Are cyclists bigger than the average population?

[SkipdiverJohn]

Just looked at a posting by @biggs682 in the Vintage section, where yet another HUGE framed classic steel machine has turned up. A quick browse of sites such as eBay and Gumtree will reveal loads of these extra large steel frames looking for new owners. When you consider the average size of a grown adult, there seems to be a disproportionate number of really large frame bikes in relation to the height distribution of the population. That begs the question; are cyclists typically taller than average, and are tall people more attracted to cycling than short people?

 

[Racing roadkill]

Small frames and miles of seatpost are a relatively new thing, bigger frames used to be the norm.

 

[classic33]

Sloping top tubes help in gettin on/off.

I'd a 25 inch framed bike. Now I'm down to a 22, under "modern rules".

 

[Globalti]

The fashion for smaller frames is also being driven by pros, who, I believe, often go down a size then fit a longer stem.

 

[raleighnut]

It was due to the 'free milk' we got at school in the 60s, shame the witch stopped it in 74.

 

[biggs682]

Just looked at a posting by @biggs682 in the Vintage section, where yet another HUGE framed classic steel machine has turned up. A quick browse of sites such as eBay and Gumtree will reveal loads of these extra large steel frames looking for new owners. When you consider the average size of a grown adult, there seems to be a disproportionate number of really large frame bikes in relation to the height distribution of the population. That begs the question; are cyclists typically taller than average, and are tall people more attracted to cycling than short people?

Well i am 5ft 10" and can just about straddle a 25" frame and in fact i prefer the bigger sized bikes for some reason they just ride a bit nicer in my mind

 

[berty bassett]

tall people fall off more as they are top heavy , they get fed up and sell their bikes while us shorties keep trusty steeds

 

[Tin Pot]

Just looked at a posting by @biggs682 in the Vintage section, where yet another HUGE framed classic steel machine has turned up. A quick browse of sites such as eBay and Gumtree will reveal loads of these extra large steel frames looking for new owners. When you consider the average size of a grown adult, there seems to be a disproportionate number of really large frame bikes in relation to the height distribution of the population. That begs the question; are cyclists typically taller than average, and are tall people more attracted to cycling than short people?

People, I mean men of course, don’t like anything labelled small and won’t buy them. This means that there is a huge amount of oversized product in general, not bikes uniquely.

 

[Brandane]

It was due to the 'free milk' we got at school in the 60s, shame the witch stopped it in 74.

Aye, that Harold Wilson was a real witch!

 

[raleighnut]

Aye, that Harold Wilson was a real witch!

I was referring to the 'Milk Snatcher'

 

[Drago]

Inn the seventies the milk was probably laced with sedatives anyway.

I think @Globalti's explanation above is probably spot on.

 

[Brandane]

I was referring to the 'Milk Snatcher'

I was just being pedantic , but I think "Oor Maggie" (only kiddin'), came along in the late 70's..

 

[Hitchington]

Inn the seventies the milk was probably laced with sedatives anyway.

I'm pretty sure mine was cut with ketamine

 

[davidphilips]

Dont know about cyclists being taller or smaller than average but they are perhaps fitter than average?

 

[Will Spin]

I'm 15% smaller since I started cycling regularly.