Did you know that choosing the wrong road bike size can ruin your cycling experience?
An ill-fitting bike doesn’t just make you uncomfortable—it reduces efficiency, affects handling, and can even cause long-term injuries. That’s why finding the right fit is just as important as choosing the right bike model.
Whether you’re upgrading your first road bicycle or looking to fine-tune your riding position, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about road bike sizing.
From understanding road bike types to using a road bike size chart, you’ll discover how to pick the perfect frame that matches your body and riding style.
Types of Road Bikes
Before choosing a size, it helps to understand the main road bike categories. In Singapore, the two most popular options are performance road bikes and all-rounder road bikes.
Performance Road Bike
A performance road bike is also known as a racing bike which focuses more on the speed of the bike and enables the riders to go down the road with minimal losses. A performance road bike geometry is usually stiff, lightweight, and aerodynamic because it’s manufactured with carbon fiber.
An example of a performance road bike is:
All-Rounder Bike
An All-rounder bike is usually used for climbing with a slightly more relaxed riding position than a performance bike.
It can be ridden on smooth paved roads but is also decent enough for off-road travel. The frameset materials are also made with carbon fiber, alloy, or for a cheaper option using steel.
Polygon’s all-rounder bike uses the mixed material of alloy frame and carbon fork. Hence, it’s still rigid, lightweight, and aerodynamic, although still different from a performance bike; it excels in its field.
Some examples of an all-rounder road bike are:
Road Bike Sizing Guide
Here’s a general guide for Polygon Road bikes based on rider height. You will have to choose the road bike size based on your height and match it with the road bike size chart below:
| Rider’s Height (in Centimetres) | Road Bike Frame Sizing Guide |
| 154cm to 164cm | XS |
| 162cm to 170cm | S |
| 168cm to 176cm | M |
| 174cm to 181cm | L |
| 180cm to 187cm | XL |
| 185cm to 195cm | XXL |
Note that each bike manufacturer might have different measurements; the road bike size chart above is a measurement based on road bike size Polygon.
The XS to XXL sizing is only available for Polygon Strattos Disc (performance bike) series. As for Helios A0 AXS (another type of performance road bike), it also comes with the following:
| Rider’s Height (in Centimeters) | Road Bike Frame Sizing Guide |
| 143-153 | XXXS |
| 151-161 | XXS |
| 154-164 | XS |
| 162-170 | S |
| 168-176 | M |
| 174-181 | L |
| 180-187 | XL |
Anatomy of a Road Bike Frame
Before you choose a size, it helps to know the key parts of a road bike frame that affect fit and comfort. Here are the main ones you should know:
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Seat Tube
This is the vertical tube that runs from the bottom bracket (where the pedals connect) up to the saddle. Road bike size chart are often based on the seat tube length, which is why you’ll see measurements in centimeters on a road bike size chart.
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Top Tube
The top tube runs horizontally from the seat tube to the head tube (where the handlebars are connected). Its length affects how far you need to reach forward when riding. A longer top tube gives you a more aggressive position, while a shorter one feels more relaxed.
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Head Tube
The short vertical tube at the front of the bike that connects to the handlebars. A taller head tube raises the handlebars for a more upright and comfortable ride, while a shorter head tube lowers them for a racing-style position.
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Bottom Bracket
This is where the crankset (pedals and chainrings) attaches. While it doesn’t affect sizing directly, its placement impacts pedaling efficiency and bike handling.
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Chainstay
These are the tubes connecting the bottom bracket to the rear wheel. Longer chainstays make the road bicycle more stable, while shorter ones feel quicker and more responsive.
Why this matters: Understanding these parts will help you make sense of geometry charts and size guides. When you compare bikes in Singapore, you’ll notice that even if two models share the same size label (like “M” or “54cm”), their frame geometry may feel very different.
How to Find the Right Road Bike Size
To get the right measurement for you, aside from looking at the road bike size chart, you will have to do some of the followings:
1. Stand-Over Height
This is the distance between the ground and your bike’s top tube. Ideally, there should be a small gap (a few centimeters) between the tube and your crotch when standing barefoot over the bike. Too much gap = bike too small. No gap = bike too big.
2. Saddle Position
Your saddle should allow you to sit comfortably with your toes touching the ground. If your whole foot touches, the saddle is too low; if you can’t reach at all, it’s too high. For efficiency:
- Keep a slight bend in your knee when your foot is on the pedal.
- Make sure the saddle is level (not tilted forward or backward).
3. Reach to Handlebars
Reach is the distance from the saddle to the handlebar. The right reach depends on your arm and torso length. A quick test:
- Sit on the saddle with hands on the bars.
- If the front wheel axle is hidden from your view, the reach is correct.
- If you see the axle clearly, the reach might be too long.
Over-adjusting your reach can affect handling—too long makes steering sluggish, while too short makes it twitchy.
Read also:
New Helios A road Bike Series vs Previous Gen
7 Road Bikes You Must Have in Singapore for 2025
Conclusion
When it comes to finding your ideal road bike, size matters just as much as performance. At Rodalink Singapore, you’ll find a wide selection of Polygon road bikes, from the lightweight Helios A to the versatile Strattos series.
Not sure which size fits you best? Rodalink’s professional team can guide you using the road bike size chart and even help with adjustments for a tailored fit.
Plus, enjoy the convenience of a one-stop cycling store, flexible payment options like ShopBack 0% installment, Atome Pay Later, and a full range of bikes, parts, and apparel.
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