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How to Measure a Male Inseam for Cycling

Measuring your inseam helps to determine what size bicycle frame fits your body. An ill-fitting frame can cause you to overextend your legs while cycling, cause pressure on your lower back and create painful shin splints. Measuring your inseam and making simple calculations will give you a frame size to start with when purchasing a new bicycle, however, test drive a bicycle to decide if you need a slightly larger or smaller frame that is comfortable for you.

Things You'll Need

Wall
Notebook
Measuring tape
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Stand with your back to a wall with your heels touching the wall. Place a notebook between your legs and press it upward to your saddle area. Hold the notebook horizontal to the ground. This simulates your inseam as if you are sitting on a bicycle saddle.
- 2
  Ask a friend to help with your measurements. Have your friend place the tip of a measuring tape on the floor and stretch it upward to the top of the book. This is your inseam measurement. Write down your measurement in centimeters.
- 3
  Multiply your inseam measurement times .67 and round to the nearest number to select a center to top, or C-T, bicycle frame size. For example, if your inseam measurement is 83 centimeters, multiplied by .67 equals 56 centimeters.
- 4
  Multiply your inseam by .65 and round to the nearest number to purchase a comfortable center to center, or C-C bike frame. In this example, your inseam is 83 x .65 = 54 centimeters.
- 5
  Size a mountain bike frame by subtracting 10 centimeters to 12 centimeters from your inseam measurement. The correct mountain bike frame in this example would be 73 to 71 centimeters.

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