How to choose a women's road bike?

Women's cycling is riding high and gaining ever greater visibility. The number of female riders is growing and women are making an increasingly important place for themselves in the world of cycling, with undeniable enthusiasm.

To meet this enthusiasm, the range of products designed specifically to best suit female morphologies is now increasingly varied: frames, saddles, handlebars…

As you will have gathered, here are a few tips to help you choose the right women's road bike.

THE FRAME

Defining the bike's behaviour, the frame is without doubt the principal element of the bike. In recent years, brands have understood the interest represented by the women's cycling market, and more and more manufacturers now offer ranges designed specifically for passionate female road riders, ready to climb passes and cover kilometres.

To offer models adapted to female morphologies, these brands have taken into account the notable difference that remains between men and women: height. According to the statistical data collected and studied, women have longer legs, a shorter upper body and narrower shoulders. But that's not all! The difference in power must also be taken into consideration in order to adapt performance output.

These insights translate into a road bike frame that is shorter and with a narrower handlebar. In other words, in terms of geometry, brands modify the length and angles of the various tubes that make up the frame (notably the top tube, the chainstays and the head tube) to promote the comfort and stability sought by female cyclists.

If in doubt between two sizes, it will be preferable to choose the smaller frame. It is always possible to adapt your bike and make adjustments, particularly to the seatpost, saddle and cockpit, to fine-tune the position, more or less upright, depending on what you are looking to prioritise: comfort or aerodynamics for maximum performance.

That said, not all manufacturers have decided to adopt the same strategy, and some continue to assert that the differences between men and women are not sufficient to require different frames. However, in their catalogues you will find components and accessories specially designed to promote women's comfort on the bike.

MATERIALS

Largely determining the behaviour of your future bike, the frame material must be the subject of thorough consideration in order to find the one that suits you best, depending on your riding style, your constraints and your budget.

Aluminium

Aluminium frames generally offer a good comfort/performance compromise at an affordable price. Ideal for smaller budgets, aluminium is often used in the manufacture of entry-level and mid-range bikes.

Its weak point is its longevity. Indeed, an aluminium frame fatigues more quickly than other materials. Over time, the frame tends to deform under repeated stress.

The aluminium frame is often complemented by a carbon fork to better absorb shocks and be more comfortable. An excellent compromise for cyclists who do not want to spend a large budget and want a high-performing bike.

Carbon

Lighter than aluminium, carbon is positioned as the preferred material in current road cycling. It can be combined endlessly with various fibres, allowing for particularly high-performing, comfortable and lightweight frames.

Its main drawback lies in its low resistance to impacts compared to aluminium frames. As a result, even the slightest fall can prove fatal to the frame.

If you are looking for performance, a carbon frame will be your first choice. Indeed, it allows you to optimise your efficiency thanks to its lightweight and stiff design. Conversely, if you are a beginner, if your riding is not intensive or if your budget is limited, an aluminium frame seems like a good investment to enjoy your riding and have a comfortable and manageable setup. Paired with a carbon fork, this looks like the ideal compromise between comfort and performance.

There are also carbon frame models designed to absorb shocks, dampen vibrations and cover long distances without adding too much weight to the bike. These frames are perfectly suited to riding that prioritises comfort over long distances.

Geometry

Geometry does not only help you choose the right frame size. It also determines the bike's behaviour by offering a specific compromise between efficiency, comfort, weight, stiffness and aerodynamics. We distinguish three main families within road bikes.

Aerodynamic

"Aero"-type road bikes are designed for speed. Often developed in wind tunnels, these models are characterised by wider, aerodynamic tubes to cut through the air. Generally stiffer, the position is more forward and more aggressive to maximise speed with every pedal stroke.

Endurance

Endurance road bikes offer a perfect compromise between stiffness, speed and comfort. With generally longer chainstays, a shortened top tube and a raised head tube, these models are true all-rounders. This versatility allows you to spend long days in the saddle.

Mountain

These road bikes are designed to offer an optimal weight-to-stiffness ratio. They are characterised by thinner tubes and short chainstays. Their behaviour is more responsive, lively and agile. Lighter than aerodynamic and endurance geometry bikes, they are particularly effective for climbing the most demanding passes and making aggressive accelerations.

Components

Drivetrain

In terms of gearing, women's models are more versatile. Depending on your level and your training terrain, you can choose a cassette configuration to get everywhere without difficulty. For example, a double chainset in Compact (34/50 teeth) will provide maximum versatility and efficiency on all terrains. Ideally paired with an 11-28 tooth cassette for fine and progressive gear spacing.

A smaller size means shorter cranks. Do not hesitate to choose shorter cranks which help reduce muscular and joint extension thanks to a higher and less tiring pedalling cadence. A postural assessment will allow you to find your ideal size. It is also possible to widen the pedal stance by using "Q-Factor" spacers to achieve a more comfortable position.

Saddle

As the pelvis is generally wider, women's bike saddles have characteristics specific to their morphology. The saddle must therefore be wider to adapt to the width of the sit bones. This is the point where pressure is greatest. The width of a women's saddle varies between 135 mm and 165 mm.

As the pelvis is generally wider, women's bike saddles have characteristics specific to their morphology. Gel helps absorb shocks. However, be careful not to choose a saddle that is too soft. If the sit bones sink into the gel, pressure will also be applied to the more sensitive parts of the sitting area.

To find out more, you can visit our dedicated page by clicking: here.

Cockpit

Also, the width of your handlebar will be important for feeling comfortable. The idea is to have a measurement as close to your shoulder width as possible. A narrower handlebar allows better control of the bike and easier access to the levers. It also reduces strain on the shoulders.

Moreover, you can choose a stem and levers that are closer together for a better grip on the brake and a more confident braking action.

Which road bike suits my riding style?

Cycle touring

For a good compromise between comfort, lightness and durability, an aluminium frame, ideally with a carbon fork, will be perfectly suited. Carbon comfort-type frames can also prove interesting with effective shock absorption and an adapted geometry for a comfortable position during effort. This bike will have longer chainstays and a longer top tube, a higher head tube, for a more upright position. This will provide you with stability, for those who above all want to ride long distances without an absolute pursuit of performance but with a comfortable position.

On the drivetrain side, a double compact chainset (34/50 teeth) with a wide-range cassette (11-32 or 11-34 teeth for example) will provide maximum versatility on all terrains. Disc brakes will guarantee braking that is easy to modulate and safe in all circumstances.

Sportive

An aluminium frame with a carbon fork, or a carbon frame depending on your budget, will ideally combine comfort and efficiency. Just as with cycle touring, a double compact chainset (34/50 teeth) will provide maximum versatility and efficiency on all terrains. Ideally paired with a slightly closer-ratio cassette (11-28 teeth for example) for finer and more progressive gear spacing.

Here again, disc brakes will guarantee braking that is easy to modulate and safe in all circumstances, but at the cost of greater weight compared to a rim brake system.

Competition

The pursuit of performance today necessarily involves a build around a carbon frame with an aggressive geometry, that is to say with a relatively low cockpit and a longer top tube for a better pedalling position and greater aerodynamics (see below for details of the different geometries). The peripherals are also geared towards pure performance, either through their lightness (seatpost, saddle, cockpit) or through their efficiency (braking and drivetrain systems).

Furthermore, it is important to choose the right chainring sizes depending on the type of riding: Compact (34/50) will be preferred for mountains and positive elevation gain, whereas Mid-Compact (36/52) and Double (39/53) versions will be more suited to hilly or flat routes.

Other disciplines

To go off the beaten track, there are other disciplines that allow you to diversify your cycling practice. In full expansion, Gravel allows you to mix road sections, trails and paths with ease for those seeking adventure and discovery. Here, pleasure takes precedence over performance. Primarily in carbon or aluminium, your frame must be stable and lightweight. Moreover, a wider handlebar makes handling more manageable and safer.

Your bike must be versatile and withstand the hazards of off-road riding thanks to its wider wheels, disc brakes, wider-range cassette, single chainring or tubeless tyres.

For competitive riders, cyclo-cross allows you to compete on technical terrain for 45 minutes. Compared to Gravel, the riding position is more aggressive, while the bottom bracket is raised to handle the demands of the terrain.

Finally, triathlon or time trial events call for a profiled, aerodynamic bike, optimised to offer optimal efficiency and maximise air penetration. Performance takes precedence over comfort, with a short effort duration over a predominantly flat course.

Tips

Consider having a postural assessment to find the perfect position. The dimensions of the various body parts will be measured and transposed onto the bike. This will allow your women's bike to be configured in a fully personalised way.

As you will have understood, finding the right bike is more a personal matter than a question of gender. What suits one person will not necessarily suit another, and vice versa. In conclusion, the perfect road bike for a woman will be the bike she enjoys riding and that meets her goals in terms of comfort, stability or performance.