The road bike for women: Full performance without compromise

Many female riders - whether beginners or high-performance racers - find it difficult to find the right Racing bike to find. Pain in the buttocks or neck is usually the first indication that something is not quite right with the bike. But that doesn't have to be the case. Read all about women's road bikes on TOUR - including the latest test reports and exciting stories from the lives of female road bike pioneers.

Why should a road bike be customised specifically for women?

The female anatomy differs from the male anatomy in many details. Not only are women often smaller, they also have narrower shoulders, wider hips and - relatively speaking - shorter upper bodies. This in turn places different demands on the size and geometry of a road bike. So you can imagine that a two metre tall man needs a different bike for the same riding position, aerodynamics and speed than a woman of one metre fifty.

If the different requirements of the female anatomy are not taken into account, female road cyclists will never be able to realise their full physical potential. Not only because the overstretched posture is anything but aerodynamic, but also because the frame height impairs the development of power in the leg. A frame that is too tall and the resulting riding position have a negative effect on the body. What is initially perceived as uncomfortable and is accompanied by neck pain or tension can cause physical damage in the medium or long term.

However, it is now also clear that female riders are not automatically narrower and smaller than male racers. Just as there are women with a tall body and a broad stature, there are also wiry, short men. The decisive factor is that female athletes get on well with their bikes and do not have to make any compromises due to their height or build.

Female riders can also be happy with a road bike for men. In general, however, experts tend to recommend unisex frames or racing bike lines specifically for women. The difference is that the latter two are already customised for women. This is attractive for both beginners and professional racers.

What is the difference between a unisex frame and a road bike specifically for women?

A women's road bike is a bike on which the relevant Components are adapted to the typical female anatomy from the outset. Unisex frames, on the other hand, are frames that can be ridden by both men and women.

Unisex frames are usually complemented by customised components. Decisions for handlebars, wheels and the like are not made on the basis of gender-typical average values, but rather depending on the actual body shape and size. Riders therefore have more room for manoeuvre. The idea here is that whether you are a male or female rider, no two bodies are the same and therefore always need special adaptations.

However, this approach also has disadvantages: The numerous adjustments required for the unisex bike change the basic frame geometry. The bike may no longer be able to deliver the performance that the designers had in mind. Another weakness of unisex bikes is that the models are not produced in very small frame sizes. The only option here is a WMN bike.

Worth knowingAfter a long trend towards women's specific road bike models, unisex bikes are now increasingly becoming the focus of the major manufacturers.

Which road bike brands offer models for women?

While brands such as Canyon, TrekLiv, Cube, Rose, Scott and Cannondale build women's specific bikes, set Specialised and Merida on unisex frames with the right components. Both approaches have their justification.

Canyon has long been a pioneer of women's bikes. The manufacturer still sells racing bikes specifically for women under the abbreviation "WMN". One of the latest WMN models is the Ultimate CF SL 8 WMN Disc: A carbon racer with Shimano Ultegra groupset, aluminium rims and disc brakes - especially for women. With the Axial WS, Cube offers an aluminium road bike with classic rim brakes. Here too, an abbreviation indicates that this is a bike from the women's series. Rose, on the other hand, recommends the ROSE Pro SL Lady to women.

However, some female road cyclists don't get on well with WMN bikes and prefer unisex frames. The Specialized and Merida brands offer their bikes in a wide range of frame sizes, so that everyone can find the bike that fits perfectly - regardless of gender, size, stature or Driver type. The unisex frame is then complemented by customised components.

Practical tipTo make an informed purchase decision, only one thing helps: test riding. Go to a branch near you and get expert advice. advise and weigh up the various options before you buy a new bike.

Which road bike components need to be adapted for women?

Whether unisex solution or women's road bike: the average female body places special demands on almost all road bike components - be it the frame, the handlebars, the saddle, the cranks or the wheel.

The following components are particularly important for female racers to keep in mind:

• FrameDue to their often smaller body and torso, women usually need a lower frame height and frame size as well as a different frame geometry. Road bike frames that have been customised for women therefore usually have a shorter top tube, head tube and stem. These adjustments are intended to prevent female riders from having to stretch excessively to reach the handlebars, brake levers and gears. The modified riding position is not only conducive to improved performance for smaller female riders, but can also prevent tension and pain in the neck and shoulders.
• ImpellersTo prevent the tips of your toes from grazing the front wheel despite the shorter top tube, smaller wheels are increasingly being fitted to women's road bikes.
• HandlebarsThe handlebars are usually much closer to the saddle thanks to the shortened frame. To accommodate the female shoulder position, women's road bikes are also fitted with narrower handlebars.
• SaddleWomen's sit bones tend to be further apart than those of men. Women's saddles are therefore slightly wider. They also often have a central cut-out to avoid pressure points and circulatory problems in the genital area.
• Crank handleFinally, the smaller frames from the unisex segment and racing bikes for women are equipped with a shorter crank. This ensures ideal power transmission and therefore performance even for smaller riders.

InfoRacing bikes and equipment especially for women are in no way inferior to the rest of the range in terms of quality. High-performance components are also used here. Carbon frames, for example, are well established in women's race bikes. In relative terms, even more weight can be saved without compromising the stability and stiffness of the carbon bike.

What adjustments can women make to the road bike themselves?

If you already own a bike, many adjustments can still be made if necessary to optimise safety, speed and riding comfort. The bike does not have to be unisex or designed specifically for women.

The most obvious solution is to replace individual components such as handlebars, saddle or cranks with more suitable parts. You can also change your bike equipment and Accessories You can still get a lot more riding comfort - for example with specially padded cycling shorts.

Finally, riding enjoyment can also be increased by ensuring that the components used are ideally adapted to your body and riding style. For example, there are weight-dependent standards for both disc brakes and tyre pressure. Understandably, the brakes need to be set much less snappy for a slim physique than for a strong person. Similarly, a lower tyre pressure is sufficient for a lower body weight.

Practical tipSearch for the standards for the installed components on the manufacturer's website and try out different things. The important thing is that you feel safe and efficient.

Conclusion: Road bikes especially for women - no more compromises

Renowned racing bike brands have long since abandoned the standardised frame. In order to accommodate the entire range of body shapes and sizes, there are various customisation options for road bike riders.

Female bikers have the choice between special racing bike models for women and unisex bikes. After all, the frame is usually smaller, the saddle wider, the handlebars narrower and the cranks shorter than those of the male competition. The equipment and technical settings of the bikes can also be adapted to the requirements of female riders in many ways. This means that women no longer have to make any compromises on the road bike - be it in terms of riding position, comfort, aerodynamics or speed.