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View Full Version : How do measure DS for a bike?



HIU8
05-03-2010, 01:46 PM
Anyone know how to do this (or a website that explains it)?

WatchingThemGrow
05-03-2010, 01:52 PM
ehow.com has some suggestions, but can you go to a store to do it in person? Ours have a big chart the kid stands in front of, then he can try the different sizes in person. You don't have to buy there if you just want to let him fitted.

HIU8
05-03-2010, 01:55 PM
We have a store near us. I just feel funny going in to have him fitted. I have no intention of purchasing there (way to expensive for a first bike). I think DH is gutsier than me. Maybe he will take DS to get fitted.

Penny's Pappa
05-03-2010, 02:24 PM
Does he already know how to ride and you're looking for a bigger bike, or are you looking for a bike for him to learn on?

WatchingThemGrow
05-03-2010, 02:32 PM
Go to walmart/target then and try him on a 16". Read here, though and get some tips first. http://www.ehow.com/how_5851907_fit-child-bike.html

HIU8
05-03-2010, 02:36 PM
He learned how to ride on a 10 inch bike (way to small for him). His knees hit the handlebars and his entire body is hunched over. So it's a bike for a new rider (he just recently learned how to ride).

Penny's Pappa
05-03-2010, 02:50 PM
Just like clothes, the best way to fit a bike is to try several of them on.

The ehow sites seem to give pretty good general advice. I mean you're not fitting him for a serious road racing bike so you're mostly going to be concerned with standover height -- how high off the ground the top tube (crotch tube) is. He should be able to straddle the bike, with his feet flat on the ground, and the top tube should be close to his crotch but not jammed up into it.

I get the vast majority of my biking information from Sheldon Brown (RIP):
http://sheldonbrown.com/

Definition of standover height:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html

Other helpful tips on teaching your kids to ride bikes, just in case you were wondering:
http://sheldonbrown.com/teachride.html