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Female Specific Mountain Bike

  • 27-07-2014 8:13pm
    #1
    rizzodun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭


    My wife has expressed interest in going biking with me so I've decided on getting her a mountain bike so she can come biking with me whenever we're both free.

    I have a budget of €750-€1000, I'm looking at an XC Hardtail, and wondering is it worth looking for a MTB designed specifically for women?

    One example is the Trek Cali 29er, which is closely related to my own Trek Mamba, so I know the sort of spec I can expect, but while this is specially designed for women, I would think the general size and wheelbase of a 29er may be too cumbersome for her height at 5'3".

    I have looked at Boardman Team 650b in Halfords, which seems to have a respectable spec and weight for the price, including the RockShox Gold front fork, and it comes in a 16" frame size but would this suit a female rider?

    Open to any advice about whether I should ignore female specific designed bikes and concentrate on the right frame size and weight for her height and build, or go for a bike designed with women in mind?

    I'm aware I could probably get a better spec second hand but with fit being important to her I'd rather buy a bike set up for her needs.


Comments

  • #2
    crosswords
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 252 ✭✭crosswords


    As long as the frame is the correct size she will be fine.

    A ladies specific saddle is also important.

    Other than that, there is no need to get a specific ladies MTB.

    Happy biking.


  • #3
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    rizzodun wrote: »
    I have a budget of €750-€1000, I'm looking at an XC Hardtail, and wondering is it worth looking for a MTB designed specifically for women?

    Go with a female specific design such as the Liv/Giant, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.liv.giant.tempt.27.5.2/15027/66818/

    Large showroom in Dublin: http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-GB/

    One in Cork also...


  • #4
    rizzodun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    crosswords wrote: »
    As long as the frame is the correct size she will be fine.

    A ladies specific saddle is also important.

    Other than that, there is no need to get a specific ladies MTB.

    Happy biking.

    I was thinking about the saddle especially but this is a very easy swap, so no fear with changing that.
    Tenzor07 wrote: »
    Go with a female specific design such as the Liv/Giant, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.liv.giant.tempt.27.5.2/15027/66818/

    Large showroom in Dublin: http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-GB/

    One in Cork also...

    Thanks Tenzor, that's the sort of thing that has me wondering, the Boardman seems to have a slightly better spec, so would the difference in geometry matter?

    The the 16in frame Giant has 57in top tube to the Boardmans 59in, the difference may be lessened by the stem as Giant does not have the stem length on it's figures, plus the chain stay is an inch shorter on the boardman which should aid climbing, the rest is pretty close, so does the female specific geometry really matter?

    Either way she's going to try out every bike before we buy, to make sure the fit is comfortable.

    Not that I need an excuse to look at mountain bikes....


  • #5
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    I'm no expert but would say that that for shorter women it is even more important to have female specific geometry, Liv bikes are specifically for women.

    Longer chainstays means the bike is more stable on descents. Women tend to have shorter upper bodies, so shorter top tube is good.

    Check out the Giant brand store...


  • #6
    curiouscycles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭curiouscycles


    Hi, have you considered the Specialised myka sport. My wife has found it to be a great bike. She's 5'2" and while the myka has 29ers, she has always found it to be responsive and comfortable. The fact that it was women specific made a huge difference compared to other bikes she has had.


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  • #7
    rizzodun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    curiouscycles wrote: »
    Hi, have you considered the Specialised myka sport. My wife has found it to be a great bike. She's 5'2" and while the myka has 29ers, she has always found it to be responsive and comfortable. The fact that it was women specific made a huge difference compared to other bikes she has had.

    Thanks curious, I'll add that to the list of options, a 29er would help her keep up on the descents seeing as I have one myself.


  • #8
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    Wouldn't recommend 29ers unless it's a tall rider...

    ..the wheels are heavier and will make the bike seem sluggish to get up to speed..awkward in slow corners due to lack of leverage for a shorter rider on the bike wheels..
    ...most big manufacturers only supply Small frames in 27.5 or 26 inch wheels..


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