{"id":187124,"date":"2023-03-30T14:07:24","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T21:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=187124"},"modified":"2023-04-06T15:48:49","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T22:48:49","slug":"unisex-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/unisex-bikes","title":{"rendered":"The Guide to Genderless Bike Buying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you want to ignite heated debate among bike geeks, ask them if women need women\u2019s bikes. Gendered bicycles surged in popularity throughout the 2000s, when many cyclists rejoiced over the expanding array of options that were optimized for women\u2019s supposedly shorter, hippier physiques. But within the past five years, companies like Specialized<\/a>, Yeti Cycles and Trek have been discontinuing women-specific bikes in favor of genderless (or gender-neutral) models. Can unisex designs meet the needs of all cyclists, including those who identify as women? The answer begins with a look at what prompted the development of women-specific bicycles in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No-Woman\u2019s Land<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with the obvious: For most of the previous century, bicycle manufacturers and retail shops catered almost exclusively to male cyclists\u2014and, specifically, to men who raced. Sizes reflected the average height of the men\u2019s market (currently 5\u20199\u201d in the U.S<\/a>.). And the prevailing geometry put riders in a long, crouched-low body position that reduces drag and promotes speed. Brake levers, pedal crank lengths, and handlebar widths were also designed with men in mind. Consequently, that era\u2019s female cyclists make do with ill-fitting equipment. \u201cI needed a step stool to get onto my mountain bike when I was racing,\u201d jokes Nina Baum, now Cannondale\u2019s global product manager for women\u2019s products. (At 5\u20193\u201d, she is the average height for U.S. women.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1985, Georgena Terry (she\/her) founded Terry Precision Bicycles for Women to offer custom models for riders who didn\u2019t feel served by the existing market. In the early 2000s, established brands such as Specialized and Trek grew the women\u2019s bike movement by producing smaller sizes that were optimized for women\u2019s averages. Brake and shifter levers were positioned closer to the handlebar so shorter fingers could operate them. Saddles grew wider. Frame geometries offered lower standover heights that fit shorter inseam lengths, and shorter top tubes promised to provide better bike handling. As more brands started treating women like potential customers, women-specific bikes became an industry norm. And in 2008, Giant launched Liv<\/a>\u2014an entire brand dedicated to women cyclists with bikes designed using body-measurement data collected among female populations worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The industry\u2019s expanded range of bike sizes and geometries appealed to more than women, short men and teens also embraced smaller sizes, for example). Non-racers of all genders also liked the comfort they experienced with a more upright riding position; the shorter top tubes on many women\u2019s bikes offered an alternative to the racy crouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cannondale<\/a>, Co-op Cycles<\/a>, Diamondback<\/a> and other bike brands now offer gender-neutral bikes for a variety of rider types and purpose<\/em>s. The Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1<\/a> mountain bike is available in sizes from XS-XL, $599<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But as bike designers geeked out over a growing pile of anatomical data, they struggled to find reliable trends that differentiated between the sexes. Women were assumed to have longer legs relative to their torsos, but accumulating studies didn\u2019t bear that out, explains Henderson. Plus, manufacturers ultimately realized that their women\u2019s frames weren\u2019t actually that different from their men\u2019s models, according to Michael Brown, Diamondback\u2019s vice-president of product, who previously worked for such bike brands as LeMond and Norco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some women even viewed women-specific design as a kind of marketing niche that never achieved equal priority to men\u2019s bikes. Women\u2019s products came in introductory models, but not always in mid-range or high-end performance builds that experts sought. \u201cDudes don\u2019t type in \u2018men\u2019s road bikes\u2019 when they\u2019re shopping online,\u201d notes Cannondale\u2019s Baum. So, the industry began exploring alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bikes Go Beyond Gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The women\u2019s bike trend had already taught brands how to expand their size range and optimize each size for the intended rider, since simply shrinking the men\u2019s size-large frame didn\u2019t deliver peak performance for riders on size small and extra-small versions. \u201cWe developed different carbon layups for the smaller sizes and designed different suspension layouts that consider the braking and pedaling kinematics of smaller riders,\u201d says Baum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The movement also taught the cycling industry how to be more inclusive, says Heather Henderson, REI senior product manager for bicycles. \u201cIt showed women they were welcome in the sport,\u201d she explains. Brands needed to keep the extended size range while removing the gendered partition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cannondale<\/a>, Co-op Cycles<\/a>, Diamondback<\/a> and other manufacturers now offer gender-neutral bikes for a variety of rider types and purposes. Taller people no longer have to shop men\u2019s models and colors to get a rig that fits. Many U.S. cyclists, regardless of gender, can find a feel-great fit across mountain<\/a>, road<\/a>, gravel<\/a> and commuter<\/a> models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Diamondback Haanjo 3<\/a> gravel bike is available in sizes from XS to XL, $1099<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Instead of limiting the options for smaller cyclists, going genderless has allowed manufacturers to strengthen their commitment to the sizes that many women choose. \u201cOur sales forecasters used to decide not to make extra-small sizes in what were assumed to be men\u2019s models because they didn\u2019t think there were enough people who\u2019d buy them,\u201d explains Baum. \u201cNow, we can include extra-small and Small sizes in every single platform, because we\u2019ve removed that artificial [gender] constraint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diamondback has also added extra-small sizes to all models it makes. \u201cREI definitely encouraged us to offer the full mix of sizes,\u201d says Brown. \u201cWhat we make fits 90 percent of all people without any compromise,\u201d he continues. The remaining 10% (as well as any elite athlete who wants to split hairs to achieve the perfect bike fit) can generally swap components such as stems, saddles, pedal cranks and handlebars to dial in a blissful ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping for Your Soulmate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before they buy any bike, says Henderson of REI, shoppers should choose a store<\/a> that makes them feel comfortable. \u201cYou may eventually need help with fitting, so you want to start off with a promising relationship,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, ask yourself where you want to ride: Pavement? Rail trails? Technical singletrack? Bike parks? Be realistic about what you\u2019ll actually do on your new bike, not just what you wish to do. \u201cThe more honest you can be with yourself, the more suited the bike will be,\u201d explains Henderson. It\u2019s OK to have multiple goals for one bike. For example, you may want that commuter model to double as a gravel grinder on weekends. Just be sure to perform a reality check on your likeliness to live out your aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test-ride a few bikes across various price points\u2014even ones beyond your budget, recommends Henderson. \u201cFeeling the differences can help you identify what features are important to you,\u201d she says. You might discover that braking performance is a top priority or that you prefer a frame that\u2019s easy to step over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips For Buying a Bike<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Choose a bike shop that makes you feel comfortable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Decide where you want to ride. Mostly pavement? Technical singletrack? Be realistic about what you’ll actually do with your new bike.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Test ride a few bikes across various price points\u2014even ones beyond your price point. This is so you can feel the differences and identify important features.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Decide how stretched out or upright you want to be. More aggressive riders might prefer a longer, lower body position.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. As you try out various models, trust how you feel on it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Then, check how you feel against sizing benchmarks, like standover height.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Learn more in How to Choose a Bike<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    As you try out various models, trust what you feel. You want to feel confident, balanced and in control. Give yourself the authority to decide what’s best for you. \u201cNo one can tell you that,\u201d says Jen Audia, global marketing for Liv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, there are a few sizing benchmarks that riders can use to confirm that they\u2019ve found the right frame. Standover height is one of those. \u201cYou really have to have one to two inches of space between you and the top tube,\u201d says Henderson. Less than that, and the intimidation factor (and injury potential) become undesirable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Riders should also decide how stretched-out or upright they want to be. Aggressive, speed-oriented cyclists may prefer a longer, lower body position that lets them pressure the front wheel when cornering. \u201cWhen you\u2019re in a really upright position, it can be hard to get enough weight over the front,\u201d explains Henderson. However, the upright stance that riders enjoy on bikes with shorter top tubes is less taxing to the muscles of the back, neck and core\u2014which casual, fun-seeking cyclists might value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If one factor feels off-putting but the rest of the bike is awesome, ask about it, suggests Henderson. Brake levers can usually be adjusted, saddles are swappable, sluggish shifting can be remedied, and handlebar heights vary to promote the right rider position. Just try to avoid maxing out the range of any part, suggests Henderson. \u201cYou will change as you use this machine, so it\u2019s smart to preserve some span of adjustment,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Her final tip? Love what you buy. \u201cThe right bike feels comfortable, it feels natural, and it makes you want to ride every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Shop All Bikes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you want to ignite heated debate among bike geeks, ask them if women need women\u2019s bikes. Gendered bicycles surged in popularity throughout the 2000s, when many cyclists rejoiced over the expanding array of options that were optimized for women\u2019s supposedly shorter, hippier physiques. But within the past five years, companies like Specialized, Yeti Cycles […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9145,"featured_media":187131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[25,724],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-187124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycle","tag-cycle","tag-gear"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/unisex-bikes","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"The Guide to Genderless Bike Buying","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/unisex-bikes","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/unisex-bikes"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/kingman20210713_4695.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/kingman20210713_4695.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000"},"articleSection":"Cycle","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Phuong Le"}],"creator":["Phuong Le"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["cycle","gear"],"dateCreated":"2023-03-30T21:07:24Z","datePublished":"2023-03-30T21:07:24Z","dateModified":"2023-04-06T22:48:49Z"},"rendered":"