If you’ve followed the directions, your bike should feel great. Set up all your mountain and BMX bikes the same way.

To make your next bike purchase or setup easier, gather some info:

Take pictures of your bikes.

Get as far away from the bike as you can, with the camera level with the middle of the bike. This gives the most accurate perspective.

Write down as many of these measurements as you can.

This will help you maintain a good fit on your bike, and it will help you set up your new bikes.

Rider area distance: Measure from the middle of the bottom bracket to the middle of the grips. For greatest accuracy:

Run a string from the middle (horizontally) of one grip to the middle of the other grip. You can tape it to tops of the grips.

Run your tape measure from the middle of the crank bolt, along the frame, to the string.

Move the end of the tape down a bit so it’s in line with the absolute center of the grips.

Note the distance.

Rider area angle: This is easiest to measure in a photo. Another option:

Run a string from the crank bolt to the string you taped to the grips, then use an app on your phone to measure the angle.

Reach: Horizontal distance from the middle of your bottom bracket to the middle of the grip.

Hang a plumb bob from your bottom bracket to the ground and mark that point on the ground.

Hang a plumb bob from your grip to the ground and mark that point on the ground.

Measure the distance between the marks.

Rise: Vertical distance from the middle of your bottom bracket to the middle of the grip.

Measure from the grip to the ground, then subtract your bottom bracket height.

When you look for a new bike, make sure you can achieve your desired rider area. This can be done with any combination of frame size, stem, bars and spacers. 

The “reach” and “stack” of a bike frame are the horizontal and vertical distances between the bottom bracket and the top of the head tube. This is the most important fit measurement (from a shredding standpoint). Only the best bike makers publish these numbers. When you shop for a new bike, look for similar reach and stack. Make adjustments with your stem and bars. When possible, opt for a longer frame and a shorter stem.