Size guideUpdated 4 months ago

Buying an electric bike online can be a source of anxiety when it comes to finding the perfect match. Don't worry! Upway has a simple and effective way to ensure that you get a bike that's just right for you.

What do the seat tube size and stand-over height indicated on your site correspond to?

• The seat tube is the part of the frame from the center of the bottom bracket to the seat clamp. It is used in part to specify the bike's geometry. If you already know the size of your seat tube (for example, by measuring the size of your old bike), you can reference that with the measurement on our product page.
• The stand-over height is measured for bikes with a closed frame. It refers to the distance from the ground to the top tube (the horizontal bar connecting the front and rear of the bike frame) measured at the point where the rider stands over the bike. You should compare the stand-over height of the bike to your inseam length and make sure there's at least 1-2 inches of clearance. Adequate stand-over clearance makes getting on and off the bike easier and more comfortable, especially for beginners or those not used to high-top tubes.

Upway's geometry measurements are available in the "Specifications" section of all product pages

How can I measure my inseam?

To accurately measure your inseam, follow these steps:

1. Gather materials: you'll need a book (or any other flat object) and a measuring tape or ruler.
2. Wear appropriate clothing: wear snug, lightweight clothing similar to what you'd wear while cycling, and remove shoes for a more accurate measurement.
3. Stand against a wall and place the book between your legs: stand with your back against a wall, feet slightly apart (about shoulder-width), and your heels touching the wall. Hold the book vertically with its spine firmly pressed against your crotch, simulating the bike’s top tube. Ensure it's level and snug against your body.
4. Measure: use the measuring tape or ruler to measure the distance from the ground up to the top edge of the book. This distance is your inseam length.

You can now compare the stand-over height of the bike with your inseam length.

Aim for at least 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of clearance. For mountain bikes or bikes used on uneven terrain, a bit more clearance (2-4 inches or 5-10 cm) may be beneficial for added safety.

Here's an example:

• Inseam Measurement: 32 inches (81 cm)
• Stand-Over Height of Bike: 30 inches (76 cm)
• This gives you a clearance of: 2 inches (5 cm) = Inseam (32 inches) - Stand-over height (30 inches)
• A 2-inch clearance is generally considered ideal for most types of cycling. You will be able to comfortably stand over your bike.

How is your size recommendation calculated? Why does it sometimes differ from the data provided by the manufacturer?

In some cases, the manufacturers do not have a recommended minimum and maximum height. In these cases, the Upway team will take a precise measurement of each bike's seat tube size in our workshop - calculated as the distance from the bottom bracket and the top of the seat tube - and then convert it into a minimum and maximum size, taking into account the fact that the saddle can be adjusted.

In other words, the minimum size indicated by Upway guarantees that you can put your foot on the ground when the saddle is adjusted to its lowest setting. This data has also been cross-referenced with thousands of measurements of bikes that have already passed through our workshop; you can trust our recommendations to be sure that the bike will fit you.

Simplified sizes (S, M, L...) are sometimes used by manufacturers to make their catalogs easier to understand. We display them when they are written directly on the bike frame or on the manufacturer's website, and calculate them ourselves when the manufacturer does not provide them. In any case, you should not use this size alone as your guideline and instead look at height specificiations and even as far as frame geometry for a truly accurate picture.

💡 Did you know? At Upway, you always have 14 days following receipt of your bike to return it. If you realize that the electric bike doesn't fit or that the position doesn't suit you, simply get in touch with our team to arrange for your bike to be returned/exchanged.

Several sizes work: which should I choose?

If two different sizes are available, we recommend that our customers select the smaller of the two. This is because it's always possible to raise the saddle, whereas it's impossible to lower it further.

If you are slightly under the minimum size (or over the maximum size) indicated on our site, it's very likely that the bike won't suit you. In this case, use the "Size" filter to see only those bikes whose size is right for you. You can also reach out to our team to verify!