Question about buying a bike

Question
Dear Expert, My name is Chris and I'm a 6'4 male looking for the right size moutain bike or road bike. I do not ride bikes that much but would like to start. I don't have a whole lot of money so I would like to get something a little cheaper but the right size. Thanks

Answer
Chris,

You have hit the million dollar question: what size bike do I need? Let me start by saying that this is not an exact science, however there is a very specific way you should be positioned on a bike for comfort and efficiency. What I mean about it not being an exact science is that you will have to be the final judge of how the bike feels.

The very first thing to do is find a good bike shop, one that you feel that you can work with. Some shops offer fitting services that range from free to a couple of hundred dollars - you don't need the couple of hundred dollar fit, just yet. Bike Comfort, by Body Scanning CRM, dealers usually offer free or very inexpensive fittings. (Full disclosure: I used to work for Body Scanning CRM) To find a dealer near you check bikecomfort.com. There are other systems that work just as well as Bike Comfort, and many dealers offer some sort of fit.

Bikes should NOT be sized by how tall they are. The very best way to size a bike is by top tube length since that is the hardest to adjust - sizing is limited to the frame and stem length, where as seat height is very easy to adjust. So in other words if a bike sop employee has you stand over the bike lift the handle bars and then tells you that that is the size you need walk away from the deal, or at least ask about seat height, saddle to handlebar reach and handlebar height. One further word  of caution: if a sales guy starts moving the saddle forward and back to lengthen or shorten the reach this is wrong! The fore and aft adjustment of the saddle is to position your knee over the center of the pedal.

You may have noticed that I have not said you need to go out and buy a XX inch/cm bike. I cannot do that. Not without seeing you or at least knowing some critical measurement. At 6' 4" you will be limited to the big bikes (at 6' 3" I know I am!). However, different brands will fit differently. One bike should be close to ideal for you. Here are some very quick fitting tips - things that will get you close: with your shoes off, and the heels of your feet on the pedals, your foot should just lift off your pedal when you pedal backwards (about a 15 degree bend in the leg when you ride.) When you look at your front wheel the axle of the hub should be hidden from view by the handlebars (this is VERY subjective but will put you in a good starting position). As you ride you should be able to feel as you can take a hand off of the bar to drink, signal a turn, et cetera. You should not feel, when you do this, like you don't have control of the bike.

Here are something to consider and what you should tell the shop: What type of riding do you want to do (road, trail, bike path...)? How long do you want to ride (think time not miles)? How up-right do you want to sit? (If you want to cruise the neighborhood on a cruiser then up right is fine; if you plan to race then you want to be as aero as possible; most likely you will be some place in between.) With these questions answered a good shop will suggest one or two bikes for you based on what you told them.

Lastly, for now, give yourself enough of a budget to get a few essentials with your bike: a good helmet, a few tools to fix a flat, a water bottle or hydration pack, and some basic cycling clothing. By the way, a good shop will give you a quick lesson in how to change a tube.

The biggest advice I can give you is get a bike that fits. Take your time and find the one you are comfortable on, one that you will ride. That "deal" bicycle that doesn't fit you isn't such a deal if you don't ride it. If you get a bike that fits, find a good group of people that will help you along your way such as a local club, and find that bike shop that will work with you during and after the sale, bicycling will become a life long sport. I know, it happened to me about 37 years ago.

Please don't hesitate to ask more questions! Of me or a good bike shop!

Ride.

Tad