Bike fitting guide
Bike fit is one of the most important things to consider when buying a bike. Read through this guide to see how you can find a Rad Power Bikes ebike that can best fit you and your needs.
What to Measure:
To find the best fit for your needs, you will need to measure your "real inseam." This is your inside leg length -- the distance between your body where it sits on your bike saddle and the ground.
This will typically be an inch or two longer than the length of your trousers, but you’ll want to measure to be sure.
How to Measure Your Real Inseam:
Gather the tools needed:
- Medium-width hardcover book
- Tape measure
- A wall you can stand against
- A trusted friend or relative
- Wearing your regular riding shoes and with your back to the wall, stand with your feet spread so there is about 7 inches between them. This is about the distance apart your feet would be when straddling a bike with your feet on the ground (standover height).
- Place the top or bottom of a hardcover book against the wall, with the spine of the book facing upward. Slide the book upward, toward the base of your torso, until it is solidly against your body.
- Measure from the ground to the top of the book spine. If you have a buddy helping you, get them to measure from the floor to the top of the book spine while you hold the book in place. If not, carefully hold the book in place against the wall, turn around, and measure from the ground to the top of the book spine.
- Compare the measurement with the chart below. Use the real inseam measurement to see which bike in the chart below would fit you best. If you want to give the bike a try, check out our Where to Ride page HERE to test ride a bike!
Once you've found a bike that will fit you best, check out this video, where Fritz will take you on a ride through the bike adjustment process to help you have a comfortable ride, or click a heading below to read more about bike sizing.
Who can ride a Rad Power Bikes ebike?
Riders must be at least 16 years old (or whatever the minimum age to ride an ebike is in your local area). All of our bikes are unisex and most riders between 4'10" and 6'5" can ride at least one of our bikes comfortably. Rider proficiency and preferences are also very big factors for rider comfort and safety, regardless of rider measurements. Those with slightly shorter legs may prefer a step-thru design over a traditional bike frame style; the step-thru designs offer the lowest standover heights of our bikes (the standover height is the distance from the top tube to the ground).
If you are near the lower or upper recommended heights for a particular model, there are a few factors to take into account when choosing a bike. Your individual proportions (especially your leg length), your riding proficiency, and your riding preferences will determine whether you can ride that bike comfortably.
Which bike would be a good fit for me?
The best way to know if a bike works for you is to try it out prior to buying. Check out our Where to Ride map to see if there are any rental fleets or showrooms near you!
If you're ready to buy online, first check out the model's product page below, or the guide at the start of this article, to see which bike would be a good fit.
Current models
|
Model |
Recommended rider heights |
| RadCity 5 Plus | 5'4" – 6'5" |
| RadCity 5 Plus Step-Thru | 4’8" – 6'0" |
| RadExpand 5 | 4'10" – 5'10" |
| RadExpand 5 Plus | 4'10" - 5'10" |
| RadRover 6 Plus | 5'4" – 6'2" |
| RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru | 5'2" – 6'2" |
| RadRunner 3 Plus | 4'11" – 6'2" |
| RadRunner 2 | 4'11" – 6'2" |
| RadRunner 1 Plus | 4'11" – 6'2" |
| Radster Road | 4'11" - 5'8" (Regular) 5'7" - 6'4" (Large) |
| Radster Trail | 4'11" - 5'8" (Regular) 5'7" - 6'4" (Large) |
| RadTrike | 4'10" – 6'4" |
| RadWagon 4 | 5'1" - 6'4" |
| RadWagon 5 | 4'11" - 6'3" |
Legacy models
| Bike Model | Recommended rider heights |
| RadCity 4 | 5'7"–6'5" |
| RadCity Step-Thru 3 | 4'10"–6' |
| RadCity 2019 16" frame | 5'4"–5'-11" |
| RadCity 2019 19" frame | 6'–6'6" |
|
RadCity Step-Thru 2019 |
4'10"–6' |
| RadMission 1 |
Mid-Step: 5'2" - 6'2" |
| RadMini Step-Thru 2019 | 4'10"–5'10" |
| RadWagon 3 | 5'2"–6'2" |
How is minimum and maximum seat height measured?
The minimum and maximum seat heights are measured from the top of the seat to the top of the pedal when it is at the bottom of the pedal stroke, as indicated in the images below:
|
Minimum Seat Height |
Maximum Seat Height |
Adjusting Seat Height
When adjusting the height of your seat, do not raise the seatpost beyond the minimum insertion marking. If the seatpost projects from the frame beyond these markings (shown far right), the seatpost or frame may break, which could cause a rider to lose control and fall.
Before your first ride, we recommend having a local, certified, and reputable bike mechanic, who specializes in bike fitting, help you get the best fit for a safe ride.