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How to choose the right e-bike size
Why is finding the right size e-bike not as easy as buying socks? You find a pair of shoes in your shoe size – and bam! – you’re done. On the other hand, choosing the right size e-bike is obviously more difficult. There are a lot of measurements to consider, from seat height to standing height, and every e-bike manufacturer seems to have their own sizing charts and guidelines to follow.
Determining which e-bike is right for your body type can be challenging, but by the end of this blog, you’ll be confident that you’ve chosen an e-bike that’s the right size – whether you’re shopping in a store or online!
The Three Most Important Measurements for E-Bike Size
There are three measurements you should know about to help you size your electric bike:
Inside seam
Standing height
Seat height
If you ignore any of these key measurements, you could end up with an e-bike that doesn’t fit you. So let’s take a closer look at these measurements and how they affect your e-bike accessories.
Inner Seams
As it turns out, knowing your inseam not only helps you find the perfect pair of pants, but it’s arguably the most critical measurement for sizing your e-bike. The length of your inseam is the distance from the uppermost part of your thigh to the bottom of your leg. To find the inseam, make sure you remove your shoes and use a tape measure to measure the distance from the crotch to the floor. While not as important as the inseam, you should also know your height to help you find the right e-bike frame for your unique body shape.
Standing Height
Another key measurement you should know is the standing height of your e-bike, which is the distance between the floor and the top of the bike’s top tube. Don’t worry if you don’t have an e-bike in front of you – most e-bike companies list standover height measurements in their online product specifications. Compare the standover height to the inseam height to ensure that your feet are stable on the ground when standing on the bike. Generally, you should allow about an inch of clearance above the top of the bike (called the top tube). If you can’t stand firmly on the ground, it may mean that the bike’s standover height is too large for you, and an e-bike with a shorter standover height would be better. Some new riders think that their feet should be firmly on the ground when sitting on an e-bike, but this is not the case. Keep reading to learn how to find the best seat for you!
Seat Height
Once you’ve confirmed that you can safely stand on your e-bike, you’ll need to make sure that the bike’s seat height or seat height is right for you. There are some easy ways to determine the right seat height for you. If you want to check your e-bike in person, you can use the heel-toe method to find the ideal seat height:
Rotate the crank so that the pedals are in the down position with your heel on the pedal and the crank arm (the part that attaches to the pedal) is parallel to the seat tube.
While sitting on the seat, check that your leg is straight at the knee and that your foot on the pedal is in the downward position; if this is the case, your seat is too high.
If your hips have to wiggle for your heels to reach the pedals, your bike seat is also too high.
If your leg is bent sharply at the knee and your heel is on the pedal, the seat is too low.
If you plan to pedal your e-bike more than use the throttle, verify that the seat is in the correct position by placing your foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke – you should see a slight bend in the leg to about 80° – 90% of full leg extension.
When checking your e-bike, you need to make sure you can swing your legs comfortably over the top tube and seat. If you feel any discomfort or resistance, an e-bike with a step-through frame may be better for you. This Rip Current S and Cross Current X offer step-through models that make mounting and dismounting easier for riders who may not have the full range of motion required for a traditional frame bike.
If you shop online and are unable to view an e-bike in person, there are a number of ways to find the best seat height for you. These methods involve some arithmetic, but don’t require a bit of physics to understand:
Hamley method: multiply the inside seam (in inches) by 1.09 to get the recommended seat height.
LeMond method: multiply the inside seam (also in inches) by 0.883 to find the recommended distance from the top of the bike seat to the center of the center column.
Don’t want to bother doing the math yourself? You’ll find plenty of playful bike seat height calculators online to do the heavy lifting for you! Once you’ve determined your bike’s seat height, you’ll need to make sure the reach (i.e. how comfortably your hands reach the handlebars) is accurate.
How to find the perfect reach
You’ll need to choose a riding position where your arms are slightly bent, but that doesn’t force you to reach so far that you can’t brake. An easy way to verify the correct reach is to play the piano keys on the handlebars – if you can comfortably play an imaginary piano, then you’re in a good riding position!
If you’re buying an e-bike online, check the length of the bike’s top tube to help you determine the ideal range. E-bikes with larger frame sizes have longer top tubes and e-bikes with smaller frames have shorter top tubes. A shorter top tube allows for a more comfortable e-bike reach and a more upright seating position because the seat is closer to the handlebars.
Other e-bike size considerations
You may have found an e-bike that meets all the key size measurements, but before pulling the trigger, consider its weight. An e-bike weighs at least 40 pounds, about twice as much as a conventional bike. Most riders have no problem with this added weight, and many find that it gives their e-bike a stable, confident “pedaling” feel while riding. That said, some riders may want a lighter e-bike to carry upstairs or to load more easily into a car. If you prefer a more streamlined e-bike, the RipRacer and CrossCurrent are great options. As an added bonus, the adjustable seat on the RipRacer even has a handle to help you carry it more easily.
One last important consideration to keep in mind is that there is no universal e-bike size standard. You may have noticed that some e-bike companies resize their models like a T-shirt, offering small, medium, and large bikes, but these sizes vary by manufacturer. When sizing your e-bike, be sure to check the exact measurements listed on the bike’s website and consider your inseam and height. Some e-bike companies even offer helpful height compatibility charts on their websites to help you determine if your bike will fit.
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