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Ask a Chick :: Should I buy a women’s specific mountain bike?

30 June 2013 by mtbchick 2 Comments

Dear mtbchick,

I am a beginner rider wanting to buy a mountain bike. I’m researching bikes, and I don’t know if I should buy a women’s bike or a men’s bike. Please help!

-Confused

Dear Confused:

You are not alone in your state of wonder when it comes to whether or not you should buy a women’s specific bike.

It depends. If that sounds like an answer a financial advisor would give, it’s for good reason. As a rider I have mixed feelings about women’s specific bicycles– some fit well, some are designed by plugging numbers into a computer program. Here are the Pros and Cons of women’s bikes:

Cons:

1. Funky geometry.  Many women’s specific mountain bikes and women’s specific bikes in general (women’s specific road bikes included) have funky geometry due to being designed by an engineer who is plugging in numbers in CAD or a similar program attempting to fit a men’s bike to a woman’s body. It seems that women have never been consulted in some instances.

I’ve tested one brand’s lineup, and my friend also tested this line, and found they were awfully awkward with incorrect trail and super narrow handlebars on a 29er. This causes a floppy wheel, and can be dangerous in switchbacks or slow handling situations. Incorrect geometry can cause the bike to steer with a jerky feel, and to be unsafe in switchbacks.

There have been instances during private lessons where I have been saying the same thing over and over to my student, such as “really bend your elbows and pump the bike, dance with her, move her… ” to no avail. When I jump on the bike myself I see that it’s not the student, but the bike. Some bikes are just built incorrectly, making safe and comfortable riding impossible.

2. Weight. Manufacturers continually offer sub-par bikes for women with less than top of the line components. Is it because the geometry is sub-par, and they realize any woman who in in the know will purchase the regular bike no matter what? I wonder. A women’s cross country bike or hardtail bike that weighs over 20 pounds needs to be questioned. A women’s trail bike that weighs over 23 pounds needs to be questioned. Let’s revisit physics: a woman typically weighs less and has a lower power to weight ratio than a man, yet her bike typically weighs more as a percentage of her body weight. That means in general a woman has to be stronger than a man. If a man’s bike weighs 20 pounds, a woman’s bike needs to weigh 14 pounds, all things being equal. But factor in typical power to weight ratio, and you can subtract a pound or two.

The bottom line is that women need a lighter bike, and most women’s specific bikes are tanks. No thanks.

3. Not tested.  I’ve ridden a few women’s specific bikes that clearly were not tested on the trail. A floppy wheel is dangerous, and I find it common on women’s specific mountain bikes, even 26 inch bikes. There are plenty of women out here who are willing to test bikes, and perhaps even provide feedback without publishing their negative findings to the public domain. Call us. We can help. For the love of bikes.

Pros:

1. Smaller sizing. Santa Cruz did not make it’s original Tall Boy 29er full suspension bike in a small. I rode the medium and it was too big, but I almost would have the bike due simply to its incredible handling. What a fun bike. Alas, many women are under 5 feet tall. So there is little choice other than a women’s specific bike. Do you need stand over? Some standover is definitely necessary, but nowadays I don’t think we really need the 2-4″ we needed in the ’90s. I ride bikes just at my inseam with zero issue. The main issue is being stretched out too far in the torso and arms. At this point, do we need to look at building a 25″ bike for women? Why not? Another wheel size, another day.

2. Lighter frame.  All the talk about weight above and one thing some manufacturers are doing is creating a stiff yet light frame for women. We don’t need a bike that can hold up to a 175 pound man. So how much difference is there in weight? I have not gotten to the nitty gritty, but I can assure you we don’t need quite the tough frame. More research and riding is necessary to find actual numbers, but let’s just say women’s frames can, and should, be lighter. Even when doing drops on the double black diamond trails in Mammoth, I felt I could be on a lighter frame. In fact, I feel having a lighter bike in general would be easier to handle over drops.

Debunking a Few of The Myth of Women’s Specific Bikes

1. Narrow Handlebars. While it may have been relevant in the 90’s. Narrow handlebars are typically not the answer. Especially with a 29er. Wide handlebars lend leverage and stability. Wide handlebars also allow the rider to spread the chest for easier breathing. Make sure you can still ride switchbacks, but wide handlebars are comfortable and safer than bars which are too narrow.

2. Short Top Tube. It’s not the top tube you need to pay attention to, it’s the reach from the saddle to the bar. You absolutely cannot look at geometry charts to know whether or not a bike will fit you correctly. You need to sit on the bike, ride it, and decide if the stem that fits you allows for proper handling.

3. Upright is Better. Upright mountain bikes are squirrelly and less stable. There is a reason for the aggressive geometry. Aggressive geometry allows you to get into the correct position for technical terrain. Even if your terrain is a bike path. It’s all about your center of gravity. Higher center of gravity is going to be unstable. With a properly fitted saddle, you can ride a more aggressive position on a mountain bike. On a road bike, upright positions are downright dangerous– especially when descending. If you’ve ever experienced speed wobbles, it’s because you are not low enough (get into the drops and lower your upper body).

Bottom Line.

You’ve got to buy what feels right, and you can’t do that until you ride a few bikes. Demo bikes proliferate, and certain web sites have great return policies allowing you to buy and try and return if necessary. You may find an extra small bike fits and handles better than a small women’s specific bike.

When you try a bike at a public demo, ensure the mechanic fits the bike to you: proper stem, saddle and shock settings before you make a decision. If you find yourself trying a bike and needing feedback, contact mtbchick immediately. tonya@mtbchick.com. We will do what we can to help. No matter what, the bike needs to feel good to you, so you will ride more and be a happier person!

namaste

~mtchick

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Filed Under: Ask-a-Chick, News + Views

Q: I am wondering what would be a good entry level mountain bike for my wife?

7 September 2011 by mtbchick Leave a Comment

Q: I am wondering what would be a good entry level mountain bike for my wife?

Q:

Hey mtbchick!

i am wondering what would be a good entry level mountain bike for my wife? she has had a big box store roadmaster womens bike forever, and she is ready to move up to something that doesn’t weigh close to that of a Abrams tank.

i am a fan of trek bikes and was looking at the trek 820 WSD, but was wondering if there is something along the same lines we should check out? we originally had a budget of 200 but if i can get a new trek for 300ish we may go that route.

thoughts comments ideas?

A:

Dear Gracious Husband,

It definitely sounds like your wife is ready for an upgrade! And something lighter than a tank, certainly!

The Trek 820 WSD (Women's Specific Design).

Before I can answer conclusively yes or no about the Trek 820 WSD , I’d have to know more about riding terrain, style and plans for the future. While the 820 is a great bike, it is not necessarily a mountain bike. The 820 can go on dirt roads fairly well, but when it comes to singletrack, the bike is too upright to descend safely. A bike that is upright will also give trouble climbing singletrack and steep grades– a rider simply can’t get into a strong position if the front end of the bike is too high. Since I do not know what your riding trails or options are, it is difficult for me to definitively answer yes or no.

The Trek 820.

If your wife plans to stick to dirt roads, pavement and an occasional flat trail, the 820 would be a great choice. If her desire is to venture into singletrack, I would suggest something a tad more bold in design. This may take you out of your price range, at least for a new bike. The men’s 820 may be a tad more aggressive, and more suitable due to having a more normal top tube than the seriously sloping top tube on the women’s bike.

For singletrack trail riding, I like the Specialized Myka, which prices around $450-$500 is a great entry level mountain bike which can handle singeltrack. Here is one for sale on eBay.

Which bike you purchase should also be dependent upon the bike shop with which you choose to do business. If you prefer your local Trek dealer, and your wife likes the shop, work with that shop to find the proper bike. They may also be able to help you find a closeout deal on a bike; do not be afraid to ask.

Here are the next steps:

1. Determine which style of bike your wife prefers: a mountain bike, or a versatile road/path/dirt bike. That will largely determine your choices.

2. Decide on the bike shop. Brand is personal preference, but your bike shop is your hub, your lifeline, so choose wisely!

3. Determine size and price. If your absolute top is $300, then go for the Trek 820 WSD, it is a great bike. Or find a used bike on eBay or Craigslist (you lose customer service in what you gain in savings).

Good luck, and hope to see you and your wife on the trails soon!

~mtbchick

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Filed Under: Ask-a-Chick, News + Views

Dear mtbchick, Are you supposed to wear underwear with bike shorts? -Chamois Chaffed

7 October 2009 by mtbchick Leave a Comment

Dear mtbchick, Are you supposed to wear underwear with bike shorts? -Chamois Chaffed

Dear Chamois Chaffed,

For anyone just getting in to the sport of cycling, this is typically the first question, right after, “Do I HAVE to wear lycra bike shorts?” (No, you don’t, trust me, however, you will be glad you made the switch!)

The synthetic chamois designed to be worn against your skin!
The synthetic chamois designed to be worn against your skin!

It may come as a surprise to some, yet there is no need to wear underwear with cycling shorts.  Bike shorts are designed to work best without an extra layer and extra seams.  Besides, panty lines or underwear lines are unsightly.  The design of the chamois, or “pad”, is such that there are no seams where the body hits the saddle.  Another way to look at this is the less you have to put in between your body and your saddle, the better off you are.  Which lends itself to another discussion about the size of the saddle and the chamois.

Additionally, chamois creme was developed to eliminate chaffing and saddle sores. Most chamois cremes are anti-bacterial and have some sort of cooling ingredient to help keep you comfortable. Apply chamois creme liberally to yourself and your chamois, and enjoy the ride!

I don’t want you to feel silly if you are currently wearing underwear with your bike shorts. It wasn’t

Smoothness all along the backside... no panty lines!
Smoothness all along the backside... no panty lines!

long before a good female friend whispered in my ear, “you’re not supposed to wear underwear with your cycling shorts!” The first time I felt so taboo, so naked, but after using chamois creme and understanding the “why”, I never went back, and I am forever grateful to my friend. Trust me, you are going to love it!

Now you know! No underwear with cycling shorts!

-mtbchick

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Filed Under: Ask-a-Chick, News + Views Tagged With: cycling shorts, underwear with bike shorts

Ask-a-Chick

9 September 2009 by mtbchick 3 Comments

Have questions about cycling, mountain biking, equipment, or anything bike-life related? Send it over to mtbchick, and we’ll get you dialed in!

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Filed Under: Ask-a-Chick

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