| Most mountain bikes are made to fit a man's | | | | |
| proportions, and so it's easy for them to | | | | When you stand astride a bike - you'll want |
| find the right sized bike. Women have more | | | | plenty of room between yourself and the top |
| difficulty, as they are typically shorter | | | | tube. (This is called the "standover |
| then men, and with shorter torsos. Care must | | | | height.") It is best to have around four to |
| be taken to find the right-sized bike. | | | | six inches of clearance between the tube and |
| | | | your crotch. If you have to come to a stop |
| Whenever you buy a new bike, for yourself or | | | | suddenly, you'll appreciate that this |
| for your children, it is important that you | | | | clearance is important - and you don't ever |
| get a bike that is the right size. If the | | | | want to ride on a bike - even for a few |
| bike doesn't fit, it will ruin the enjoyment | | | | minutes - if you're too short for it, because |
| of biking altogether, and if you or your | | | | you'll learn your lesson painfully. |
| child continue to ride the bike, can even | | | | |
| cause knee or back injuries, as they try to | | | | Saddle height |
| compensate for the poor fit. | | | | |
| | | | Have someone hold the bike still while you |
| A great many people buy bikes for their | | | | sit on it. Extend one leg down to the pedal |
| children from department stores or discount | | | | at its lowest extension...your leg should not |
| stores like Target and Walmart. However, this | | | | be at full extension, but rather slightly |
| is a bad idea, as the bikes there are the | | | | bent. Only when this occurs is the saddle at |
| bottom of the range, and are put together by | | | | the correct height. Also, always ensure that |
| people who are not necessarily properly | | | | the seat is level - tilting it forward or |
| trained in the task. (Have you ever looked at | | | | backward for whatever reason will ony lead to |
| the furniture they put together?) And if you | | | | discomfort. |
| are fortunate enough to even find someone to | | | | |
| help you in the "sports section," they still | | | | If you're planning on mountain biking or |
| probably won't know anything about how to | | | | going over any kind of uneven terrain, you'll |
| help you fit the bike properly. | | | | be rising off your bike seat all the time, in |
| | | | reacting to the terrain. You'll probably |
| It's best, therefore, to buy a bike from a | | | | lower the saddle an inch or so to compensate |
| bike shop - you'll be able to get expert | | | | for all that jouncing around. |
| advice, and the bike shop personnel will be | | | | |
| able to answer your questions. However, it's | | | | Top Tube |
| also important that you familiarize yourself | | | | |
| with the terminology and principles of bike | | | | If you're a woman, pay careful attention to |
| fitting, so that you can appreciate what the | | | | the length of the top tube, which separates |
| bike people tell you. Because there are bikes | | | | you from the handlebars. You don't want to |
| specially designed for every niche sport, the | | | | have to stretch forward uncomfortably while |
| fit you want differs from bike to bike. | | | | you ride. |
| | | | |
| Remember also that the majority of adult | | | | Handlebars |
| bikes are made for adult males, and that | | | | |
| adult women are typically shorter then men, | | | | If you already own a bike and want to have |
| and weigh less. They also may have long legs, | | | | the handlebars raised or lower by purchasing |
| but shorter torsos. So women have a more | | | | a new stem through which the handlebars go, |
| difficult time finding bikes that fit. | | | | that costs money. But when you're being |
| Fortunately in the last several years | | | | fitted out with a new bike, the store |
| women-specific bikes have been designed by | | | | employees can exchange those with no problem. |
| companies such as Terry (they make only | | | | And again, this is something that a discount |
| women-specific bikes), and from other major | | | | store can't do. |
| companies with a women's bike division. | | | | |
| | | | When you find a bike you like, take it out |
| When the average person thinks of a "woman's | | | | for a test ride. Indeed, don't just settle |
| bike" - he or she thinks of those bikes in | | | | for test riding one bike. There are many |
| which the top tube is not horizontal, as in a | | | | different types of bikes on the market - |
| "men's bike," but sloping. This type of bike | | | | frames made of different materials, full |
| is easier to mount if you're wearing a skirt, | | | | suspension or front suspension, etc. that |
| but in the general scheme of things they are | | | | you'll want to get the feel of each one of |
| not as sturdy as a "man's bike" and should be | | | | them. |
| avoided. | | | | |
| | | | After you've had the experience of riding |
| So, go to a bike shop and look around at | | | | various different kinds of bikes, you'll be |
| their vast array of bikes. | | | | able to make your own decision in a more |
| | | | informed manner. |
| Does the bike fit? | | | | |