Road bike size guide
Find your frame size from your height and inside leg, then see every used road bike on eBay that should fit you.
Road bike size chart
| Your height | Feet & inches | Frame size | Letter size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152–160cm | 5'0"–5'3" | 47–50cm | XS | Used bikes in XS → |
| 160–167cm | 5'3"–5'6" | 50–52cm | S | Used bikes in S → |
| 167–175cm | 5'6"–5'9" | 53–55cm | M | Used bikes in M → |
| 175–183cm | 5'9"–6'0" | 55–57cm | L | Used bikes in L → |
| 183–190cm | 6'0"–6'3" | 57–59cm | XL | Used bikes in XL → |
| 190–198cm | 6'3"–6'6" | 60–62cm | XXL | Used bikes in XXL → |
A guide, not a rule: geometry differs between brands and between race, endurance and gravel bikes. Gravel bikes often run a size smaller.
Measuring your inside leg
Stand against a wall in socks with your feet about 15cm apart. Put a hardback book between your legs, spine up, and pull it up firmly as a saddle would. Measure from the top of the book to the floor. Multiply by 0.665 for a road frame size in cm.
Checking a used bike's size
Sellers measure in different ways: centre to top of the seat tube, centre to centre, or the brand's size letter. Ask for the model year and the brand's size name, then look up that year's geometry chart. If the stack and reach are close to a bike you already ride well, it'll fit.
Questions
What size road bike do I need for my height?
Roughly: 160–167cm tall rides a 50–52cm (S) frame, 167–175cm a 53–55cm (M), 175–183cm a 55–57cm (L) and 183–190cm a 57–59cm (XL). Use the chart above, then check your inside leg.
How do I work out frame size from inside leg?
Measure your inside leg (floor to crotch, in socks, against a wall) and multiply it by 0.665 for a traditional road frame size in cm. An 81cm inside leg gives about 54cm.
What if I'm between two sizes?
Long legs and a short body suit the smaller size with a longer stem; a long body suits the bigger one. Compare the stack and reach figures from the brand's geometry chart if you can.
Are S, M and L the same on every brand?
No. Canyon, Giant and Ribble use letters, Specialized uses 49/52/54/56/58/61, and one brand's M can be another's L. Always check the brand's own size chart for that model and year.