A pile of yellow, green, pink, and blue measuring tapes coiled around each other

Quick Guide: How To Measure Your X-Seam For A Recumbent Bike

The X-Seam measurement is the best way to determine sizing for a recumbent trike or quad

cycle. Our recumbent cycles feature adjustability to accommodate riders of varying heights and leg lengths to ensure comfort and optimal seating and positioning.


Materials you will need

  • Tape measure
  • Board – approximately 36” in length
  • Wall to lean the board against
  • Box

Instructions

  1. Step One: lean the board against the wall and move the bottom of the board approximately 16 inches from the bottom of the wall to simulate the backrest angle of a recumbent cycle’s seat back.
  2. Step Two: Sit on the floor, positioning yourself whereby your lower back is gently touching the bottom of the board. Lean back toward the wall behind you to rest your back against the board.
  3. Step Three: Place your legs straight out in front of you and put the box in such a position that when you extend your legs with your toes pointed straight upward, you push the box outward away from your hips until your legs are fully extended with no bend of your knees. Your toes should be straight up so the box is resting flat against the bottom of your feet.
  4. Step Four: Without moving the box or the board, move your body away from the box and board. Measure the distance between the bottom of the board and the box. This distance between the board and the box is your X-seam measurement.

You may reference the image below as your guide

Simple graphic of a person sitting on leaned back at an angle of 60° with a box at their feet, demonstrating x-seam meaurement
Interested in learning more about adaptive bikes? Our Comprehensive Guide To Adaptive Bikes covers a high level overview of all things adaptive cycles, otherwise, you can head over to this page to take a look at all of our articles and resources!
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