Taking Your Measurements
Current Bike
In taking your current bike measurements, we are not looking for the frame size or geometry. What we are looking for are your contact points – how you sit on the bike. With this information we are able to ask questions that allow us to both confirm the accuracy of your body measurements and also understand why you like or don’t like certain aspects of your current bike.
A. EFFECTIVE TOPTUBE LENGTH
Horizontal top tube frame (some road bikes): Measure from the center of the head tube at the head tube/top tube junction to the center of the seat tube at the seat tube / top tube junction.
Sloping top tube frame: Measure from the center of the head tube at the head tube/top tube junction horizontally (parallel to the ground) to the center of the seat post or seat tube.
B. STEM LENGTH
Measure from the center of the steerer clamp to the center of the bar clamp along the stem’s extension. Most stems are only available in 5mm increments and typically range from 90 – 140mm.
C. SADDLE TIP TO BAR
Measure from the tip of the saddle to the center of the stem clamp where it holds the bar.
D. SADDLE TIP TO BRAKE HOOD
Measure from the tip of the saddle to the tip of the shift/brake lever hood.
E. SADDLE TO FLOOR
Measure from the top of the center of the saddle (at the centerline of seat post) to the ground vertically. A plumb line dropped from the center of the saddle helps accuracy.
F. BAR TO FLOOR
Measure from the top of the bar (next to the stem clamp) to the floor.
G. SADDLE HEIGHT
Measure along the seat tube from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle.
H. SADDLE SETBACK
Drop a plumb line from the tip of the saddle and measure from the plumb line horizontally to the center of the bottom bracket.
I. SADDLE LENGTH
Measure overall saddle length.
J. SEATPOST OFFSET
This is the measurement from the center of the seatpost to the center of the clamp. This information is usually available from the seatpost manufacturer. If you cannot find it let me know the post make and model, I have most offsets recorded.
K. CRANK LENGTH
Measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the pedal spindle. On most cranks this measurement is stamped on the inside of the crank arm right at the pedal hole.
Body
Another person should take all measurements while you’re in bare feet.
INSEAM
This is the measurement from the pubis bone (base of pelvis) to the floor. Stand straight up against a wall with your feet about four inches apart. Place a straight edge firmly between your legs and measure from the top of the object to the floor. Be sure to apply a good amount of upward pressure.
THIGH
While kneeling on the floor use the same method to measure your femur that you did to measure your inseam.
FEET
Average the measurements of your feet.
TORSO
Measure from the Pubis bone (top of object used to take inseam measurement) to your clavic notch. The notch at the base of your neck that forms the “V” between your clavicles.
ARMS
This measurement runs from your shoulder to the center of your hand. Holding a round object such as a pencil perpendicular to your arm, measure from the tip of the acromion bone at the back of your shoulder down the back side of your arm to the center of the object in your hand. Take this measurement with your arms held out about 45 degrees from you side. This is a very important measurement and an easy one to mistake. Measure both arms and take the average. You’ll usually find that your arm and torso measurements are within a cm or two. If they are not, double check them.
SHOULDERS
This is the measurement from acromion to acromion, across the back
CUBIT
This is the distance from the tip of your elbow to the tip of you fingers.
HEIGHT
Measure your overall height while standing erect with your feet about two inches apart.
