5 Bike Fit Tips for SMALLER Cyclists

[@MJarthur95]

James taking the piss out of the bike industry, ah I love it

[@vanhaspants]

soooo helpful in helping me understand why i felt like i was about to fall on my face at every turn and traffic junction when i just started on my road bike (5'1" on a size XS from Triban)

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Same. I felt a lightbulb pop on!

[@afinch91]

Love this video and love this rant. Such good tips in here. When I got my bike fit, I was so surprised at how much better shorter cranks (165mm) felt. All of my small bikes have 170 or 172.2 cranks?? Make it make sense. Almost all of the women or small cyclists I know have a ton of fit issues. Do better, bike industry. You’re missing out on money by excluding us.

[@cathschofield7488]

I’m 5’1” and a bit. Almost every bike I’ve had (and that’s a lot!) I’ve had to immediately change - handlebars, saddle, cranks. This is both deeply frustrating and expensive when you’ve just bought a new bike. Trek, Specialized, Giant (Liv) and Canyon are, to me, the only bikes worth considering for small women, they’ve nearly got it right. Totally agree with everything you’ve covered in this video

[@frankmoran167]

Giant only do xs for men, reach is too long for me

[@re_becca_p]

@@frankmoran167 Yup. Wanted a TCR, had to get a Langma.

[@lordalfa600]

Get only a frameset and work from there.

[@lordalfa600]

@@frankmoran167 There is no shame in getting a Liv which is smaller. Plus the women always get better looking colours.

[@cathschofield7488]

Getting a frame set and building it up is way, way mor expensive than buying a complete bike so that is not the answer at all

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

168cm (5"6') here and this is my most favourite video in the entire cycling field! Pretty much everything is spot-on. I had to learn these the hard way since I got my bike in summer 2020. - crank arms 160 or shorter. - my feet don't reach the ground, yet touch the front tyre all the time. and I'm considering 650 wheels because of that, combined with shorter crank arm that should be a non-issue. - 38cm handlebar is my upper limit and I need 36cm. - bike frame charts are way too big. suggested by charts I should ride between 51 to 53, but my 52 frame is too big for me, I might need 48 or even smaller. my stem is now 80mm, that's the lower limit of twitchy steering for a road bike.

[@billinhouston3291]

Think about trying a shorter stem. I thin that the whole thing about stems shorter than 80mm being twitchy is very overblown.

[@ChryseML]

Oh, this makes so much sense. When my saddle is the right height my toes just barely touch the ground. It's always made me paranoid that I was doing something wrong. Thanks James! (and Francis)

[@neilg4429]

Great video. As a 5'2" male I can relate to all you mentioned. Especially frame size. When I started cycling in the mid 1970's, a frame to fit me was unavailable. It had to be custom made. So what with a frame too big, cranks too long etc, I would end up with my saddle almost on the top tube and with a zero extension handlebar clamp I would still be too stretched out. Things are getting better though but with a long way to go.

[@kitkat5153]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😭🙏🏻 Trying to get into road cycling being 5’3” really has been challenging so far, lots of unexpected hurdles. Having used a bike for transport since I was 4 I wasn’t aware of how difficult it would be as a sport.

[@oliveremmerson-fish7486]

Bring back 650c wheels for smaller riders, thus lowering the bb and generally improving the overall set up!

[@jonathangreen7111]

I think it's brilliant that you made this video!! I'm a 5'4" man with short legs & short arms. My bikes are custom made. Completely agree about BB height and crank length (I ride 160mm cranks...otherwise known as hens' teeth). Small wheels help but it massively reduces choice of rims & tyres so I've gone back to 700c. Might be worth mentioning gear ratios. I know Caleb Ewen and many smaller World Tour women racers need a 53t chainring. BUT, as you suggest, many smaller riders are not that powerful! It's not about low, hill-climbing gears; it's about whether it's appropriate/efficient/comfortable/healthy for small riders to shove round a 50t on the flat and how often they really need/use a 50x11! Great video, great rant! Thanks.

[@sophiecurtis4655]

really useful video and as a 5ft 3 cyclist I really appreciate the rant at the end!

[@Mat_cp]

We need more James’s in the bike industry ! 😁

[@hodsh1]

i'm 5'2 and i love my canyon ultimate with 650B wheels. i have size 2XS. still a lot of bike shop owners don't realise these exist for road bikes and will address you as if you don't understand what you're talking about.

[@nuriaflores2253]

So, I totally lucked out getting my bike built when I did my bike fit with James! Love my small handlebar, by the way, and the bike rides like a dream. I'm also 5'3" so technically not the smallest bike fit video you've done anymore. 😜 Round of virtual beers for all! 🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@sbrodersohn]

As a 5” women and rider. Thank you. Yes, please and more. We need smaller bikes. I need a smaller bike. Oh well… back to my knee pain.

[@SammieMousie]

I'm actually looking for a bike right now and I'm your exact height.

[@sbrodersohn]

@@SammieMousie you can try trek size 44 or canyon xxxs (if you can wait). I’ve found trek to be quite comfortable in a size 44.

[@clairebrook2339]

Another awesome vid. Totally agree with what James has to say, it's difficult being short and loving riding a bike! The best fitting road bikes for me off the shelf had 650c wheels, 165mm cranks & narrow bars. The Ergon SR saddle was a revelation to me for both gravel and trainer bike and this is coming for someone who thought the Terry Butterfly saddle was great.

[@Jim-ub9qy]

Always good, always learning. James is definitely an aficionado of cycling and all things geometric. Well done Francis!

[@pjcaps100]

as a short person….. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

My mom is 4’11”. I have a vague recollection of watching her climb on a 2 foot tall rock to get on her 10 speed at 3 or 4. When I got a folding bike with 20” wheels she said, “I bet I could ride that bike.” She just assumed there were no bikes to fit her.

[@ronitdebnath]

Great Video...Rose are good with bike sizing and choosing proportionate components for lower sizes. 650B for 44,48 sizes.

[@dll1001]

At 5' 1", with a lofty 27" inseam, the road bikes I had years ago had 170mm cranks. My back and hips were always hurting. About ten-12 years ago, I changed things up. I have a custom Marinoni touring bike with a rohloff with 160 mm cranks. My 650B mountain bike also has a rohloff with 155mm cranks. Your tips are spot on, and definitely confirms the lack of options for women/smaller riders.

[@darrenhadlow8315]

This is the sort of things people need to see most informative all the info I have seen on bike fit Tuesday filmed on Wednesday edited on Sunday viewed on Thursday have helped me no end excellent work well done 👍👌

[@markjthomson]

Smaller = more aero! WIN! I changed to 380 bars recently... fantastic. Also got some 165mm cranks... don't notice much of a difference but they ride nice all the same.

[@boof76yt]

Gotta love how honest James is...

[@degolas2971]

I keep going back to this video as I am currently building a bike for my 149cm partner. The struggle is real!

[@HanOfGod13]

Love these videos. Will you do one on heavy set riders? Should my overhanging belly be touching the tops of my thighs when on the hoods? As a 5'7 portly man with short arms, short legs and a longer and wider torso, I've been having trouble tweaking my position to get all the issues out. I've got it to a place where it is the least uncomfortable I can get it. I am saving for a bike fit, but it's not something I able to do right now with a professional.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Honestly, yes. I’m a heavy woman and I’d love to know what would be best for my body.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

My guess is you have a wider stance width and would need to increase the q-factor too

[@davidv6803]

More rants please. I learn as much I’m the rants than the lessons.

[@TommySaucierPlourde0]

Love for James! This man could have is how show ;)

[@seattlegrrlie]

I'm just under 5'3 so about 159cm tall and I've been riding road bike since 1994. I am lucky that I fit barely at the edge of bike sizing although a lot of xs or 48 still don't quite fit me and I really, really don't like the geometry of LIV. The struggle I had for a long time was using the wrong sized saddle. 155? 145? No, I'm 140 and finally realizing that has changed the game. Although the options are limited

[@tunnybirtz8469]

Yeeeah!! more options for small ladies , please!!! I am 158cm tall and it is a major problem! I have a Specialized Diverge 44cm - but since it carries the same 700c wheels as larger sizes, the geometry is VERY different (and I assume the ride is different too). On the other hand I have 650b wheels on my Rose 45cm road bike which leads to better geometry, BUT it is very hard to find road tyres and specially carbon wheels in this size :-(

[@falklevien]

My dad is a smaller rider. Bike shops always sold him frames around size 54, because that’s what they had and wanted to sell. He never got comfortable and could never ride for more than maybe two hours. Now he’s on a size 49 frame, which was the smallest size available, and he can suddenly ride all day. But there’s many people even smaller than my dad. It just really sucks for them. I myself am an average size bloke and still love my 38cm handlebars and 165mm cranks. And even those were a bit of a hassle to come by already.

[@AL-vo1ni]

How tall is your dad?

[@falklevien]

@@AL-vo1ni 1.67m, I believe

[@AtibaQuildan]

Fouriers do a alloy bar in 32cm and 34cm. Although I ride the 34s although a little broad for them.

[@sueg.9705]

This explains so much! I have 3 bikes from 3 different manufacturers and not one of them is just right. I cannot touch the ground while seated and just barely clear the bars while standing. My hands go numb, arms and neck ache. I am about 5"1, the kids bikes are too small and adult bikes too large. Thank you for this great video, at least I have some ideas on how to make my bikes better. I will start by looking for different handlebars.

[@TheFrodo96]

160cm , 5ft3 male rider here 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@richardharris8538]

I've recently been trying to buy a 11 speed cassette with a smallest sprocket of 14 teeth, because I'll never use the 11, 12, and 13 sprockets. Where I live it's pretty flat, so I only ever use the 53 chainring. Out of my 22 gears, and avoiding cross chaining onto the big sprocket, I therefore have 11 - 3 - 1 = 7 useful gears. I think 14 teeth is good for plenty of riders, and probably for most women. It gives a 53 x 27.5" / 14 = 104" gear. When I was racing back in the 1960s, anything over 100" was considered to be a pretty big gear. I did eventually find a 14-32 cassette, after many hours of searching. Almost all cassettes start at 11 teeth. That is suitable for pro-riders going down mountains. This situation does many of us, especially women and older or smaller riders, no favours.

[@rbstretch100]

Can you do the same for taller riders. At 6'6" the choice of frames drops dramatically and most are far too aggressive creating saddle to handlebar drops >10cm. British/Italian brands typically the worst for this.

[@Cade_Media]

Not exclusively for tall riders but some tips for bigger riders here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXO2aKGhrL2ojJI

[@JoeCincotta307]

Who remembers James riding around Vietnam with a bottle of whiskey strapped onto his rear bag …

[@ElonMuckX]

And a 🇻🇳 t-shirt!

[@Bikefitjames]

I don’t 🧐

[@samuelkmaina]

Totally agree about the bottom bracket height and wheels sizes for shorter people. At 5'4" a 47" frame with correct saddle height is frustratingly off the ground to the extent that one can't touch the road with their toes. Running 650b or 26" wheels helps in some cases. Wonder what impact this has on speed on a road bike.

[@phumeoli]

Does 650b fit on a normal frame?

[@platoali]

Do a video about back pain and sciatica, please.

[@aspenwagon04]

Strengthen your core, seriously, even if you say "it's already strong."

[@glennoc8585]

Crank length is more related to leg measurements than overall height. Women generally have longer legs to height as men so that's why it's quite feasible to see relatively short women on 165 to 170. Bottom bracket heights are based around the average crank length but you can get lower BB heights from custom frame builders.

[@richardhaselwood9478]

The issue seems to be that road bike bars are too wide in general. I'm 186cm, and have started giving very serious consideration to narrower bars, as I've properly started paying attention to how my arms etc feel (after about 10 years on road bikes). Size large, so, they are 44cm, and I probably should be on 42's or possibly narrower. I was chatting to a female riding buddy last week, as she's getting a new bike (eventually), and I told her to pay very close attention to bar width, as it's so important.

[@Cade_Media]

Very few people leave James's studio with a 44cm bar. Too wide for most people but you'll find them supplied on so many medium-large bikes

[@naomipalmer4244]

Thank you!! Female riders want to be comfy too. How do we get the industry to manufacture more stuff for us smaller cyclists??

[@Cade_Media]

It will happen, but I think the challenge is how do we get it to happen faster. 🤔

[@sylviachapman2345]

im 5 foot. i lucked out n found a junior road bike for fairly cheap--- it's an Argon-- so i highly reccomend that route. its a 650c-- feels so peppy and responsive compared to riding a 700

[@StephHall95]

Thank you James for this very validating rant!! Found this channel as I am 5ft nothing and my 20+ year old carrera kids bike that I have lovingly adapted for years to fit me is starting to die beyond help. Please someone just make a shop where we people "outside the bell curve" could walk in and buy a bike without taking out a mortgage 😂

[@GMICHAELG62]

Thanks!

[@hank9176]

Maybe make another video on the benefits of getting a bike fit before you buy a bike and also touch on the benefits of buying a frameset and building up according to the bike fitters specifications...

[@jekogaming7104]

I like the rant part. 😂😂😂 same thoughts and rants as an Mechanic / Rider😂😂😂

[@kimwarner6050]

I just recently got some 160mm cranks for my new bike. I also ordered some 320mm handlebars. I've been using 360mm, but those fill a bit wide. I hope ribble sales those new handlebars because there is basically no choice in carbon handlebars for small people

[@TopReasons]

Really works well. Should have bought one sooner.

[@davidslater6672]

More rants from James please! Legend

[@gooniez8490]

I needed this after looking for frame sizes for women under 5 feet and got this. Not exactly what I was looking for yet first frame then these wonderful steps. Sadly😢 I haven’t been able to find anyone near me to customize and fit. I might have to come to London.

[@timangelico6813]

What are the effects of excessive Q-factor and how would you solve it for smaller riders?

[@kevinlyon9501]

Five useful tips and a bonus James bike industry rant, love those👌.

[@paulstuart525]

Interesting subject. I’m 168 and struggling to find a bike I’m comfortable on. 52 is suggested but it just to long and low. even a 49cm. On the subject can I suggest you run a episode explain the difference in geometry between: Aero, Climbing, Touring and gravel bikes. I’m considering a gravel frame as I’d prefer the more MTB upright position and comfort. I don’t race anymore on the road

[@elmerrichardson6413]

I'm 6'5 and love this video. Good job, James!

[@Boglehill]

You guys need to do a bit fit for mountain bike handlebars - my new bike's bars are too wide - causing much pain in my hands. I've choked-up my grips on each end and noticed a difference already.

[@re_becca_p]

I think the single biggest thing that pisses me off are size guides that suggest a size 47 is somehow suitable for someone that's 150cm. Sorry, that's bullshit no matter how that person is proportioned. At least own up to it and say you don't make bikes for short people.

[@frankmoran167]

I'm 160 and ride a 47

[@iFrostHD]

44 is prob the perfect size for someone who is 150 cm

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Quality knows quality.. which is why James likes Shimano

[@welshpaddler]

Bang on James! Happens in outdoor clothing as well.

[@weiwenng8096]

So, Speedplay pedals. I know James doesn't like them. I don't agree with his reasons for not liking them, although they are fussier maintenance-wise (you still have to lube your cleats regularly, Wahoo's redesign only means you don't have to grease the pedals). However, there's one issue specific to Speedplays and smaller cyclists: the curvature of the shoes on smaller soles is different from the average shoe. The base plates need to sit absolutely flush, or else they will creak. I wear size 40s, and no combo of shims will get one of my base plates flat. One female bike fitter on Slowtwitch mentioned that she saw this with a number of smaller women as well.

[@richardimagination7749]

I know standert started to make frames for smaller people. What do you think of their project compact sizing compared to other bike brands sizing for smaller bikes?

[@benlisle7623]

Early...ish, great video, always love bikefit tuesdays!

[@re_becca_p]

Appreciate y'all.

[@JakeMay]

If you get a bike fit with James there's a guarantee you'll hear one thing. No, not "excessive saddle height", but... "There's a reach-around joke here."

[@mrwhiteshorts]

WELL SAID James

[@jomacarcyndy4831]

Hi im 5'3 is it normal for us small riders to have the handlebars higher than the saddle height? Or does changing crank length fixes it?

[@daan8052]

Yes same question! I' 5'ft so when I put my saddle higher I can't reach the handlebars 😢

[@cheswil__]

how does the fit on a track bike differ from a road bike? and what are the considerations when setting up the position of a track bike, should the reach be longer or shorter? should saddle setback increase?

[@st50156]

So helpful as someone who is 5ft1. My problem is shoes! My feet are 22.5cm long which is typically size 36 but width they are 9.7cm . Can’t find any mtb shoes anywhere. Struggled enough finding road shoes and even they now seem slightly too small as I get numbness in the second little toe in.

[@Bikefitjames]

Take a look at the lake MX241

[@Bikefitjames]

Or better yet book a shoe fit with us!

[@garethskwarczek]

Idea for a bike fit video - bike fit for indoor riding (zwift/sufferfest etc.) Would anything need to be changed to compensate for the lack of movement to that of IRL riding?

[@bedney45]

Can you get James to do one for us larger riders? I’m 187cm (6’2”) tall and currently 133kg (295lbs). I’m actively working on dropping the weight, hence the riding :-) I ride a 61 cm frame and that seems to work well for me, but I’m not sure I’ve got the correct stem, etc.

[@TheRich464]

Any tips for smart indoor trainers?

[@Cade_Media]

Got some videos around this planned 👍👍

[@JoelCarr]

Thank you for this rant! My partner is 152cm (5'0") and has had such a problem having any choice. They got a Canyon as they do a 3XS size (with 650b wheel) but only for a few of their bikes and not for higher specs. Is there any other good brands to look out for that cater to the smaller individual?

[@cathschofield7488]

Totally agree about Canyon, Specialized do a 44, I’ve also got a LIV Langma in xs. These both have 700c wheels. At least it’s easier to get 650 tyres/tubes these days since the rise of gravel bikes

[@carolinamoniz364]

Trek domane

[@re_becca_p]

@@cathschofield7488 I ride an XS Langma, it's fucking huge for an "XS."

[@DanTuber]

@@re_becca_p Bike industry is a strange one. Clothing is super small and bikes are over sized.

[@sbrodersohn]

I’m 154cm high, I ride a cube axial xs and with some adjustments and flexibility might be an option. It comes with 170 cranks though. Book a bike fit and that should give you some parameters to play with.

[@zardoz2627]

Due to range of motion problems I'm desperately trying to find short cranks (95mm-120mm) and failing

[@ricachuuuu]

This considers smaller riders specially in Southeast Asia countries. I'm 4'9 and struggling to find smaller frames 2xs/3xs. Some brands do but not on the higher spec such as aero bikes

[@JoshuaTootell]

:30 What about too narrow of bars? I measured my GF the other night and she was I think 39cm wide with a 36cm bar. Only 5' tall! Yes, I'm mixing my measurements, I'm American. We have her scheduled for a bike fit, but since she isn't really interested in riding road much (MTB is preferred) she is having second thoughts about the value of $400 to ride a bike occasionally.

[@nibbs15]

Oh cool small people

[@stevedesilva4690]

Great stuff!!

[@KECOG]

Thinking about getting a bicycle for myself, after over three decades of not riding: I'm 5'1", would a child sized bike be too small? Or could I change the tire size to a smaller size? So many questions; this video helped me out with several of them. Good video!

[@burmabaines]

Don’t know your budget, but Canyon have an Endurace cf7 3xs (£2k) delivery beginning of May. I already have one on order.

[@AnnoyingDadGames123]

James setup sounds exactly like my bike.

[@Chisto94]

My partner is about 5 feet tall and is looking to get in to cycling so these videos are great as a baseline when we start looking for a bike and exploring fit! I’m 6’3” so we are completely different in terms of fit (and challenges) lol

[@ganesanvengadesan6060]

All that information in one breath....😬👍👍👍

[@GdeSylva]

I’m 4’1” and have trouble getting a bike to fit what brand would you recommend best caters for the smaller rider? Or am I best to try build my own custom bike??

[@stillshunter]

How about the trend towards wider flared gravel drop bars. Does the flare at the drop offset the ability to reach the levers? Can the shorter stem make up for the wider bars…or are they just a bad idea? Does the shoulder width rule still apply?

[@manuelferreira9612]

tanks great

[@platypushatstand]

Interesting as always. 👍🏻👏🏻❤️

[@saschakraemer6793]

if you play it at 0.75, james talks at human speed.

[@billinhouston3291]

I'm 6'3" and can't stand on my toes with my rear on the saddle. That part is not a conspiracy against short people. All the rest is, though. :)

[@lesio40000]

Please make some video for taller riders:)

[@allanfoster6965]

Informative rant👍👍

[@scottthorpe1601]

Informative as ever. With lowering BB, would fitting 650b wheels not offer some benefit or not enough?

[@b1gdawg773]

I was just wondering if angling in the shifters inwards would be a potential way around buying shorter width bars?

[@yazminimagic]

can you recommend bike or bike frames that are women friendly? should we buy unisex bikes?

[@derekhobbs1102]

My full grown brother is tiny, think 135cm jockey size tiny. Finding a bike that isn't intended for kids is difficult.

[@sexandtheswiss]

What is your take on kid's bars for smaller women?

[@spotsill]

Yea finding extra small frames is difficult 😞.

[@lambo2224]

hi francis/james, do you have advice for male riders with relatively short torsos/arms? even with a 90mm stem, i tend to get shoulder discomfort because I'm excessively stretched out. But with smaller sized bikes my saddle to bar drop tends to become quite big. Would I be better off with a smaller size anyways?

[@fredcouture1158]

Using junior bike part for smaller cyclist? I know for clothing can work Bike part ?

[@lenmajuskin]

I’m enjoying the bike so far kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.

[@shingi2008]

Are you able to share details of the 155mm crank James was referring to in the video. They are hard to come by and have been looking for one

[@lordalfa600]

BBK crank from Kirawee Cycles in Australia. This is GXP. 110 BCD Or the 152mm crankset from Aliexpress. No name. 24mm Shimano BB. 130 BCD

[@Bikefitjames]

Croder

[@shingi2008]

Thanks @@Bikefitjames

[@dusbus2384]

Do you have one of these for bigger riders. I'm 6'4 and 25 stone trying to get into the sport