Mountain Bike Dimensions Explained

Frame size is based on the frame s seat tube.

Mountain bike dimensions explained.

The frame size is so important that bikes are labeled just by this size. These sizes can be thought of as a sort of shorthand for decimal sizes each with a corresponding iso measurement. Since getting hooked on mountain bikes aged thirteen riding a tiny 24seven crosser he s raced downhill enduro and cross country. For the most part bike frame size is the only thing that changes when you go between sizes things like wheel size suspension and relative geometry number remain the same.

700x25c indicates a tire with a 700mm outer diameter and a 25mm width. How are mountain bikes sized. As the name suggests actual seat angle refers to the lay back of the seat post but on modern suspension bikes this is complicated by the seat tube starting forward of the. These new sizes offer more speed and are generally better at soaking up the bumps.

A tire size you might see on a mountain bike. What mountain bike frame size should i ride. The point is don t fret if a bike shop employee takes a laid back approach to sizing your mountain bike. Read the size carefully.

A tire size you might see on a road bike. This is the angle of the seat tube relative to the ground. Once you ve identified your tire diameter 29 27 5 or 26 you ll want to dial in your width. When looking at mountain bike sizes you will first be presented with the frame sizes.

Consider the bike type. Most mountain bike manufacturers use classic small medium large sizing. A hybrid of road and mountain tires cyclocross tires are labeled as 700c and have widths indicated in millimeters like road bikes yet are knobbie like mountain bike tires. Seb s been riding and racing mountain bikes for half his life.

The sizes you commonly see for mountain bike wheels like 26in 27 5in and 29in all refer to the outside diameter of the wheel with the tire fully inflated. Mountain bike geometry explained in 9 numbers. Traditionally they come with a 26 wheel but more recently we ve seen the launch of 29 and 27 5 650b wheeled bikes. Mountain bike sizing guide.

A cross country bike will have tires in the 1 9 to 2 25 width range. Sizes written as decimals such as 2 75 are different than sizes expressed as fractions such as 2 3 4. First consider what kind of bike you want sizing varies greatly between road and mountain bikes as well as between men s and women s models and even between. Mtb sizes are measured in inches or as s m.

29 x 2 3 indicates a tire with a 29 outer diameter and a 2 3 width. How mountain bikes are sized. Mountain bike tire size and width.