• The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Is there problems with women riding mens bikes?

Aug 6, 2009
35
0
0
Visit site
I was out riding my dads old bike the other day because mine is too small and havnt ridden it in years. I was wonding is there problems with women riding mens bikes because they are positioned different, or does it not matter.
 
Jul 17, 2009
4,316
2
0
Visit site
hayleyy said:
I was out riding my dads old bike the other day because mine is too small and havnt ridden it in years. I was wonding is there problems with women riding mens bikes because they are positioned different, or does it not matter.

more to do with smaller frame sizing building around a 700 wheel
 
Jun 9, 2009
403
0
0
Visit site
The primary difference between men's and women's road bikes is that women's bikes have a shorter top tube in relation to the length of the seat tube. The design accounts for the fact that women typically have longer legs and shorter torsos than men of the same height. It used to be that women would ride shorter stems to achieve the proper position on men's bikes, but this compromised the handling characteristics. Thus, women specific geometry bikes were designed.

If a woman has a long torso, she may likely fit better on a men's bike. If a man has proportionally long legs, he might fit better on a women's bike (a tough sell for your local shop).

If you are curious about the fit of your dad's bike, take it to the best fit specialist in your town and have him assess your position.
 
Mar 13, 2009
2,890
0
0
Visit site
David Suro said:
The primary difference between men's and women's road bikes is that women's bikes have a shorter top tube in relation to the length of the seat tube. The design accounts for the fact that women typically have longer legs and shorter torsos than men of the same height. It used to be that women would ride shorter stems to achieve the proper position on men's bikes, but this compromised the handling characteristics. Thus, women specific geometry bikes were designed.

If a woman has a long torso, she may likely fit better on a men's bike. If a man has proportionally long legs, he might fit better on a women's bike (a tough sell for your local shop).

If you are curious about the fit of your dad's bike, take it to the best fit specialist in your town and have him assess your position.

top response
 
hayleyy said:
I was out riding my dads old bike the other day because mine is too small and havnt ridden it in years. I was wonding is there problems with women riding mens bikes because they are positioned different, or does it not matter.

In the last year 4 women in my office have purchased road bikes. 3 of the 4 ended up on men's frames because they preferred the ride and fit of the men's over the women's geometry. So it comes down to personal preferences and bike fit.
 
Jul 10, 2009
6
0
0
Visit site
I think smaller women benefit more from women's frames. If you are a taller bigger rider than men's frames can be just as good, if not better. I have a friend who rode a ruby and she didn't like it bc she is very tall and powerful and it was a little flexy.
So she got a spec. s-works tarmac and liked that much better.
 

TRENDING THREADS