In the past, woman cyclists had to put up with having men's bikes tweaked and tormented to somehow fit their different dimensions. A new generation of bikes, though, addresses this problem and makes it much easier for women to find the perfect bike.
The Problem with Women's Bike Fit
WSD (women's specific design) is based on a simple statistic: The average woman has longer legs than a man of the same overall height, and her torso is often shorter. This means that a woman who is being fitted for a new bike can often stand over the same bike as a man who is several inches taller. Since bicycle dimensions were traditionally designed around men's proportions, the woman was faced with a bike several centimeters or more too long for her reach.
To shed this extra length, the woman was often fitted with a bike one size too small for her. This would fix the reach but create other problems. Further, one-size brake levers were made for the average man's hands, leaving another reach problem for women, especially diminutive ones. Crank (pedal arm) length of 175 mm was just too long for shorter legs. And finally, all saddles were made the same, despite the obvious differences in physiology between men and women.
The WSD Solution
Today, most major manufacturers offer bikes specifically for women, designed to solve these and a few other woman-specific fit challenges. Here are the major differences between a WSD bike and a "normal" bike:
- Top tube length. The top tube (horizontal frame member) is shorter by 1-3 centimeters or so. This solves the reach problem, while maintaining the rest of the dimensions of the bike.
- Stem length. The stem (the piece that connects the handlebars to the bike) is shorter by 10-20 millimeters, also addressing the reach problem.
- The handlebars. Bars are narrower, accounting for women's generally narrower shoulders. The "reach" of the bar (horizontal forward extension) and "drop" may be shorter.
- The brakes and shifters. Road bike brake/shifter pods, especially on smaller frames, may come with special inserts to shorten their reach to accommodate smaller hands.
- The cranks. Pedal arms, especially on smaller frames (43-50 cm) may be shorter (165 mm).
- The saddle. A woman's seat will be shaped differently to better fit her pelvic structure and soft tissue considerations.
Who Needs a Women's Specific Design Bike?
Female cyclists should not assume they need a woman-specific bike. Since it is based on an average, WSD doesn't fit everyone. Obviously, shorter (relatively) legs and longer torso will fit better on the traditional frame. Many other factors – frame design, stem length, seat tube and head tube angles, etc. – come into play. Ultimately, a skilled fitter should be involved in a buyer's final decision.
Finding a Bike Fit Expert Who Knows Women's Bikes
While it may seem that women may be better at fitting other women's bikes, a man may be just as good. The fitter's experience and education in WSD – and not his or her sex – is most important. A sympathetic ear and a good eye are also crucial, as in any bicycle fitting.
As with all things bike-related, it is best to find a shop that the rider knows well and trusts. Good bike fitters, like attorneys and auto mechanics, often develop a reputation and a following, so the buyer should ask around. The fitter should help the prospective buyer through the fitting process, explaining each step. Test rides are important; five or ten minutes on a bike will usually tell both the rider and the fitter/salesperson much about the fit of a bike.
Finally, a buyer should remember that a WSD bike doesn't automatically guarantee a good fit. Rather, it is one tool in the fitter's inventory to help match a rider to a bike. Most good shops today are aware that it's important to be WSD-friendly and educated. If the fitter isn't sympathetic, doesn't really listen to the bike buyer, or gives any reason to believe that he or she isn't really up to speed on WSD, the buyer should find another salesperson, or perhaps another shop.
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