Womens bike for a male?
02-17-19, 11:32 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Womens bike for a male?
Looking at a Canyon with Di2.
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
02-17-19, 11:44 AM
#2
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
All that matters is fit.
...and sometimes paying a "pastel tax", depending on the vendor.
...and sometimes paying a "pastel tax", depending on the vendor.
02-17-19, 12:17 PM
#3
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
02-17-19, 12:28 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 198
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking at a Canyon with Di2.
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
If it's too girly looking, you might have to be man enough for it.
Last edited by Bikesplendor; 02-17-19 at 01:08 PM.
02-17-19, 12:55 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18372 Post(s)
Liked 4,507 Times
in
3,350 Posts
Many little adjustments are easy... and not expensive for each one. But, of course, add up if one is doing a dozen of them.
34T chainrings should be common enough, and you may get good shifting for 52/34, although not necessarily a supported configuration.
Are you able to actually test-ride your bike?
34T chainrings should be common enough, and you may get good shifting for 52/34, although not necessarily a supported configuration.
Are you able to actually test-ride your bike?
02-17-19, 01:17 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 118
Bikes: 2007 Quiring Ti + 2014 Focus Izalco + 2009 Dynamic Synergy + 80's Bottecchia w/105 Crank Set + 2010 Jamis Commuter-4 + 1999 GT Slipstream Hybrid
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times
in
10 Posts
Deepakvaro,
I can't help but think that by asking this question the idea of riding a women's bike is, ultimately, not alright with you. For me, I can foresee several instances where, being parked with other riders, I would feel just a little foolish to claim the women's bike. I humbly advise against this purchase.
Please forgive my obviously chauvinistic point-of-view.
I can't help but think that by asking this question the idea of riding a women's bike is, ultimately, not alright with you. For me, I can foresee several instances where, being parked with other riders, I would feel just a little foolish to claim the women's bike. I humbly advise against this purchase.
Please forgive my obviously chauvinistic point-of-view.
02-17-19, 02:17 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 252
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 100 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
I found that the women's CF SLX Canyon had the ideal stack and reach for me so I purchased it. Don't mind the color way is Canyon-SRAM. To be honest, few people recognize the color scheme. It's a wonderful bike and perfect fit.
02-17-19, 02:17 PM
#8
Bad example
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle and Reims
Posts: 3,063
Bikes: Peugeot: AO-8 1973, PA-10 1971, PR-10 1973, Sante 1988; Masi Gran Criterium 1975, Stevenson Tourer 1980, Stevenson Criterium 1981, Schwinn Paramount 1972, Rodriguez 2006, Gitane Federal ~1975, Holdsworth Pro, Follis 172 ~1973, Bianchi '62
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times
in
94 Posts
If the bike fits and is aesthetically acceptable, go for it.
If it is is not aesthetically acceptable, that’s a different matter. I am a woman but there are a lot of women’s bikes out there that I would refuse to buy because they are over-the-top feminine. Nothing wrong with wanting a bike that presents you as yourself.
If it is is not aesthetically acceptable, that’s a different matter. I am a woman but there are a lot of women’s bikes out there that I would refuse to buy because they are over-the-top feminine. Nothing wrong with wanting a bike that presents you as yourself.
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
02-17-19, 06:08 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 63
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Fuji Absolute. Wife has: Ridley Noah, Brompton
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Honestly, the difference between men and women's bike is 90% marketing. Usually the only visible things that are different, are A) color (but sometimes the colors are actually really cool.) and B) The stock saddle. On women's bikes they tend to put a saddle which is a little wider since women hips are generally wider than men's. And in the end, the stock saddle always sucks anyway, and you will most likely swap it out for one you prefer.
Looking at a Canyon with Di2.
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
I find that the womens bike has what I need.
1. the 50/34 that I need, whikle the mens has a 52/36
2. Geometry seems fine for me as far as reach and stack go
3. The stem length and handle bar width suit me better [90 and 400] versus a 100 and 420
So, is there any downside in me, as a male ordering a female bike in the M size?
02-17-19, 06:46 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,488
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times
in
1,834 Posts
This comes up from time to time ... do a search ...
Basically ... brace yourself---Bikes Do Not Have Gender.
The difference between a "men's" bike and a "woman's" bike is what you call them. Nothing else.
Some manufacturers market bikes with different color schemes and call some "Men's" and some "Women's." Sometimes manufacturers have similar bikes with marginally different geometry and call them different things. But a bike has No gender.
People who are so insecure that they would not ride a bike which fit because of an artificial name ... that's fine for them. Personal choice.
I would ride any bike which fit well, because there IS NO SUCH THING as a men's or woman's bike.
If I call my bike a car, or an antelope, or a woman's bike ... it is still just a bike. If it offers a good ride, i will ride it.
I walk the talk, by the way,. I crossed from LA to DC on a "women's" bike. It fit great, which really makes a difference when you are on the bike for several hours a day, for 42 days.
Buy the bike you can ride best. Then tell everyone it is transgender, and dare them to say anything.
Basically ... brace yourself---Bikes Do Not Have Gender.
The difference between a "men's" bike and a "woman's" bike is what you call them. Nothing else.
Some manufacturers market bikes with different color schemes and call some "Men's" and some "Women's." Sometimes manufacturers have similar bikes with marginally different geometry and call them different things. But a bike has No gender.
People who are so insecure that they would not ride a bike which fit because of an artificial name ... that's fine for them. Personal choice.
I would ride any bike which fit well, because there IS NO SUCH THING as a men's or woman's bike.
If I call my bike a car, or an antelope, or a woman's bike ... it is still just a bike. If it offers a good ride, i will ride it.
I walk the talk, by the way,. I crossed from LA to DC on a "women's" bike. It fit great, which really makes a difference when you are on the bike for several hours a day, for 42 days.
Buy the bike you can ride best. Then tell everyone it is transgender, and dare them to say anything.
02-17-19, 07:50 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,791
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times
in
293 Posts
Well, I think my bikes actually do care. But that’s just me. 
Getting back to the OP’s question, my wife has a Trek Madone WSD. Trek markets it as a women specific bike. I have ridden it in many occasions with no problem at all.
It is grey with pink trim. It looks fine and it rides fine.
So get the bike you like and don’t worry about gender.
Getting back to the OP’s question, my wife has a Trek Madone WSD. Trek markets it as a women specific bike. I have ridden it in many occasions with no problem at all.
It is grey with pink trim. It looks fine and it rides fine.
So get the bike you like and don’t worry about gender.
02-17-19, 08:46 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Same brand. Looking at a Canyon Endurance Di2.
The womens has the best stack/reach, the 50/34 and the stam and bar width that are ideal for me. At the risk of sounding foolish, is there anything that identifies it as a womens? My wife had a Bianchi long ago that had 'Dama' written on the downtube.
02-17-19, 08:51 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks all. As long as it does not have 'womens' written on it I'll go for the womens.
https://www.canyon.com/en-in/road/en...c-8-0-di2.html
https://www.canyon.com/en-in/road/en...c-8-0-di2.html
Like I had said, if womes is written on it, might be difficult to resell eventually.
https://www.canyon.com/en-in/road/en...c-8-0-di2.html
https://www.canyon.com/en-in/road/en...c-8-0-di2.html
Like I had said, if womes is written on it, might be difficult to resell eventually.
02-17-19, 09:21 PM
#16
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Some frames are made for longer legs and shorter torso, and are therefore called "women's". If the geometry is such that it fits you better, forget about the label.
Canyon has rather odd sizing, and a medium is similar to a "large" for many other manufacturers, so be cautious.
Canyon has rather odd sizing, and a medium is similar to a "large" for many other manufacturers, so be cautious.
02-18-19, 08:16 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 781
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 479 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
156 Posts
Brace yourself... Men have longer legs than women - relative to height, of course. True story. The researchers who studied/concluded that hypothesized that fashion is to blame for the myth that women have longer legs - high heels, higher wasted pants, more fitted clothing (higher crotch in pants, etc)...
For bikes, because of weaker upper bodies (and yeah, some added weight in the chest area), some women do prefer a more upright position.
But the punch line: It still comes down to individual fit preferences... and color
02-18-19, 08:27 AM
#18
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
02-18-19, 08:38 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 781
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 479 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
156 Posts
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2872302/
https://www.femininebeauty.info/f/leg.length.polish.pdf
Leg-length to height ratio and attractiveness
And an old one from the '70s - good old U.S. military - measured everyone and everything: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a074807.pdf
https://www.femininebeauty.info/f/leg.length.polish.pdf
Leg-length to height ratio and attractiveness
And an old one from the '70s - good old U.S. military - measured everyone and everything: https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a074807.pdf
02-18-19, 08:42 AM
#20
Full Member
Deepakvaro,
I can't help but think that by asking this question the idea of riding a women's bike is, ultimately, not alright with you. For me, I can foresee several instances where, being parked with other riders, I would feel just a little foolish to claim the women's bike. I humbly advise against this purchase.
Please forgive my obviously chauvinistic point-of-view.
I can't help but think that by asking this question the idea of riding a women's bike is, ultimately, not alright with you. For me, I can foresee several instances where, being parked with other riders, I would feel just a little foolish to claim the women's bike. I humbly advise against this purchase.
Please forgive my obviously chauvinistic point-of-view.
02-18-19, 08:47 AM
#21
Senior Member
A lot of manufacturers, like Trek, have the same frame geometry on the bikes marketed to women -- they just widen the saddle, shorten the stem and put on narrower bars. And of course, any of those swaps may work better.
The idea of a woman's bike or a man's bike is pretty stupid. If it fits and looks good, it's a bike for you.
The idea of a woman's bike or a man's bike is pretty stupid. If it fits and looks good, it's a bike for you.
02-18-19, 08:55 AM
#22
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
It looks like Relative Subischial Leg Length would be the most relevant to frame sizing, so perhaps that this the source of the confusion.
Another factor is those women with a significantly greater non-muscular upper-body mass ratio might prefer a more upright posture, and therefore a shorter top-tube.
Another factor is those women with a significantly greater non-muscular upper-body mass ratio might prefer a more upright posture, and therefore a shorter top-tube.
02-18-19, 09:36 AM
#23
The Left Coast, USA
My Bianchi is labelled "100% Chick Designed". Thank you Sky Yaeger.
__________________
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. - Gandhi
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. - Gandhi
02-18-19, 09:38 AM
#24
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I think someone should sue Specialized for being gender-binary in their frame design.
02-18-19, 11:45 AM
#25
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times
in
560 Posts
Fit. If it fits it works.
I sold a bike frame to a guy at a swap meet. It fit him perfectly. He was super short but longer legs and a short torso. Bike was a Trek "women's" geometry bike.
He comes back with his friends giving me all sorts of crap. "How you gonna sell me a woman's bike! I'm a man!" "Because it fit."
My mountain bike has flowers on it. Fits perfectly.
I sold a bike frame to a guy at a swap meet. It fit him perfectly. He was super short but longer legs and a short torso. Bike was a Trek "women's" geometry bike.
He comes back with his friends giving me all sorts of crap. "How you gonna sell me a woman's bike! I'm a man!" "Because it fit."
My mountain bike has flowers on it. Fits perfectly.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels