The name of the inventor who came up with the lowered bicycle frame is unknown. But until now, millions of the fair sex are grateful to him, even if they themselves are not aware of it. They can get on their bike at any time and go on business, for a walk or to another destination where they are expected.
Sports, ecology, design
Today in Europe entire cities are switching to city bikes. Partly because it makes it faster to get to the office, bypassing traffic jams. Partly for environmental reasons. In addition, a bike ride is both physical activity and a walk along the routes that you choose yourself.
True city bike fans live in Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, 81% of German families own at least one city bike, but more often two or three. 40% of Germans use cycling every day, 49% at least once a week. On average, there are 2.4 bikes per family, while there are 1.4 cars. The length of bike paths in the country is 53,400 km. The city of Münster is considered the friendliest in relation to cyclists, where there is twice as much cycling as the locals.
Bicycles designed for women differ from any men in the geometry of the frame and proportions due to physiological characteristics. They have a shorter seat-to-handlebar distance, a wider seat, and a shorter handlebar in proportion to shoulder width. But the main difference lies in the expressive design.
Women’s city bikes delight the eye with grace and variety of colors: now it is a fashion accessory. It is no coincidence that in recent decades, world-famous fashion houses have shown interest in them. Of course, this is not a mass phenomenon, but it deserves attention. For example, Dolce & Gabbana has launched a series of leopard-print cruisers.
A trendy bike for a girl: Missoni dressed it up in her knitwear. Sure, it’s a print, but it looks warm and cozy.
Several city bikes and best women’s road bikes for beginners were created by Hermes. They are suitable for both a young girl and an adult woman.
Fendi Abici Amante Donna from Italian luxury brand Abici is a hand-built retro bike. From the Fashion House Fendi – seat upholstery made of genuine leather with rivets and perforations, a fur saddle bag, a spacious chest instead of the usual basket and other accessories.
Bicycles are in the collections of Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Chanel fashion houses. In terms of design, manufacturers of “iron horses” are not lagging behind the masters of fashion.
Classic bike for girls: only three speeds, but a lot of charm. New for 2020 Electra Wild Flower 3i. Manufactured by Electra Bicycle Company, an iconic brand from California.
Which bike to buy a woman?
Before discussing which women’s bike is better to buy, let’s figure out the classification.
There are 4 types of bike bikes:
off-road;
sports;
intended for asphalt road surfaces;
others
Women’s bikes fall into the fourth category and, in turn, include three subspecies:
urban;
mountain;
sports.
Which type is better to choose
The main role in choosing a bike is played by its purpose. There is no point in buying a cross bike if you plan to ride it only in the city. And urban models are not suitable for off-road walks.
Which bike to choose for the city
Citybikes designed for riding on asphalt or paved surfaces are suitable for walking. They do not differ in speed, but they are ergonomic and comfortable. They are usually equipped with shock absorber, a comfort seat, a footrest, a chain guard, a rack and a basket.
A good option for cycling for the city is a cruiser. It features a sporty design and increased comfort. The chain is protected by a casing that prevents long clothes and dirt from getting into the mechanism.
Many of the models have a retro look in their outlines as a tribute to the age of the cruiser. It first appeared in 1933 and was in high demand until the mid-1960s. A new surge in popularity came in the 1990s. Cruisers are produced by dozens of manufacturers: they are organic fit into the urban environment of modern megalopolises.
Mountain bike
This type of cycling is often called MTB (mountain bike). It belongs to SUVs and is considered universal: it is suitable for driving off-road, in mountains and on asphalt. Works best on rough terrain with steep climbs and descents. Rough handlebars are non-slip and give the rider a firm grip. The saddle is tilted forward.
The frame is heavy, sturdy and muddy. The wheels are wide, the tires have an off-road tread, which is suitable for off-road driving. And if you still don’t know which bike to buy for a summer residence, then a mountain bike is a good option. Another winner of the 2020 rating is the Stark Luna 26.2 D bike.
How to choose the size
To keep the bike safe and comfortable, it is “tried on” like a piece of clothing. The subject of our interest is a women’s bicycle, the length of an inclined frame tube is measured for it: it is selected taking into account the height. The height of the seat depends on the length of the pipe. For calculations, they use a special dimensional table or do mathematical calculations on their own.
To do this, the distance from the groin to the foot, measured in centimeters, is multiplied by a factor. For road bikes, the coefficient is 0.66, for mountain bikes – 0.57. These simple calculations will tell you how to choose the right women’s bike.
Selection rules
A few tips on how to choose a women’s bike:
Decide whether you need a steel, aluminum or composite frame. Aluminum alloys and composites are lighter. Steel is comparable in strength to composite materials, but costs less.
Evaluate the quality of welds on metal. The seams run along the pipes or are located only at the joints. The last option is stronger.
It is better to choose an anatomical seat with a shock-absorbing fork.
The price of the issue
It’s not enough to decide which bike to choose for a woman. Competent value for money is important. It’s hardly worth overpaying for an expensive 27-speed gearbox if you really need three speeds. It is not advisable to choose a sports model with an expensive carbon frame if you are not involved in cycling. All models of road bikes for women and best mens road bikes of Amazon are presented in reviews on Roadbike.io.
When calculating your budget, do not forget about additional components. A hanging basket can be considered a must-have accessory, but there are a number of items you cannot do without. The photo shows a set of tools for a cyclist.
We list only a set of mandatory accessories for beginners (for advanced amateurs and professional athletes, it is much more):
bicycle helmet;
bicycle pump;
rear flashlight-flasher;
flask and bottle cage;
saddle bag;
set of hex keys;
spare camera and paddles for installation (indispensable for country trips);
Cycling computer with a cadence sensor to monitor the load on the knee joints.
Which bike to choose is up to you. But whatever the choice, this is a step towards a new lifestyle, in which there is more freedom, sports, health. After all, avid cyclists don’t stay at home.
