sweetthing

Hi guys....I am new to all of this so please be nice I am a young very athletic female who is looking for her first road bike. I have a few questions.

1. How important is a woman specific bike. My Specialized dealer says that they are built with lighter tubes and stuff due to the the fact that us woman make less power and weigh less. Is that bunk? I am 5'7 and 128 pounds so I am not sure if this should apply to me since I am not a girly girl and I am pretty muscular.

2. Shoes....women vs guy's. Any real differance between the male and female shoes or should I just go with what feels good?

3. I am a bit concerned about fixing a flat on the side of the road. How difficult is it. will I break a nail?

cuda2k

Can't answer these from a woman's perspective, but I'll give it a go from my point of view:

1) It's more about the geometry of the bike than the weight usually. Women's bodies are typically a slightly different proportion between torso and leg lengths than men. WSD bikes usually take this into account and thus typically fit a woman's body more comfortably. The absolute #1 important thing is to get a bike that fits. I would recommend getting the bike fitted at the shop, or at least at a shop, with a quality fitter. Ask around your area and get recommendations for this, not all fittings are done equal!

2) I'm going to again say go with what fits and what you like. I'm a fan of Specialized brand shoes. They feel a bit different at first if you are used to riding in other brand (or just regular) shoes. But they've helped many of my foot problems since getting them.

3) Depends a lot on the tire and on the wheel. Certain combinations go on without breaking a sweat (or your nail) - others you'd be lucky not to bend a steel tire lever trying to get it on. Best advice, practice at home. Also read up on the proper steps to installing a tire & tube, it'll go along way to making any future road side fixes go smoothly. I've had a couple blow-outs on the road shortly after changing a tube because I was in a hurry and didn't get it done right. More practice doing it has fixed that.

mazdatech10

depends on how long your nails are, carbon clinchers with less than 240tpi tires are a ***** to get off and on, ride both types of bikes and see what feels better , lots of women ride standard frames, as far as shoes what ever fits your foot, big S shoes are great shoes,

Busta Quad

This thread needs pics.

DrPete 

Which would have what to do with her questions?

sweetthing

My nails are pretty long and I hope to keep them that way!!
I do plan to do lots of test rides before I buy. Ill let my bikeshop know that I want to try both Woman's and ....ummmmmm..non woman's bikes....LoL
What makes the Specialized shoe so great in your opinions?

sweetthing

Pics**********? Of what. The bikes I am looking at?

chipcom 

1. My wife has a WSD frame and she loves it. I don't think they necessarily weigh less, but the geometry is more suited to women...shorter top tube CC length, of course a sloping top tube, longer seat tube. WSD bikes may also include short reach brakes to compensate for smaller hands, gearing with a bit more low end, and other things to supposedly cater to the more delicate sex. Of course everyone is different, so you'd have to actually try both WSD and other frames to see what feels best for you.

2. A shoe is shoe...other than women's sizing, about the only other differences other than colors and frilly stuff might be a narrower heel.

3. If you're gonna ride, you're gonna get flats, so you best learn to fix them. It can be done without breaking a nail...and you can use surgical gloves to keep your hands relatively clean.

garysol1 

You don't know MY wife obviously.....

10 Wheels

The bike won't know your gender.

<3 2 Ride 

A WSD may be a good choice for you since you are smaller. It's a tough call to make. Try out a bunch of different bikes to see what is comfortable. I'm only a couple of inches taller, but I ride a standard frame and not a WSD.

This is one area where I am very particular about getting a women's design. Unless you have big manly feet, I'd go with women's shoes. They are made for a woman's foot.

Umm...you aren't a girly girl, but are concerned about breaking a nail? Trim them and expect to get dirty taking care of your bike. Fixing a flat is not difficult, but your hands will get a little dirty. Carry a wet wipe (or baby wipe) in your saddlebag to clean your hands.

chipcom 

that you know of.

garysol1 

I forgot....actually you do know her.....

Siu Blue Wind

I'm 5'5" and a lot of pounds - I don't ride a WSD. I have what is called a compact geometry, where the frame has a bit of a sloping top tube (the bar that goes across the top) and it doesn't put me in an agressive (stretched out) position.

As for shoes, I'd go with women's shoes. Men's feet tend to be a bit wider.

Changing a tire can be hard until you get used to it. I use my palms more than my finger tips at the final stages of putting a tire on. But if you want to wear gloves and your nails are long, there might be an issue with that. Plus if/when you fall, one of them might get ripped out.

sixpack

Women Bikes are not for all women....

chipcom 

only when you're away

Busta Quad

Um, no.

sweetthing

speak your mind BustaQuad.......
Do you have any input on my questions?

mazdatech10

you better ride with someone who nows how to fix a flat, if you don't want to damage your nails( if you use full finger gloves your nails may not get damaged). i think busta sack wants a pic of you!!

Busta Quad

Tammy says it's bunk.

kimconyc

"I love watching people throw up and I love when they take blood at the doctor's office, I have a weakness for guys who smell good, even if they're ugly. My bike is sexier than I am, and I'm not mad about it." - Liz Hatch

She's not a normal female.

cuda2k

With tire levers to get the tire off, and a little care getting it back on, you shouldn't have a problem with your nails unless perhaps they are very long. But if you are as muscular as you claim, I figure you probably hit the gym enough that if you don't break the nail there, you probably won't changing a tire.

Good call from the ladies on the shoe question. As far as Specalized shoes goes, the foot bed is slanted in relation to the bottom of the shoe. This puts your ankle at a more natural position when pedaling the bike. Helped eliminate a problem I had with my right foot going numb after 45 or so miles on the bike.

kimconyc

Here's Jill showing you how to change a flat on the rear:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5K-DXt9djA

sweetthing

Wow....great video Kim....Thanks

4000Miles

As a female, I can say... get what fits you! The label that says "Women's" or "Men's" means little if a men's bike fits you better than the women's lineup. Ditto shoes and just about everything else. Get what's comfortable.