Ladies bikes

[Procrates]

 

Ok, my sister wants to buy a MTB.

 

 

 

So, compared to normal mtb's what are the diffrences to ladies bikes

Shorter cranks?

Shorter stems?

Geometry?

Is there anything else and is it worth the price diffrence?

[Johan Bornman]

Women generally have proportionally shorter torsos and longer legs than men. Therefore ladies bikes have shorter top tubes. To an extent this can be compensated for by a shorter stem but this is not ideal.

 

First-time women cyclists also mistakenly think that a big plush saddle will make things easier but it doesn't. However, they have to discover this for themselves and will never believe you otherwise. Women-specific saddles have shorter noses but whether this actaully makes for a better fit I'll leave up to women to comment on. I just don't know.

 

And, as I was told by a customer's girlfriend just this morning in response my question why she hasn't got a bike yet: "I'm still looking for one in just the right colour, with just the right top tube thickness. It must look right, then I'll get one."

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aquatic]

The geometry is slightly more compact,and apart from the saddles,they usually have more comfy grips,and more feminine colours.In some cases you may pay a little more for a wsd bike

[slowlady]

Depends on the brand.

 

Some brands changes the geometry eg. top tube is shorter to compensate for shorter arms, handle bars are shorter/narrower, angle of seat post differ, women specific saddle etc. 

GT, Merida, Spezialised women specific bikes falls in this category.  Visiting their websites may proved some more info.

 

Silverback -geometry is the same as men's bikes.  A standard medium may be called a small.  Painted in a different colour with a women specific saddle.

 

Lots of different opions about this.  My advice to her would be to test ride as many bikes as possible(unisex and women specific at different bike stores) and get the one that works for her.

 

My opinion:  I love my girly looking bike and it's comfortable for me.

slowlady2009-11-30 12:37:45

[Matchstix]

Some but unfortunately not all the geomtries are different some brand/s just chenge the paint job and put a shorter stem on.

If you are looking at a specifice brand just compare the geomtries of the male and women specific frames.

There shouldn't however be a big price diffrence if the parts are the same.

 

[GTfan]

The GT Avalanche 2.0 for woman is a nice bike, just ask my sister

[virgo]

I have a "male" mtb and a "female" roadbike and quite frankly prefer the mtb.

I'm 1,71m and obviously not short.  Not sure if that plays a role, but best thing would be to let her try  out  different fits. Torso and leg lengths can make a difference.

 

Good luck.