Measure your inseam (floor to inseam) in inches or centimeters
Use the manufacturer’s size chart for your inseam and height
For a quick fit check, stand over the bike with shoes on and confirm comfortable clearance
Set saddle height so your leg is nearly straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke with the heel on the pedal (or use your preferred method from the chart)
Adjust saddle fore-aft so that, when pedaling, your knee tracks roughly over the pedal axle (common “knee over axle” check)
Confirm you can reach the handlebars comfortably without hunching excessively or stretching
Check reach by placing hands on the grips and verifying a slight bend in your elbows
Ensure you can maintain a neutral torso position for your riding style (upright for comfort, more forward for performance)
Verify saddle and cockpit width match your shoulders and comfort needs
Test ride at multiple speeds and positions (seated climbing, steady cruising, light braking)
Confirm you can pedal smoothly without hips rocking or knees hitting the frame
Re-check clearance and comfort after final saddle height and fore-aft adjustments
If between sizes, choose the size that allows correct saddle height and safe reach with minimal spacer changes
Prefer correct fit adjustments over forcing a perfect size chart match (within reasonable limits)
For women’s-specific or geometry-specific bikes, use the brand’s chart for that exact model type
Reassess fit if you change stem length, handlebar width, seatpost offset, or saddle type