Lifestyle

Do Women Need Female Specific Bikes?

UNISEX BIKES ARE JUST MEN'S BIKES: Canyon

Canyon bikes introduced women’s specific bikes in 2015, and they’ve got more for 2016. The range currently isn’t as big as the men’s – but they’re working on growing it. We spoke to brand manager Katrin Neumann…

“Until 2015 Canyon didn’t do women’s specific bikes. For 2015 we added a few, for mountain bikers, now for 2016 we have more.

When I see a “unisex” bike I ask ‘what is “unisex” on this bike?’ The engineers are men, designer is a man, the professional riders testing it are men… for me it’s not unisex!

Shifts in gearing, weight, and geometry

The Canyon women’s range isn’t about Pink and Shrink: “For the road bikes we have adapted the geometry slightly with a shorter stem and more narrow handlebars, a women’s saddle and lighter gearing.

“For the mountain bikes we have shorter stem, and depending on the size, sometimes narrower handlebars, sometimes not, and different saddle. We have lower gearings and a different tune for the rear shock (to cater for lower weight). I think it’s more sensible to use a remote for the rear shock – which for me, I find easier, than having to take your hand off the handlebar to adjust for the trail.

“For some frames, we’ve also used different wheelsets – with a lighter rim – to reduce the rotating mass. And of course the colour!”

Shorter arms?

Canyon have been doing their research: “It’s not the leg/torso length. We have found on average women’s arms are around 2cm shorter compared to men of the same height – and that does affect leg angle if women ride the same bike.

“Women are also more flexible, which means to get into the right position we rotate more – and that puts more pressure on the saddle area – so that is very important.

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“I wouldn’t say that women should definitely get a women’s specific bike – but when it is women’s specific, it is a lot easier, or you have to change a lot. Of course, there are women who aren’t ‘average’ but you have the same for men. We’re trying to adapt everything on the bike to the average woman.”