So why is a ladies bike better for ladies

[BigonaBianchi]

I saw a bianchi dama in a shop and it looks great...erm...so then I ask myself why cant a lady just ride a smaller frame size normal bianchi or any brand of road bike...what is it exactly that is different on a so called ladies geometry bike......is it really so necessary....I know ladies who ride normal bikes perfectly ok...so is this just a marketing gimmick or is there a reason why???

 

[Binka]

Something to do with torso length in relation to leg length. Women's bikes often have a shorter reach.

 

[ttcycle]

Not such a big deal if you're 5ft3 and upwards but if you're very petite it can make a difference. It really is about fit I guess, some of the bikes have smaller shifters and narrower handlebars but often it's just the shrink it and pink it syndrome.

I just ride smaller framed bikes but have friends who can't fit on them. My favourite bike that got stolen replaced on insurance and stolen again was a women's specific Specialized- it was great but for me I'm not small enough to warrant it.

 

[Binka]

I'm 5ft 2" and had a nightmare of a time finding a bike that fits. Tried a 43cm Dawes tourer which was too big! But then a 49cm tricross was ok. I guess you've just got to try as many bikes and not worry about the label.

 

[theclaud]

the shrink it and pink it syndrome.

Do you mind if I use that?

 

[Oldspice]

Like TTCYCLE says it depends on size. Some chaps would be better suited to women's bikes and some women are better suited to men's.

I have a so called 'mans' bike but to me it is a bike that fits, straight out the box with out having to replace any parts or do any major adjustments.

I have found with women's bikes from some makers that they are a lower spec (and grosse paint job)but a higher price than the men's bikes,which is just plain wrong.

Get what ever makes you feel happy and try before you buy

 

[ttcycle]

Do you mind if I use that?

Go for it, not made up by me.

 

[ttcycle]

Like TTCYCLE says it depends on size. Some chaps would be better suited to women's bikes and some women are better suited to men's.

I have a so called 'mans' bike but to me it is a bike that fits, straight out the box with out having to replace any parts or do any major adjustments.

I have found with women's bikes from some makers that they are a lower spec (and grosse paint job)but a higher price than the men's bikes,which is just plain wrong.

Get what ever makes you feel happy and try before you buy

Yes completely agree with the rubbish paint jobs (pink, white, babyblue and turquoise anyone?!!) and lower spec for same money, very disappointing tbh

 

[Zakalwe]

They've got a wider saddle, a shorter stem, narrower bara and the name "Excalibur" has been replaced with a picture of a butterfly.

 

[vickster]

I have a 'unisex' road bike - which was built from frame up for me, so it fits in terms of bar width, stem length, saddle.

I also have a ladies road bike which fits me in terms of bar width, stem length, saddle (ok I changed the saddle to one I had) BUT it didn't cost me money to change the bars and stem.

I could have bought the same specced one from the men's range but to have the same length TT, I would have needed to change the bars and stem - probably cost £100 and the bike was the same price

I am 5'9 (and a bit) so I could have my pick of 54cm framed men's bikes but it suited me to get the ladies one - and it's not pink, mauve, baby blue - and EXACTLY the same spec as the men's bike for the same money - and I much preferred the colour of the women's bike (red). I think the spec-cost differential is less now from the big manufacturers, but there is much less choice of women's roadbikes which makes total sense and fewer women by far buy roadbikes.

As others have said, get whatever fits you, hits your budget and suits your aesthetic leanings. If I had only had £300 I would have perhaps bought a triban 3 - but I would likely have needed to spend further money to get it right Personally, I think most 'men's' bikes are a dull as dishwater, grey, silver, black anyone zzz

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

Very hot topic for me, as I'm in transition from MTB to RB, so in the search for the best first road bike (with very limited budget as well but that's a different topic ). I got so confussed and frustrated with so much choice! Currenty riding a Specialized Dolce, I was quite convinced about the "female geometry" theory! Now I'm convinced it's just an easy way to charge a bit more for exactly the same thing, by adding more female appealing designs and swaping a few things (that are meant to be swapt anyway..)
Well, after lots of searching and trying (I'm talking about hours and hours for months now!) I decided that in the end it comes down to two things: Saddle and stem! So, the way I see it now, any bike with the right size frame for ones hight/inseam will do!
At the moment I'm flirting with a Specialized Allez and a Gianty Defy, both "men's" or according to some "unisex" (if anybody has any feedback in favor of any of the two please share as I'm really stuck!! ) and planning to change saddle and possibly get a shorter stem..

 

[Zakalwe]

An Allez basically is a Dolce is it not?

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

An Allez basically is a Dolce is it not?

I'm far from being an expert.. but to me it feels the same (same spec as well if I'm not mistaken). OK the Dolce has this -not sure how it's called- 1/2 drop bar? And ofcourse their women specific sadle but bottom line, can't see the reason why I can find Allez for £500 and the cheapest Dolce retails for £650?

 

[Zakalwe]

A marketing guy might explain away the price difference by saying that they can offer a lower cost on a high selling Allez because they buy all the components in bulk from the manufacturer and pass the savings on to the customer. Unfortunately, these niche women's parts have to be bought in lower numbers, as well as short paint job runs, and this is reflected in the higher retail price for women's bikes.

Bottom line is people come in all shapes and sizes, quelle surprise, regardless of gender. Many men ride a bike with an 80mm stem and shallow drop bars, just because you have an outie rather than an innie doesn't mean you'll be more comfortable with a 120mm stem slammed to the head tube. Saddles are getting wider too, it's easy to find a 145mm wide saddle now marketed to men, they wouldn't be making them if they can't sell them. Every bike bought shoul need some tweaking to get the fit right, and a decent shop should be happy to mix and match a stem here and there or rotate the bars a bit to get you comfortable. After all, I you're comfortable riding you'll keep buying more kit.

 

[Davidc]

I learnt to ride on a ladies bike (ie one with no crossbar/ top tube) and used it from age 7 to 11, when at 5' 8" tall I outgrew it and my brother learnt to ride on it. As a learner's bike it was good. An old Humber (I think) with rod brakes, weighed a ton and unbendable. Not having a crossbar probably saved me and later my brother many bruises.

I was told that the reason for ladies bikes without a crossbar was that women ride in skirts. They did then (late 1950s early 60s) but I haven't seen that for years. Not being female I'm not qualified to comment further. I don't usually wear skirts on a bike either.