How To Measure A Bike Frame

[asnac]

Found a video that is much clearer - search for ymORrL8R8nM

[asnac]

But where on the tube do you measure it to - what does 'top' mean? You're very generous in making and uploading this but the key question is still unclear.

[rileyblottAllM]

Thanks, Very useful with all these old steel frames i have!

[1magellan1]

Thank you so much for making this video - I'm sending a link to the eBay seller when I make the query about frame size.

[mrdebonario]

Thanks for posting, but yeah, you're blocking the top of the shot so you can't see the other end of the measurement

[PaulHumphries68]

Thank you Rob 298,599 hits and counting!

[carolzpix]

Nice video.

[Hordster04]

Constructive criticism: you may want to reshoot this with a different camera angle (you are blocking the the shot and can't see tape measure). Just a thought. But it will still help those looking to figure this out.

[jveteran]

you blocked your shot

[mike60356]

What a wonderful video. Thank you so much. Pictures are so much better than words. Now to enlighten others!

[ecandle]

Technically the measurement should start at the center of the crank just as stated, following the angle up the seat tube , however ending at the top side of the top tube or center of the top tube ( based on the mfg ) of the frame .The seat tube can run quite a bit above the plane of the top tube on different bikes .

[radialpukesplat]

All makes sense now. Great,

[Jamiecomebak2me]

22 people were directed to this video by him and felt insulted.

[Curry952]

Thank you so much! That solved so much confusion that google was throwing at me!

[imaamerican13]

thanks!

[MustangPowerXXX]

Thanks. I did ask two members of staff at at well known bike store " Evans" and they knew as much as I did: Nothing. Thanks, now I know.

[willowsgal]

god, i have the same problem!! thanks for the video, gives me something to refer sellers to. i can't believe it doesn't occur to people that it would help them get a good price by giving measurements, and it baffles me even more that when i ask what size inside of googling "how to measure a bike" they reply simply, "oh dear! i don't know man!" ... the hell.

[andrewdudeldoo]

......Jorts!

[gladys7n]

Great advicce but your arm is in the way I can't see what you are doing.

[RedFlowerDarkHair]

why do you multiply it???

[jhaarala15]

@RedFlowerDarkHair To convert from inches to centimeters.

[everyoneslarry]

Thanks! much appreciated!

[dohead]

Wow! It's that easy. Way to make me feel stupid hahaha.

no seriously though, thank you very much :D

[eldaniel91]

Thank you Billy!!!

[shyflirt1]

Sorry, I am not Joe. My name is Rob. Personally, I can't stand hearing my own voice, but it's the only one I have. Glad I could help.

[tarrke82]

Hi, Joe, it's Kiersten - I could tell it was you by your voice! Thanks for helping me figure out how to measure my bike =)

[mlke4258]

LOL....Simmer down people.

[IndisputableAttitude]

250,000 views.  Looks like he hit upon a question many people were wondering about.

[kimadawest]

Sorry, but I couldn't see where you were measuring because your arm was in the way. You said something about the "top of the seat tube" but I don't know the terminology so I don't know where that is - under the seat, maybe? And why convert to cm - I thought frames were measured in inches.

[Oscarman61]

Very helpful - thank you! If you could have your arm in a different position so it does not block the view of where you are measuring,. it would be excellent.

[mn2mom]

Thank you, exactly what I needed!

[sllessac]

Thanks - nicely explained

[Bozkurt68400]

Thanks a lot!! really needed to know that

[bonkersstudio]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[mikeschmeee]

I love it! Thank you!

[MrUdigawa]

Thanks for that, a good demo

[Iggypop01111990]

Very useful! Thanks a lot!

[squealyjim]

thanks!

[ohgoodgodno]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

[mousetelevision]

Thanks.

[JimmyPFitness]

You are standing in front of where you are measuring - hence the viewer can see the measurement - the whole point of your video! How about a redo?

[shamwife]

RAD VIDEO THANK YOU!

[shyflirt1]

No, it's not custom. It's a 1990 Trek 1000. It came in many sizes including 54, 56, 58cm, etc.

[fu3ymip1]

@shyflirt1 I have a trek 1000, how can i determine what year is it from.

[shyflirt1]

@fu3ymip1 Search for my page titled "Find the model year of your Trek bike" at my BicycleBikes (dot) com site. I describe how I figured out the year of my Trek 1000.

[popitn2nd]

Is that a custom bike frame? All I see listed is either 55cm or 57cm.

[nogamesgirl2002]

Do you realize you spent more time complaining about how people don't list the size of their bikes than you spent measuring and showing how to do it?

[Iggypop01111990]

@nogamesgirl2002

Stop nagging man! He kindly posted a very helpful video, unlike some (YOU) who are only complaining!

[dgusset]

jeez, it's hard to tell up to what point you measured - you arm is blocking the view !!

[PAYDAYPAWN]

@metariane ITS not that he should be looking professional.

[PAYDAYPAWN]

hello there very Useful Video////it will nice if you can organize a little bit more that way you are not in front of the bike thanks

[anthonyskibbles]

is it same with bmx because when i measured my bmx bike it said it was only 12 inches. please help

[saifulizhan]

you forgot about the length of the top tube....the seat tube only suggest the correct height for you but what about your reach? the tob tube measurement will determine the correct reach......taking consideration of your arm length

[dodgerdannyboy]

Excellent thanks

[RIPEorROTTING]

When I measure my cheap $350 Haro MB, it measures out at 21 inches. But the label on the tube says L (19.5 inches).

I'm confused

[Cheree1982]

Thanks so mcuh!! I needed this!!!

[patrickjohnhesketh]

THANKS YOU SHY FLIRT

[macalad]

shoulder / arm in the way. Good post all the same tho!

[greanlantern]

Thank you - now I can list my bike!

[minniejessica]

Many thanks! I'm listing a bike on Ebay and got puzzle, thanks for the straight forward explaination ;)

[Lyrinda]

Thank you so much for a clear explanation!

[pistol71]

The bike is on Ebay so I cannot do a fitting. This is it

I am concerned that it won't be big enough as stated I am 6' 4" and have a 35" inside leg. This appears to be the biggest they do. Some sources say this should be fine others recommend a 23" or even bigger frame. The auction ends in 15 hours.

[pistol71]

Could you advise me on frame size there seems to be conflicting advice. I am 6' 4" and have a 35" inside leg. I am about to shell out a lot of money on a Montague Bike and it is a 21" (the largest they seem to do) is that big enough for me?

[canadianroot]

@pistol71 I don't know the bike....is it a road bike? It seems like it would be enough for you....no test ride? Fitting session? Competitive Cyclist has a great fit calculator on its site. Find a bike that closely resembles the one you are thinking of buying, take your measurements, plug in the data, and compare it with the geometry data for the bike (again, a bike that most closely resembles the Montague)

[meyarz]

Thank you straight to the point and easy to understand, Dont you just hate buying bikes from ebay!!

[unaffiliatedperson]

middle of crank to top of where the seat is installed. so his bike is 22 inch frame then?

[galt57]

Why not change the camera position so you don't block the view of the entire operation? Also are you measuring to the top of the clamp on the seat tube or the top of the bare tube or what?

[candym]

Mystery solved---thank you!!!!!!!

[OneManWolfPak]

this video could have been cut down to about 30 seconds

[dougj102463]

I just went into a shop for a fitting yesterday, and it was explained to me that some makers require you to go to the center of top tube, some to the top of the top tube, and others to the top of the seat tube. This can make a significant difference.

I mistakenly measured my Cannondale to be 59 cm when, in actuality, it was only 56 cm. Reason is I measured to top of seat tube and was only supposed to go to to of the top tube. The seat tube on my bike goes 3 cm beyond the top tube.

[tonydudaable]

great.  thanks!

[jcnewyewtube]

Actually Metariane, it is difficult to see where he points to as the top measurement end. I THINK he is talking about and pointed to the to the end of the "seat tube", but they used to measure to the top side of the "top tube" and they are close, so it was hard to tell here. Mostly, measurements are to to center of the "top tube" these days. This doesn't account for top tubes that are at angle, so many people would measure at the point at which the center would hit the seat tube if it were level

[OrozcoProductions]

thanks!

[sidewaysntraffic]

Thanks.

[Bebopaboobah]

Nothing could be simpler! Yet still nearly everyone selling bikes on Ebay has absolutely no idea. I exchange endless emails with sellers before I am confident I have established the actual frame size. One person put on an enormous racer with no frame size and it turned out to be a whopping 27inches!! I was thinking of complaining to Ebay that all bike ads includes frame size but it sounds like you've tried already?

[illacorp]

exactly what i needed thanks!

[JRPictureProductions]

Thanks!

[princess7strawberry]

Very helpful & good info to know! I'll know how to list bikes in the future. Cheers!

[iheartkungpow]

The seat tube length is not the only measure of relevance for modern bikes, since they are sized proportionally; older bikes only differed in seat tube length. Women have longer legs and shorter torsos on average than men, so W's styles are proportioned accordingly. Also, a range of different bike styles (mountain, comfort, commuter, road etc) have a range of different proportions.

The only hard fast rule... what FEELS right when you're on the bike?

[Flip7601]

very helpful

[Rastameister]

What road bike size do you think for 5'10" tall with a 34 inch inseam? The charts say 58 up to 60 something? It seems my legs belong to a taller body.

[Alphagrey]

Doesn't work for mountain bikes with shocks in the frame. Using this method, It measured 18 inches but was a 24 inch bike.

[streetxlite]

multiply by 2.54??

[windexx17]

@streetxlite converts it to centimeters

[csrenegar]

Thank you, that was the most helpful video I have seen in a long time!

[snorky001]

Thanks for this info - very useful. 

[CaNaDaPowNs20]

Thank you

[lonik]

awesome shit man

[mwf5454]

This is not the way a domestic (schwinn) manufactured frame is sized . He is close but the measure is Center of Crank to center of crossbar (top tube) seat tube intersection which on an 18 inch frame will be 18 and not some half or quarter in increment

[northstar1950]

@mwf5454 well this method is the standard way to measure a frame and is the correct method, if Schwinn do differently then thats up the them, but they are wrong.

[mwf5454]

@northstar1950 Wifes Trek is measured as you suggest

but Schwinns are out there. A guy thought he had a 20 inch frame ( using your method came up with 19.5 inches). My frame was called 18 when I bought it (measures the 19.5 using the method you suggest , measures 18 the way I mentioned.) Same frame. It is important to me as that dimension may give an indication of the stand over height, which is as "interesting" as the possible seat height. Both measures are useful information.

[northstar1950]

@mwf5454  Ok, Im from UK and we measure as shown just seems odd but thats life , must be confusing in one manufacturer measures thing differently, good job they dont make trousers (pants) :)

[Brambleiah]

@mwf5454 Thank you! I have a Schwinn and your comment just saved me some time! Thanks!

[mwf5454]

@Brambleiah glad it helped

[iheartkungpow]

@mwf5454 This method wouldn't work for step-through bikes.

[slurpee27]

you da man

[tokyohanna]

I'm trying to sell my bike, and this was super helpful. Thank you!!

[csrothschild]

Thank you!

[funshipM174]

Now I need the video on comverting centimeters into inches!

[msr35]

I have been wondering how to do that for a long time. thanks

[bikeliving]

Quick, simple, and informative. LOVE

[MrDannyPearce]

Thank you that helped a lot

[policeman1313]

Thanks for vid, helped!

[wladosu]

me 2 !!!

[louiskugel]

how frustrating! this is useless b/c you get in the way!

[jobell721]

I can't really see what you're doing.

[almfincole]

@jobell721 if you can't tell from how he explains it, you should probably wear your bike helmet at all times.

[jobell721]

@almfincole his arm is right in front of what he's trying to demonstrate. just saying.

[Ridethelightnin69]

wank

[klinoz]

Fantastic! Thanks.

[moanjacker]

cheers fella,

[Kianaa13]

Thank you.... :)

[rentatrip1]

my bike has size stampted into the metal ...under the bottom of the "Bottom Bracket-  measured in Centimeters -

this measurement is for "road bikes"

- other measurements are given in wheel -Tire size

such as ... 26" or 20"

[FAFEpictures]

Perfect. Googled it and found this. Awesome. Thanks.

[ShiftyKapone]

Thanks For The Video Mate Great Reference!

[merrygaming4]

thanks

[Wandasdiggs]

Thanks for solving that curiousity

[flazmot]

thank you!

[1otof]

Perfect. Just what I was looking for. Simple and to the point. I could see the bike just fine by the way.

[joeshig]

does this work for kona stinkys?

[Corieisabeaner]

Very helpful, despite peoples' comments about not being able to see the bike, I thought it was pretty simple to follow. Thanks!

[oldkiwirocker]

Jeez. Don;t you people listen!~He quite clearly says, and points out, that he is measuring from the centre of the hub to the top of the frame.

That's the frame NOT the seat.

[9midwestern9]

Could dude maybe stand on the other side of the bike? I can't see what the hell he is measuring with his body taking up the whole screen!

[daytonacoupe]

Your left arm obscures the measuring point at the top of the seat tube

[dancing8chic]

thank you! so simple & helpful!

[matsolinho]

Thanks, that was great, theres nothing like a simple video to jar ones memory...

[monkeyboy85]

bit silly to obscure completely what you are doing!

[silverfoxcondor46]

Nice information...but...typically the measurement is center to center.....

hope I'm not splitting hairs here.

[tjammer121022]

So you measure in inches, multiply by 2.54 and get a result in cm? That seems a little nuts.

[akashub09]

1 inch = 2.54 cm

Google it...

[MrFlintknapper1]

Couldn't see where the top of the seat tube was because you were in the way.

[jprice721]

Thanks, just the info I was looking for.

[cedwin14]

you the best to listen to. thanks!

[anthonyogrady]

I couldn't really see what you did as your shoulder was in the way:(

[driver521221]

this aswers a question that i have had since being in the market for a new bike. thanks!

[hobomobos]

thanks this helped me alot

[sleepyjean789]

This is the best and clearest instruction on this subject I have found. Thanks for putting this up. Now I can list the size of the bike I am selling on eBay.

[helpme5050]

ok thx but on the page that says how much inches it is, it says 18 inches. is that the size of the frame or the whole bike from one side to the other?

[StandYourGrounds]

Is a 18' frame considered small, medium or large?

[darktsunami]

small

[JaMMi012002]

Is this the same for womens bikes?

[Grockern55]

Thanks, you confirmed my measurement

[MtbJoy213]

if I buy a 15 inch frame bike, will the wheels size of the bike change?

[citizenmax]

You were in the way the entire time. Horrible demonstration!

[sammichaelstevens]

Thanks

[josueguzman602]

hey im buildin a low low bike and i got a 16 inch frame will a 20 inch tire fit on it

[LondonBoy2006]

Excellent

[hish55]

Thank you. Badly needed but hardly used or understood.

[amytownsend1]

Thank you very handy just got asked the size on ebay :)

[tehmightyquinn]

Thanks! Exactly what i was looking for to post my bike for sale.

[nitwit44]

What does the 'top of the seat tube' mean? We can't see because your arm is in the way. Shoddy.

[soybased]

it's the tube that you put the seat post into

[assbootybuttcrack]

Thank-you. Straight to the point. And how to convert to cm.

[ArthurSchlott]

Nice video, but would be better if your arm wasn't in the way, mate! ;)

[piuranita28]

thank you very much, I just got a really good deal on craiglist,

[eeehhhh]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[machinehead24]

im 5'11 what would be a good size for me?

[HoopGurus]

Probably around 56-58 cm, but it depends on your leg/arm/torso length.

[LondonBoy2006]

a 22" frame, 26inch wheel. Probably

[Merf180]

Thanks!  Perfect for me to figure out the measurements for a bike I'm listing on Ebay!

[emergegrowprosper]

Just exactly what I needed to sell my bike, thanks!

[bdoops]

me too!! haha

[rgrandia]

As Sloanric pointed out, PLEASE correct your video.

Great idea, though!

[bkjoelover]

move your buff ass arms dude!

[MontgomeryPowell]

loll

[abettercycle]

what about top tube length? that is the important measurement. and frames should be measured center to center so that the various tubing sizes dont skew the measurements.

[MontgomeryPowell]

that part is adjustable, so it doesnt matter. what he is measuring is essentially the minimum distance between seat and pedals.

[twoand2]

thanks for posting this, very useful

[Katy7540]

I could not see the top measurement where the seat tube actually ends because his arm blocked the tape measure completely. Also one has to know centimeters vs. inches.

[jojo808]

I'm selling my bike on CL, get email asking 'what size?' ,go to youtube ,typed "how to measure a bike" ,this video comes up 1st,*click*, see it, now I know how. Freakin awesome=D . That is all .

[sesarathor]

MOVE YOUR ARM

[sloanric]

All seat tube measurements are actually measured to the top tube, NOT the seat tube. So, usually center of crank to center of top tube, or center of crank to top of top tube. NEVER to the top of seat tube. That's why that frame is a 56 and it measured bigger.

[MontgomeryPowell]

whats a top tube?

[Prisoner7777]

Nice legs

[fivecarpenters]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

[Jeffizzlemynizzle]

Great Thanks!!!

[brillpod]

lmao. here I am trying to sell that EXACT SAME BIKE on craigs list. A seller asked me what the size was, and I pull up this video because I have no clue. Thanks!

[ghindo]

Excellent tutorial. Very simple, thank you!

[baddate]

"That's it!" Very helpful thank you!

I prefer center to center rather then center to top, that way you get a better idea of standover height. Also, head tube length is more important for fit then seat tube length so I always insist on those measurements for a bike. You should have a demon on that too!