MTB for Ladies

[Wet Ears]

I have searched the various forums but not too much info out there so was hoping that I could get input from our fairer sex members or the  men whose significant others ride.

 

My wife is keen to start MTBing, I arranged loan bike from a mate just to see if she likes and it would appear she does, so next step is her getting her own bike.

 

2 burning questions from my side:

i) Should we be looking at ladies specific geometry that some manufacturers offer i.e. Spez, Scott, Merida or should we just be looking at male/unisex bikes as then the second hand market comes into play in a big way; and

ii) Would a 26er/650 be the way to go vs 29er ie is it easier for a lady rookie to handle a 26er as opossed to a 29er?

 

In my mind we can check classifieds for a second hand dual suss 26 er and get it at a bargain price - that way good bike to start on, it didn't break the bank and if she ends up not enjoying cycling then no great loss OR could go look at a new ladies specific bike ie Spark Contessa or the like with good specs, pay a bit of a premium and then no need to upgrade later?

[Desi]

i) ladies specific geometry - not worth buying a ladies bike specifically for the geometry. Spez is stopping their ladies range; some brands (Cervelo) have never believed in different geometry for ladies; some brands (Santa Cruz/Juliana) use exactly the same frame, but change smaller things like handle bars, saddle, shock setup and of course colour. 

i b) male/unisex bikes re second hand market: many more potential buyers when you sell a male bike

ii) 26er/650 vs 29er: I would not buy a 26er, it's dying out slowly. 650b vs 29er: I have both, but as a smaller female, I find the 650b easier to throw around in single track. But many very small ladies ride 29ers very well - but they're better cyclists than I am! Open roads, the 29er rolls better. For me, the 650b is the sweet spot.

If you can, get a bike fit done, then buy a bike, male/female/unisex that fits the measurements that she needs. 

[sias]

A note on the supposed "ladies specific" bikes from some manufacturers: check the geometry of the men's vs women's bikes and you'll see that they are exactly the same as far as top tube length, stand-over height and reach are concerned.

They have just put on a lady specific saddle, some thinner grips and (in some cases) lowered the spec level.

 

 

Basically what Desi said...

[Fruity]

What's your budget?

Liv Bliss 2 going for R5729.00

https://www.liv-cycling.com/za/bikes-bliss-2018

[Dibles]

My opinion is that it depends on the height of your wife. If she is short like I am (I'm 5'3") then a ladies-specific bike does sometimes make a difference. I battled to find a unisex bicycle that was small enough for me. It isn't necessarily the frame geometry that is different. Sometimes it is crank length, handlebar width etc too. Best would be for her to test the various options and see which one she feels most comfortable riding.

[Wet Ears]

Thanks for feedback all, very helpful.

 

My wife is 5"6 maybe 5"7.

 

Was also wondering on 1x or 2x - I know 1x is a hellavu lot easier to figure out but she may need some of those 2x granny gears.

 

Haven't thought about budget to be honest (there is my first mistake!) as first wanted to know what I should be looking at/for, budget would be step 2 - but probably 10k-20k range.

[arcitmail]

It's not just overall length but torso proportion to leg length, if you have longer leg proportion then a ladies frame can help bring the handlebars closer so better fit and handling. So a bike fit would be good. Otherwise a mens frame will work, just get the right size.

 

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Fruity]

Thanks for feedback all, very helpful.

 

My wife is 5"6 maybe 5"7.

 

Was also wondering on 1x or 2x - I know 1x is a hellavu lot easier to figure out but she may need some of those 2x granny gears.

 

Haven't thought about budget to be honest (there is my first mistake!) as first wanted to know what I should be looking at/for, budget would be step 2 - but probably 10k-20k range.

Embolden 2

https://www.liv-cycling.com/za/bikes-embolden

 

If you want to stretch your budget a bit more

[Pieter-za]

Agree with the above comments - from our experience, my wife (I think +- 175 cm) couldn't manage a 29er and is much more comfortable on a 650b. (We went for the Titan Sport unisex / male at that stage)

 

(But then my daughter's pal is just excelling doing comps on her Scott 29er!  Personally I would not recommend a 29er for a recreational rider who is not that tall though (or 'aggressive/ competitive' inclined))  

[Uni]

I'm also a shortie, started on ladies specific frame cheapie bikes. Now I'm on unisex small frames , both 1x , one's 650b, knarlier tyres, wider bars , geared for my inability to climb but it gives me a bit more confidence on technical stuff. The 29er rolls like a mad thing, use it for faster trails and gravel road rides.

 

Riding a good bike versus the el-cheapo - chalk and cheese experience, but the amount of crashes in the early days would've pained me on the more expensive bikes. I'm also glad I only forked out the money once I was sure I was gonna stick it out.

[Karman de Lange]

My wife is on 650b with 3x.

 

Nothing wrong with  3x9 (cheap, last forever and tons of range). My wife managed within a ride or 2 with the 3x.

 

I personally find the shifting on 2x and 1x much more difficult if clutch is on the rear derailleur, so just make sure if you going 1x that she able to change gears easily while clutch is on.

 

From my limited experience, the 29er to cumbersome for smaller people. (looking at group rides etc)

[Disylizzy]

Agree with all of the above.  

 

I've had 26", 650b and 29er.  Going from 26" to 29" improved my confidence greatly since I was more easily able to navigate over obstacles.

 

The 650b for me was nice when I did a lot more technical courses, it's easier to throw the bike around (in my limited experience) and navigate a lot of tight switchbacks that are back to back.

 

I'm back on a 29" again, I just feel more confident on it (I think it stems from the initial jump from 26" to 29").  Also for the type of riding I'll be doing is geared towards longer treks with some single track.  And also I'd have to peddle my little heart out if I'm in the usual group of guys.

 

As for gearing, if your wife is relatively new to cycling, 1x might be better because then there isn't the risk of cross chaining and breaking the chain in the middle of the ride.  However, if she can grasp shifting relatively easily, it's all much of a muchness, the gearing ratios that have been calculated line up fairly well whether you're on a 3x, 2x or 1x.

[fanievb]

my wife is 1,52 (I'm to young to measure in feet and inches)

She rides a giant anthem x 27.5 (XS frame), was a mission to find the frame as most manufacturers don't bring them in

 

[dawnh100]

I have both a 650b and a 29'er.  I have changed my riding on a male size small Scott 29'er and probably won't go back to the 27,5 (I'm totally in love with the geometry and handling of the Scott Spark).  I'm 157cm, so definitely not the tallest rider around.  A quick skills course, with Amy McDougal or someone from Rosemary hills / CycleLab will give all the confidence and ability to ride the 29 wheels comfortably, and she'll keep up on the flats and longer non-technical climbs.  

 

 

On gears, I'm currently on a 1x12 - which has around 500% range, and I only ever have to worry about buttons on one side and no chain-slip.  However, maybe a 2x10 would be an option if lots of range is required.  3x is a lot to think about when going up and down and up in quick succession - but anything gets better with practice

[dannygirl]

Slight hijack...

 

I started on a Trek WSD 26" medium frame - loved it to bits!  

 

When 29ers came along, I upgraded to Scott Scale 940 medium frame - rolls easier and better / faster on gravel / open road.  

 

I'm now looking to upgrade to dual suss, but am in two minds between 29er and 650b...I just miss the agility, handling and confidence I had on singletrack with the smaller wheels, but don't want to give up the advantages that the 29er brought entirely... Just wish there were more opportunities / shops to go and try out a range of bikes!  (Btw, can 29 back and 27.5 front not be designed to work?  No penny-farthing comments now!)

 

Don't know if its a female-geometry thing, but I always have to lengthen / bend my stem to reduce top-tube distance.  I'm 1.7, but my legs are proportionally longer than my torso, so when over-the-pedal distance is fine, handlebars are too far away.  

 

Last comment:  goedkoop koop is duur koop.  Buy your wife a slightly better bike than you think she can handle at the moment.  If you're able to work the shifters and gears, so will she... 

[ChUkKy]

My other half rides a Small Lapierre dual suss.

29" wheels, 710mm wide bars and is very happy on it. 

Its not a women specific frame.

 

I dont really understand those women specific frames... Do they have a swat box to store lipsticks and tampax in??

 

asking for a friend.