Cyclocross - Women specific cyclocross bikes?

We almost bought my wife a Specialized Amira. It would be replacing a mountain bike she used to ride. One thing that made her reconsider is that she wanted to have the versatility that I have with my Giant TCX.

We liked the Amira b/c it would have the smaller handlebars for women's hands, the shorter top tube, etc .....

However, I don't think I've seen a women's specific cross bike. I understand that it would be a pretty small niche market, but has anyone ever seen one?

I think for the average person who doesn't race and doesn't want to own 3+ different bikes that a cross bike makes a lot more sense than a road bike (provided you have road gearing on the cross bike). So when my wife suggested she wanted a cross bike, I figured that was a good idea. She could never ride more than beginner trails on a mountain bike, so for how she's going to ride a bike a cross bike will cover about 99% or perhaps 100% of her needs.

If I can't find a women's specific cross bike, then do I look for a frame where the geometry is suited for a shorter top tube and then just buy a new handlebar and swap it in? I guess the brake levers can be different as well, can't they?

Maybe just get her a men's bike and call it a day?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Giant makes a women's version of the TCX.

That's kind of funny that I have a TCX and I didn't know there was a woman's model. Thanks.

Ironically, while I generally like my bike. There is only one water bottle mount and no fender or rack attachments so it's not that useful for the intended purpose for my wife, but it's good to know that it exists.

Yeah, the lack of attachment points can definitely limit a CX bike's utility.

The Surly Cross Check comes in very small sizes. If you can manage a good fit, maybe your LBS could swap out any additional components you wanted to customize.

I was going to suggest that if you have an active CX scene in your area you could contact one of the women's teams and see what they do, but they probably use bikes that don't have utility attachment points.

raleigh has one too

JRA?


Check out Terry bikes.. She has Waterford in Wisconsin building the frames.

My wife bought a TCX W this year and LOVES it. She also owns a Specialized Ruby and loves that too. The one water bottle cage is ridiculous. I think it was a cheapy cop out on Giant's part. Get her a TCX W and a Camelbak. She will be good to go. P-clips can get the fenders on for you, or SKS Race blades.

just for comparison, the Tricross does have 3 water bottle cage mounts, can put fenders, rack on it--well, my 2010 does, not sure if they changed it. Versatile, but not light cx/road mix of a bike. I just liked it for the bottle mounts, front fork rack holes, long cage rd and 11-32, so very doable for loading up to an extent.

Bianchi Volpe. Mine's a 44cm, pretty damn small. Only complaint that at least on my model year (2008) the hoods are gigantic which is hard for my tiny hands. Had to put spacers in for the brakes and still don't have the greatest stopping power from the hoods. Adding some $20 cross brake levers would fix that, though. Full fenders, rear rack, two bottle cages, I'm all set for commuting and touring. I commute 20 miles every day and do long rides/centuries. This year I'm actually considering doing some CX with it. Super versatile bike.

re: cross brake levers, I have to say that they have really grown on me now. Especially since I put on some softer pads koolstop salmons, that increased braking power. I really find them useful in town sometimes when lazy, and very useful going down very steep rough stuff (even on pavement) where its easier on the hands in that position, yet one can still brake.

Could be a pain in the keester for mounting a handlebar bag depending on bag model, bar width etc etc, only downside I see.

My wife bought a TCX W this year and LOVES it. She also owns a Specialized Ruby and loves that too. The one water bottle cage is ridiculous. I think it was a cheapy cop out on Giant's part. Get her a TCX W and a Camelbak. She will be good to go. P-clips can get the fenders on for you, or SKS Race blades.

TCX is designed as a race bike... be thankful they put any. CX racers put their arm through the frame and the bike on their shoulder, putting a water bottle on the inside makes that very difficult. Besides, a CX race is only an hour tops, and there are always hand-ups. Same goes for fender mounts... not really useful in a race. Although there's barely any downside, so it would have been a nice addition.


just for comparison, the Tricross does have 3 water bottle cage mounts, can put fenders, rack on it--well, my 2010 does, not sure if they changed it. Versatile, but not light cx/road mix of a bike. I just liked it for the bottle mounts, front fork rack holes, long cage rd and 11-32, so very doable for loading up to an extent.

TriCross isn't designed to be a race bike. It's more of a "fun-to-ride touring bike", like a Cross Check. Obviously they can be used for CX, but racing isn't their primary concern.

As for a WSD cross bike... there aren't a ton of options sadly. The TCX was mentioned, and there's nothing from Spec/Trek/Ridley/Stevens/etc. I would say you best bet might be to buy a frame and build from their, or find a smaller frame shop that will let you pick the parts. In the very least, I would start with a fitting so when you start having these conversations, you have specific stem lengths and bar widths that you need. If you know you are looking for a specific stack and reach, which can be determined by any competent fitter, you can figure out what bikes will fit with minimal adjustment and not just be guessing. Also, don't rule out the road bikes completely. On a Specialized Dolce, for example, you can run 28's without issue, making the bike almost as versatile as a CX bike (aside from mud clearance, but from your description I don't see this as too much of an issue). If you really want to leave the door open for wider tires, a flat bar road bike like a Specialized Vita may work... the Vita Comp is Alu with carbon fork, sram 2x10 drivetrain, and durable 700x28 tires. Also has bar ends for extra hand positions. Could get the WSD and a lighter/faster bike while being more durable and less "unfamiliar territory" than a road or CX bike.

In the end, let her get the bike she likes best. If she likes one the most that isn't the most practical, let her get it. Even if it isn't the most perfectly specced bike, if she likes it and rides it often, that's really what matters. Good luck in the search!

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll have her test ride some bikes and see what she likes best.

Good point about not ruling out something like a Dolce as I suspect 28s will be wide enough, and flat bar bikes may work as well.

TriCross isn't designed to be a race bike. It's more of a "fun-to-ride touring bike", like a Cross Check. Obviously they can be used for CX, but racing isn't their primary concern.


completely agree, but racing cx isnt what the OP's wife would be doing. I feel that a cross bike that can allow all sorts of tires, plus having various cage mounts, rack mounts, top bar extra brake levers, would be just what would be for her, as well as a drop bar bike just for being easier on hands due to various hand positions. My take on it.

as you say though, if she likes a bike and gets out there on it, whatever work is good.