Women's bicycle frame

A topic often marginalized, both by bike shops and manufacturers themselves. Most assume that a women's frame should be comfortable and provide the most upright riding position. And that's it. Weight? Just look at those tanky Dutch bikes. Geometry? Make it as long as possible. And preferably pink. Pure misogyny disguised as comfort and a sense of superiority. Meanwhile, women's needs are just as, if not more, diverse than those of male cyclists. This is true even if we narrow the issue down to women's bikes (because many women don't care about the names and ride men's frames – and there's nothing wrong with that). Today we'll talk about what to look for when buying a women's frame. Read on!

The most important parameters

Women's frames, despite their seemingly similar design, are very diverse. It's worth focusing primarily on practical aspects, leaving aesthetics for last. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you can build the bike you want from a given frame. So, let's start with the basics.

Standards - a ladies' frame is not that simple

Unfortunately, the bicycle world tends to produce a succession of standards for mounting, wheel sizes, hub widths, and so on. The Damka is no exception. While parts won't be a problem for most popular bikes, you should be careful not to accidentally end up with a rare size or old standard, which can make finding parts or even everyday use very difficult. The first thing to pay attention to is wheel size. The two basic sizes are 26 and 28 inches.

28 inches always included

We especially recommend the latter for city riding, as the larger wheel will better handle curbs and smooth out bumps. A smaller wheel is especially suitable for shorter women – it's worth considering if you're under 160 cm tall. You can also sometimes find bikes with 27.5-inch wheels – a good alternative for mixed terrain. However, you should avoid 27 and 28 x 1 1/2-inch wheels – both are available on older, steel frames. Not only can fitting tires and tubes be quite a challenge, but changing wheels may even be impossible. Inch markings can be misleading (especially with several 28-inch wheel standards). Fortunately, using millimeters is reliable and straightforward. Proven and used sizes include: 622 mm (28 inches), 584 mm (27.5 inches), and 559 mm (26 inches). Also, ask the seller what tire width will fit the frame and fork. It's also worth checking the chainstay spacing and whether the frame is derailleur-compatible. Models without gears or those designed for narrow gear hubs (such as the popular 3-speed Shimano Nexus) have a 120mm spacing. Modern trekking and mountain bikes have a 135mm spacing, but many older women's bikes use a 130mm or 126mm spacing (older models). With older frames, the seatpost diameter can also be an issue – it's a good idea to check if this size isn't hard to find. Geometry - a ladies' frame doesn't have to be lazy A women's bike frame is usually designed for comfort and a stable ride. This means it's quite long, and usually heavy and unwieldy. If you're looking for maneuverability, look for shorter, more compact models. They'll also be easier to carry up stairs or squeeze into elevators. Pay attention to the head tube – if you're looking for an upright stance, it's better to have a tall head tube – it's a better solution than a too-long stem.

Material - aluminum or steel frame for a ladies' bike?

In practice, there are two choices. Traditional steel is usually heavier, but looks more classic, and above all, absorbs bumps wonderfully. Most vintage women's frames are made from it. Aluminum is lighter, but its stiffness translates to a more comfortable ride. To compensate, many newer women's bikes are equipped with shock absorbers, which are not lightweight. That's why our frames are made of butted steel tubing. They are exceptionally comfortable, yet lighter than most aluminum competitors. A women's carbon frame is so rare that it's difficult to pinpoint specifics—each bike is unique.

Details

Mounts for fenders, a rack, or a kickstand. These might seem like trivial things, but if you care about these accessories, without the right mounts, you'll be stuck with a lot of options. The same goes for bottle cage mounts, for example.

A good frame is, above all, the right size

The last, and perhaps most important, issue is often criminally neglected when it comes to women's bikes. A good frame must be the right size. This is complicated by the fact that many models, especially city bikes, have very non-standard geometry and markings. Therefore, it's best to obtain all the dimensions and consult with an experienced mechanic. We've dedicated an entire article to this topic, presenting size charts for various types of bikes. You can find it here . We also recommend our frame size calculator – simple and effective!