Everything You Need to Know About Women's Bicycles
If you're a woman and are currently looking for your first bicycle, you've likely come across women's-specific bicycles. But are there really differences between men's and women's bicycles, or is it just a marketing ploy?
Unfortunately, there's no straightforward answer. Just because you're a woman, it doesn't mean you need a woman's bicycle. But on the flip side, a women's bicycle might be perfect for you!
Read on to find out the key differences and whether you should get a women's bicycle.
Why Do Women's Bicycles Exist?
While the history of women's cycling is often overlooked, it's deeply tied to feminism.
By giving women the opportunity for mobility, women were able to transform their role in society and play a more significant part in their community - a meaningful change that eventually led to women being able to travel solo and become independent members of society. Girl power!
Many years ago, men's bikes were considered the more athletic and practical option, while women's bicycles were smaller, lighter, and more suited to gentle riding in dresses. Today, that's thankfully no longer true, and now the difference comes down to how your bike fits, not how the manufacturer expects a female cyclist to ride.
In general, women's bicycles are designed for a body type that you may or may not fit into. Imagine your group of close female friends. Chances are, they all have very different body types. Some women have long legs and short torsos, while others have a stocky build. Some are short, and some are tall - the list of differences goes on and on.
Women's bicycles are created with the expectation that women are shorter than men, have narrower shoulders, longer legs (compared to their build), and shorter torsos. If that sounds like you, you can likely get a standard women's bicycle without too much fuss.
But, if that doesn't sound like your body type, a women's bicycle may not be for you.
When it comes down to it, what matters is how your bike fits - whether it's labelled as a women's bike, men's bike, or unisex doesn't make any difference. You shouldn't limit your options based on the label.
Can Men Ride a Women's Bicycle?
The unfortunate side-effect of gendered products is that sometimes, the product that actually suits you best isn't aligned with your gender. This can make men feel awkward or embarrassed if they realize a women's bicycle fits them better.
Teenage boys or men with a smaller stature might find that almost all components of a women's bicycle (except maybe the saddle) are actually a better fit for them than a men's or unisex bicycle.
Now that we're in an age where gender norms are more fluid than ever before, and people recognise the fact that a lot of men's vs. women's products come down to marketing, you should be able to get whatever kind of bike fits you better without feeling awkward about it.
Maybe manufacturers will catch up to this one day and stop gendering bicycles, but in the meantime, ignore what anyone else says and pick the bike that suits you best!
The Key Differences Between Men's vs. Women's Bicycles
The Frame Size on Men's vs. Women's Bicycles
A significant difference between men's and women's bicycles is the frame - and it's not simply shrunk down!
The "shrink and pink" strategy has come up repeatedly when marketers were targeting their products to women, but that's no longer the case when it comes to bikes. It's all about being better suited to the average woman's height and build.
Apart from being smaller, here are some of the other ways the bicycle's frame has been adapted for female cyclists:
- Because women are usually shorter than men, women's bikes have a shorter stack height (the vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube).
- A shorter reach length (the horizontal distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube) because women usually have shorter torsos.
- Narrower handlebars because women's shoulders aren't generally as broad as men's.
- Adjusted brake levers for smaller hands.
Women-specific Saddles
When you first begin cycling, you should expect your saddle to feel a bit uncomfortable for the first few rides - but if the discomfort is intense or doesn't go away, you can look into getting a women's saddle even if you have a unisex bike.
It goes without saying that men and women have different bits, but women also have wider hips than men. Women's saddles are designed to make your ride as comfortable as possible with these anatomical differences in mind.
Deciding whether to get a women's saddle or stick with a unisex saddle is a personal choice - and it all comes down to trial and error. Unfortunately, no one (except a professional bike fitter) can tell you for sure what kind of saddle will work for you.
Some women will find that a unisex or men's saddle suits them just fine, while others might need to try out several women's saddles until they find the perfect one.
The Frame Structure of Men's vs. Women's Bicycles
Men's bicycles will generally have a crossbar or step-over frame, while women's bikes will have a low-step or step-through frame. This is a lasting remnant of "ye ole days" when women would wear skirts or dresses to cycle.
Most women who cycle for sport or leisure won't wear a dress to ride, but if you primarily use your bicycle to commute, you may find that you'll be cycling in a skirt or dress. If you have any mobility issues (this goes for both men and women), a step-through is perfect for anyone who struggles to throw their leg over the saddle.
Like with all other aspects of women's specific bicycles, it all depends on what's most comfortable for you. If you never wear dresses while riding and have no problem with a step-over frame, then there's no reason to get a bicycle with a step-through frame unless you want one.
Should You Buy a Women's Bicycle?
The first women's bicycle was built in 1888, but nowadays, almost every major bicycle manufacturer offers a women's option. Whether or not you choose to buy one is entirely up to you, but here are some things to consider:
- How will you be using your bicycle? If you are commuting in a skirt or dress, you may want a women's frame.
- If a unisex or men's bicycle fits you, you may want to consider getting the frame and just swapping out components like the saddle or handlebar for a better fit.
- If you're unsure how your bike should fit, consider getting a professional bike fit for guidance.
- Whatever bike you want, don't go for the first one you find - try a couple of different ones from various manufacturers to get a feel for what fits best.
- Don't forget to budget for accessories! You'll want a helmet, a bottle cage, and some essential tools. Depending on how you're cycling, you'll also probably need some specific accessories for your unique needs. If your bicycle is covered with Velosure, you can insure custom parts fitted to your bicycle, (such as upgraded carbon handlebars or a dropper seat post), accessories (such as your cycling kit, GPS, or headlight) and additional wheelsets. Get a quick online quote from Velosure
