Cycling Skills
Ontario's Guide to Safe Cycling

There is a variety of bicycles on the market to choose from. Whether you're choosing a touring, sport, mountain or hybrid bicycle, it should fit properly, making it easy to control and comfortable to ride.

Check these important fitting points on your bicycle.

Frame Size

Frame size varies by type of bicycle, but as a general rule, you should be able to stand flat-footed over your bike's frame (top tube) with two to five centimetres of space. For a woman's frame bike, when sitting on the seat, the base of the seat should be at least five centimetres above the seat tube when the tips of both feet touch the ground.

Seat and Handlebar Height Adjustment

Seat

Positioning your seat properly will help make your pedalling more efficient and reduce strain on your knees. To ensure your seat is at the correct height, sit on the seat with the balls of your feet on the pedals. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, your legs should be almost straight with your knees slightly bent.

Handlebars

In a normal riding position, your weight should be evenly balanced, allowing you to rest your hands lightly on the handlebars. You can adjust the tilt of your seat and the height of your handlebars to achieve a good balance of weight.

Your handlebar stem and seat post must be at least five centimetres into the frame. Both usually have a mark that indicates the maximum extension point. Longer seat posts and stems are available if you need them.