TIRE SIZE

Traditionally, the tire size of the bike was determined by the height of the driver, so for smaller drivers, bikes with smaller tires were bought, which were naturally also smaller in frame. Nowadays, the tire size is often chosen more based on the purpose of use and the size of the bike frame is chosen according to the height of the rider.

Adult bikes are sold with several tire sizes. "Jopo"-type universal bikes with 24" tires are sold, which are well suited for short trips. 26″ wheels are mostly so-called city ​​bikes. 28″ wheels are equipped basic bikes or sportier touring, hybrid, fitness, cyclocross or road bikes. 29″ wheels are the latest trend in mountain bikes, where mountain bike technology and wide tires are combined with a larger rim size (622).

As a rule of thumb, 28″ wheels have narrower tires than 26″ and 29″ wheels. Tire width (along with many other factors) affects the rolling ability of the bike. The narrower the tire, the lighter it rolls. Therefore, for riding long distances on good roads, it is better to choose a bike with narrower and smoother tires (e.g. a hybrid) than a mountain bike with wide and rough tires. Wide-rimmed bikes are better suited for off-road, worse roads and also for short trips in the city.

When buying children's and young people's bikes, the tire size still tells you quite directly what size rider the bike is suitable for.

Children's bikes

• 12″ for about 80-100cm pedals
• 16″ for about 95-110cm pedals
• 20″ for about 105-140cm pedals

Youth bikes

• 24″ for about 125-150cm pedals
• From 26″ for approx. 136cm pedal depending on frame size

BIKE TYPE

There are many different types of bikes (and their subtypes) nowadays, and different manufacturers may still have different names for similar bikes. However, here is a rough breakdown of the different bike types:

• Men's basic bikes and Women's basic bikes are well-equipped bikes with 1-8 gears, usually with a foot brake and a handbrake in the front. The riding position is usually very adjustable and the saddle is wide. The basic bike is well suited for city riding and why not for a leisurely ride further afield. The tire size is usually 28″.
  
  
• Mountain bikes usually have open gears (also known as rack gears or chain gears) and there are 10-30 gears. The brakes are hand brakes, which nowadays are mainly disc brakes. In general, mountain bikes are either front or full suspension, they have rough 50-60mm wide tires and the equipment is scarce (no fenders, locks, etc.). The frames of SUVs are usually lower than, for example, standard bikes, so that they are easier to handle even in difficult places.
  
  

  The mountain bike is also perfectly suited for urban use due to its agility, and you don't have to be careful about the edges of the street pavements with studded tires. Basic off-road bikes (400-700e) are intended as all-round bikes that you can occasionally take to forest trails, but "real" off-road bikes suitable for more active off-road driving cost from 1000e upwards. The riding position of mountain bikes is usually forward-weighted and the handlebars cannot be raised. The tire size of mountain bikes has traditionally been 26".

  In recent years, the 27.5″ and 29″ models with larger wheels have replaced the traditional 26″ tire size, which is still found on bikes aimed especially at youth. The newest types of mountain bikes are those with really thick tires fat bikes (Fatbike) with tires 100-125mm (4-5″) wide and slightly narrow tires 27.5+ and 29+ bikes with tires approx. 75mm wide (3″).

• Dirt bikes are a subspecies of mountain bikes that are meant for jumping and other stunts. These bikes usually have sturdier frames and parts than regular mountain bikes, but they also weigh more. In recent years, several basic SUVs have also been made to look like dirt bikes (the so-called Dirt-look), but they are intended as general purpose bikes and are not suitable for actual jumping use.
  
  
• Male hybrids and Female hybrids are bikes where the technology of mountain bikes is combined with a narrower, easy-rolling 28″ tire size. There are usually 20-30 gears and the gears are slightly heavier than a mountain bike. The brakes are hand brakes (rim or disc brakes). Hybrid bikes are popular commuting and touring bikes, because the wide range of gears and narrow tires make the journey easy. Equipped hybrids may also be called touring or trekking bikes.
  
  
• A fitness bike is an intermediate between a hybrid and a road bike (training bike/racing bike). The tires are 23-28mm wide and the gears/transmissions are close to a road bike. Hand brakes can be either rim or disc brakes. Unlike full-blooded road bikes, the handlebar is straight and the riding position is slightly more upright.
  
  
• Cyclocross and Gravel the wheels are also somewhere between a hybrid and a road bike. The handlebars are similar to the road bikes and the gears are from the road series, but the transmissions are a little lighter and the riding position a little more upright. The most significant difference to the road bike is the wider 32-50mm tires, which allow you to ride more carefree even on dirt roads. The huge popularity of Cyclocross and Gravel cycling recently is based on its versatility, in the summer you can ride it almost like a road bike and if necessary you can even get studded tires on it.
  
  
• Road bike (racing bike/training racing bike) is the lightest and fastest of the bikes, but it is generally only suitable for riding on paved roads. The tires are usually 23-30mm wide and there are 18-30 gears. Rim brakes have traditionally been used on road bikes, but nowadays disc brakes are a much more common option. Gear levers are usually built into the handbrake levers. Wider tire sizes are becoming more common in today's road bikes, in order to give the road bike more riding comfort and versatility. Nowadays, you can get up to 35mm wide tires for road bikes, depending on the bike model, in which case Endurance-type road bikes, for example, can be equipped with tires suitable for dirt roads and gravel.
  
  
• BMX bikes are usually stunt bikes with 20″ tires. The bikes are gearless, have hand brakes and are best suited for tricks. For smaller riders, there are also models with 16″ and 18″ tires.
  
  
• Electric bikes are bikes equipped with an electric motor that assists the pedal. There are three types of electric bikes: front-, rear- and mid-motor. In general, the most affordable models are Front-wheel drive wheels, i.e. they have the engine on the front hub. Bikes equipped with a rear hub motor are slightly more expensive and more efficient. The best motor solution for electrically assisted bikes is generally considered to be a central motor. In these bikes, the motor is integrated in the center of the pedals and the assistance is transmitted via a chain to the rear wheel, just like in normal bikes. The legal maximum motor power of electric bikes suitable for road traffic is 250W and the assistance stops at a speed of 25km/h.

BODY SIZE

There are several frame sizes of many bike models, and the right frame size is usually chosen according to the cyclist's height and body proportions. For example, the length of the inseam is one of the most significant determinants of bike size. The cyclist's possible limitations or injuries can also bring additional requirements for choosing a bike.

The frame size of a bicycle is usually indicated as the height of the vertical tube of the frame (measured from the center of the center), usually when the height of the frame changes, the other dimensions of the frame also change (the exact dimensions of different frames can usually be found on the manufacturer's website). There are several instructions and calculators for choosing the right frame size on the internet, but in this article we present a rough guideline for choosing the right rugo size. Differences in body proportions and, above all, the preferences of pedalers always have a significant influence on the choice of frame size, which is why there is no absolute truth.

By considering these factors, you can find a bike that suits you and your cycling needs. Happy shopping!