Getting the Right Bike for Your Body: Sizing a Mountain Bike
If you're going to spend a lot of money on a new mountain bike, the most important thing you need to know is about sizing a mountain bike. If your bike isn't sized right for your body, you're never going to be comfortable riding it and it will sit in your garage. Skill at sizing a mountain bike is a must!
When sizing a mountain bike, make sure that you feel comfortable on the frame; you shouldn't feel hunched over or scrunched up. When standing with both feet on the ground and straddling the bike, if you're correctly sizing the bike the frame bar extending between the saddle and the handle bars should be several inches from your body.
Try pedaling when sizing a mountain bike. When your foot is at the lowest pedal point your leg should still be slightly bent. If it's not you're not going to be getting the most efficiency you can out of each pedal - in essence, you may be spinning your wheels! Fortunately, your seat can be raised or lowered when sizing a mountain bike to correct positioning relative to the pedal. Seats with quick release bolts are easiest to adjust, but make sure you don't raise the seat higher than is safely recommended.
Also consider your upper body position when sizing a mountain bike. When seated, you should be able to comfortably reach the handle bars and turn them without moving your center of gravity forward.
When sizing a mountain bike for a child, don't buy one that is larger than needed figuring that the child will grow into it. One of the reasons proper sizing is important is that a bike that fits correctly is safe to ride. If you put your child on a bike that is too big, you may be putting them in danger. Better to spend a few less dollars on a bike that may be outgrown sooner, and a few more minutes on correctly sizing a mountain bike.
Speaking of safety, incorrectly sizing a mountain bike can lead to injuries as well. If your mountain bike is not the correct size, you can end up with overuse injuries because your body is incorrectly adjusting to the design of the bike.
Sizing a mountain bike correctly is an important aspect of a mountain bike purchase.
