Electric bikes are a great investment for your lifestyle, which is why you should choose the one that fits you. When you use the wrong size, it can cause loss of balance, slow speed, and falling. Continuous use can lead to back pain, neck pain, and other bike-related stress injuries.
This bike size guide will tell you exactly how you can choose the right size, taking into account the frame size, wheel size, standover height, and reach and handlebar position. We’ll also recommend the type of bike you can choose based on your needs and purpose. With this bicycle guide, you’ll be able to ride in comfort and style.
How to Choose Electric Bike Size
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1. Frame Size
Frame size is possibly the most important aspect when choosing your e-bike. Your bike frame size is determined by the length of the seat tube, which is the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top tube where the seat post is held.
The right frame size means your body is in an optimum position for pedaling and maneuvering while maintaining comfort. If the bike is too small or too large, you may have to adjust your position often just to reach the pedals and handlebars. Another factor is stability, a larger frame has more stability at high speeds, but smaller sizes are more responsive during turns and tricks.
To find the right frame size, you can use your height and inseam. Using your inseam measurement is usually more accurate. The tables below will give you general sizing charts for road bikes and mountain bikes.
E-Road Bike Measurements
|
Rider Height |
Rider Inseam |
Frame Size (inches) |
Frame Size (cm) |
|
4’10” - 5’1” |
25.5” - 27” |
18-19 |
46-48 |
|
5’0” - 5’3” |
26.5” - 28” |
19-19.5 |
48-50 |
|
5’2” - 5’5” |
27.5” - 29” |
19.20.5 |
50-52 |
|
5’4” - 5’7” |
28.5” - 30” |
19.5-21 |
52-54 |
|
5’6” - 5’9” |
29.5” - 31” |
21.5-22 |
54-56 |
|
5’8” - 5’11” |
30.5” - 32” |
22.5-23 |
56-58 |
|
5’10” - 6’1” |
31.5” - 33” |
23.5-24 |
58-60 |
|
6’0” - 6’3” |
32.5” - 34” |
24.5-25 |
60-62 |
|
6’2” - 6’5” |
34.5” - 36” |
24.5-25 |
62-64 |
E-Mountain Bike Measurements
|
Rider Height |
Rider Inseam |
Frame Size (inches) |
Frame Size (cm) |
|
4’11” - 5’3” |
25” - 27” |
13-15 |
33-38 |
|
5’3” - 5’7” |
27” - 29” |
15-17 |
38-43 |
|
5’7” - 5’11” |
29” - 31” |
17-19 |
43-48 |
|
5’11” - 6’2” |
31” - 33” |
19-21 |
48-53 |
|
6’2” - 6’4” |
33” - 35” |
21-23 |
53-58 |
|
6’4” and up |
35” and up |
23 and up |
58-64 |
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2. Wheel Size
Your wheel size will determine your ride stability. Smaller tires are lighter and more responsive to turns, while larger tires can give you more stability.
E-bike sizes range from 20 inches to 29 inches, and here is the recommended fat wheel size according to your height and inseam:
|
Rider Height |
Rider Inseam |
Wheel Size (inches) |
Wheel Size (cm) |
|
4’ - 4’4” |
22” - 25” |
20” |
51 |
|
4’5” - 5’3” |
24” - 28” |
24” |
60 |
|
5’4” - 5’11” |
25” - 30” |
26” |
66 |
|
6’ - 6’6” |
28” - 34” |
29” |
74 |
In terms of terrain, each wheel size has its purpose. The 20” wheels are used for foldable and lightweight city bikes, the 24” wheels are suitable for city and suburban areas, the 26” wheels are suitable for mountain riding and rougher terrains, and the 29” wheels are more suitable for taller riders.
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3. Standover Height
An important electric bike height measurement is the standover height, which is the distance between the top of your e-bike’s tube and the ground. Ideally, you should match your standover height with your inseam length.
If your e-bike is too high, you won’t be able to stand securely on the ground and you’ll have issues dismounting the bike. Give around 1 inch of clearance between your top tube to your inseam for the most comfortable standover height.
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4. Reach and Handlebar Position
Your e-bike size and handlebar position will determine your reach, which is the distance you have to stretch to get your hands on the bars. To have a comfortable ride, you’d want to have a slight bend in your arms and a comfortable reach to brake.
Your reach will affect your upper body position. If it’s too far or too short, it can affect your posture which in turn will end up in backache and tired arms. This can also be tricked by adjusting the handlebars, so it has the right distance.
Different Electric Bike Styles and Sizing Considerations
All Terrain Bikes (Himiway Zebra & Cruiser)
All-terrain bikes are great for recreational activities in nature. These e-bikes are usually equipped with fat and bigger tires to provide more traction. When choosing an all-terrain electric bike consider all the parameters mentioned for the most comfortable riding positions.
A great e-bike that can cater to almost all heights is the Himiway Zebra, which has a recommended height of 5’1” to 6’5”. It’s great for aggressive riding at higher speeds. But if you want more comfortable long-range rides, the Himiway Cruiser is a more affordable alternative. Both bikes are equipped with 750W motor power to ride over rougher terrains.
Mountain Bikes (Himiway Cobra)
For more adventurous riders, you can opt for mountain bikes that are designed for off-roading. Mountain bikes will have bigger and fatter wheels to give you the stability to suit all road conditions.
Himiway Cobra is a moped mountain bike that gives you stability and comfort. The bike is suitable for riders between 5’5” and 6’5”. It’s equipped with 1000W peak motor power, so you can easily conquer steep hills and rugged trails.
City Bikes (Big Dog)
For daily use, city bikes are the best option for you. These bikes usually have smaller wheels and lower standover height. But you can easily adjust this to your inseam by extending the seat.
Himiway Big Dog suits most riders, with a recommended height of 5’1” to 6’5”. The 750W gear motor will get you anywhere in the city, and the battery can last up to 7 hours on a full charge.
Evaluating Comfort and Fit Through Test Rides
Even if you’ve already taken all measurements for consideration, it can only get you so far. The best way to find out if you’re comfortable is by doing test rides. When you’re doing a test ride, here are some points you should think about:
Your body position; is it too stretched or hunched?Your contact points; is the saddle properly sized for your body?
The bike’s maneuver; can you control the bike? Is it stable enough?
The standover height; can you comfortably dismount?
An additional consideration before buying your e-bike is the weight. Most e-bikes can be much heavier than traditional bikes, which can cause discomfort when you first use them. That’s why test rides are important to find the right e-bike for you.
Summary
Finding the right-sized e-bike can be tricky. You need to take into account its frame size, wheel size, standover height, and reach and handlebar positions. Lastly, remember that even if it ticks all the boxes, you still need to evaluate the comfort with test rides. Make sure that the bike fits your body and that you can ride it comfortably.
