Buying a female Roadbike or not?

[smutchin]

On what basis? Only sit bone width?

Well, I certainly wasn't basing it on colour.

ETA: just checked the saddles on the men's and women's version of the Infinito CV. The men's version uses a Fizik Aliante R5 Kium, 275mm x 140mm. The DB version uses a Fizik Vesta Mg, which is 5mm shorter and 10mm wider. It's quite conceivable that the former would be a better fit for some women, and that the latter would be a better fit for some men. Or you may find that neither fit you...

 

[vickster]

150mm would probably still be too narrow for me. I use155mm bontrager saddles wsd personally
An £80 155 mm spesh oura was an instrument of torture, wrong shape and cut out made it worse

I'd certainly have to change any saddle on a men's bike and have done when I've bought off the peg, possibly but not necessarily if a women's perch is fitted. My preferred bontrager saddles are around £50, not an extra cost you want every time you buy a bike

Maybe costly bikes should come without saddles like they do without pedals with a reduced price (yeah likely)

 

[smutchin]

Maybe costly bikes should come without saddles like they do without pedals with a reduced price (yeah likely)

And stems, handlebars and cranks too...

 

[vickster]

And stems, handlebars and cranks too...

This is why I generally build from frames based on prior bike fits

I don't know of a 54cm men's bike that would come with a 38cm or probably 40cm bar

 

[Reynard]

A friend of ours after many years bought an Islabike "children's" bike and loves it. As above the only way to find out is to sit on the saddle and try

I ride a junior road bike (Wiggins Rouen) as opposed to a women's specific bike - it just fit me better. I have, however, just replaced the original saddle with a women's saddle (Charge Ladle).

Forget the marketing, just get something that fits.

 

[Julia9054]

150mm would probably still be too narrow for me. I use155mm bontrager saddles wsd personally
An £80 155 mm spesh oura was an instrument of torture, wrong shape and cut out made it worse

I'd certainly have to change any saddle on a men's bike and have done when I've bought off the peg, possibly but not necessarily if a women's perch is fitted. My preferred bontrager saddles are around £50, not an extra cost you want every time you buy a bike

Maybe costly bikes should come without saddles like they do without pedals with a reduced price (yeah likely)

If you buy a men's bike, ask them to change the saddle. When I bought my Specialized Diverge men's bike they swapped the saddle for free (oura - which I find extremely comfortable!) and gave me the original saddle for nothing.

 

[vickster]

Some retailers will do that, not all, worth asking. When Pearsons built my Pave of course they put on a women's saddle but that's not always the case. Similarly a narrower bar, shorter stem, shorter crank etc

Did you pay RRP for the bike? They may be less willing on one that was reduced. Also where did you buy, in store or online?

It was an Oura that almost crippled me

 

[Julia9054]

Full price but on the cycle to work scheme. Customer service in the Harrogate Specialized store is always awesome. Might help that I used to teach several of them!
My most uncomfortable saddle was a Charge Spoon. 5 miles, off it came, straight on eBay!

 

[LeahCod]

You can try eBay, same rules apply regarding checking the bike's not stolen

What's wrong with the Bianchi you linked? Sold?

There are some really good deals out there on new bikes too if you are prepared to shop around. What specifically are you looking for? Where in London are you?

The Bianchi is a bit over my budget, I was aiming for £400 - That's why I was looking at second-hand at first.
I had a look at Evans Cycle, and I found a bike on sale for £400, which seems great price for a brand new bike : https://www.evanscycles.com/dawes-giro-500-2016-women-s-road-bike-EV238286
Unfortunately the max frame size is 48cm, which would be to small.
But it means I could actually afford a brand new bike, so I'll keep on searching.

Where do you usually look for second hand bikes and parts? Is Ebay the best place?

PS : I live in Islington

 

[vickster]

eBay or gumtree but be aware they are used for fencing a lot of stolen bikes. You could try a local Facebook cycling group if there is one?

Or for new, these guys have some good deals and a good rep for mail order (they are in Norfolk)

Perhaps you could call for sizing advice. A few wsd options in the £400-500 range

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s134p0/Road-Bikes/Racing-Bikes-Women-Specific

 

[Spiderweb]

Thank you for your replies!
I wish I could keep the old Peugeot, but I can't afford to have 2 bikes where I live (space/security).
After doing some research, female roadbikes are quite similar to regular roadbikes. Some say it's just marketing really.
I am gonna keep on looking on gumtree or secondbike for a while until I find something affordable in my area.

Generally the only difference is a slightly shorter top tube (women tend to have longer legs & shorter torso), narrower handlebars and a female specific saddle.

 

[vickster]

Generally the only difference is a slightly shorter top tube (women tend to have longer legs & shorter torso), narrower handlebars and a female specific saddle.

And potentially taller headtube, more upright, and to lessen reach? Sometimes shorter stem and cranks too at least on smaller frame options

 

[Spiderweb]

And potentially taller headtube, more upright, and to lessen reach? Sometimes shorter stem and cranks too at least on smaller frame options

In the past I've sold quite a few female specific road bikes, mostly Specialized but Trek, Lapierre and Stork too and have never come across longer head tubes. It may be the case with other brands I don't know.
You will get shorter cranks on smaller frames on both male and female specific frames. It's often the case with narrower handlebars on smaller frames too.

 

[vickster]

Giant Avail vs Defy perhaps?

 

[Spiderweb]

View attachment 334856 Giant Avail vs Defy perhaps?

I have no experience with Giant but looking at the Avail geometry chart they are pretty much identical in comparison to the Defy.
50cm Defy = 165mm head tube.
53.5cm Defy = 185mm head tube.
55.5cm Defy = 205mm head tube.