I'm 5'6 and am looking to buy a bike online - what size should i get?

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You need to sit on a bike to confirm that detail, so go to Halfords or your local bike shop and ask to try one or two but say you are planning to buy in the near future and just need to verify the size and type to go for. You must identify both the frame and wheel size that fits your requirement e.g. Mountain bikes can have small wheels whereas for touring or racing bikes you need large wheels. If your are still young and likely to grow taller go for the largest size that suits - say 17" frame Mountain bike.
 
Hello,
Can anyone let me know what size bike i should get - i'm a 5'6 female. i need to find a bike online not at a store so if you could you give me a rough estimate as a starting point that would be great.
Thanks
Katie
 
Well im a 5'11 guy and i ride a 19" frame. Try e-mailing Chain Reaction Cycles, they very good and im sure will be able to advise you, plus they've got a good selection of bikes. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
 
Do you know what bike you want? If you do, try sitting on one in a bike shop to try sizes. Many manufacturers calculate sizes slightly differently and also have differing top tube lenghts (affects how far away the handlebar feels). Very difficult as such to say "you are this height so need this size". You have not mentioned what type of bike - road and mtb will require different sizes. There are many women specific designs now that work on a longer leg, shorter torso than a mans bike is designed around. This doesn't always hold true though.
At 5'6, you would fall into the crossover for small/medium from some manufacturers (for an mtb), another lists XS (14), to S (16) as your size, do you see the problem?
All I can suggest is trying to get to a bike shop and sit on as many bikes as you can to find what feels right.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
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