Find the perfect bike for shorter riders, with the help of this expert guide from Cyclescheme - the UK's leading cycle to work scheme.

Adult height follows a normal distribution: most people are fairly close to average, with fewer tall or short. The fact that shorter people are in a minority can make it harder to find bikes to suit; not all manufacturers bother to cater for what is after all a small (so to speak) market. But don't give up. Nearly everyone can find a bike to suit.

The sizing minefield

There’s no standard way of describing the size of a bike. Bikes are typically sized by the seat tube length, which tells you nothing about whether you’ll be able to comfortably reach the handlebar. Designations of Small, Medium, and Large are more useful. Better yet, many manufacturers give recommended height ranges. Since you might prefer one size bigger or smaller, depending on how you like to sit on the bike, the best option is to try for size in store.

A sense of proportion

Two people of the same height can easily have considerably different proportions – one may have long legs and a short torso, another may have a long body and short legs. They're unlikely to be comfortable on the same bike, or one set up in the same way.

Scaling it down

Shorter cyclists don’t just need a smaller frame size; they also need components scaled down to suit, most obviously the wheels. Squeezing big wheels into a small frame can result in compromised frame geometry that spoils comfort or handling, or makes the front wheel hit your feet on tight turns. Consider bikes with 650B/27.5in wheels rather than 700C/29er, especially if you want a drop handlebar. Shorter cranks (160-165mm) will make pedalling more comfortable, while brake levers must be within reach of shorter fingers. A narrower width handlebar suits someone with narrower shoulders.

Kids' stuff

If you're very short and slight, take a look at bikes designed for youngsters. Small adult riders sometimes get on well with bikes from the teenage end of children's bike ranges. Manufacturers like Islabikes produce lightweight kids' bikes that match adult bikes in specification. But bear in mind that most short adults are significantly heavier than similar height children.

Fine tuning

There are a lot of small changes that can be made to a bike to improve the fit. Seat height is just the start. You can also move the saddle fore and aft on the seatpost. There's also the possibility of swapping between layback (with the saddle clamp behind the axis of the post) and inline (as the name suggests) posts.

At the front, there's scope to swap the stem for a different length or rise. Typically stem lengths go up with bike size, but most bikes can be fitted with a shorter stem than standard without upsetting the handling. Handlebars with more sweep also make a difference, and so does bar width – if your hands are further apart, you'll have to lean forward more to reach the bars.

Most modern bikes have clamp-on stems that aren't as readily adjustable as the old-fashioned quill type. But you can still usually alter the height of the bars by rearranging spacers above and below the stem and/or flipping the stem over.

Whyte Carnaby Compact

Flat handlebar bikes fit bigger wheels into smaller frames than those with drop bars because the frames are longer. So despite 700C wheels, Whyte’s smallest size Carnaby Compact hybrid fits riders down to 5ft/1.52m. The Compact part of the name tells you that the bike is meant for cyclists who prefer a slightly shorter reach, as many women do. It also has a lower standover height. For an inexpensive hybrid, it’s lightweight – just 10.6kg – making it easier for a smaller rider to manoeuvre.

Trek Roscoe 6 Women’s

Women’s bikes tend to be given pastel colours and wider saddles. The main difference, however, is that they’re available in smaller sizes, since women are on average shorter. Short men or boys can also sometimes get a better fit on so-called women’s bikes. The XS size of this bike fits riders down to just 4ft 6in (1.37m). It comes with short-reach brake levers and cranks 5mm shorter than the larger models. Plus-size tyres are comfortable and capable off-road. It can be equipped with a pannier rack and a kickstand for commuting.

Brompton S2L

Although only available in one frame size, the design of the Brompton (like many compact folders) lends itself to a huge range of seat height adjustment. Taller riders can specify a longer or telescopic seatpost and higher-rise handlebars. Shorter riders will fit better with the flat S-type handlebar and the standard seatpost. Be sure to buy the Seat Heigh Insert (£8.50) so you can quickly raise the sadddle to just the right height for you when unfolding. The 2-speed is scarcely heavier or more expensive than the singlespeed but has a useful extra gear.

Kona Rove NRB

Kona’s Rove NRB gravel bike has 650B wheels, which are an inch and half smaller in diameter in 700C. This is primarily so that the bike can more easily accommodate fatter, bump-friendlier tyres. But it also makes possible a smaller smallest size: the 46cm model fits riders down to 4ft 10in (1.47m). In this size, it has 165mm cranks rather than 170mm – a welcome change. The brakes are reach-adjustable, and at just 10kg it’s light enough for a petite rider to pick up easily. It has frame fittings for mudguards and racks.

Cube Compact Hybrid 

Like the Brompton, Cube’s dinky urban e-bike has a one-size-fits-all frame and small wheels, in this case 20in diameter. It’s not a folder as such, although the handlebar can be turned sideways independently of the front wheel so it takes up less room. It comes equipped with everything you need for commuting. Like most e-bikes it’s quite heavy, but the battery and crank motor are low down for better stability, and the frame design makes it easy to get on and off – and to pick up.