What is the difference between men’s and women’s bikes?
Over the last ten years, bikes have become a crucial tool for both exercises and movements over short distances.
However, men’s bikes are diverse from women’s bikes, both in size and structural design. The difference between men’s and women’s bikes is also notable in the length and the bike’s seating position.
Therefore, in this article, we shall look at the noticeable differences between men’s and women’s bikes and also establish the reasons why you should purchase a bicycle tailored for your gender. Comparing bicycles for men and women is similar to judging against clothes.
Have you ever attempted putting on clothes for the opposite gender? If yes, you possibly know how diverse our bodies are. Men and women have distinct structures in their physique, and this is evident in the differences between their bikes.
Table of Contents
So, what Are the Differences between Men’s and Women’s Bikes?
There’s not much difference between male and female bikes physically. You shouldn’t anticipate seeing hot pink with frilly handlebars on a female’s bike.
Nonetheless, if you look at the two bikes, you’ll detect minor differences that make them ideal for men and women, and this is where road bike tire sizes play a vital role.
Therefore, if you’re a woman rider selecting between getting men’s vs. women’s bikes, here are a couple of differences between the two:
1. Frame Structure
Men and women bikes have structural differences. It’s mainly in the frame’s top tube. The Top Tube is the part of the bicycle that joins the handlebars to the seat.
In other words, the top tube is the bar between your legs when you’re riding the bike. Although female commuter bikes are cozier to ascend as the top tube bar inclines towards the seat, the bar on the men’s bike is parallel to the ground and not easy to climb like a woman’s bike.
However, there are cases where the bar on the female bike isn’t inclined. In such instances, the torso and the top tube are short while the leg is elongated. This is why female bikes are short, easier to climb onto, and have a low seat.
2. The Shape of the Seat
One area you should be keen on when selecting between men’s vs. women’s bike is the shape of the seat. You may get somewhat inexpensive brands with unisex saddles suitable for both men’s and women’s bikes.
It only works better when on a short ride down the road, although it’s inexpensive. When riding for long, the saddle can become uncomfortable with time. Most of the time, female roadies use women’s bikes for their riding activities as the seats are sufficiently broad to suit their pelvis.
Naturally, women’s pelvic bones are wide than men’s. This is why bike manufacturers consider the physical difference when producing bikes for men and women. Women’s bikes have wide and shorter saddles to house the wider pelvic bones
On the other hand, men’s bikes have a longer and narrower seat. It’s because men have narrow pelvic bones.
3. The Handlebars
This is another crucial part of a bike that you should take into account when looking at the differences between male and female bikes. In both men’s and women’s bikes, handlebars are usually different. It’s because the two genders have diverse widths at the shoulders that are evident in the handlebars’ design.
Just like the physique’s structure dictates, the width of men’s shoulder measures between 42 and 44 centimeters wide while that of women starts from 40 to 42 centimeters wide. This difference explains their narrower shoulder widths.
Additionally, the stem between the handlebars on men’s bicycles is wider than the one on female bikes. It helps indemnify for the longer arms. On women’s bikes, the stem of the handlebars is shorter as they have a smaller torso.
And because the stem isn’t adjustable, it has been designed to fit women of diverse heights. Thanks to the shorter stems, women can easily and cozily reach the handlebars.
4. Crank Length
A bike’s crank length must meet the needs of the owner so that they can reach the pedals easily while also maintaining balance.
Since women have shorter torsos, female bikes have shorter cranks and, therefore, they can reach them easily. The average crank length of women’s bikes is 16.5 centimeters.
On the other hand, men have relatively longer torsos to the proportional size of their bodies. It makes the bike makers produce bikes with a longer crank. Men’s bicycles usually have a 17-centimeter crank. With this, men can reach the pedals and keep their balance.
5. Brakes and Grips
In women’s bikes, grips are smaller. It makes them suitable for women’s small hands. Also, brake levers of female bicycles have a shorter reach to fit a woman’s smaller hands.
On the other hand, men have long hands and broad shoulders that make them suitable for the somewhat large grips on men’s bikes. Men’s bikes have brake levers with a longer reach. This is a notable difference to house a man’s significantly longer hands.
6. Bike Size
Without considering other factors such as body parts of bicycles, the general size of women’s bikes is relatively smaller because of women’s smaller stature. The bike’s smaller size increases stability by lowering the center of gravity.
When it comes to men’s bikes, they’re relatively larger and have large body parts, making them fit for men’s large stature. It helps in cycling and controlling the bicycle. A smaller bike that’s not proportional to men’s body size makes them feel tired quickly.
7. The Length of the Stem
Women don’t usually feel secure and cozy when riding bicycles with elongated stems. Some women roadies may purchase a bike with a longer stem and later replace them with shorter stems.
However, it’s suggested that you get a bike that’s ideal for you without having to shorten the stem. A bike with a long stem isn’t perfect for women. It makes the steering feel unstable and less twitchy.
8. Seat Tube and Head Angles
Makers design women’s bike by increasing the angle and length of the head tube at the front of the bicycle to stop the toe and the front wheel from overlapping when pedaling. As a result, the front wheel is more forward when compared to men’s bikes. It helps increase stability.
Additionally, women’s bike’s seat tube is at a steeper incline than men’s bikes. It’s caused by the shorter Top Tube. On men’s bikes, the seat tube isn’t steep as the tube is horizontal.
9. Style
This is another area where the difference between male and female bikes is clear. Women’s bikes have unparalleled esthetic designs, looks, and colors.
The style is a one-of-a-kind feature of women’s bikes. On the other hand, men’s bikes are mannish and don’t have aesthetic designs.
10. Bike’s Suspension
These are the systems that suspend the bike and the rider so that they’re insulated from uneven terrain. Bike suspension is mostly used on mountain bikes. However, it’s also common on hybrid bikes.
The suspension on a man’s bicycle is tailor-made to accommodate a large body. Suspension helps absorb impact, and hefty bodies may have unique requirements as far as suspension is concerned.
Although women’s and men’s bikes have a similar suspension set up, bicycles for larger roadies are usually made to handle more compaction.
11. Distance from Bars to Levers
Women’s bicycles usually have somewhat curved shifters at the bar. It helps facilitate the handling of brakes and gear levers by women with smaller hands.
Let’s now compare various crucial features between men’s and women’s bikes in summary.
Comparison Table – Men’s vs Women’s Bike
| Men’s Bikes | Women’s Bikes |
| They have a horizontal top tube. | They have a lowered top tube. |
| They usually have a long saddle-handlebar length to suit men’s long arms. | Have a shorter saddle-handlebar to suit women’s shorter arms. |
| Men’s bikes have thicker and wide handlebars to agree with men’s broad shoulders and have excellent grip. | They have somewhat thinner and narrower handlebars. |
| They have long and slender saddles. | They feature wide and short saddles. |
| They usually come in black color. | They mainly come in pink and other colors. |
Bottom Line – Men’s Bike vs Women’s Bike
In this article, we’ve looked at men’s bike vs. women’s bike. However, these differences aren’t meant to discriminate but instead, to suit every gender’s body shape and structure.
Provided you’re secure, comfortable, and safe on a bike, it doesn’t matter if it’s a women’s or a men’s bike. Studies have shown that men’s bikes are suitable for tall women and, on the other hand, women’s bicycles are ideal for shorter men.
That said, always make sure that you purchase a suitable bike so that you can relish your cycling experience. There’s a wide array of options available in the market, and if you search carefully, you’ll get the right bike for you.
Finally, before selecting your preferred bike, take some time testing, learning the sizes, and checking your coziness. Don’t forget that when buying a bike, you cannot turn a blind eye to convenience. We hope that this article has been helpful to you!
