Why men's and women's bikes are still different?

[mobi]

Is there any real reason for it or just manufacturers want us to buy more bikes?

I thought progress in modern technology means unisex bikes are stiff without top tube.

May be mountain bikes still need more stiffness but for road bikes unisex model should be universal by now.

What are your views?

 

[vickster]

There are different elements in the geometry and sizing, not just the crossbar (headtube height, stem, crank length, bar width, saddle, overall frame sizing)

Not sure I understand your thread title

 

[coffeejo]

Because the physical differences between men and women go beyond genitalia.

 

[mickle]

Because - as any fule no -women's sporting equipment must have pink or lilac colored details.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I got a unisex model MTB. It was horrid....just all wrong and very cramped and uncomfortable.
Switched to a women's specific bike and hey presto - a very happy camper rider!
There's more to it than pink paintwork (mine isn't pink!), they really are tailored to the female body

 

[ufkacbln]

I think (and correct me if I am wrong) that the OP Is suggesting that the perceived weakness in design caused by the difference in triangulation no longer applies with modern frame materials and that a single standard "Unisex frame" could be used instead

Depends upon the bike and its quality

Many manufacturers still think that dropping the top tube, but leaving all the other geometry the same constitutes a women's design

A true women's design will have different geometry, and there is a definite place in the market for properly designed man's and women's frames

The unisex bike will always be a compromise between the two designs.

The other issue of course is the fact that it is difficult to cycle in a dress* with a top tube, so a certain amount of feminist design is going to be required aesthetically

I think the increase in young girls riding "Pashley" lookalikes is a good thing and an argument for maintaining the female frame.



* and no comments please.... I am NOT speaking from personal experience.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I think (and correct me if I am wrong) that the OP Is suggesting that the perceived weakness in design caused by the difference in triangulation no longer applies with modern frame materials and that a single standard "Unisex frame" could be used instead

Depends upon the bike and its quality

Many manufacturers still think that dropping the top tube, but leaving all the other geometry the same constitutes a women's design

A true women's design will have different geometry, and there is a definite place in the market for properly designed man's and women's frames

The unisex bike will always be a compromise between the two designs.

The other issue of course is the fact that it is difficult to cycle in a dress* with a top tube, so a certain amount of feminist design is going to be required aesthetically

I think the increase in young girls riding "Pashley" lookalikes is a good thing and an argument for maintaining the female frame.



* and no comments please.... I am NOT speaking from personal experience.

I can say that I've never ridden my MTB wearing a dress.....

 

[mickle]

In my professional opinion very few wimmin need a Wimmin specific frame. I never sold one in 25 years of selling bicycles to people of all genders. The problem is that many bike shop employees are crap at fitting.

 

[vickster]

Sometimes getting a WSD bike works, and is more cost effective once you start factoring in the cost of different bars, cranks, stem, saddle

I had a Giant avail...not in pink...I tried the equivalent frame sized Defy and it felt completely different as many of the components were wrong

And not all women want a grey or black bike

 

[ScotiaLass]

Sometimes getting a WSD bike works, and is more cost effective once you start factoring in the cost of different bars, cranks, stem, saddle

And not all women want a grey or black bike

Yeah, I wanted my new bike to have some colour on it as my previous was black/grey.
My new one is grey and turquoise

 

[GrasB]

In my professional opinion very few wimmin need a Wimmin specific frame. I never sold one in 25 years of selling bicycles to people of all genders. The problem is that many bike shop employees are crap at fitting.

Basically WSB bikes are a slightly different frame geometry & component selection which typically makes the bikes a easer to fit a bike to the female body. Unless you're on the extremes of the body shape (particularly long legs relative to torso, very short etc) for a woman then you can always make a mens bike fit, it's just you often need to change more components than on a WSB of the same size.

I have a friend who makes custom frames & he has various stock geometries. He's found there are certain geometries men prefer & certain ones women prefer. But there is not one geometry he's not built for either gender & there's not one base geometry that he couldn't have made to fit any person he's built a frame for.

Personally I ride on WSB upright frames because I prefer that general frame geometry & fit.

 

[summerdays]

I've cycled in a skirt on my hybrid bike (not WSD), and sometimes I set off and realise within meters that it isn't going to work in that particular skirt and then have to nip back change and try a different skirt! As I don't do it that often I can't remember which ones are ok.

Next time I go looking for a bike I am certainly going to consider WSD, as although I'm just under 5'6, my inside leg measurement is longer than a man of that height, current bike feels ok but it would be interesting to try one that catered for the different geometry.

 

[ufkacbln]

Don't forget fashion.

I am seeing more and more young girls on what I referred to as the "Pashley" style bikes.
If these bikes get young girls on bikes then that is sufficient justification for retaining these bike designs

 

[coffeejo]

There's more to it than step-through bikes ...

 

[AndyPeace]

I've cycled in a skirt on my hybrid bike (not WSD), and sometimes I set off and realise within meters that it isn't going to work in that particular skirt and then have to nip back change and try a different skirt! As I don't do it that often I can't remember which ones are ok.

Next time I go looking for a bike I am certainly going to consider WSD, as although I'm just under 5'6, my inside leg measurement is longer than a man of that height, current bike feels ok but it would be interesting to try one that catered for the different geometry.

I think that is one of the core differences in men/womens fit. Women tend to have shorter torso's and longer legs (proportionally), narrower shoulders and smaller hands.