Are Women's Mountain Bikes Different
Are Women's Mountain Bikes Different
You may have questions about women's mountain bikes like Are women's mountain bikes different? You may even be struggling to find any women's mountain bikes by the top brands. This is because modern bikes tend to be unisex. Gone are the days when a crossbar dictates which bicycle you can ride. You'll find this mentioned here 2022 Trek Mountain Bike Guide and 2022 Specialized Mountain Bike Range Guide. by the biggest international brands when talking about this year's mountain bikes.
That may sound odd at first, but gender doesn't define your body size when you think about it. As a stereotype, men are larger than women, but we all know this is not the case for every individual. So assumptions based on gender have been taken out of the equation when designing bikes. As a result, you will find a more comprehensive range of frame sizes and different size wheels, in the case of mountain bikes, 27 inches wheels for the smaller end sizes and 29 inches for the rest. The result of these changes is a broader choice of bikes for every shape, size and gender.
Other than height, there are other areas to consider to ensure your bike is comfortable to ride. Touchpoints, the handlebars and the saddle, are affected by arm length and the position of your sit bones, which are wider on a female. When you buy a bike, it comes with a standard saddle adequate for a female or male rider. Still, you find if you frequently ride regardless of gender, riders upgrade to a gender-specific saddle. Touchpoints can hugely impact your ride; for instance, the wrong saddle could leave you uncomfortable for days, and incorrect reach could lead to back issues. You don't want to buy a bike and dread riding it.
So How Do I Get The Right Fit
We recommend a bike fit. A trained staff member completes a bike fit; they will adjust the bike to fit your reach and your riding position, measure your sit bones and find the perfect saddle height and angle. A bike fit can be done as you buy the bicycle or if you buy online at a local bike shop. Bike fits can take a little time, so give your local shop a call first and check they can do a bike fit and book in the time to spend with you. Cycles UK runs a 'Sized and Setup' service. We have bike-fit trained staff across our stores. All stores can assess your position and tweak your setup. So whether you buy a big bike or a small bike, we'll make sure it fits.
Bike fits can only do so much; always choose the right size bike for you; a bike fit cannot make a bike that is too big or too small fit you. If you are unsure what size to choose, in-store staff can help you; online, we have size charts on the bike pages and are happy to answer questions via email or telephone.
