Like clothes, there are bicycles for men and women respectively. While people are more used to seeing men's bicycle, more and more people are switching to women's bicycle as it also has numerous benefits. 

Luckily, most women's bicycles aren't designed so that they can only be used by women alone. The same goes for men's bicycles, as women can use them, too. This leaves everyone the freedom to choose which one they would go with.

In this blog, we'll discuss the similarities and differences between women's and men's bicycles. Hopefully, by the end of this blog, you'll be able to identify which suits your riding habits the best.

Difference between Women's and Men's Bike

Fit

The most common difference between men's and women's bikes is the size of the frame. Men's bicycles have a bulkier frames with wider reach and higher stack, while women's bicycles have smaller and more lightweight frames.

While some brands use these differences for marketing, women's bicycles were originally created to accommodate women cyclists who tend to have shorter torsos. This way, they can have an optimal riding experience without difficulty in pedaling and discomfort.

Despite these differences, you can adjust the stack height of both men's and women's bikes depending on the rider. However, the stack height of men's bicycles would remain higher at their maximum height.

Functionality

Aside from the frame, there are other areas in which men's and women's bicycles differ.

First is the handlebars. As women tend to have narrow shoulders and smaller hands compared to men, women's bicycles have narrower and smaller handlebars. 

Next is the saddle. Since women tend to have wider pelves than men, the saddles of women's bicycles tend to be shorter and wider. For some men, their narrow saddle causes friction between their legs and the saddle, especially when pedaling hard. Because of this, they tend to switch to a narrow saddle like that of women's bicycles.

Lastly is the suspension. Luckily most men's and women's bicycles have the same suspension and are only adjusted based on the personal preferences of the cyclists.

Safety

It all boils down to compatibility. Both men's and women's bicycles are safe if they're used by people who match their bodies. And most importantly, if they're used correctly. On the other hand, if men's and women's bicycles are used by people who don't have compatible body frames and sizes, they tend to be uncomfortable and unable to ride properly, making them susceptible to accidents.

Various safety cycling accessories fit both men's and women's bicycles. For accessories that should be mounted, like GPS trackers, it's best to go for the brand with multiple mounting options, so you could use them with both bulky men's bicycles and sleek women's bicycles. 

The same goes for bicycle lights. Lack of visibility remains to be the topmost cause of cycling-related accidents. This is why having bike lights are a must. It's best to have a combination of front lights and taillights that have flexible mounting straps, so they can be used for both men's and women's bicycles.

Riding Experience

Contrary to what most people think, women's bicycles are just city or commuter bicycles. There are also cross-country and mountain bikes available for women today. While the choices aren't as generous as men's bicycles, there are enough units that could easily be modified to suit the riding style of cyclists.

In terms of performance, such as speed and agility, there isn't much difference between men's and women's bicycles, as long as they complement the body and riding habits of the user. You could also use women's cross-country bikes on long-distance rides and steep terrains.

Where to buy women's bicycles

Despite the gender inclusivity of most cycling tours and races, unfortunately, high-quality women's bicycles are still difficult to find. Most local bike stores only have commuter bikes for women.

If you're thinking of buying cross-country bicycles for women, your best option is through online bicycle stores. Or, you can opt to visit big bicycle stores.

Cycling is for everyone, regardless of your gender.

Despite the existence of women's and men's bicycles, the benefits of cycling for both genders are the same. It can give you multiple health benefits, help you save money when commuting, enable you to help the environment, and of course, it's a fun activity. So, whether you're a petite girl or a muscular boy, there's a perfect bicycle for you.