How do I get the bike fit done on a cycle?

Sit on the saddle of the bicycle you are interested in buying. Place your hands on the handlebar. Do you feel that you are leaning way too forward? If it is and you still like the bike, you can request the bicycle shop to change a stem with a shorter reach or replace it with one which is adjustable so that you can raise the handlebar nearer to you.

As you sit on the saddle, are your feet sitting flat on the floor? Raise the seatpost up so that only the tips of your shoes are touching the floor. Sometimes, you may have to change the seatpost if you can’t push the seatpost down any lower as the bolts installed for the cage could be blocking the way. To resolve that, you can change seatpost to one that is shorter in length or have it cut shorter by the shop.

Now get off the saddle and straddle over the toptube. Is your crotch area touching it? If it is, ask the shop to let you try one with a smaller frame size. So, if a 16″ to 17″ frame size (M size) is too high for you, you may have to try a frame size of 15″ (S size). Anything above 18″ is L size. The size is usually printed on the frame where the seatpost is inserted, just below the toptube.

It is safer to buy the bicycle if your crotch area is about 2–3 inches away from the toptube as you straddle over it. That way, should you have an accident and fall, you will not be hurt by the toptube.

How do I get the bike fit done on a cycle?

Sit on the saddle of the bicycle you are interested in buying. Place your hands on the handlebar. Do you feel that you are leaning way too forward? If it is and you still like the bike, you can request the bicycle shop to change a stem with a shorter reach or replace it with one which is adjustable so that you can raise the handlebar nearer to you.

As you sit on the saddle, are your feet sitting flat on the floor? Raise the seatpost up so that only the tips of your shoes are touching the floor. Sometimes, you may have to change the seatpost if you can’t push the seatpost down any lower as the bolts installed for the cage could be blocking the way. To resolve that, you can change seatpost to one that is shorter in length or have it cut shorter by the shop.

Now get off the saddle and straddle over the toptube. Is your crotch area touching it? If it is, ask the shop to let you try one with a smaller frame size. So, if a 16″ to 17″ frame size (M size in Asia) is too high for you, you may have to try a frame size of 15″ (S size in Asia). Anything above 18″ is L size in Asia. The size is usually printed on the frame where the seatpost is inserted, just below the toptube.

It is safer to buy the bicycle if your crotch area is about 2–3 inches away from the toptube as you straddle over it. That way, should you have an accident and fall, you will not be hurt by the toptube.

What size BMX bike should I get?

Children age six and above should not have any problem cycling on a 20" BMX.  If the toptube is 18" to 20" in length, a child of 5ft 3in in height should still be able to ride on the bike comfortably.

The good part about BMX is that if you opt for a larger size bike and the reach is too far for you at the moment, its handlebar is high and can be moved forward nearer towards you as you sit on the saddle.

Sit on the BMX of your choice, adjust the seatpost so that the tip of your feet touches the floor while you sit on the saddle. Place your hands on the handlebar and feel if it is a comfortable reach for you. Adjust the handlebar forward if it is too far away. Note that your arms should be stretched out comfortably. If your elbows are bent as you hold the handlebar, look for one with a longer toptube length.

In choosing wheel size, make sure that it is easy for you to find the tyres and tubes when replacements are required. Some tyres with size in fractions maybe difficult to find. Examples of such sizes are 20x1 3/8, 20x1 1/8, 24x1 3/8, 24x1 1/8, 26x1 1/8.