{"id":36323,"date":"2018-08-08T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2018-08-08T16:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=36323"},"modified":"2025-11-20T17:06:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T01:06:54","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-womens-and-mens-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/whats-the-difference-between-womens-and-mens-bikes","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Difference Between Women’s and Men’s Bikes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where once women\u2019s bikes were simply smaller, \u201cprettier\u201d (whatever that means) and, sadly, more poorly spec\u2019d than men\u2019s models, thankfully those troglodyte days are behind us. Aside from aesthetic nuances, quality women\u2019s bikes today offer the same performance and components as comparable men\u2019s models.<\/p>\n

The big difference between women\u2019s and men\u2019s bikes is the fit:<\/strong> Bike makers have a lot of fit data that goes into frame geometry. Women, on average, are shorter than men, so women\u2019s bike models generally have shorter stack heights. On average, women also have shorter torso lengths, so women\u2019s bike models tend to have shorter reach lengths.<\/p>\n

\"Bike<\/p>\n

Shop Women’s Bikes<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Shop Men’s Bikes<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

That said, another way to view a \u201cwoman\u2019s bike\u201d is that it\u2019s any bike that fits her:<\/strong> That\u2019s why plenty of women can often get a better ride on a man\u2019s bike (aka unisex bike). A good bike shop will ignore marketing and concentrate on bikes that fit your body proportions. And the final word on fit isn\u2019t what happens when you roll out of the store. It takes a few weeks of riding to assess things. After that, you should return to the bike shop to discuss what is and is not working. They can make adjustments, swap out components or, if need be, put you on a different-size model.<\/p>\n

To learn some fundamentals about fit, read Bike Fitting Basics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What about step-through frames?<\/strong> The classic woman\u2019s bike featured a downward-sloping top tube, a design that dates back to days when women riders wore long skirts. You still see casual women\u2019s bikes with that look, but it\u2019s for aesthetics, not performance. Bike designers today are experimenting with curved elements on many pieces, not just the top tube.<\/p>\n

Other components also affect bike fit:<\/strong> The size or adjustments on key bike components also help it synch better with rider physiology: The stem, seat, handlebar, suspension and brake levers can all affect a bike\u2019s overall fit and comfort.<\/p>\n