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Buying a new mountain bike is often harder than expected. The huge amount of information on suspension, tires, axles, shifting gear type and many more can quickly cause confusion. When finally having found your dream bike after digging through all the specs, the crucial question for the right frame size comes up. Many manufacturers, such as Ghost, simply indicate the frame size as XS, S, M, L and XL, while other manufacturers, for example Centurion, stick to the classic centimeter or inch specification.
All you need to know for finding the right frame size
A good start to find out the right frame size, is to take a look at the size chart of the respective manufacturer. It usually shows you directly which bike size is suitable for which height. Ghost has a useful Wiki to help you find your fitting size.
If the manufacturer does not provide a size chart or recommendations, you can also calculate the appropriate frame size yourself. First of all, you need to determine your stride length by measuring the distance between the floor and your crotch – after taking off your shoes and pants. You then multiply the number by 0.226. The result indicates the ideal frame size in inches. If you need the frame size in centimeters, simply multiply by 2.54.
It can, of course, also happen that your height or stride length lies exactly between two sizes. You then have to decide whether you prefer driving a bigger or a smaller bike – both have advantages. The larger bike is smoother to ride and gets you over obstacles more easily. Especially if you like to go on longer tours it is, therefore, the better choice. The smaller bike, however, is more agile, offers a more playful handling and fits better for people who are just beginning with mountain biking.
In general, however, the proof of the pudding is in the eating! Because after all, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable on your mountain bike and not that you strictly follow a size chart or formula. Come by one of our stores in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Penzberg or Wielenbach and get on some bikes. Our experts will be happy to help you! Or even better, join a bike tour at the Alpentestival in August and put your potential dream bike from Ghost through its paces.
If you would like to learn more about mountainbiking visit the pages of:
→ The buyer’s guide on mountain bikes: All you need to know
→ Biking helmets and glasses: What is there to know?
→ Mountain bike shoes and pedal systems: Everything at a glance