Are you struggling to figure out the right Bmx Bike Size Chart to choose the ideal frame for your riding style? Finding the perfect BMX fit is crucial, and it often starts with understanding top tube length.
For over two decades, I’ve been on a personal quest to find my perfect frame size. It’s a journey that began with a 20.5″ frame, and over the years, I’ve progressively moved towards longer top tubes.
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Currently, I ride a BSD Raider frame with a 21.6″ top tube length (TT), and for reference, I stand at 5’11”. This might seem unconventional when you compare it to typical BMX bike size charts you often find online, which are designed to guide you to the “correct” frame size. However, these charts may not be as definitive as you might think, and I’ll explain why shortly.
In this article, we’ll explore:
According to standard BMX size charts, someone my height would likely be directed towards a 20.75″ or 21″ frame. I’ve experimented with both, as well as a 21.25″, but my current 21.6″ setup feels absolutely spot on – the best I’ve ever experienced, to be honest.
About three or four years ago, I started paying closer attention to the frame sizes that professional BMX riders were using.
Why did I do this?
Because I noticed a trend: many top-tier pros were opting for surprisingly large frames. This observation came from analyzing their videos and social media posts.
Personally, I find that riders on slightly “larger” frames often exhibit a more stylish aesthetic. Of course, style is subjective, and I appreciate all forms of BMX shredding. Ultimately, in BMX, there’s no definitive right or wrong. It’s all about discovering what feels right and performs best for you.
But let’s get back to the topic of top tube length and BMX bike size charts.
Observing the pros sparked an idea. I decided to conduct a simple comparison, matching rider heights with their chosen frame sizes. This led me to delve into a common question among BMX riders:
Understanding the Traditional BMX Top Tube Length Guide
Let’s start by examining a typical BMX frame sizing guide for a 20″ wheel bike.
Important Note: It’s worth highlighting that most professional BMX riders don’t adhere strictly to these standard sizing recommendations. Many often ride frames that are longer than what these charts suggest.
| Rider Height | Top Tube Length |
|---|---|
| 4’8″ to 5’2″ | 18.5″ – 20″ |
| 5′ to 5’4″ | 20″ |
| 5’2″ to 5’6″ | 20.25″ |
| 5’4″ to 5’8″ | 20.5″ |
| 5’6″ to 6′ | 20.75″ |
| 5’8″ to 6’2″ | 21″ |
| 6’+ | 21.25″ |
What I want to emphasize is this: Don’t be afraid to consider a frame with a 0.25″ or even longer top tube than what’s suggested. In my experience, opting for a significantly longer frame has been beneficial and perfectly complements my riding style.
bmx top tube length
BUT, and this is a significant but…
Your riding style should be a primary factor in your frame choice.
Consider these questions:
- Are you primarily focused on highly technical street riding?
- Do you prefer the flow of trails and transitions in parks?
- Or do you enjoy a mix of everything BMX has to offer?
For instance, choosing a frame with a longer top tube (which I generally advocate for) combined with a long chainstay length might make super technical tricks slightly more challenging, especially for riders who aren’t particularly tall.
Note: For a comprehensive overview, check out my detailed BMX bike size chart guide.
Top Tube Length Considerations for Riders 6 Feet and Taller
According to the traditional chart, a 6-foot-tall rider would typically be matched with a 21.25″ top tube frame.
However, if you are over 6 feet, I would strongly suggest considering a 21.5″ TT frame as a starting point. And if you are exceptionally tall, venturing into the realm of a 22″ BMX bike might be the ideal step. This is something I haven’t explicitly stated before, but for very tall riders, it’s definitely a path worth exploring.
Note: Don’t miss my essential tips for tall BMX riders for more tailored advice.
Measuring Your BMX Top Tube Length Accurately
how to measure top tube length
If you’re uncertain about the top tube length of your current BMX bike, measuring it is straightforward. Simply measure from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat tube.
That’s all there is to it. This measurement will give you the accurate top tube length of your frame.
BMX Frame Sizes Preferred by the Pros
Let’s look at some examples from the pros to further challenge the standard BMX bike size chart.
Garrett Reynolds, who is 5’7″, rides a 20.75″ top tube frame. If we were to extrapolate based on his setup, I, at 5’11”, would theoretically need a 21.9″ top tube!
And considering Chad Kerley, his frame size would suggest I should be on a 22″! Have you ever noticed how substantial Chad’s bike looks, especially when he’s on it or standing next to it? Also, note the height of his front end – his bars are positioned around navel height.
Interestingly, this wasn’t always the case. In his earlier videos and bike checks, Chad used to ride a frame with a much smaller top tube and a lower front end.
Furthermore, taking Nathan Williams as another example, he stands at 5’10” and rides a 21.25″ TT frame. According to Nathan’s preference, my ideal frame size would be around 21.5″ – remarkably close to my current 21.6″ TT frame, and Nathan is indeed one of my favorite riders!
However, this direct frame-to-height comparison isn’t universally consistent across all pros. Comparing other professional riders might suggest a need for a smaller top tube than my current 21.6″. Yet, even these variations still deviate from the recommendations of traditional BMX bike size charts.
Note: Explore my extensive table detailing what size BMX bikes pro riders use for more insights.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right BMX Top Tube Length for You
While I advocate for experimenting and potentially choosing a longer frame than BMX bike size charts might initially suggest, I understand that this can seem daunting.
For me, transitioning to a longer top tube was a gradual and informed process, built upon trying and testing various TT lengths to pinpoint my ideal fit.
Remember, you don’t need to purchase multiple frames to discover your best size. A practical approach is to borrow bikes from your riding friends for a few sessions. Don’t limit it to just one try; ride their bikes over several sessions to truly get a feel for the different sizes.
Also, pay attention to details like chainstay length and whether your friend runs their rear wheel slammed in the dropouts or not. These factors can significantly influence how a frame feels and handles.
My final piece of advice: Be open to choosing a frame with a longer top tube! It worked for me, and it’s a path many top pros have successfully taken.
Further reading:
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About Author
Rok Krivec
Rok has been riding BMX for 20+ years, and when he’s not having a session, he binges on videos, new product drops and works on creating the best content (sharing tips, tricks & more to make riding bikes easier for you) for The BMX Dude.
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