Road Bike Frame Tube Diameter

This diagram shows the various tubes that make up a road bike frame immediate media co manufacturers make frames in various sizes to suit the variety of riders.

Road bike frame tube diameter.

There s much more to understanding road bike frame sizing than effective top tube length stack and reach and choosing the right size is key to proper fit and handling. Getting the size right is essential. Ridley s size s frames have a top tube around 54cm which is equivalent to many brands size medium frames. The deflection can be summarized by the equations below.

Or if you find a tube that s 26 x 1 2 1 7 that will work too. Choosing the correct frame size is a crucial component of getting the most out of your road bike. For mountain bikes take the same measurement and multiply 0 6 you will then need to change the centimeters into inches. Most steel bicycle frames have tubing of standard outside diameter.

Tubes are basically suspended beams. Frames made to british or italian standards will typically have 1 1 8 28 6 mm seat tubes older french bicycles used 28 mm. Old american style commonly used on bmx bicycles and other bicycles that use one piece cranks uses a 1 seat tube standard outside diameter accommodates standard lugs and clamp on parts such as front. Tube size is a whole another matter as described below.

If you want to know the sums then to find your road bike frame size take your inseam length in centimeters and multiply it by 0 70. If the size isn t given. By the late 70 s reynolds advertised variations on the basic set of tubes with options for touring and larger frames. For a hybrid bike take your inseam and multiply it by 0 69.

If you find a tube that s 26 x 1 1 1 5 for instance that will fit your tires. Other tube manufacturers soon followed with their own heat treated offerings. From the calculations by peterson and londry most of the forces are bending therefore the tubes when in a bicycle frame act more or less as a suspended beam. It s not just about comfort.

As long as you buy tubes made for a 26 inch diameter wheel you can buy any range of tube width that covers 1 3. Let s say your wheels have a 26 inch diameter and a 1 3 inch width. Read on to find out how to size up your road bike or mountain bike frame. Heat treated reynolds 753 appeared in 1978 which was offered in wall thicknesses down to a 7 5 7 top tube and 8 5 8 down tube on road bikes.

The seat tube is the long tube that the bike seat post sticks into. When a road bike fits properly it s more efficient easier to handle and better at transferring your power to the road.