What’s “Women’s Specific” all about?

If you’re shopping for a new bicycle chances are you’ve heard the term “women’s specific.”  But has anyone explained exactly what makes a bike women’s specific?  Let’s break it down and explain exactly what you expect to find in a women’s specific bike and why you might be interested in it.  It’s more than just pastel paint.

Here at Bike n Hike, when we talk about a Giant or Terry bicycle as being “women’s specific” we are referring to very distinct choices regarding the bike’s fit.  On a women’s specific bicycle the frame (geometry) and the component sizes (stem, handlebars, saddle, etc) have been carefully chosen to better fit a women’s body.  The name of the game is getting people on a properly fit bicycle.  In today’s world bike fit is nearly as important as the component or frame materials.  A comfortable bike equals a confident, precisely handling, comfortable ride.  You’ll find a wide array of women’s specific road, mountain, cyclocross, commuter, and cruiser style bicycles!

“Feminine” Proportions

We wouldn’t think about wearing men’s jeans, so why ride a traditional bike based off of men’s proportions?  The reality is that good bike fit has more to do with our proportions than our height. Let’s imagine that a man the exact same height is standing next to you.  Despite the fact that you’re the same height, you’ll find that your proportions probably differ in four places.  First is the leg-to-torso ratio, women tend to have longer legs and a comparatively shorter torso.  Men have a very equal leg-to-torso ratio.  In addition, we have narrower shoulders, slightly smaller arms, wider hips, and smaller hands.  It’s these measurements that affect bike fit.

Frame Geometry

Traditional bike frames were made for ‘average’ men with an equal leg-to-torso ratio, thus when a women rides a traditional bike frame we tend to notice several things.  First is the height of the handlebars, because of our longer legs, by the time we get the seat height up to where we need it, we find that we reach too far down to reach the shifters.  In addition, because the frame was designed for someone with a longer torso, we often feel ‘stretched-out’.  So, women’s specific frames will make be adjusted to get us in a comfortable position.

1. Top-tube  The tube-tube, or reach, is shorter so that we are not too stretched out, ensuring that we’re not putting unnecessary stress on the lower back, shoulders or elbows.
2. Headtube  The headtube is higher giving us a proper position and ensuring that we’re not in an overly aggressive position, this position keeps us aerodynamic will opening up the diaphragm for optimal breathing.
3. Sloping top-tube  You’ll find sloping top bars on bikes.  Today, very few bikes frames look like right triangles.  A sloping top-tube actually offers better ride quality, in addition to stand-over clearance.  Some women’s frames, called ‘step-throughs’  are designed to slope even more aggressively allowing you to wear skirts and dresses!
4. Sizing  Women’s specific bicycles are built for the very short as well as the tall.  We have available in sizes XS thru Large (Giant) and 42 cm – 59 cm (Terry), Electra bicycles have women’s-specific frames available in 24, 26 and 700 c wheel sizes.

Component Choices

Like women’s specific geometry, the components on women’s bikes are chosen to enable better fit.  There’s often a misconception that women’s specific bikes have inferior components.  On the Giant, Terry, and Electra bicycles we carry, you’ll never see women’s specific bicycles with inferior components. You’ll see the exact same grade of material and level of quality on women’s bikes as the ‘in-line’ model.  They’ve simply chosen components sized both for women and the specific size of the bike.  For example, on an XS frame, you’ll find smaller handlebars than on an Small bike.  On both of those women’s bikes, you’ll see a handlebar that is actually designed to fit smaller hands.

1. Saddle  Women’s specific saddles are designed for our wider pelvic bones and offer a cut-out or indentation to relieve pressure points.
2. Stem  Just like the top tube is shorter, the stem is also usually shorter, this sets your weight firmly over the front wheel.
3. Handlebar  Road bike handlebars are proportional to your shoulder width, you’ll notice handlebars ranging from 38 cm to 42 cm (XS, M).  In addition these handlebars have less depth to fit smaller hands.  On flat bar bikes (mountain, commuter, or road) the handlebars will also be narrower, and you can always choose to make them narrower, we’re happy to trim them a bit!
4. Shifters  Some bikes come with shifters made specifically for smaller hands, on others you can use shims to help give you added leverage which is nice if your hands are on the small side or less strong.

Is a women’s specific bike right for you? 

Women’s specific product offerings in the bicycle industry are a huge step in the right direction.  We believe that getting gals on properly fit bikes is paramount to the experience, and a women’s specific bike is often closer straight off the floor with fewer adjustments.

Will a women’s specific bike or any bike for that matter be the exact perfect  right off the floor?  Probably not!  Any bike must adjusted to fit your body! We’ll include a basic fit with any bike purchase and a more advanced fit on  higher end road or mountain bike purchases.  For our fitting policies, click here.

For women with traditional women’s proportions we find that they almost always are far happier on a women’s specific frame.  It just fits better!  Even women with a more equal leg-to-torso ratio often find that the women’s specific bike still feel better, often the handlebars or saddle preference can often justify which route to go.  The goal behind women’s specific fit is to get you on the bike that fits best.

See our selection of  women’s specific bicycles.