If the bike fits, ride it

Just eight or nine years ago when I was a kid (those are dog years), a guy wouldn't be caught dead riding a "girl's bike." You know, the kind you could get on by stepping through the frame instead of throwing your leg over the seat. Bicycles for women were originally designed in the 1880s and were truly a liberating factor for them, albeit the men who designed them probably weren't thinking about that as much as the money that could be made from that market. The bicycle gave women of the day some new freedom to travel without a man and actually contributed to them becoming independent members of society. Of course, the step-through frame allowed women to ride in skirts and dresses, a feature that is still useful today for some female bike commuters or those who use a bike for daily errands. The rise in popularity of the e-bike, especially among older Americans of all sexes, has fueled a return of the step-through frame for those with mobility issues. Not everyone can throw their leg over the saddle. Today, if you are a woman and looking for a bicycle, even if you plan to use it only for recreational use, you might be directed to specific "women's bikes." Originally, men's bikes were the more athletic option, while women's bikes were smaller, lighter and more "gentle." Are there real differences between women's and men's bikes? Today's women-specific bikes are designed with the probability that women are shorter and have narrower shoulders than men, a shorter torso and longer legs. Women: your experience might vary. If that doesn't sound like you, you might want to wander over to the guys' section. I know a number of women who have done so. Teenage boys and smaller men may find the components of a women's bike fit them better. And that is what it really comes down to: fit. In today's world where gender norms are more fluid, marketing shouldn't prevent you from finding a bike to fit your body. Some men might feel awkward when they discover a women's bike fits them better. Regardless of your gender, you might need a bike frame that is smaller all around, a shorter reach (allowing you to sit up a bit straighter), narrower handlebars and smaller brake levers. There is one gender-specific component that seems legitimate and that is the saddle, albeit I know of at least one woman who is more comfortable on a men's saddle. Unfortunately, we Avid Cyclists know finding a comfortable saddle is usually a matter of test and mistake. A professional bike fitter might be able to narrow the field for you, though. Almost every major bicycle manufacturer offers options for women. Just be open to a uni-sex or men's bike. It is easy to switch components such as saddles and handlebars to get a perfect fit. Think about how you plan to use your bike. Are you commuting, using it for shopping or to stay in your neighborhood and on bike paths or are you going to head to Auburn on back roads for a donut? Test ride more than one bike. And don't forget to leave room in your budget for a helmet, and depending on how you plan to ride, you might need lights, jerseys, gloves, shorts, pedals, shoes, a jacket, more jerseys, water bottles, saddle bags, etc., etc., etc. Tom Frady is a Lincoln resident and avid cyclist and driver.