What is the difference between Mens and Womens Mountain Bikes?
February 25, 2011 by pbik
Filed under Mountain bikes
Are the proportions different or is it just the crossbar?
February 25, 2011 by pbik
Filed under Mountain bikes
Are the proportions different or is it just the crossbar?
some parts of the frame are different,and they also make grips and brake levers and seats differnt to fit the female geometry, but you normally dont feel a big differnce, most girls ride mens mountain bikes anyway just because theres a bigger slection
I think the seat is wider on a womans bike sumthing to do with hips not sure
Usually the difference on a name brand mtb is a shorter top tube[arm reach] as well as a 170mm crank instead of 175mm and sometimes the bottom bracket height is also less.A shorter stem and narrower handlebar too,yet this is usually done in shop.
At least this was the way in the late 90’s when I worked at a shop.
On the higher priced mountain bikes at least, the frame design itself is different and more tailored for women. Like other answers, the components design are more tailored for women’s proportion. Each of the large bike maker brands (specialized, trek, giant, etc) have specifically dedicated designs for women and definitely not a market to be left in the back burner anymore.
On cheap bikes from walmart and what not, really nothing but the top tube… or what you’re calling the crossbar.
On real bikes, they make them lighter with a shorter and more compact frame geometry to better accommodate smaller female riders and they lower the standover height of the frame, usually by using a shorter seat tube with a steeper angle. This is a two-for-one since the steeper angle on the seat tube also shortens the cockpit and makes for a better fit for women. Aside from that, they’ll throw different decals on it and different color options…
The new Kona Minxy is an excellent example. It is essentially a Stinky Six but with the changes I’ve mentioned above to make it a better ride for women.