Size matters – Sizing guide for Pole Bicycles

There is nothing more satisfying than blasting around on a bike that fits you perfectly. A correctly sized bike becomes an extension of your body. So it’s really worth putting in some effort to find the bike that fits you best.

Pole bikes have been noted for our long and slack geometry and that is just one of the elements that will make riding a Pole a unique experience. We have done extensive testing and ridden our bikes in many different situations. This experience has allowed us to perfect our design and deliver what we consider to be the best bike in the world – right down to the sizing. With the right size Pole bike, you will have more confidence and will be inspired to tackle more technical and challenging trails every time you ride.

How our bikes are sized

On a bike with such progressive geometry, best sizing is a question we get asked a lot. So, we decided to updated our size naming convention. Instead of S, M, L, and XL we’ve replaced it K1, K2, K3, and K4 (K stands for Koko, which means size in Finnish)

Taking into consideration height crossovers, we have created a size chart matrix that not only covers the rider’s height but incorporates your riding style too. The result is a simple way for you to best choose the bike size to fit your needs.

For example;

• If you are between 160 and 170cm and looking for speed, we recommend the K1 size. If you prefer more style and agility in your ride, the K1 size will suit a rider between 165 and 175cm
• Between 170 to 180cm and you want speed, riders should choose the K2 size. For style, riders from 175 and 185cm can also choose size K2
• Riders between 180 and 190cm would be best suited to the K3 size for speed and riders from 185 to 195cm can choose the K3 for style and agility
• Taller riders between 190 and 200cm, K4 size would be best suited for their need for speed, and riders 195cm and above, K4 is more style

Everybody is different, some people have longer legs or arms than people of a similar height. So, some other factors can come into play when choosing the right frame size such as:

• Handlebar width
• Stem length
• Seat positioning
• Crank arm length

When choosing a Pole bike, you will notice that we are longer and slacker than most other bikes. We recommend that you stick to our guidelines when choosing a bike. Our bikes are designed so that the rider stands with less effort and in a more neutral position, with arms and legs slightly bent, between the axles. This neutral position provides a very balanced stable ride where rider input transferred to the right places. This offers exceptional, responsive control and grip.

Effective top tube, ETT

Effective top tube (ETT) describes the horizontal distance between the head tube and the seat tube. If you are a rider with long legs and short back or arms and you feel you are between sizes, it is advised you take the smaller size so that you get the maximum benefit from the bike. If you are in-between sizes, you can just move the saddle forward or backward or change the handlebars width and/or height. You can also change the stem length. Recommended stem lengths are between 30mm to 60mm.

Reach

Reach is the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube in a horizontal line.

Just like the ETT above, this refers to the length. The reach position concentrates more on where the rider stands over the bottom bracket. This position can be fine-tuned by;

• Changing the stem length (shorter or longer),
• Changing the handlebar height up or down to give you the best feeling position,
• Or by changing the handlebar width.

Standover height

Standover height is the distance from the ground to the top of the top tube. Pole bikes have a lot of standover height.  This gives you plenty of room between the rider and the frame when you put your feet on the ground. The standover height also allows for increased control and maneuverability, by allowing you room to tilt the frame between your legs when cornering and pedaling on technical terrain.   

Seat tube length

When out on the trails, you should find a position that allows you to maximize the power while at the same time being able to spin the cranks efficiently. If your seat is too low you won’t be able to use your leg muscles to their potential. Having your saddle too high will cause your hips to rock from side to side on the saddle and will stretch your muscles out, causing you to waste energy. Another area to take into consideration is that you can consider having longer cranks like 175mm, or 165mm depending on your inseam length. The shorter 165mm crank gives you better ground clearance but decreases your telescopic saddle drop by 10mm compared to 175mm cranks which give you more seat tube length. For taller riders, you might want to choose pedals that have more offset from the bike centerline (Q factor) to compensate for the hip-width that is different for all riders.

Fine-tuning the build

There are lots of other factors that go into building the ultimate bike. Choosing the correct parts is key. Stem length, handlebar width, or crank and seat post lengths all play a major role in this fine-tuning. We recommend wide handlebars in the region of 780mm. For stems, we believe that 30 to 60mm is the most effective.

Our team of experts is also on hand to improve and fine-tune the fit of the bike for you. These adjustments might include;

• Raising, lowering, or changing the angle of the saddle
• Moving it further forward or backward on the rails
• And/or adjusting your handlebar height

If you would like advice on what other parts would best suit your riding (for example wheels or tires), we’re more than happy to offer our personal advice based on our extensive testing and experience.

We are here to help

If you have any questions or would like more advice on what size frame to choose, please feel free to contact us via service@polebicycles.com. You are also welcome to apply for membership in Pole Bicycle Riders Group on Facebook. Our experts will be able to tell if the bike you are considering is the right size and can make recommendations.
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