How to Size Trek Road Bikes

Selecting a frame that fits properly is an important part of any bike purchase. This is especially true in regard to road bikes. Comfort is important because of the amount of time many road bike riders spend on the road. If the frame is not sized correctly to the rider the result may be a very uncomfortable ride. Choosing a road bike that is correctly sized to you involves taking your own measurements and an understanding of how manufacturers size their bikes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tape measure
Book
Pencil

Step 1

Determine the length of your inseam. Use a tape measure and paperback book to measure your inseam. Stand against a wall with your shoes off. Position a paperback book at the highest comfortable point between your legs.

Step 2

Place a small mark on the wall at the top of the book with a pencil. Measure the distance from the floor to the mark in centimeters. This will give you the length of your inseam.

Step 3

Determine if the Trek bike you are considering was measured center to top or center to center. Center to top measurements are determined by measuring the bike from the center of the bottom bracket up to the top of the seat. Center to center measurements are determined by measuring from the center of the bottom bracket up to the center of the top tube.

Step 4

Calculate the correct size of Trek bike by multiplying your inseam by .67 for center to top bikes and .65 for center to center bikes. If your inseam is 80 centimeters, the solution for a center to top bike would be 80 x .67 = 53.6 centimeters. This means a 53 or 54 centimeter frame should work. Divide the total by 2.54 to convert to inches.

Tips & Warnings

It is typically better to go down to the next size bike than up when selecting a bike.

A bike which is not properly sized may prove difficult to control resulting in damage to the bike or injury to the rider.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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