Female Mountain Bikes

[SoDesuKa]

Would you believe there are "female mountain bikes?" I can see the reason for girl's bikes, but mountain bikes? Why would anybody wear a dress while mountain biking?

Here's the link: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sys/800440493.html

Assigning gendeer to things like cars is a marketing stunt, isn't it? A few years back, there was an attempt to sell women small, cute cars. Is a female mountain bike small and cute?

[Solon]

1. I'm thinking maybe it has an...accessory on the seat that makes it more fun to ride...

Hehe, I'm such a pev. :evilgrin:

[Orrex]

2. Maybe it has sensuous eyelashes

And full, pouty lips. You know, the Disney archetype of femininity.

[Drum]

16. lol

:rofl:

[redqueen]

3. Hahaha...

at first I thought maybe this was marketed toward guys who really love their bikes.

Remember that guy?


Think of the marketing possibilities:
Female Patio Furniture
Female Public Benches

[supernova]

4. It's the lower slant on the top bar

that makes it a "female" bike. A "male" bike is more straight across.

As to why bikes are built this way, that would be an interesting thing to learn.

I want to find a bike that has a shorter distance between the seat and the lowest point on the pedals. Most adult bike are too big and it makes me sore, IYKWIM. :blush:

[Orsino]

5. It's for modesty, I believe...

...the move necessary to mount a men's bike still being considered unladylike in some circles.

[SacredCow]

6. It dates back to when women were expected to wear dresses in public...

straddling the top tube in a dress on a men's (AKA diamond frame) was less than lady-like.

They only still exist as a nostalgic holdover. The frame design is inherently weaker than a diamond frame.


As for wanting a bike with a shorter distance between the seat and lowest point on the pedals- Truly, when you're sitting on the seat with one pedal in the 6-o'clock position, your leg should be almost straight.

[supernova]

7. It's not "almost"

straight, my leg is more than, as in I almost don't reach the pedal at 6:00, thus it repeatedly puts too much pressure on my girlie parts.

I don't really want to feel like I'm riding a dildo down the street.

[SallyMander]

8. Your bike is too big for you

Is the seat lowered all the way? If it is, you just need a smaller frame. You should go to a bike shop and have them fit you, it'll be much more comfortable!

As for the slant on the top tube - my fiance (who works at a bike shop) calls them "step-through frames" rather than womens' frames. Some older gentlemen with bad hips like them for ease of getting on the seat. :)

[supernova]

10. Yes, I'm aware of all that

for the 40th time, most adult bikes are simply too big for me, even with the seat adjusted. It is the chief reason I don't have one and don't do any biking. It is what I have noticed riding on various bikes over the years. Everything from regular street bikes to stationary gym bikes. All of them are too big. Period. I'm 5' 1", btw.

"step-through" sounds better in this day and age. :-)

[cwydro]

12. Bikes are always to big for me too.

My Trek is too big, but I love it anyway. I ride everyday I can.

I would dearly love to get a bike that fits me. never had one. I'm just under 5'3".

I feel your pain, literally, lol.

[supernova]

13. You know what I'm talking about, then!

:thumbsup:

:rofl:

I just can't take it more than about 15 minutes.

[cwydro]

15. Yes,

on long rides sometimes my, um, legs get numb.

No circulation. Gets cut off somewhere in the, uh, thigh area, I think.

[SacredCow]

14. I would say you have two options to get a bike that fits you better...

Depending on how much you want to spend.

The first (more expensive option) is to get a bike from a manufacturer that makes different FRAME sizes (unlike the store brand bikes that designate a bike as 26" size because the wheels are 26" in diameter). You'll have to go to a bike store to get one, but they'll be able to fit you with one in (I'm guessing here- it'll depend on your actual measurements) maybe a 13.5 to 15 inch frame size- and that would surely fit you (and you can probably find them in mens or womens frames). You'll pay more, but generally speaking the bike will be of a better quality and last much longer than a store brand. And you may be able to find a used one on craigslist or somesuch.

Second option- IF you want to go with a store brand (and if you don't ride much, it's certainly a more economical option), I would suggest seeking out a less-common 24" size. These are sold for kids that have outgrown the 20" bikes, but aren't quite big enough for an adult 26" size. I used to sell a lot of these to small-statured adults.

At 5'1", you should be able to find something suitable.

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Your bike is too big for you.

Ouch. One of the good reasons for women's bikes is smaller scale frames. Unfortunately they're not as easy to find as the bigger frame bikes and not as inexpensive.

[supernova]

11. Yes, I've looked at the

possibility of getting a properly fitting bike and I'm not really sure I can or want to spend hundreds of dollars on a bike. It's very annoying. It's like to bicycle manufacturers, small adults like me don't exist.

:grr: