When you buy a bike, the right size makes a big difference. If your road bike fits well, you ride longer without pain. Your back stays relaxed, your knees move smoothly, and you can ride faster with less effort. The wrong size can hurt your knees or make you feel tired too soon.
Even electric road bikes, also called road legal ebikes, follow the same frame geometry. So the same rules apply to both normal and electric road bikes.
You’ll now learn how to read and use a road bike size chart. You’ll also see how brands make their own charts and what small changes to watch for.
What the Terms on a Bike Size Chart Mean
A road bike size chart may look confusing at first, but each word has a clear meaning.
- Frame size: This is the main number on every chart. It measures the bike’s seat tube length— the part that holds the seat post. It’s often shown in centimeters (cm) or inches.
- Standover height: This tells how high the top bar is from the ground. When you stand over the bike, you should have about 2–3 cm of space between you and the top bar.
- Top tube: The long bar that runs from your seat to your handlebars. It affects how stretched or relaxed your arms feel.
- Reach and stack: Reach is how far you must lean forward. Stack is how high your handlebar sits. Both decide how comfortable your upper body feels.
Some charts show frame sizes in cm, others in inches. A few brands even give both, such as a road bike frame size chart in cm and a road bike size chart inches. It’s the same idea, just different units.
Height-to-Frame Chart You Can Use (cm & inches)
Here’s a simple guide you can follow to find your size while choosing an ebike for yourself. If two charts show different results, check your inseam (inside leg) too.
Chart 1 – Height to Frame (cm & inches)
|
Rider Height (cm) |
Rider Height (inches) |
Suggested Frame Size (cm) |
|
150–160 cm |
4’11”–5’3” |
47–49 cm |
|
160–170 cm |
5’3”–5’7” |
50–52 cm |
|
170–175 cm |
5’7”–5’9” |
53–54 cm |
|
175–180 cm |
5’9”–5’11” |
55–56 cm |
|
180–185 cm |
5’11”–6’1” |
57–58 cm |
|
185–190 cm |
6’1”–6’3” |
59–60 cm |
|
190–195 cm |
6’3”–6’5” |
61–62 cm |
Chart 2 – Inseam to Frame Size
|
Inseam (cm) |
Suggested Frame Size (cm) |
|
70–73 cm |
48–50 cm |
|
74–77 cm |
51–52 cm |
|
78–81 cm |
53–54 cm |
|
82–85 cm |
55–56 cm |
|
86–89 cm |
57–58 cm |
|
90–93 cm |
59–61 cm |
When both height and inseam match, that’s your best frame size.
Road Bike Size Chart by Height
Here’s a clear chart that connects your height to bike size in both cm and inches. This simple bike size chart road bike helps you get your first estimate. But you can fine-tune it after a test ride.
|
Height (cm) |
Height (inches) |
Frame Size (cm) |
Frame Size (inches) |
|
150–160 |
4’11”–5’3” |
47–49 |
18–19 |
|
160–170 |
5’3”–5’7” |
50–52 |
19–20 |
|
170–175 |
5’7”–5’9” |
53–54 |
20–21 |
|
175–180 |
5’9”–5’11” |
55–56 |
21–22 |
|
180–185 |
5’11”–6’1” |
57–58 |
22–23 |
|
185–190 |
6’1”–6’3” |
59–60 |
23–24 |
|
190–195 |
6’3”–6’5” |
61–62 |
24–25 |
Women’s Road Bike Size Chart
Women usually have longer legs and shorter upper bodies than men. That’s why a women’s road bike size chart gives slightly different measurements. If your height sits between two sizes, pick the smaller frame for better control and comfort.
|
Height (cm) |
Height (inches) |
Frame Size (cm) |
|
145–155 |
4’9”–5’1” |
44–46 |
|
155–162 |
5’1”–5’4” |
47–49 |
|
162–170 |
5’4”–5’7” |
50–52 |
|
170–175 |
5’7”–5’9” |
53–54 |
|
175–180 |
5’9”–5’11” |
55–56 |
Men’s Road Bike Size Chart
Men often have longer arms and torsos. The mens road bike size chart helps adjust for that. Always double-check with your inseam for the most accurate fit.
|
Height (cm) |
Height (inches) |
Frame Size (cm) |
|
160–168 |
5’3”–5’6” |
50–52 |
|
168–175 |
5’6”–5’9” |
53–54 |
|
175–182 |
5’9”–6’0” |
55–56 |
|
182–188 |
6’0”–6’2” |
57–59 |
|
188–195 |
6’2”–6’5” |
60–62 |
Road Bike Frame Size Chart and Related Dimensions
The road bike frame size chart doesn’t work alone. The top tube and seat tube also affect how the bike fits.
If your height points to a 54 cm frame but your arms are long, try a slightly longer top tube. If your back feels stretched, you can use a shorter stem. Knowing seat tube, top tube, and reach helps you match comfort and speed together.
Other Size Charts That Help
You’ll also see other bike charts that help fine-tune your fit. These small numbers affect how your bike feels, turns, and handles.
- Road bike tire size chart: shows wheel and tire width.
- Road bike wheel size chart: tells you if your bike uses 700c or 650b wheels.
- Road bike handlebar size chart: helps match handlebar width with shoulder width.
How to Take Your Measurements Accurately
Stand straight against a wall. Keep your feet flat, no shoes. Use a book on your head to mark your height. Measure from the floor to that mark.
For inseam, hold a book between your legs like a saddle. Measure from the top edge of the book down to the floor.
Write down both in cm and inches. You can change cm to inches by dividing by 2.54. Use these numbers with the road bike size chart by height to find your fit.
Choosing a new bike is exciting, but getting the right size is crucial. The wrong fit not only affects comfort but can also be a safety hazard. Use this simple calculator below—just enter your height and inseam to get a quick estimate of the right frame size for you, making your choice easier.
Product Examples of Road Electric Bikes
Now let’s see how real bike brands use their own size charts. These examples will help you pick the right frame from real bikes on the market.
Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Expert
This model mixes road and gravel features. It comes in six frame sizes — 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61 cm. If your height is between 5’3” and 5’9”, the 52 or 54 cm frame works best. Taller riders near 6 feet can pick 56 or 58 cm.
The Specialized road bike size chart also lists handlebar width and crank length. For example, the 56 cm frame uses a 420 mm handlebar and 172.5 mm crank. These small details help you get a balanced riding position.
Trek Domane+ Carbon
This road legal ebike feels like a normal road bike but adds electric power. It uses TQ’s quiet motor and fits riders from 5’2” to 6’5”. The Trek road bike size chart starts from 50 cm to 62 cm. 50 cm fits riders 5’2”–5’4”, 54 cm fits 5’6”–5’9”, 58 cm fits 5’11”–6’1”, 62 cm fits 6’3”–6’5”
The geometry of each frame changes slightly, but the pattern follows the road bike size chart in cm format. Trek also shows inseam lengths beside each size, making it easy for you to match your body.
ENGWE EP-2 Boost
The ENGWE EP-2 Boost is a foldable road legal ebike designed for both city and rough paths. It has a 250W motor, 55Nm torque, and 20x4.0-inch tires. Its sizing fits riders from 165–190 cm (5’4”–6’2”), with an adjustable seat height of 84–102 cm. You can ride it whether you’re short or tall.
This electric bike proves that even foldable electric models still follow the same logic as a road bike size chart — matching your height and inseam to the frame.
Charts Make It Easy – Visual Tips and Tools
Charts save time. You can see your size at a glance instead of guessing. Some websites show pictures comparing the right-sized bike and the wrong one. You can notice how your leg should look almost straight at the bottom of a pedal stroke.
Online bike size calculators also work well. Many brands let you enter your height and inseam, and they instantly show your size. Always compare your results with the brand’s own chart to stay accurate.
Conclusion
Getting the right bike size is not hard once you understand the charts. Use your height and inseam to find your perfect match using the road bike size chart. Measure yourself carefully, check brand charts like Specialized or Trek, and make small adjustments for comfort.
A bike that fits right gives you more speed, control, and joy on every ride. So before you buy, check your chart, sit on the bike, and feel the fit. That’s how you find your true road partner on two wheels.
FAQs on Road Bike Size Chart
What size frame should I get for my height?
Use the road bike size chart by height. Match your height in cm to the frame size in cm.
Which is more important — height or inseam?
Both matter. Inseam gives a more accurate result, especially for tall or short legs.
Should I use cm or inches when reading charts?
Most brands use cm, but both work. Just convert properly.
What if I’m between two sizes?
Go for the smaller frame if you want comfort, or the bigger frame if you like a racing position.
