How Big Mountain Bike Should I Get

The first thing you need to do is define what type of riding you want to do. If you are looking for a bike to ride on the road or paths, your needs will be different than if you are looking for a bike to ride on rough terrain.

If you are going to be mostly riding on the road or paths, then the size of the bike will not matter as much as it would if you were going off-road. If this is your case, then make sure that the frame is light and that there is plenty of clearance between the frame and tires so that it can handle being ridden over curbs and other obstacles.

How tall should you be for a 26 inch mountain bike?

26-inch bikes are a common size for adults. Riders with a height of 5′ and above are typically tall enough to comfortably fit on bikes with 26” wheels.^[1]

How tall should you be for a 29 inch bike?

If you’re 5’6′ or taller, you should be able to find a 29er model to fit you. Riders more than 6′ tall can rejoice: You’ll definitely enjoy a more natural riding position with the size and frame geometry of a 29er.^[2]

What height is a 27.5 inch bike for?

A 27.5-inch bike is good for what height? A mountain bike with 27.5” wheels is typically the right size for riders between 5’5” and 6’0”. The 27.5” tire and wheel size has become the new standard across quality mountain bikes because of its increased traction and speed over the older 26” wheels.^[3]

Is 26 inch bike good for adults?

Bikes that are 26 inches in size work well for children and adults who range from approximately five feet to six feet tall. They can also be appropriate for some taller people, but the best way to find out if it’s a good fit is by testing ride one!^[4]

Is a 27.5 or 29er better?

27.5-inch wheels are typically quicker to accelerate when compared to 29ers, which is mainly a result of their lower weight that requires less effort to spin. This can be great if your local trails include a lot of slowing down and accelerating through tight turns and short uphill sections.^[5]

What is the difference between 26 and 29-inch mountain bike?

The difference between the strike angle of a 26-inch wheel and a 29-inch wheel (over the wooden block) is only about 5 percent, but the cumulative effect of rolling up and over a 5-percent steeper angle thousands of times a mile adds up quickly. The larger-diameter 29-inch wheel has noticeably less rolling resistance.^[6]

What is the advantage of 29-inch wheels on a mountain bike?

29” Wheel Advantages 29” wheels often feel smoother to ride due to the higher air volume in their larger tires. The extra air volume acts as additional suspension – some say that it feels like having an extra inch of travel to ride the bigger wheels.^[7]

Is a 27.5 inch bike for adults?

What height is a 27.5 inch bike for? 27.5 inch bikes are suitable for adults between 5’2” and 5’10”. That said, adults of all heights can ride this wheel size. Some brands claim that 27.5” wheels are especially useful for riders 5’7” and under.^[8]

Can I change my 27.5 to 29er?

Yes, you can do it. The diameter of a 29″ wheel & tire is slightly larger than a 27.5+ wheel & tire. The 29″ setup will raise your bottom bracket height.^[9]

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller bike frame?

If your arm span is longer than your height, go for a bigger frame. If it’s shorter, get the smaller one. On a bigger bike, the reach to the handlebars will be longer. If you have proportionally longer arms, you are likely to feel more comfortable on a bigger frame.^[10]

What happens if your bike is too small?

You’re likely to notice if a bike frame is too small after you get back from your ride. A smaller bike forces you into a forward position. You may find yourself leaning forward and standing more frequently, which places more weight on your arms. They’ll feel it.^[11]

What is the difference between 26 and 28 bike?

The 26-inch wheels with off-road tires will be slower than 28-inch wheels, because 28-inch wheels are used on roadsters and road bikes. Road tires, whether for 26-inch or 28-inch wheels, have less tread than mountain bike tires or even no tread, and therefore have roll faster on paved roads.^[12]