Buying the right GT bike for your height and body composition can make all the difference in how comfortable your ride is, but what size bike do you need?
When designing bikes, GT prioritizes rider performance, as well as comfort so that you are able to enjoy your ride from start to finish. With that said, it is easy to feel lost when deciding which bike size is right for you, as there is a lot to consider.
You can decide which GT bike you need by selecting a frame size that matches your height based on GT’s size charts. However, GT recommends that you buy your bike at one of their retailers so that you can get professional assistance when choosing the right size bike.
GT is a world-class bike manufacturer that has been in the business for decades and they continue to pump out top-notch bikes to this day. They release a wide variety of models that fall under various bike classifications so that riders are given a ton of different options when deciding which bike is right for them. Naturally, the first thing that you want to do is figure out what your riding style is. This will help you narrow down your options to a specific GT bike type such as mountain, road, or BMX. However, you also need to find the right bike size for your build so that you can have optimum performance and comfort when you go out riding. To help you find the perfect GT bike, we are going to take a closer look at how you can select the right size for your body composition and riding style.
After extensively researching GT size charts and specs, I have been able to gather enough information to determine how to select the right size GT bike. My research has indicated that GT highly encourages you to physically test ride a bike before you buy it and to consult a representative at one of their retailers for assistance.
How Bike Sizes Work
Over the years, GT has continuously improved the designs of its bikes. By making their sizing options more flexible and dynamic, GT is able to enhance a rider’s performance and also their comfort level.
GT bikes are now available to a wider selection of riders than ever before. Regardless, of your body composition, you can find the right GT bike by buying the correct frame and wheel size, as well as adjusting your seat properly.
Wheel Size
The wheel size of a bike will influence how smoothly you roll over terrain and how quickly you can get up to speed. However, you need to keep in mind that buying a bike with a wheel size that matches your height is crucial.
If you are riding a bike with a wheel size that is either too small or too big for you, your performance and comfort level will diminish. For example, this is a height estimation for mountain bike wheel sizes:
- 29 inch - 5’6’ (or higher)
- 27.5 inch - 5’2’ - 5’10’
- 26 inch - 5’0’ - 5’6
You may have noticed that there is a bit of overlap with some of the wheel sizes. That’s because you ultimately need to test ride bikes with multiple wheel sizes to figure out which one suits you best.
Mountain bike wheel sizes are the most straightforward to identify, given that there are 3 primary options, as shown above. However, road bike tire sizes are a bit more dynamic, which is why test riding is always recommended.
Frame Size
The frame size of your GT bike is perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing your bike. Each bike has a specific build and the frame is what dictates the riding style more than anything.
When GT designs its bikes, they generally try to make frame sizes in a number of options so that they can fit different riders. Ultimately, your height will be key to figuring out which frame size is right for you.
Depending on the type of bike that you are buying, GT normally has between 4 and 6 frame sizes for each of their models.
Seat Height
When riding a GT bike, it’s important that you do not overlook the importance of having your seat properly positioned. The good news is that finding the right seat height for your GT bike will not be very hard, as you can always adjust the seat after you buy it.
Finding the right seat height is all about testing out the bike in a few different positions and narrowing it down to the one that you feel most comfortable with. However, as a general rule of thumb, your knees should bend roughly 30 to 40 degrees when fully extended,
How to Adjust a GT Bike for Comfort
The tricky thing about finding a GT bike that you feel most comfortable on is that you need to adjust it to perfectly match your body composition.
You can use size charts to get started, but you do ultimately need to make a number of manual adjustments to ensure that your comfort is optimized. This will require you to adjust the following on your GT bike:
- Saddle
- Seat post
- Handlebars
Once you have adjusted your bike properly, what is equally important is that you position yourself properly when riding. Make sure that you are sitting correctly on the bike with your shoulders relaxed, spine neutral, and your elbows bent.
What Sizes does GT Sell?
GT sells a variety of different sizes so that its bikes are adaptable to fit a diverse range of riders.
Once you have figured out which type of bike you prefer to ride, you can select a size based on the charts below.
GT Mountain Bike Sizes
GT has a huge selection of mountain bikes in its lineup. These are the size charts for GT’s hardtail and full suspension MTBs.
Hardtail Sizes
Full Suspension Sizes
GT Freestyle BMX Bike Sizes
GT started as a BMX bike brand and they continue to release top-of-the-line BMX bike to this day. This is the size chart for GT’s Freestyle BMX bikes.
GT Road Bike Sizes
Since GT transitioned from solely releasing BMX bikes, their road bike selection has become very dynamic. This is the road bike size chart for GT.
How to Choose a GT Bike Size
Choosing the right size for your bike is essential for maximizing comfort and performance when you ride. When you start weighing out your options, you naturally want to first determine which bike type you want.
You can then refer to the GT size chart that we have listed above so that you can select a bike based on your height. This is the most straightforward way to choose a GT bike - especially if you are shopping online.
However, GT highly encourages you to consider buying a bike from one of their retailers. By doing so, you can get help from a professional retailer to help you find the perfect bike for your height and body composition. In addition, you can test-ride the bike before you buy it to ensure that you are comfortable and satisfied with how it feels.
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