Large kids bikes utilize 26” wheels as the last step before tweens are ready to make the jump to adult sized bikes. Kids can continue to build up their riding confidence and skills on 26” wheels and switch later on to bigger mountain bikes. While the old standard for mountain bikes was 26”, the cycling world has embraced larger wheels because of their improved traction and ability to roll over obstacles.
If stack height feels too high or low, it can be adjusted with headset spacers or handlebar rise to fit the specific rider. Too much reach and you’ll be leaning too far forward while in the normal riding position. Short reach means the huffy cruiser bike handlebars are relatively close to your body— riders can feel overly upright with not enough weight over the bottom bracket to pedal efficiently. A great 20-inch mountain bike to inspire him to explore trails outside the neighborhood.
The medium 27.5” wheel size is ideal for riders nimble handling for better agility. Take an updated measurement of your height (or have a friend help you) and compare it to our mountain bike size chart to find out which frame size works best for you. Riders under 5’5” fit best on either S or XS mountain bike frames, depending on which of those sizes are available. Check out our mountain bike size chart for an exact recommendation.
MTB frame designs today have quite low standover heights, so it’s never a worry that it’ll be difficult to swing your leg over the frame to mount the bike or that you won’t be able to comfortably straddle the frame. That said, always check you have enough clearance to allow for quick and safe dismounts. Bike manufacturers like Trek and Giant have realized that matching smaller wheels to smaller frames can make for a better overall fit. Trek’s Smart Wheel Size approach pairs 29” wheels with M, L, and XL frames and puts 27.5” wheels on XS and S frame sizes.
A longer wheelbase is more stable and is easier to control at high speeds, useful for steep descents or fast trails. Shorter wheelbases means the bike is a bit more compact and will be more maneuverable on technical terrain and around tricky obstacles. Choose the smaller size if… you are a less aggressive rider or desire a more upright riding position and nimble bike handling. This 21-speed mountain bike shifts into gear with ease on tires that handle whichever path you choose to ride. Adventure calls…what better way to answer than with this men’s 24-inch hardtail mountain bike from Huffy! This bike has the right specs for a great ride, every time.
Standover height relates to how high the top tube is when you are straddling the bike with your feet on the ground. It’s like when you stop at a stop sign and hop off the saddle to stand over your bike frame— there should be at least 2” of clearance between the top tube and your groin. Every frame is different, so it’s important to test ride a few models to get a real feel of how they match your body and riding style. Later in this guide, we’ll break down the most important elements of frame geometry and what to look out for. At their peak, the bicycle division manufactured over two million bicycles per year and were the largest bicycle manufacturing company outside Asia. In 1970, the Huffy Corporation was founded as an umbrella company to house the Huffy Bicycle division, as well as Huffman Manufacturing Company’s emerging sporting goods line.
Some brands claim that 27.5” wheels are especially useful for riders 5’7” and under. Most models share the same wheel size across the various frame options, but some brands put smaller wheels on their XS or S frames. Large 29” wheels are appropriate for all adults, but smaller riders might find them a bit unwieldy. A medium mountain bike typically has a frame size of between 16” to 18”. Reach determines how far riders need to lean forward to grab the handlebars while standing on the pedals.
Keep reading to learn about mountain bike geometry and what to do if you are stuck between two sizes. There are so many bike shapes, sizes, and designs available, so head over to our catalog to shop all mountain bikes. In mid-1968, Huffman released the Flaming Stack chain guard, which was designed to look like the distinctive side exhaust pipe covers on the Corvette sports car.
Feeling cramped, high knees while pedaling, and sitting too upright can be signs that your bike is too small. The reach, or horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube, should be long enough that you can have a good range of motion both in and out of the saddle. The company lost much of its market share in the 1980s after failing to capitalize on the mountain-bike craze and losing its appeal to younger bikers. Huffy, which makes bicycles and basketball backboards, has suffered in recent years because of competition from foreign manufacturers.
Even with all the information and advice out there, there’s nothing like test riding the real thing. If you’re still undecided on which size is right for you or want some additional assistance, our bike experts are ready to help. There can be a little bit of number crunching when it comes to frame geometry, but understanding these metrics is key to getting the most out of your bike. There’s plenty to geek out on but don’t worry, we won’t go too far down the rabbit hole. Sizing down is the right option for people that want a more relaxed, comfortable riding position or like agile and responsive bike handling. The design, product development and marketing (majority of all business functions) for Huffy is based in Dayton, Ohio.
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