Women's Bikes
#1
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Women's Bikes
I've been biking for a while and I'm trying to get my girlfriend into in. We're trying to get her a new road bike, to replace the Huffy she's been holding onto since grade school. So far the best fit she's tried is the '09 Specialized Dolce in a 54 cm frame. She also tried a 54 cm Allez and a small Giant OCR3, but both of those were too long in the top tube.
Are there any other bikes we should try out? I don't know a lot about women's bikes so any info I can get would be great.
Are there any other bikes we should try out? I don't know a lot about women's bikes so any info I can get would be great.
#2
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I've been biking for a while and I'm trying to get my girlfriend into in. We're trying to get her a new road bike, to replace the Huffy she's been holding onto since grade school. So far the best fit she's tried is the '09 Specialized Dolce in a 54 cm frame. She also tried a 54 cm Allez and a small Giant OCR3, but both of those were too long in the top tube.
Are there any other bikes we should try out? I don't know a lot about women's bikes so any info I can get would be great.
Are there any other bikes we should try out? I don't know a lot about women's bikes so any info I can get would be great.
Were the bikes that didn't fit sized for men or women?
#3
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Thanks for the info!
The Dolce is a women's bike, and was a better fit. Both the Allez and the OCR3 were men's bikes, so she definitely needs a women's bike.
I was wondering if there were other popular women's bikes. From looking around Specialized has the D4W line, Trek has the WSD bikes, Giant has Giant for Women but I wasn't sure which ones people had good experiences with.
The Dolce is a women's bike, and was a better fit. Both the Allez and the OCR3 were men's bikes, so she definitely needs a women's bike.
I was wondering if there were other popular women's bikes. From looking around Specialized has the D4W line, Trek has the WSD bikes, Giant has Giant for Women but I wasn't sure which ones people had good experiences with.
#4
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At that price point, they'll all be spec'ed similarly. However, despite all being women's bikes, they will likely have different geometry, and some will work better than others. For example, Trek's WSD bikes fit me like crap, but Specialized's Ruby was great for me. Have her try as many as possible, or if you can find a shop with a Serotta-cycle that's willing to do a fit and take the price of the fit off the price of the bike, go with that. Even if you don't go custom, you can use those measurements to figure out which stock bikes best match her geometry.
#5
Cathedral City, CA
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Thanks for the info!
The Dolce is a women's bike, and was a better fit. Both the Allez and the OCR3 were men's bikes, so she definitely needs a women's bike.
I was wondering if there were other popular women's bikes. From looking around Specialized has the D4W line, Trek has the WSD bikes, Giant has Giant for Women but I wasn't sure which ones people had good experiences with.
The Dolce is a women's bike, and was a better fit. Both the Allez and the OCR3 were men's bikes, so she definitely needs a women's bike.
I was wondering if there were other popular women's bikes. From looking around Specialized has the D4W line, Trek has the WSD bikes, Giant has Giant for Women but I wasn't sure which ones people had good experiences with.
#6
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I'm a little taller (5'7") and that might make a difference, but I've had good luck going with a men's bike and then swapping out for a shorter stem +/- narrower handlebars. I currently ride a Cinelli Aliante and love it. I agree that it is best to just go ride as many as possible, though, and see what feels best, knowing that you can make adjustments to components to get a personalized ride. Good luck!
#7
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Something I have noticed on many stock bikes is that they can have pretty long stems. Women have longer legs and shorter torsos than men of their height. If a woman is average height or taller, she can usually get by on a normal (man's) bike by having the stem swapped out for a short one. I have not seen a bike shop that will not do this gratis.
Short women often have to go with bikes sized to a woman's proportions in order to get a decent fit.
Fit is the single most important thing to get right on a bike so this is not something to skip over.
Short women often have to go with bikes sized to a woman's proportions in order to get a decent fit.
Fit is the single most important thing to get right on a bike so this is not something to skip over.
#8
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I just bought my first road bike and chose the Specialized Dolce in 51 cm and I'm 5'6. I love it. I've only been riding a few weeks but want to ride everyday. I'm up to 25 miles a day.
#9
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The WSD bikes are different. The toptube is shorter for the frame size and they normally have better saddles for the female butt- bars are narrower and brake levers may have a shorter reach or have shims in to bring the levers closer to small hands.
But to get a shorter toptube-in a mens bike you would have to go down a frame size and extend the seat post. There is normally some adjustment in the bar height and although mens frames do suit some females- if the WSD frame fits better- then that is the one to go for.
I am male but bought an OCR3 3 years ago. I can recommend this bike as a good reasonably price bike that works.
But to get a shorter toptube-in a mens bike you would have to go down a frame size and extend the seat post. There is normally some adjustment in the bar height and although mens frames do suit some females- if the WSD frame fits better- then that is the one to go for.
I am male but bought an OCR3 3 years ago. I can recommend this bike as a good reasonably price bike that works.
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