Mens vs Womens models: is there really much difference??

[Anonymous]

@jabberwocky 116957 wrote:

Theoretically, women’s bikes are designed better for womens different body proportions (longer legs and shorter torso than a man of equal height).

@mstone 116982 wrote:

As an example compare the seat tube of the size 54 specialized roubaix — 495 — and ruby — 457. For roughly the same top tube length, it’s got almost 40mm less seat tube. For reference, that’s about the difference between the size 52 and 56 roubaix models (skipping entirely past the size 54). Now it may well be that none of this really matters and that the manufacturers could just sell small, medium, and large frames. But if the difference between a 54 and 56 is significant enough to justify having both, then it seems that there’s at least as much justification for having both the roubaix and the ruby.

So the solution for “longer legs/shorter torso” is a shorter seat tube compared to top tube? okaaayyyy…

There is a pretty good chance that a men’s or non-gender-specific bike will come with a saddle that’s too narrow for a 5’11” woman. Saddles are likely to get switched out anyway for personal preference, so I wouldn’t consider it a reason to not buy the bike. But it’s something for her to be aware of as something that might be uncomfortable and will need to be replaced (rather than just, ugh, riding the bike for more than 30 minutes hurts, guess this is not the sport for me).

[APKhaos]

@Amalitza 117042 wrote:

So the solution for “longer legs/shorter torso” is a shorter seat tube compared to top tube? okaaayyyy…

There is a pretty good chance that a men’s or non-gender-specific bike will come with a saddle that’s too narrow for a 5’11” woman. Saddles are likely to get switched out anyway for personal preference, so I wouldn’t consider it a reason to not buy the bike. But it’s something for her to be aware of as something that might be uncomfortable and will need to be replaced (rather than just, ugh, riding the bike for more than 30 minutes hurts, guess this is not the sport for me).

Agree 100% on the saddle issue. Was thinking of asking about comfy women’s saddles but there were so many ways for that discussion to go wrong.

[mstone]

@Amalitza 117042 wrote:

So the solution for “longer legs/shorter torso” is a shorter seat tube compared to top tube? okaaayyyy…

I’m just pointing out that the frames are different. Figuring out whether it’s different in a way that’s useful is the purpose of test rides. Terry’s said that the research is actually the opposite of the long leg/short torso idea–that women actually have shorter legs and longer torsos–and that the real difference is in the center of mass. A lot of the “womens” designs I’ve seen basically just put the rider into a somewhat more upright position, whether by shortening the top tube or raising the bars. My feeling that people should just try a variety of bikes and see what feels like is a bit of a reaction to the many competing storylines for “what women need”. I just don’t believe that there’s any real science that says there’s one good design for men and a simple transformation of that which is correct for women.

Agree that the saddle is probably wrong, but that’s often true for men also–replacing the saddle is the first thing I do on a new bike. Ideally they’d be like pedals and just not even come with the bike, except that then nobody could even throw a leg over at the shop without risking injury.

[baiskeli]

Probably the range of sizes within standard (“men’s”) bikes is wide, and women-specific bikes add some more range to the smaller end. But obviously there will be a fair number of women who are fine with the standard sizes. I have seen some women specific design bikes that say they have things like smaller brake handles or different geometry though, so it’s probably more than just size. Really doesn’t matter – you test ride and pick what feels right.

[APKhaos]

Ran up to UMD and tried the Sirrus from CL. XL Mens size.
It was perfect, and in beautiful shape. Seller [great guy] kept it at UMD to move around the campus, which accounts for the low miles. Came with a nice rack and panniers, which will come in handy for a C&O camping trip!
So, she is off an running but one challenge remains. She needs a girl saddle. Man saddle is hard on the lady parts even with bike shorts on. Its a flat bar, so she is not right over in the drops like a road bike position. Any suggestions from you grrls out there on good saddles to try?
Much appreciated. I cant really test this aspect of the bike.

[baiskeli]

She may benefit from a new saddle – try Terry– but the seat height and forward-backward position are important too. She might not need a new saddle, or if she gets one, it still might not work if she doesn’t get it in just the right spot.

[Anonymous]

I have a fair collection of different widths, padding levels, and shapes if she’s near Alexandria and wants to try some. Mine are almost all one or another of specialized’s models, so limited in respect of brand, but a reasonable variety of what kinds of differences there are in models/types. Some of them I would part with for zero dollars, too, if she liked one.

[APKhaos]

You are an angel, Amalitza. Will pm to find a time that works for you, and will bring the bike and the rider as well. She was a bit tentative about taking her bottom into a bike shop to try saddles, so I’m sure she will be thrilled at the chance to figure it out with a woman who has been there and done that. Many thanks!

[Author]

Posts