- Bicycle Sizing And Setup Fundamentals
When it comes to bicycle sizing there are no universally accepted rules since there are all differently proportioned bodies. And, you will get different opinions from different "experts".
There are, however, some very good rules of thumb that will work fine for the vast majority of people as follows.
All bicycles are manufactured to the same frame size standards. One rule of thumb for selecting a frame size is about .65 times your inseam so if your inseam is 30" you will likely need a 20" frame or the metric equivalent.
This method is especially handy for bikes where the top tube is lowered like a ladies or some comfort bikes. But, it can actually apply to any bicycle frame to approximate the best overall fit.
Often the frame sizes are given in metric dimensions. This is especially true with road bikes. So you may want to convert the metric dimensions to inches.
For a road, hybrid, or cruiser bike you can determine the frame size while standing over the top tube you should have 1 to 2 inches clearance between the tube and your crotch. For a mountain bike the clearance should be 3 to 5 inches. So the style of bike that you choose will determine what size will be the best fit.
Bicycle sizing is usually more critical for a road bike since they are, generally, ridden longer, and faster, and the riding position is less upright. Riders will need to do a lot more tweaking to maximize power and comfort.
Bikes with step through frames often only come in a few frame sizes. Just follow the manufacturers recommendations for sizing according to your height.
Seat positioning
A good starting point for positioning the bicycle seat is level with the ground, though you may find your optimum position is with the front tilted down just a few degrees.
The height should be about same height as the handlebars . Another often used reference is to position the seat .833 times the length of your inseam from center of the (pedal) crankshaft.
You are probably going to need to tweak the seat height so that while seated, with the bottom pedal at the six o'clock position, (you should always pedal with the ball of your foot) your leg should be not quite straight.
If the seat is too low, and your leg is not extended enough, you will risk having knee problems. If it is seat is too high you will twist from side to side as you pedal and your butt won't like that at all. Fore and aft positioning is important as well. You should position your seat so that a plumb line dropped from the bony protrusion in front of your kneecap falls on the center line of the pedal axle to a maximum of 1/2 inch behind the center line when the pedal is positioned at 3 o'clock. Usually riders that have a fast pedal cadence like to have the position set on the center line and those with a slower cadence prefer a position a bit behind the center line.
You will need to ride for a while and make a few adjustments to find the sweet spots that work the best for you. Also, don't be afraid to take your bike to a bicycle shop and have them set it up for you. They will charge you a few bucks but it's worth it.
Bicycle Repair Is Easy When You Consult With The Professionals
Bicycle repair is not rocket science but it does take some know-how and tools to do the job right. Even if you only intend to do minor repair and maintenance you may, first of all, want to consider getting a good repair stand. Or a combination work stand and wall mount like the Rawoflex. And for sure you will need some basic bicycle tools, cleaner, and a good lubricant.
A large portion of bicycle maintenance is simply in keeping it clean. Remember, dirt and grit are abrasive and will cause excessive wear on moving parts. This is especially true of the chain, deraileur, and brake linkage. Bicycle cleaning sounds like a no-brainer but there are some very important things to keep in mind. Google tips on bicycle cleaning.
Also, it is very important that you keep the moving parts lubricated. This is especially true of the chain and deraileur. But, do not over-lubricate as this will actually attract dirt.
I have found one of the best, all-purpose, lubricants is Motor Oil.
It is also important to check the brake pads often and make sure there is no grit embedded in them. If so, you can usually scrape them lightly with medium sandpaper to remove it. Make sure to clean the wheel rims with a solvent. Then re-align the brake pads.
The realignment takes practice but, with patience, the average person can do it. Both brake pads should touch the rim at the same time, and be flat with the rim, when the brake lever is at about 1/4 to 1/3 way through it's full range of motion.
In a perfect world we would never get a flat tire but it's not a perfect world and we do occasionally have to deal with it. So you are definitely need a bike pump.
You may also want to consider a 12 volt air compressor I keep mine in the trunk of my car so it is always handy.
As a rule, I only do simple repairs and maintenance but, like a lot of us, I do like to tinker and sometimes I need advice from a professional. The subject or bike repair is far too extensive for this site so I will leave it for the experts.
There are some tools that I recommend that you carry on your bike for for minor repairs away from home base. Check out the Bicycle tool kit