What You Need To Know Before Buying A Bike | Bicycle Geometry Explained | Cycling Weekly

Cycling culture is full of little idiosyncrasies. Some of them we love and respect, like the fact that a water bottle is a water bottle in all walks of life except when on a bicycle. Others can be infuriating – like the inconsistencies within geometry charts.

The geometry of a bike is hugely important when it comes to selection. Geometry creates personality - making the bike either more fast and flicky, or comfortable and stable.

This video will tell you everything you need to know before buying yourself a new a bike.


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[bradycann]

This was one of the best explanations on bike geometry I have come across. Definitely sharing this with my newer riding buddies. Good job, Michelle!

[Thetoad]

Great info. When I was a teenager in the mid-80s I was told to stand over the frame and if I could lift the bike one inch that was the bike size I needed. Stem length was determined if you could see the front hub while seated. If the hub was in front of the tip of the stem, your stem was too short, if the hub was behind, the stem was too long. If you couldn't see the hub, it was the correct size.

[kbroadbent]

MOST IMPORTANT BICYCLE VIDEO ON THE INTERNET ALERT! and explained with such clarity.
Top job Michelle and good work on the "fancy lines" post-prod guys :)

[MrAudioBill]

Finally! A common sense explanation to help navigate the myriad of bike/frame geometries and purposes. A big thanks is due.

[axex]

WOW!!! This is hands down the very best video on bike geometry and super valuable content. Easy to understand and unbiased. Great job Michelle!

[timallen]

Really well explained 🙌 many points put across here that are usually misplaced, aren’t as clear or missing in terms of the effects on a bikes personality and fit in other articles I’ve read. Great guide to understanding geometries.

[SecwetGwiwer]

Yes! You got front and rear centre correct!

Manufacturers always seem to mix these up with chainstay length and bb to front axle length.

[rrb]

Thank you 🙏 so much for this video! I am hiring the front wheel with my front foot every time I turned on my REI ADV1.1 and wondering why!!
Great explanations

[cheetos-]

Having spent hours reading about geometry details, this is by far one of the easiest resources to understand.

[AaronGoodTimes]

Great video! Everything I need to know to buy my first road bike this spring.

[allthingsTechrelated]

The best I’ve seen so far on this subject. Thanks

[AndrewBlucher]

A big step up from your usual quality. Well done.

[bubblesezblonde]

Thanks a very well spent 14 minutes! I will be sharing this with all my cyclists friends looking for a new ride. I learned so much, but I might have to ask my friend who works with slide rules what it all means.

[ChrisSharp_krspy]

Good to know the specs from a dimensional point of view, but as I think you mentioned getting a personalized bike fit from a good shop is the most practical.

[pigeonpoo]

Thanks for that. Bike geek geometry is excellent once you know what measurements you desire to replicate. I am amazed how 1° or a couple of cm can make such staggeringly large differences to handling and fit. Again thanks, cos this is fiendishly complicated subject matter

[janrobinsonus]

best video on bike geometry. i just bought a Masi expert CXRc 49 seems to fit me at 5'5". the geometry is similar to an enduranc and CX/gravel. BB drop is 70cm BB height 281cm. hoping it is stable at slower speeds and according to your video will hold up well in the mud

[yogeshgupta]

I am so so thankful to your for creating such lucid ... super organized video. I plan to buy a bicycle and have seen so many videos and your is perhaps the best.

[lorimcquinn]

Perhaps the addition of a video regarding choosing a frame/bike for specific purpose. Look at the geometry numbers and remark on benefits and effects.

[g.fortin]

She did a great job explaining the angles and making it more understandable... thank you and looking forward to some more videos.

[fookie-fone]

Fantastic video. I will certainly refer to this time and time again.