. Photo: youtube
Manufacturers offer different configurations that differ not only in frame sizes, but also in wheel diameters:
✅ With a height of 85 to 105 cm, models with 12-inch wheels are usually recommended. They are distinguished by the absence of sharp protruding parts. Many children's bikes in this category are additionally equipped with a pair of removable wheels that help you learn how to ride.
✅ For children with a height of 95 to 115 cm, vehicles with tires with a diameter of 16 inches are produced. Removable wheels can also be attached to it, which are removed as soon as the child feels confident in controlling the bike
✅ When children grow up to 100-120 cm, you can transfer them to vehicles with 18-inch wheels
✅ With a height of 110 cm or more, you can try a model with an indicator of 20 ". It is no longer equipped with training wheels. There is even a bike with a transmission in this category. It is bought if the child feels confident driving the "iron horse"
✅ Teenagers and children from 130 cm tall get transport with wheels with a diameter of 24 inches. In fact, many of these models are copies of adults, including the suspension fork and transmission.
Children should not buy transport ahead of time, especially at the end of the season, being tempted by good discounts. We cannot rule out the possibility of a growth spurt, so that in the spring the bike will be small.
A few words about customization
It is not enough to choose a bike for height and weight: before you get behind the wheel, you need to adjust the saddle and steering wheel. Customization features are predetermined by the type of vehicle:
? On an ordinary city bike, they sit straight, almost perpendicular to the floor. To do this, you usually have to raise the steering wheel and lower the seat. The nature of the landing minimizes the load on the arms, legs, back. The head is positioned vertically, so you can admire the surroundings while walking. Landing is called - walking. However, in this position, blows on bumps and pits are especially noticeable. It is not designed for long and high-speed trips.
? If a sports bike is purchased in order to learn how to ride fast, to train the body, then the steering wheel is lowered, the saddle is raised. The body is located almost parallel to the ground, which requires physical fitness and flexibility. But the load on the muscles is distributed in such a way that you can move quickly and at high speed for a long time.
? If a bike is bought for tourist trips, a fit is required that eliminates stress on the neck and lower back. Therefore, the pose turns out to be in the middle between racing and walking: the body leans at an angle of 45 degrees to the ground. The seat in this case is at the level of the steering wheel or slightly higher
The right choice of a bike in terms of parameters and proper tuning does not guarantee the pleasure of the trip. It is important to learn how to manage transport, minimizing unnecessary movements - they take a lot of energy. They also take into account aerodynamics, so the hands are kept closer to the body.
The task of choosing a bike is difficult only in the description. In practice, guided by the rules described above, finding a successful model for personal physical data is simply due to the extensive range.
