Women’s Bicycles – What’s The Difference between Men’s and Women’s Bicycles?

Women’s Bicycles – Just What is the Difference Between Men’s Bicycles and Women’s Bicycles?

Check out most bikes available online or in bicycle stores and you’ll soon find that the vast majority of them are designed for and around the physical build of the average man! Sure, that’s great news for men, but not so great news for us girls. NEWS FLASH! We’re built differently to men. We need women’s bicycles that’re built different too. Below I’ll outline some basic things to look for when shopping for your new women’s bicycles.

On average, and I stress ON AVERAGE, we women have shorter bodies, shorter arms, and longer legs than a man that’s the same height as us. Our hands and feet are smaller too, our shoulders are narrower and, surprise surprise, our hips are wider too. (Don’t remind me!)

All of these physical differences are important to note as they change the way a bike fits, feels, and handles for us girls. Guys bikes can be heavy and awkward to use. I didn’t really believe this and cycled my guys old bike for years with no trouble. It was only when we went on a vacation to Amsterdam and we rented bikes that I realised what a difference using the correct bike makes to a journey. The guy who ran the rental shop was a retired professional cyclist and measured both myself and my fiance to make sure the bikes we rented were suitable.

When he wheeled out the PINK bike he had for me I threw my eyes up to heaven and asked for the same bike as my guy had been given. No way would the owner let me swop without trying it for a short trial run! So I left the shop and cycled down the street. It wa sa whole new experience! It was lighter, easier to handle and just not as tiring to use, it even seems to be more graceful…though that may have been my imagination

Needless to say, I was convinced to change, we enjoyed a great days sightseeing and when we got back to the States, I went and bought myself a proper women’s bicycle. I’ve never looked back and can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve always enjoyed cycling but now there’s a lot more pleaseure in it!

Women’s Bicycles Tips

So we need women’s bicycles to have the following specifications in order to suit us better:

the handlebars should be smaller (narrower, shallower drop, and shorter reach)
the brakes and gear switchers should be sized for smaller hands
the saddle can be wider in the rear to accommodate a woman’s wider hips.
the weight and stiffness of the materials used should better suit a lighter-weight rider

Check out the women’s bicycles on BestWomensBicycles.com that are specifically designed with us in mind.