Most people find it difficult in getting the best bike that will suit their size accurately. The truth is in choosing a bike as a woman, your size matters a lot. Because of the different kinds of bikes we have, it deepens the confusion in many also. Some keep wondering, which type of bike do I need? What size will be fitting for me? Most try to balance the purpose driving them to get a bike to their size before tailoring it down to the type of bike. Well, as a woman you don’t need to fret any longer with such concerns. I want to tell you that there is a bike that suits you perfectly out there.
In this article, I will be exposing some of the different bikes we have, how you can measure your bike, and know the exact one that suits your size. Trust me, after going through this article, you’d not regret it as you will be heading straight to the store or hitting the order button online for that perfect bike that suit you without any mistake.
By now, you should be ready to journey down with me in this revealing article.
Types of Bikes
Bikes are mostly designed in such a manner that they can meet a need. For every activity of man, there is a purpose by which a bike is made so it can relieve or aid man in carrying out such an activity. Some of these bikes take up their names from the activity they are expected to function and I will be exposing the 5 most common types of bikes we have.
Road Bikes:
Just as the name implies, the bike is designed for road cycling and not for either mountainous riding or outdoor commuting. It is known for its sleek skinny body, tires, and drop bars. For women that would love long riding or join a group for a ride, the road bike is the ideal bike for you.
Pros
Very fast, has a lightweight, and excellent for a long-distance ride
Cons
easily deformed when hit, can’t thrive elsewhere except on the road. Drop bars can be uncomfortable for some riders
Mountain Bikes:
Different kinds of mountain bikes exist and each suits a particular purpose. We have trail bikes, downhill bikes, cross country bikes, etc. and each is designed uniquely to meet an activity. Generally, they are designed to ride in mountainous or hilly regions with ease. They are made with great suspensions, depending on the bike- a medium-sized tire with the ability to maintain traction off the road.
For women who would love to ride along the forest, hilly or mountainous regions, this is the best bike for you.
Pros
Good suspension
Cons
Heavier than road bikes. Slow in riding smooth surfaces.
Cruiser Bikes:
Also known as beach cruisers. This is one fanciable bike made for pleasurable and leisure short distance riding. This is best for any woman who wants to go in for a short ride, drive off to the close grocery or store, or perhaps ride along the beach axis. Most cruiser Bikes have attachments or accessories such as a basket.
Pros
Has a fancy design, upright geometry
Cons
Not good for riding long and hilly places.
Hybrid Bikes:
Just as the name implies, this is a bike that can serve dual purposes. It is designed to meet the activities of both the road and the mountain bike. Unlike road bike that has a drop bar, hybrid bikes have flat drop bars and have an upright design. The tires are designed to accommodate any terrain it finds themselves whether dirty or smooth surfaces. For women who desire to enter riding or engage in any form of fitness riding, a hybrid bike is the best for you.
Pros
Dual-purpose (ability to run on bother smooth and dirt terrains), upright geometry.
Cons
In extreme long mountainous riding, it is not suitable.
Cargo Bikes:
This is the ideal bike for women who are lovers of carrying heavy loads. This bike is a city bike that has a carriage at the back for carrying loads. Because of its size, you can go in for the electrically assisted ones. Most women love this bike because it saves them a lot when hitting the market and necessarily doesn’t want to take car rides along.
Pros
Can carry heavy loads. Good for commuting around the neighborhood.
Cons
Very heavy.
With the knowledge of the different types of bikes we have now, as a woman it is ideal you arm yourself with the basics of measuring the bike (knowing its wheel and frame size) and striking a balance with it to your body size. This will help you get the best bike and size that suits you.
In getting the best bike option for you as a woman, there are two things to consider sizes namely- wheel and frame size.
How to Measure Wheel Size
Wheel size requires the measuring of the diameter of the bicycle although it is less relevant to measure the size of the frame. Below is a standard method of measuring the wheel and tire:
- Try and keep the bicycle in an upright manner. Either you use the kickstand or you lean it unto a wall.
- With retractable tape, place the end of it under the tire to touch the ground while you measure it up to the center. This gives you the radius which when you multiply by 2, gives you the diameter size of the bicycle. You can as well choose to measure the entire diameter without stopping at the center. The length is measured in inches.
- For the tire, measure the flat part of the tire which is regarded as the width. The width of the tire will tell more about what purpose the bike is meant for. Narrow tires suggest a faster and smoother ride while the wider it is, the rougher it suggests.
- The combination of the diameter and width is what you will be seeing on the tread of the bicycle when you want to purchase it. That is, if you see a tread of 28 x 1.65, it simply means the bicycle is 28 inches in diameter and 1.65cm in width.
For mountain bikes, the wheels have size ranges of 26, 27.5, and 29 inches. The average adult-sized and heavy woman will prefer the 27.5 and 29inche, while most petite that is short may choose the 26 inch women bikes. Although, they can still feel comfortable riding the 27.5 and 29 inches. The same graduation can be used for hybrid and cruiser bikes.
For road bikes, the wheels are usually graduated in “mm” for the diameter. The average woman goes in for the standard road bike with a 622mm diameter. Shorter and petite women may prefer a 577 mm diameter road bike.
How to Measure Frame Size
The frame size is the total distance from the bicycle chain up to the base of the seat. The frame size determines if a bicycle is big or small. As the diameter of the bicycle has measured in inches, the same is not for the frame. The women’s bike frames are measured in inches, centimeters, or generic forms (small, medium, and large).
The variation in how the frame-size bikes are measured makes it difficult for one to determine the best bike that suits them. As a woman seeking the best complimentary bike for your size, it is ideal to check out the company sizing chart. Every brand or company you would want to purchase or order your bike from normally has a bike sizing chart which will serve as a guide for you in choosing the best bike for yourself.
The sizing chart normally has inclusions of vital parameters such as your height, the frame size (in cm), and the frame size (in generics).
Women’s Mountain Bike Size Chart
For women who wish to buy mountain bikes, the chart below shows the corresponding rider heights to the mountain bike size.
Frame size standard | XS | S | M | L |
Frame size (in inches) | 13-14 | 15-16 | 17-18 | 18-20 |
Riders height | 4’10” to 5’2” | 5’2” to 5’6” | 5’6” to 5’10” | 5’10” to 6’ |
The smaller the frame size, the smaller the bike.
Women’s Road Bike Size Chart
Unlike mountain-size bikes graduated in inches, a typical road bike’s size is measured in centimeters. The women’s road bike measurement shows the frame size in centimeters which is the length of the seat tube. The smaller the length of the seat tube, the smaller the road bike. For women looking for the corresponding bike size for road bikes, below is a chart that shows the woman’s height to the frame size.
Frame size standard | XXS | XS | S | M | L |
Frame size in cm | 44-46 | 47-49 | 50-52 | 53-55 | 55-57 |
Riders height | 4’10” to 5’1” | 5’1” to 5’3” | 5’3” to 5’5” | 5’5” to 5’8” | 5’8” to 5’10” |
From the above chart, you will realize that the smaller the size of the frame, the smaller the road bike will be. However, it is advisable to always check the manufacturer’s website regarding the model of your choice. It saves you a whole lot of time and stress.
Hybrid, Commuter, and Cruiser Bike Sizing
Hybrid bikes (city commuter bikes) have been in existence for a long time and it is said to be the intermediary form of mountain and road bikes. It is designed with a combination of the two bike features. The sizing of a hybrid bike is somewhat compared to that of the mountain bike and road bikes. Most hybrid bikes are smaller in inches when compared to road bikes. For women wishing to know the hybrid bike that suits them, it is ideal for such a woman to know her height and in-seam length which she will scale up with the bike’s frame size.
Generic size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
Bike frame size (in inches) | 13-15 | 15-17 | 17-19 | 19-21 | 21-23 | 23 & above |
Inseam length | 25-27 | 27-29 | 29-31 | 31-33 | 33-35 | 35 & above |
Your height | 4’11”-5’3” | 5’3”-5’7” | 5’7”-5’11” | 5’11”-6’2” | 6’2”-6’4” | 6’4” & above |
A cruiser bike’s frame especially the one connecting the bar to the seat and down to the pedal module defines how comfortable you will be on your cruiser bike. Getting it all wrong means while others are cruising on their bike, you are busy meddling on how to control and enjoy your beach ride. For women wishing to get the perfect cruiser bike for themselves, below is an age-dependent size chart that will help you make a good pick.
Age | ≤5 | ≤10 | ≤15 | ≤20 | Adult |
Height (in feet) | ≤3’8” | 3-4 | 4-5 | 5-6’3” | ≥6’3” |
Frame size (in inches) | ≤10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | ≥18 |
Wheel size (in inches) | 16 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
Before you pay for any bike, make sure you try to test it by riding small so you can ascertain its comfortability and whether it suits your size.
Conclusion
I believe by now you would not find it difficult in getting yourself the bike that suits you. All you need to do is to ascertain your height and cross-match it with the different size charts depending on the type of bike you want to buy.