Measuring for bike fit

When you check whether a bike fits, we ask for just two measurements: your total height and your inside leg. Here's why we ask, and how to take them — no tape measure gymnastics required.

Why we ask

A comfortable, safe bike is one that you can stand over and reach the controls on. Two simple numbers give us a good sense of both:

  • Total height — your height tells us about standover clearance and overall frame sizing: whether you can comfortably straddle the top tube and swing a leg over when you stop.
  • Inside leg — your inside leg length is the best guide to saddle height and reach: whether the saddle goes high enough (and low enough) for a near-straight leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and whether the handlebars are within comfortable reach.

Together they let us suggest bikes that will feel right from the first pedal — and flag ones that would have you reaching or straddling uncomfortably.

How to measure

Take both measurements in millimetres (mm) without shoes. For total height, stand barefoot or in socks; for inside leg, stand in socks.

Total height

  1. Stand flat against a wall, without shoes.
  2. Place a book on your head, flat and level against the wall.
  3. Mark the wall at the bottom edge of the book.
  4. Measure from the floor to the mark — that's your total height (e.g. 1700mm).

Inside leg

  1. Stand against a wall, in socks.
  2. Pull a hardback book firmly up into your crotch, like a saddle.
  3. Hold it level, then step away.
  4. Measure from the top of the book to the floor — that's your inside leg (e.g. 800mm).

You can enter these two numbers on any bike's fit check to see how it's likely to fit.

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