Pelago Size Guide

The most important thing to consider when buying a new bike is the size of the bike. No matter how beautiful or advanced a bicycle is, if it doesn't fit the rider there's no point using it. A correctly sized bicycle feels comfortable and easy to ride, and makes you want to keep on riding.

This brief size guide will assist you in selecting the right sized bicycle for you if you don't have a possibility to test ride a bike before purchase. Every person is individual in size, and there's no average rider – people with same height can have very different measurements in feet, hands or torso. Therefore we strongly recommend test riding bicycles, measuring your body, measuring previously ridden bikes for comparison or going to a bicycle fitting service in a local bicycle shop. However, if this isn't possible, reading this guide is the least that should be done.

Please note that you can never be 100% sure about the correct size without a test ride. The suggestions we give are only guidelines to a correct bicycle size, and we hold no responsibility if a purchased bicycle does not fit.

Understanding bicycle types

Generally we can divide bicycles into two categories when setting size guidelines: 1) sportive bicycles with a drop bar and 2) upright bicycles with a straight bar.

A bicycle with a drop bar, such as Stavanger, has a riding position that is forward-leaning and balanced on both wheels of the bike. Hands are used to hold the rider's upper body much more, and hands must be in a natural, relaxed position on the handlebar. This is why it's very important that the bicycle's (top tube) length is correct for the rider. Top tube length is a much more important measurement than the seat tube height, because the seat height is easily adjusted with the seat post.

The riding position of a straight bar bicycle such as Brooklyn, Bristol, Capri and others is more upright and the weight of the rider is laid more on the saddle and the rear wheel of the bike, and in general less on the front part of the bike. On these bikes hands are used less in balancing the bike and more on steering the bike.

Components can be changed

Before ruling out all other sizes except for the one that looks most suitable, it's good to remember that components can be adjusted or changed to gain an even better riding position. The most effective adjustment is to change a stem size to push the handlebar forward or pull it closer to the rider. For instance, if you know that the most suitable size for you would be in between two frame sizes, you can reach that size by changing a stem.

Size reference table

Brooklyn & Bristol

 Airisto & Capri

Hanko

Stavanger

Still hesitating?

When you're putting a lot of money to a new bike, please go through all the work measuring your body and getting to know how the bicycle's size is important. It's worth the trouble.

If you after all have doubts in deciding and you cannot test ride a bike, please mail us at webshop@pelagobicycles.com and we'll make the decision together.