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My wife has developed rather a liking for my Genesis Croix de Fer (no, that is not a euphemism...). Before I convince her that really it was a bit small for me anyway and so I should give it to her and buy myself a new bike, are there any women-specific 'do-it-all' bikes out there to consider that the STW community would recommend for her consideration?
How small?
Smallest singular peregrin?
woman specific frames are a sales tactic. switching a stem and saddle to improve fit is worth far less than the premium they charge for some pastel paint.
i just bought mrs T-R a small genisis day one alfine when we needed an all rounder tourer ,commuter , training bike.
dont believe in womans frames - its just a pretty colour for the most part - i used to sell scotts and giants both with pretty extensive marketing on their womans frames - yet the geometry chart supplied for the most part showed no difference till you got into the top end frames - even then it was a smidge shorter top tube - or worse , some of the road frames were just a shorter stem supplied as stock , Giant im looking at you. - which is fine if you fit the percieved female form of long legs short torso.
shorter stem on a unisex frame - same effect but cheaper.
I ride a CdF. If she's happy riding it then let her have it!
We're selling my wife's genesis vapour which she found a tad too long and low for most of our rides that tend to be touring style. It's lighter than the CDF but has the genesis charm! http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-genesis-vapour-cyclocross-cx-52cm-2013-alu-carbon-fork-disc-only-in-exeter
Tom - how tall is your wife? That's the kind of thing I'm vaguely after, but I reckon it's a bit small - I ride a 17.5 genesis mtb and thought the 54cm was closer to that.
Hi Fionap, she's 5'5" and found the vapour a touch too long & low for her preference and we have replaced with a touring frame. (a 54cm salsa vaya)
"Women's" frames are just another example of everyday sexism.
I just built my girlfriend a Croix de Fer.
My wife has a CDF in a 52cm and loves it. Only changed the saddle for her to a women's Fizik one
If she needs a smaller frame there's the [url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-one-2014-womens-cyclocross-bike-ec054864 ]Arkose Womens[/url], has women's saddle, narrower bars, small frame sizes etc. More height-optimised than WSD ie low BB with shorter cranks.