Are you in the market for a new gravel bike? With so many sizes available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. It’s important to get a bike that fits your body size and riding style.
Gravel bikes are becoming increasingly popular as they offer great versatility; they’re ideal for adventure rides, races, or even commuting on rough terrain. Generally, the frame should fit your height and the type of ride you want to do.
Selecting the right gravel bike size is essential to getting the most out of your ride and avoiding potential injuries or discomfort during long rides over uneven terrain. In this article, we’ll be looking at some tips for selecting the perfect gravel bike size for you so that you can enjoy every ride!
If you’re looking for a more versatile bike that can handle both paved and unpaved terrain, a gravel bike might be for you. But before you buy one, it’s important to know what size gravel bike you need. Here are some tips to help you determine the correct frame size.
Measure Your Current Bike
If you have been riding a road or mountain bike for some time, the first step to finding out what gravel bike size you need is to measure your current bike.
Knowing your current frame’s dimensions can help narrow down your search when shopping around and make sure that any bike you choose fits properly.
Body Measurements
Your body measurements will have an significant impact on what size frame you should get. Your height, arm length, torso length, leg length as well as shoulder width all play a role in determining which frame size is best for you.
Measure Your Inseam Length
Your inseam length is one of the most important measurements when choosing frame size. To measure your inseam length, stand with a wall at your side and measure from the floor up to the top of your inseam on the inside of your leg. Then convert to centimeters.
This measurement is reflected in sloping top tube road frames and should match the height on whatever model you are considering.
Try Out Different Sizes
Once you have narrowed down some models based on group sets and budget ranges, look for local bike shops that carry demo versions of each type of bicycle you are interested in buying or borrow a friend’s bike.
Always try out different sizes before deciding which one is best for you as every single person has their own preferences whether it comes to frames or fittings when riding a bike.
If you are stuck between two different sizes and you are comfortable on the smaller of the two, opt for the smaller one, its easier to make a slightly small bike larger than it is to make a larger one smaller. This is done by shortening the stem length and moving the saddle slightly forward.
Wheel Diameter
Gravel bikes come with different wheel diameters depending on which terrain they plan on tackling. The standard diameter ranges from 650b up to 29 inches .
If the terrain isn’t very challenging and the roads or trails are relatively flat then a 650b diameter wheel will work just fine.
But if the rides include tough climbs or descents then it’s recommended to opt for a slightly bigger wheel such as 29in to stay balanced and secure while navigating obstacles such as rocks and roots.
Also one thing to keep in mind is that larger volume tires will add more cushion to ride.
Set Up A Test Ride
Setting up a test ride is essential when trying to determine the correct gravel bike size for yourself. Almost all bike shops will be happy to help you with this.
It allows us to feel how a particular frameset sits on our body which allows us to know if it’s comfortable enough for longer rides and not too short or too long for us to feel confident enough cornering at speed over rough terrain.
Be sure to take notes about different reactions from different bikes – this will help inform subsequent purchases down the line, even if it isn’t immediately after this test ride.
Frame Geometry
Frame geometry plays an important role when choosing a gravel bike size because it affects how well the bike handles while navigating tight turns or navigating rocks on off-road trails.
The headtube angle determines how reactive the front end of your bicycle will be; ideally it should match up with your riding style for maximum performance.
For example, if you like tight cornering then opt for a more aggressive headtube angle whereas if you prefer slowing down during turns then choose something more relaxed with less responsive steering.
Additional Features
Finally additional features such as standover height and bottom bracket drop also influence your decision on which gravel bike size to purchase. Both of these factors together determine at what point your feet should comfortably reach the ground.
The overall balance of your riding position is dependent upon these two variables —try several before settling into one that fits best for your preferences.
Think About Local Trails & Riding Style
Also consider where and how often you plan on riding your new gravel bike—this will help determine proper fitment beyond just traditional sizing methods.
The way trails differ across countries (the Portland trails will be entirely different than ones found in central Florida), as well as how people naturally ride their bikes can affect sizing choices greatly so really take this into consideration before making any decisions!
Final Word
Choosing the right gravel bike size can be tricky but doesn’t have to be intimidating!
Following these simple steps will set you up with success: measure your current frame, check out those all important size charts, visit a local shop who can talk through all options available paired with public opinion and finally: test ride before purchasing!
Once chosen correctly, its often worth going through this process because having an appropriate sized bicycle will literally make or break your Riding experience!
-Be sure to take a look at our collection of The Best Steel Gravel Bikes by clicking here.
