Women's Special 2021 - Women's Special for download: 42 pages of road bike tests, portraits, tips and service

In many ways, the pandemic has put women at a disadvantage - but it has apparently given female (cyclists) athletes an extra boost: Data from the social sports network Strava, at least, shows that the frequency of training increased significantly last year, especially among women, compared to 2019, with the number of their bike rides rising by as much as 77.7 per cent worldwide (men 34.7) and 91.5 per cent in Germany (men 49.5). Women were also ahead in terms of record rides: the QOM crown changed hands 36 per cent (men 32 per cent) more often than in 2019. More and more women around the world are discovering their passion for cycling. On the other hand, there are fewer and fewer women's racing bikes. That sounds paradoxical. But like every paradox, there must be a higher truth behind it. In our search for it, we came across the well-known problems of the bike market - supply bottlenecks due to the pandemic, high demand - but also the fact that the boom in bike categories such as gravel and e-bikes has simply pushed the women's road bike niche out of the market. For many manufacturers, it is no longer worth producing comparatively few women's road bikes, with their own geometries, add-on parts and in many small frame sizes. We have focussed our bike test in this special on the few brands that still make this effort - and also provide plenty of tips on how else women can find the right road bike. Because just like everyone else, women need bikes that fit them individually. They can find them among "real" women's road bikes - but also in the huge market of all road bikes. And this is where the higher truth lies in the end: Every road bike is also a women's road bike.

Have fun with this special!

Angelika Rauw, deputy editor-in-chief of TOUR

All contents on 42 pages

• In portrait: Five women who have achieved something that no one before them has ever achieved
• Women's racing bikes: Six bikes in the test - and interesting alternatives. Plus: The best tips for finding the right bike
• Rain jackets: Which rain jacket will keep you dry without sweating? Find out in our test of ten models between 30 and 330 euros
• All-weather jerseys: These all-rounders should defy wind and wet conditions and still be airy. Our test shows whether the eight jersey jackets can do this
• Fitness exercises: Professional racing driver Tiffany Cromwell shows us which exercises she uses to keep fit. To copy!
• Pregnancy: Riding a road bike while pregnant - is that possible? It is possible. We tell you what to bear in mind and where the limits are
• Yoga: Four simple yoga exercises that are perfect after cycling training - for beginners and advanced cyclists
• Relationship: He rides a racing bike, now she does too. About the risks and side effects of a very special love triangle

You can find the women's special exclusively below in the download for 3.99 euros or in the TOUR app (available for iOS and Android). It is not available separately at newsagents, nor will it be included in a future issue of TOUR!

Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!

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