There’s a difference between a men’s vs women’s bike. In the past, women’s bikes were smaller and more beautiful with poor specifications. But things are changing now; women step through bikes now offer the same performance and specifications as men models.
In this article, I will share with you men’s vs women’s bike specification and performance.
Difference Between Men and Women Bikes
Why are mens and womens bikes different? Physically, there’s not much difference between men and women bikes. Don’t expect to see hot pink with frilly handlebars on a women’s bike vs men’s road bike.
However, if you take a closer look at both bikes, you will notice minor differences that make them perfect for both genders and road bike tire sizes could play a role in this as well.
So, if you’re a female cyclist who’s trying to choose between getting men’s vs women’s bikes, here are the differences between men’s and women’s mountain bikes:
Seat Shape
An area you should give attention when choosing between men’s vs women’s bikes is the seat shape. You may get some relatively cheaper brands with unisex saddles to fit both men and women’s bikes.
Even though this is cost-effective, it only works better for a short ride down the street. If you ride for an extended period, the saddle may get uncomfortable over time.
Most times, female cyclists use women’s bikes for their cycling activities because the seats are wide enough to fit their pelvis and sitting bones comfortably. Men’s bikes, on the other hand, have a longer and narrower seat.
Frame Structure
There’s a structural frame difference between most men and women. Let me explain this to you better. The frame structure difference is mainly in the top tube of the frame.
The top tube refers to the part of the bicycle that connects the handlebars to the seat. In other words, the top tube frame refers to the bar between your legs while riding the bike.
While women’s commuter bikes are more comfortable to mount because the top tube bar is slanted down towards the seat, the men’s bike’s bar is parallel to the ground, and it’s not as easy to mount as a woman’s bike.
Again, there are instances when the top tube on a women’s bike is not slanted down. In such cases, the top tube and torsos will be short while the leg will be extended. That’s why women’s bikes are shorter in length, easier to mount on an SUV bike rack and have a higher seat.
Handlebars
The handlebar is another area of difference between men and women’s bikes. Ordinarily, shoulder width is a significant bodily difference between men and women. And this manifests on both the handlebars of both gender’s bikes.
The handlebars on men’s bikes are wide and measure between 42 and 44 centimeters wide. The handlebars, on the other hand, are designed to accommodate narrower shoulders. So, the handlebars measure between 38 and 40 centimeter wide.
Furthermore, the handle stem in men’s bikes is longer to accommodate their long arms which could prove to be a problem for pregnant women bikers. And women’s handlebar stems are shorter to enable them to reach it safely and comfortably due to their shorter torsos.
Crank Length
Your bike’s crankset enhances pedal comfortability. And cranks vary in length depending on the gender the bike is made for. For instance, most women have longer legs and shorter torsos compared to men.
Usually, the crank length is measured from the pedal’s spindle center to the axle center. The cranks in men’s bikes are generally 170 millimeters long while that of women’s bikes are 165 millimeters.
The reason for the difference in length is to enable both genders to reach their pedal stroke bottom effortlessly.
Stem Length
Generally, women don’t feel safe and comfortable when they ride bikes with longer stems.
Some female cyclists may get a bike with a longer stem and replace them with shorter options. But it’s recommended to get a bike that’s perfect for you without having to shorten the stem.
Trust me, for a woman, a bike with a longer stem is never a good idea. It makes the steering feel less twitchy and unstable.
Distance from Levers to Bars
Generally, women’s bikes have slightly curved shifters around the bar.
The essence of this is to make it easier for women with smaller hands to handle their bikes brakes and gear levers.
Style
Another area where the difference between men’s vs women’s bike is apparent is the style. Women’s bikes are unique in their aesthetic designs, colors, and appearance. Check out this buying guide if you’re looking for a good cruiser bike.
Right from inception, the style has been a unique feature of women’s bikes. Men’s bikes, on the other hand, are masculine without aesthetic designs.
Do I Need a Gender-Specific Bike?
The answer to this question is relative depending on the purpose. For instance, the advantage of women’s specific road bikes is that they are always ready to go off-shelf if you want to lose weight while biking, and you tend to get a better experience using them as a woman.
Don’t get me wrong; you can adjust any bike to fit any gender. But the more you adjust a bike, the more you alter the expected feel and performance of the bike. So, it would be best if you got a gender-specific bike for an exceptional experience.
Furthermore, when constructing a gender-specific bike, attention is given to specific geometry, unique contact points for better feel and experience.
Final Thoughts
Gender-specific bikes are great for passionate cyclists. However, I can’t tell you whether a gender-specific bike is best for you or not. But my advice to you is getting a bike that perfectly fits your body.
Lastly, before you finally choose the bike of your choice, ensure you spend time testing, learning about the sizes, and check for your comfort. Remember, you can’t ignore convenience when getting a bike and always wear a bike helmet that fits you properly. Otherwise, you may not get value for the money spent.
What do you think about this topic? Are bicycles gender specific? Please let us know in the comments down below!