Guide
How to Choose Right Electric Bike Sizes
Jul
As you may have realized, sizing an ebike can be a challenge! Everyone’s body is unique, and ensuring you get the right bike for your specific body proportions can be one of the most daunting tasks when ordering a bike online. Whether you have short, stubby legs, long and lanky ones, or somewhere in between, the great news is that we are here to assist you!
Sizing an ebike can be intimidating, but with some basic measurements, you can find the bike that fits your body best. Make sure to take the time to:
– Measure your height and ensure it falls within the recommended rider height range.
– Measure your leg length.
– Calculate your standover height (subtract approximately 1 inch from your leg length).
– Confirm that your standover height is greater than the bike’s standover height, and ensure your leg length falls within the minimum and maximum seat height.
**Take Your Measurements**
To start, measure the two most crucial aspects when sizing an ebike from Rad Power Bikes: your height and leg length. The following video and steps will guide you through the process.
– **Measuring Your Height:** If it has been a while since your height was last measured, it’s advisable to have it measured by a doctor or a friend with a tape measure rather than solely relying on the figures on your ID card. If you have assistance from a buddy, stand on a hard, flat surface with your back and heels against a wall. Have your friend measure from the ground to the top of your head. If you don’t have a friend nearby and want to measure your height accurately on your own, check out the article **[HERE](https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Height-by-Yourself)** for strategies.
Measuring Your Leg Length and Calculating Your Stand Over Height
The first step in assessing your bike fit is to measure your leg length and determine your standover height. Standover height refers to the distance between the ground and the top tube of the bike frame, just in front of the seat, where you straddle the bike. Ideally, your legs should be long enough so you can straddle the ebike frame with your feet flat on the ground and a small space between the e-bike frame and your torso. This ensures that if you need to stop suddenly and dismount quickly, you can do so securely. Your inseam, which you can estimate from well-fitting pants, can provide a rough estimate of your standover height. However, keep in mind that your standover height may be slightly longer than your inseam due to the inclusion of shoes and the fact that pants typically don’t reach the bottom of your feet. If a bike’s standover height matches your inseam, you likely have enough room, but it’s still a good idea to measure your standover height to be sure. If you’re unfamiliar with your inseam measurement or if it’s slightly shorter than the bike’s standover height, take the time to measure your standover height accurately.
How to Measure Your Leg Length and Standover Height
To measure your leg length and standover height, follow these steps:
- Gather the necessary tools: a medium-width hardcover book, a tape measure, a flat floor against a wall, and a friend or relative to assist you.
- Stand with your feet spread apart, approximately 7 inches between the inside edges of your feet. This is the typical distance when straddling a bike with your feet on the ground (standover height).
- Place a hardcover book against the wall, either with the top or bottom against the wall, making sure the spine is facing upward. Slide the book upward towards the base of your torso until it lightly touches your body. This might feel a bit awkward, but it’s more comfortable than riding a bike that’s too big for you.
- If you have someone helping you, have them measure from the floor to the top of the book’s spine while you hold it in place. If you’re doing it alone, carefully hold the book in place and measure the distance from the ground to the top of the book’s spine.
- Note down your leg length and calculate your standover height by subtracting approximately one inch from your leg length.
Comparing Your Leg Length to Seat Heights
Knowing your leg length is not only essential for calculating your standover height but also for determining if you can comfortably reach the pedals. Most bike brands, including ours, measure the minimum and maximum seat heights from the top of the seat to the top of the pedal at the bottom of the pedal stroke. As long as your leg length falls within the range of the minimum and maximum seat heights, you should be able to find a comfortable riding position. If you have longer legs, keep in mind that electric bikes like ours don’t require optimal leg extension to propel the bike forward. You can still pedal comfortably without fully extending your legs.
Using Your Measurements to Size Your New Ebike
Once you have measured your leg length and standover height, you can compare them to the standover height and seat height ranges of our different ebike models. These measurements can be found on each bike’s product page or on our Rad Power Bikes Bike Size Comparison Chart. Take the time to find the perfect fit for your riding needs.
RadCity 16
RadCity 19
RadCity Step-Thru
Recommended Height Range
The recommended height range for the RadCity 16 is between 5’4” and 6’2”. For the RadCity 19, it is between 5’2” and 6’2”. And for the RadCity Step-Thru, it is between 4’10” and 5’10”. Both the RadCity 16 and RadCity Step-Thru have a recommended height range of 5’2” to 6’2”, while the RadCity 19 has a recommended height range of 5’4” to 5’11”. The RadCity 16 is suitable for individuals with a height range of 6” to 6’6”, whereas the RadCity Step-Thru is suitable for individuals with a height range of 4’10” to 6”.
Stand Over Height
The stand over height of the RadCity 16 is 30.5”, while the RadCity 19 measures 28”. The RadCity Step-Thru has a stand over height of 16″. The RadCity 16 and Step-Thru have stand over heights of 26” and 29” respectively. The stand over height of the RadCity 19 is 31”, and the RadCity 16 is 20”.
Min-Max Seat Height
The minimum-maximum seat height for the RadCity 16 is 28” to 36.5”. For the RadCity 19, it is 26.5” to 33”. And for Step-Thru, it is 24″ to 31″. The RadCity 16 has a seat height range of 27” to 36.5”, while the RadCity 19 has a range of 26” to 34.5”. The seat height range for the RadCity Step-Thru is 29” to 38”, and for the RadCity 19, it is 24.5” to 33”.
Recommended Height Range
The recommended height range for the RadRover is between 5’4” and 6’2”. For the RadMini, it is between 5’2” and 6’2”. For the RadWagon, it is between 5’2” and 6’2”. The recommended height range for the RadCity 16 is between 5’4” and 5’11”. For the RadCity 19, it is between 5’11” and 6’6”. And for the RadCity Step-Thru, it is between 4’10” and 6’2”.
Stand Over Height
The stand over height of the RadRover is 30.5”, while the RadMini measures 28”. The RadWagon has a stand over height of 26”. The RadCity 16 has a stand over height of 29”, the RadCity 19 has a stand over height of 31”, and the RadCity Step-Thru has a stand over height of 20”.
Min-Max Seat Height
The minimum-maximum seat height is 28” to 37”. For the RadMini, it is 27” to 36”. For the RadWagon, it is 27.5” to 36”. The RadCity 16 has a seat height range of 26” to 35”, while the RadCity 19 has a range of 28.75” to 38”. The seat height range for the RadCity Step-Thru is 25.5” to 33.5”.
As an example, with a 31.5” inside leg length, I can safely stand over every Rad Power Bikes ebike frame except the RadCity 19” due to its higher stand over height of 31”. I can also fully extend my legs while seated on all Rad Power Bikes ebikes since the maximum seat height for all the bikes is longer than 31.5”.
Take a Test Ride
Seeing a bike in person and trying it out is always the optimal method for determining whether or not a bike will provide comfort for you. Although we don’t have dealers or retailers (which contributes greatly to our ability to offer high-quality ebikes at nearly half the cost of comparable models), we do have an expanding network of rental fleet and test ride locations across the country. You can find more information about these locations HERE. Given that a test ride location may not be conveniently located near you or your travel destination, you can utilize the following tips to ensure you select the most suitable bike for your size.
Other Rules of Thumb
- Measure yourself twice or even three times to ensure accurate measurements.
- If you fall in between sizes, opt for the smaller size – it will likely have a lower center of gravity and be easier to control.
- Seek assistance from a reputable bike mechanic for adjustments to the seat height and angle, as well as the handlebar angle, to achieve the best fit for your body.
- If you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to contact us – we are more than happy to have a conversation with you about the best options for your body size and intended riding style!
