How to choose a women's bike according to height, physique, and riding style?
Sponsored content
When public city bike rental stations appeared in my home city of Kielce a few years ago, I wasn't really moved by it. It was a different story for some of my friends. Several people quickly warmed up to the solution, openly praising it and saying that it was worth a try.
There was one day when I ended up on the other side of town, was getting ready to head back, and happened to be passing by a station. Spontaneously, I decided to give it a shot. It was my first bike ride after a very long break. Luckily for me, it turned out that you really never forget how to do it.
I felt like I had traveled back in time to my childhood, and it was a very pleasant experience. What I liked most was the freedom and the ability to calmly observe many places I hadn't visited in a long time. Besides, I managed to get across town quite efficiently, which, considering the time of day, wouldn't have been that easy by bus or car.
From that moment on, I regularly rented a bike to commute to work and back home. I also took care of various errands that way. After some time, I came to the conclusion that it would be more profitable to get my own Dutch bike or some other model instead of constantly paying for rentals.
Such a decision seemed obvious, but at that moment I lacked the knowledge to make an informed choice. It was a problem, but only for a moment. I started mass-consuming guides on various websites and YouTube. Gradually, I organized all the information in my head until I finally felt ready to make a purchase.
Every day I would check Allegro, and initially, I saved over a dozen options that roughly met my expectations. Later, step by step, I crossed off subsequent options until the moment when only one women's bike remained on the list. I ultimately ordered it, and the package arrived very quickly. From the perspective of over a year of use, I believe it was a bullseye. In the further part of the text, I will talk a bit more about the whole process and provide a few practical tips.
Check out women's bikes on Allegro — compare available models, frame sizes, and bike types before buying.
City bike as my first type
The bikes available in public rental stations most often resemble classic city models. They have a rack and a relatively simple gear system. Additionally, there is a low-slung frame that can be associated with a typical "step-through" frame.
Such a construction is perfectly suited for city riding. The wheels roll smoothly over asphalt and other types of hard surfaces. Besides, they handle curbs quite well. The handlebars are set high, so I didn't have to hunch my torso much or reach forward. On top of that, the entire geometry keeps the posture upright, which was very comfortable for me. For those riding only in the city, it is an ideal solution.
I got used to this construction while using the rental service, so initially, I was inclined toward something similar while looking for a bike for myself permanently. However, I didn't want to make a hasty decision, so I gave myself time to analyze options with slightly different characteristics.
photo — Romain Gille / Unsplash
Or maybe a trekking bike instead of a city one?
I move around the city most of the time, so I quickly rejected the MTB segment, which is completely at odds with my expectations. For a moment, I considered road bikes, but I concluded that they had too sporty a character for my riding style.
I lingered on trekking models for longer. What caught my attention was primarily their versatility. You can comfortably move around streets and paved bike paths, but there is nothing to stop you from venturing onto forest and field trails. Although the main goal was commuting to work and shopping, I didn't want to limit myself to that. I also dreamed of weekend trips to the surrounding landscape parks.
Trekking bikes also come in women's versions with a lowered frame. The handlebars are set a bit lower than in city bikes, but the position still remains comfortable for me. The standard equipment usually includes a rack, and you can easily attach panniers. A significant advantage also proved to be the wider gear range, which was useful especially during climbs and when riding on more demanding terrain. Ultimately, I decided that a trekking model was the compromise that met my expectations. Therefore, the choice fell exactly on a bike of this type.
How to fit a bike to height and physique?
I had already chosen the bike type, so I moved on to fitting the exact parameters. For less experienced people, this might be black magic, but there's no need to worry prematurely. Below, I have summarized a few issues I would pay the most attention to.
Choosing the frame size
Bike frames usually come in S, M, and L versions. However, one must remember that there is no uniform industry standard behind these labels. The same size from two different brands can, in practice, turn out differently due to different geometry.
When choosing, one should therefore look at more precise dimensions. I recommend checking the documentation on the individual manufacturers' websites. Usually, you can check there which variant is recommended for a specific height.
Sometimes sizes are expressed in inches, e.g., 17″ or 18″. In such a case, you should also follow the method described above.
Measuring the inseam
Another issue is measuring the inseam, i.e., the length of the leg from the inside. It is worth knowing this dimension because manufacturers often provide it as one of the hints when choosing a frame.
To check this, stand barefoot against a wall, touching it with your back and heels. Your legs should be slightly apart, leaving about 15–20 cm of space between your feet. Then, measure the distance from the crotch to the floor. The result is your inseam.
If possible, it is worth asking someone else to help with the measurement. This will allow you to focus only on maintaining a stable position, which should reduce the risk of error.
And what about the wheels?
In trekking bikes, wheels with a size of 28″ are most often found. This applies to both women's and men's variants. My bike also has this exact size, and I have no complaints about it. At first glance, the wheels seem quite large, but with a properly selected frame, everything should fit the physique perfectly.
What else is of great importance when choosing a bike?
When the issue of fitting the size to my physique was already well-researched, a few important aspects remained. One of them was the weight of the entire structure. If someone lives in a house with a garage or a building with an elevator, they don't have to worry about carrying the bike. In that case, a few extra kilograms won't make much of a difference.
In my old apartment building, the situation was completely different. I didn't want to keep the bike in the basement or outside because there were thefts in the area. So I had to reckon with the need to carry the bike up the stairs regularly—fortunately only to the 1st floor, and not higher. Ultimately, I decided on an option with an aluminum frame. Carbon models are even lighter but also definitely more expensive, and I didn't want to spend that much.
After my experiences with rented bikes, I didn't feel I needed a wide range of gears. However, I changed my mind after reading various guides. There is no shortage of hills in and around Kielce, so it is actually worth preparing properly. In the end, I decided on a 21-speed drivetrain. I use this mainly during trips outside the city and am glad I paid attention to it.
Brakes are also very important. I wanted them to give me a sense of control and allow me to reduce speed quickly. Finally, the choice fell on hydraulic disc brakes. I am very satisfied with them. They passed the test without issue in worse weather and on longer descents.
Choosing a bike on your own terms
It's a bit funny that everything started with one accidental bike rental. I just wanted to get home, and it ended up leading to significant changes in my daily life. The thorough research on the topic was definitely key along this whole journey.
If I hadn't done my homework back then, I probably would have been guided by brand popularity and the opinions of others, and who knows how that would have ended. It's possible that such a model wouldn't have been so accurately matched to me. In the meantime, I managed to make the best possible decision and wouldn't trade my bike for any other.
Leave a comment