Shopping for your new dream bike is an exciting time. But before you commit to a purchase you will need to answer the age old question, "What size bike do I need?" Choosing the right bike size is vitall. One that fits you correctly ensures it will be more comfortable, efficient, and fun to ride. In this blog, we examine the key elements that ensure any bike you buy is perfect for you and you alone.
Bike Sizing for Women
Firstly, let's discuss why you won't find women-specific bikes on our website. We believe in treating all riders as individuals and prioritising the right fit for their body shape, size, and personal preferences.
All our bikes are designed to be unisex and fully customisable to achieve a fit that's perfect for you. The key is ensuring the proper sizing of critical components, including the handlebars, handlebar stem, and a women's specific saddle.
Bike Configurator & Express Despatch
Once you’ve selected your preferred bike model, you can proceed with one of our recommended builds. We’ve specced each model with high-quality components that offer everyone, from beginners to dedicated cyclists, the very best in comfort, performance, and durability.
Our Bike Configurator allows you to customise your bike to suit your riding preferences. You can edit the handlebar width, stem length, swap out the wheels, add a set of pedals and even create a bike to match your sense of style with a Custom Colour paint design.
However, should you feel a little overwhelmed by so many options, we do offer a selection of pre-built bikes, which are pre-equipped with the most popular component choices. This provides all riders with a high-quality bike that is fast, comfortable and capable. These bikes are also available for 48-hour despatch - simply add the bike to the basket and checkout to receive a despatch notification within 48-hours.
How to Choose Your Correct Bike Size
Choosing the right bike size is easy if you start your search armed with the correct information. It's as easy as, well... riding a bike! Below we will guide you through the essential steps to taking your own measurements and how to use this information to find the correct bike for your size and riding position.
Step 1. Measure your Height & Inside Leg
If you already know your height and inseam mesurement, you can skip to step two.
For those who don’t, the following techniques will help you measure accurately. The methods described here are easier with the assistance of a helper but can also be successfully completed alone in the absence of one.
How to measure your height
- In bare feet, stand upright with your back against a wall or door frame
- Place a pen or pencil atop your head and parallel to the floor
- Make a small mark on the surface and measure
How to measure your inside leg
- In bare feet, stand upright with your back to a wall
- Place a book or ruler between your legs and level with the top of your crotch
- Measure the distance from the top of the book/ruler to the floor for your 'actual' inside leg measurement (not trouser leg)
Step 2. Choosing the Correct Bike Size
Now that you have your height and inside leg measurements, it's time to make use of them. Each bike listed on the Ribble website includes a height range linked to a specific frame size. We have meticulously gathered measurement data from numerous staff members and customers to ensure the best fit for everyone.
The type of bike and riding you choose will affect the size you need. If you find yourself between two sizes, you must first decide what riding position you are looking for.
The size you need will largely depend on the bike type and your preferred riding style. If you find yourself between two sizes, consider whether to be mroe upright or stretched out.
- Choosing a more petite frame will give you a slightly lower, stretched-out riding position.
- Choosing a larger frame provides a slightly more upright/relaxed riding position.
The points made above are by no means absolutes. Specific alterations can be made to adjust the fit of any bike. These include: fitting a longer or shorter stem and cranks, plus raising or lowering the saddle.
However, it should be noted that it is easier to make a frame that's on the small side fit a taller rider than vice versa. The small frame simply offers more scope for adjustment.
Step 3. Key Components
As mentioned above, various components can be customised to achieve your preferred fit. The rules for obtaining the correct measurements apply equally to men and women. In Step 3, we will guide you through working out what handlebar width, stem length, and saddle type suits you best.
Handlebar Width
For the most part, handlebars are measured from the centre of one drop to the centre of the other (ctc). When we refer to drop we are describing the bottom section of the handlebar, the absolute end of the bar where you fit the bar plugs.
The best method to determine your ideal handlebar width is to have someone measure the distance between your ac joints (the two bony protrusions where the collarbone and shoulder blade meet).
Though most are measured ctc, some manufacturers measure their bars across the top rather than the drops (Zipp for instance) and very rarely may quote an outside-to-outside measurement (Dedaciaii).
If they are a centre-to-centre model (like our in-house Ribble brand), add 2 cm to your shoulder measurement to achieve your ideal bar width.
Handlebar Stem
Unfortunately, no such magic formula exists to help you ascertain your ideal stem length. The only way to do this accurately is to book a professional bike fit or visit one of our showrooms for a fitting.
Given the general trend of female riders having shorter torsos in relation to leg length, we find that a shorter stem works best.
A female rider would typically require a stem length of between 70 - 90mm, whereas a male rider would typically require a stem length of 90 - 120mm. Generally speaking, the smaller the frame size; the shorter the stem should be.
When you select any bike on our website, the handlebar and stem will automatically default to our recommended size. However, should you then change the frame size, these options will increase or decrease accordingly.
Saddle
We are all individuals, and our anatomies are very different. A saddle that may be comfortable for one person may cause significant discomfort for another. This makes pinpointing the right saddle difficult, as the saddle you choose must offer the correct support for your sit bones. Thankfully there exists a simple method for determining what saddle width suits you best. To measure the distance between your sit bones, you will need the equipment outlined below.
Equipment required:
- Flat bench or chair to sit on
- Flat object set at a lower height to the chair that you can rest your feet on. For example; a stool, box, or bench
- A piece of corrugated cardboard
- Tape measure
- Chalk (optional)
Once you have the listed equipment, follow the method described below to measure the distance between your sit bones.*
Method:
- Take the cardboard and lay it on the seat.
- Lower yourself onto the cardboard so it is aligned under your buttocks.
- Raise your feet and place them on the lower footrest.
- Try to simulate the position you would typically adopt when riding a bike. If you like a relaxed position, sit slightly more upright (but not fully upright). If you prefer a more aggressive race position lean forward.
- Hold this position for approximately 30 seconds.
- Stand up and retrieve the piece of cardboard.
- You should be able to make out two clear indentations imprinted upon the cardboard. These are produced by the sit bones and can be used to calculate your ideal saddle width. If you can't make out the indentations, take the chalk and rub it across the cardboard to make the indentations visible.
- Next, take the tape measure and measure the distance between the indents. Use the centre of each as your start/finish points.
- You can now apply this information to choose an appropriate saddle for your preferred style of riding. All saddles have a defined width, so just find the one that best suits you.
Further Assistance
We hope this bike size guide has been helpful in helping you choose the correct bike. However, there's no better way to find the perfect size and fit than by visiting one of our showrooms. We have multiple showrooms throughout the country, where you will receive expert sizing guidance and buying advice from our team of friendly and knowledgeable bike experts. And you get to see the road, electric, gravel and hybrid bikes in person. Win, win!
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