Bike Size - How do I find the perfect Bike Size?
Absolutely crucial for future fun on the road, in the bike park, or on the trail is definitely the right size of your bike. Which wheel size is the right one, and which bike category is the right one for you? Here, we briefly and crisply clarify the decisive factors and the right choice of your dream bike. A bike that is exactly the right size for you, that's what matters.
Bike Size - What Size Should My Bike Be?
At Ghost, we've racked our brains because it's important to us to offer our customers the right bike sizes. That's why we developed Superfit. A system that takes into account all the crucial factors of bikes, including wheel size, frame size, and even handlebar width. Thus, when purchasing a Ghost bike and making a simple selection via our size chart, you are well served with the right bike size! Once you have found the bike of your choice, just click on "Find My Size" to display your appropriate bike size.
Image: By selecting your size information, you will find the right bike size determined.
Image: With a Ghost Superfit bike, you get a bike tailored to your body size, which has the right frame size and wheel size for you.
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The Right Wheel Size
29" or rather 27.5"? The size of the wheels decides on the rolling behavior, smooth running, and maneuverability of your bike. The larger a wheel, the easier it rolls over an obstacle. The smaller a wheel, the more nimble it is. The wheel sizes of our bikes are directly based on your body size. Thus, with the small S sizes, you often get a bike with 27.5" and from size M on, 29".
Image 4: The size of the wheels affects their rolling behavior and maneuverability. Our bikes' appropriate wheel size is adjusted to the frame sizes.
Between 2 Sizes
Can't decide whether to take a larger or smaller bike because you are right between 2 sizes? Then try to find out what is most similar to your previous bike using the given geometry tables, provided you were happy with its size. Here, the "Stack" and "Reach" values - which give information about the height and length between the crank and handlebar - are decisive. The geometry tables can be found listed for each of our bikes. Important: Only compare bikes from the same categories. Since the geometry values of, for example, gravel bikes significantly differ from mountain bikes. Still unsure which size to choose? Then just stop by a Ghost dealer near you and test what fits you best.
Image: These values provide information about the dimensions of the bike. This allows different models from the same category to be compared.
The risks of the wrong bike size
If a bike is too small, there's a risk that:
you may touch the front wheel with your feet when steering.
the riding behavior becomes nervous off-road.
the riding and seating position is cramped and therefore uncomfortable.
If a bike is too large, there's a risk that:
mounting and dismounting becomes an unnecessary hurdle.
the riding behavior off-road is poorly controllable due to the too long levers.
the riding and seating position is stretched and therefore uncomfortable.
The Difference Between Frame and Wheel Size
The frame size is not the same as the wheel size. Inch specifications like 20", 22", 24", 26", 27.5", 28", or 29" mostly refer to the diameter of the wheels. However, inch values are sometimes also used to indicate the size of frames (mostly with racing bikes), which naturally often leads to confusion. At our company, frame sizes are indicated as follows: XS, S, M, L, XL.
Here you see differently sized inch wheels in direct comparison.
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The frame size of our bikes can be found on the seat tube. This bike is size M.
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The inch size of the wheel should always be stated on the tire. Our KATO FS PRO in size M, for example, has 29-inch wheels.
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Handlebar Width
The width of the handlebars also decides on a proper measure of comfort and handling. Typically, handlebars on Enduro mountain bikes from size M upwards are between 780mm – 800mm wide. Smaller sizes range between 740mm – 780mm. Cross-country bikes, for instance, have somewhat narrower handlebars installed due to their intended use.
Image: The width of the handlebars is chosen to match the wheel size in our models.
Saddle Height
To ensure a comfortable circular pedal stroke, the length of the seat tube, which is naturally also always adjusted to the wheel size and the specific use of the respective bike, is crucial. Most mountain bikes have Dropper Posts installed for perfect freedom of movement off-road, which can be easily adjusted in height with a lever on the handlebar. The correct height in the extended state of the seat post is set so that you sit comfortably and the leg at the lowest pedal point is just not stretched out. If you slide left and right over the saddle while riding, it is set too high.
Image 10: The perfect height of the saddle in the extended state ensures a comfortable sitting position. Here, the leg at the lowest pedal point is just not stretched out.
Now that you are well versed in the topic of bike sizes, you should also consider the appropriate intended use when choosing your new bike. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the perfect ride on the bike that is best suited for you!
Here are the bikes:
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