Women's Specific Mountain Bikes | Do We Really Need Them?!

There is already a lot to consider when buying a new mountain bike, sizing is one of the most important things! Buy a bike that is too big and it will be hard to manage, too small and the bike will feel unstable and uncomfortable. But there is another thing that ladies have to consider when buying an MTB... female or unisex? Anna Cipullo tells you the differences between female-specific and unisex mountain bikes and their components!
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - What Does “Shrink It & Pink It” Mean?
2:13 - What Is Women’s Specific Geometry?
4:28 - What Is A Women’s Specific Suspension Tune?
6:17 - What Are Women’s Specific Components?
9:35 - What Is Women’s Specific Kit?
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Have you bought any women's specific kit? Have you chosen a bike just because of the colour? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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[@gmbn]

⍰ Have you bought any women's specific kit? Have you chosen a bike just because of the colour? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[@sq5]

One of the reasons I don't buy women's bikes, as a woman, is because of the colour schemes. I don't want a pink or purple bike. Also, the geometry of women's bikes is all wrong for me. I've only ever bought men's bikes.

[@Tequila628]

Nice! What about clothing and kit though? @@sq5

[@ExplosiveNotes]

I did ride women specific saddle for some time, despite not being woman.

[@307.William]

#gmbn I purchased a Liv Intrigue for my wife after she tried other bikes. Her confidence went up and so did her comfort.

[@simonwoodthrillerwriter]

I'm a small guy and I tend to fall through the sizing crack when it comes to men's bikes and kit so I have bought women's specific kit like gloves, socks and shoes that have a different size scale/range.

[@RobertFullStop]

Loved the way Anna put the information forward..."make it a ME bike", she's a sweetheart. I also enjoyed the production of this video, top notch.

[@gmbn]

Thanks!

[@junka1975]

Anna breaking it down is great. Her little stack though just added to the video. It's a good stack if you're not hurt and you're too busy giggling and untangling yourself from the bike to talk. For smaller lighter women Anna's information on set up is right on point. As a much bigger and heavier male rider I know a light set up won't work for me. Bottoming out suspension all the time will lead to equipment failure. She's spot on, set your bike up for you, your measurements and weight. Hopefully Anna's advice will get more women into riding and dialling in their bikes for fun.

[@MurriM10]

Thanks Anna, being a small light weight women, I found it hard shopping for a new bike as most were only in Medium up sizes. Saddle fit is also very important. Great video.

[@DZig]

Really enjoyed the vid. Well done. I'm also diggin the acoustic guitar music in drop D tuning. Super mellow!

[@juliebray4340]

I have a unisex frame built with smaller components and definitely set up my suspension for my weight. Smaller cranks and thinner grips are key, plus I have a mullet 26 in the back 27.5 in the front. I cannot imagine riding a 29'r. As for clothing I am not super curvy, but like women's pants/shorts because there isn't the extra room in the crotch that looks funny! Smaller gloves are key too. Nice video!

[@ArkUSAbikerchick]

I loved this video!!! Not only was it an interesting topic, but the music and the scenery and Anna’s riding were terrific!!!

[@scottersandman6408]

i am a dude, bought a "ladies" economy bike. It works very well for me.

[@Sarpale]

Great episode! It's been great to see the selection for women specific gear becoming a reality and more brands catering to different body types and measurements. There is still a lot of work to do, and the plus size category needs to get better but there has been a lot of improvement over the years 😊 It was well said to get a "you-specific" bike and gear, sometimes it can feel scary to invest in something that's really good for you but has a price tag.. I'm looking at my SQLab saddle, expensive but it's like sitting on a cloud for me 😂 Glad I bought it!

[@hannahisraelsen6816]

More female presentation! Love it. Out of the whole GMBN cast, it's sad that there is only one female.

[@oliwierrr]

Not for woman but for short people generally. You can buy a specific saddle for wide bottom not a whole frame. There's no bike for men.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Exactly

[@ivansemanco6976]

Discuss topic with my wife and we agree with you, saddle width can be only difference. Woman specific bike is pure marketing thing.

[@mlee6050]

​@@ivansemanco6976it helps them cycle with skirts though

[@Chogie14]

Great vid. Thanks Anna. I can back up the saddle point. Wife isn't into MTB but happy to participate in family rides. However, the generic saddle that was on her bike was destroying any enthusiasm for joining in. Jumped on the Ergon website, put in some measurements, placed the order and now all are happy going out for spin.

[@PiisRound]

Thanks for dealing with this topic! I myself have a regular Bronson frame, cause I'm not that short. But I realized that a woman's fit is important for chest and back protection. I'm wearing a Fox Raceframe and its to big even in the smallest size. Will change to the Fox womens Baseframe pro as soon as bikeparks are open again :) But I'm very happy that there is now more choice for women 😊

[@robbchastain3036]

So last evening I discovered Doddy's new MTB channel and this morning Anna does her best video yet, life is good. And I agree, Anna, great to see the options and choices and specific products for all body types and needs. And cheers to all the companies crafting these products and bikes and sure, some may not be perfect or officially necessary, yet I'd think they would certainly make cycling more inviting to women new to the sport or new to themselves as they grow out of unisex child's bikes. And i sure recall with fondness when colors or streamers or whatever made all the difference between a boy's bike and a girl's model and I'm talking about that glorious couple of decades when 20" bikes with banana seats were all the rage for boys and girls here in the States. And I always liked that banana seat. You could get your weight back and really fly down steep streets or through corners in the dirt with a leg out like the motocross riders. O and as I think back on it, girls' bikes sometimes had baskets and bells, something that we boys would never put on our bikes. We were too cool for that. But I will happily admit that the sight of a girl on a bike was one of the best of my childhood. I thought it was great that they were out having fun like us and once, in an impromptu jumping contest with a bunch of kids who had set up a ramp at the end of a nearby court, one of the participants was a girl and that really impressed me. She hit that ramp like a champion, streamers flyin' in the breeze. 😀

[@gregstevens2917]

Very good advice, Anna. Completely fair and accurate...

[@chrishorbatt3504]

I go back and forth with this topic with my wife all the time! Never thought about the shorter crank thing, i think we are going to try some 165mm cranks for her.

[@chrisprysok7634]

165 won't be short enuff. Go 155. I ride 165mm I'm 6' tall.

[@chrishorbatt3504]

@@chrisprysok7634shes riden 170 her whole life, if it wasnt so expensive maybe i would try a big jump like that. Im 6’ and tryed 165 and couldn’t get used to it, maybe ill try 160 for her

[@cmouse_2]

I love the fact that we have mostly moved away from pink/purple/sky blue but I'm always underwhelmed by the size options on womens mtb clothes ....if the average female in the uk is size 16 why do some brands really not cater for that and certainly not beyond it for most of them (Dharco some of the best colours but barely above 14 for most products and TSG what on earth is going on with your trouser sizing if you have size 14 hips you need to be 6ft tall?)

[@lysanatt]

This so much! It's like the industry thinks that only women in size 10 or below do any riding whatsoever. I was so happy this week where I found a 3-layer pit-zipped lightweight biking jacket - of all places in HM... That is so wrong. ;) Usually, I have to make do with what I can find in male sizes and hope it works.

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

@@lysanatt if it works, it works! I've used Nike running kit and even Go Outdoors walking kit before. And I've got to say, the Zara cycling kit looks nice!

[@theAmazing_Johnson]

I bought a Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 Women even if I'm a man. The fact that Small men was a bit to much and that I was 5'4 tall and around 121 lbs, "Women specific" was just perfect for me because of the light tune and smaller small size. Nothing wrong and it was black and red, classic colors and patterns. Even if it was pink, I would have buy it as I don't mind too much for the color and I didn't have to change anything when it came

[@Tequila628]

A genuine video that doesn't feel like advertising, I like it! Of course it had beautiful shots of Canyon and Orbea, but the thoroughly discussed topic made up for it. It did miss a shot of Propain though, certainly was made before the new sponsor has arrived.

[@gmbn]

Thanks for your feedback 👍

[@seattlegrrlie]

I did, once, buy a women's road bike. It didn't fit me at all and was very frustrating. I do not have wide hips, I do ride in an aggressive position, and I do have wide shoulders. Would like smaller cranks on smaller bikes just as a rule. Not women specific, but smaller rider specific

[@better.better]

yeah and there's still people that associate the sloped top-tube with "women's" as if anybody wears a dress cycling (the only reason they were designed that way) since Victorian Era England... certainly I've never seen it since I've been alive

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

@@better.better I totally agree with you, however, i have heard beginner female riders struggle with standover and confidence on high top-tubes, so i'm guessing that's why they still exist. I still look for low standover clearance nowadays, but that's mainly because otherwise i wouldn't be able to touchdown a foot or stand over my bike! 😄

[@scotthornsey]

Just bought a bike for my wife, it's a hybrid rather than an MTB but this video was very helpful

[@brandihodges9548]

I'm 5ft but short legs (26.5 in inseam) and longer torso. I had a sweet XS Pivot Switchblade but after riding a few years, more aggressive style, I found it too cramped. I prefer a 425 reach which most small frames are. I always switch saddles. I don't like "girlie" bike colors. Many frames are getting a more angled top tube, so the stand over is better for those with shorter inseams.

[@stujm8376]

Fantastic vid. Not something I’ve ever thought about as a man, but it makes sense. MTB should be for everyone, so why not have women specific if it’s needed?

[@matt_acton-varian]

As a man with a large head and long hair, the key to helmet choice is a brand which is unisex, but considers pony tail compatibility. Usually, if a unisex brand's small helmets are popular with the ladies, it's likely to work for me (if the shape fits - some helmets are rounded and others more oblong on the inside)

[@Equinoxestable]

Woman specific seem to only target the below 5'5" petite. At 5'8" and solid built, I like larger grip, wear size 11 wide shoes and have a dislike for pink stuff. So no, regular stuff for me.

[@lysanatt]

Same, except I would like to be able to get shorter frames. But being 175 cm, I do not need size XS, I need a M, but short. And not pink.

[@Atokhold]

My partner wanted a new hardtail, and she tried a nukeproof scout. She really didn't like it, so last week she tried a women's specific Liv Lurra. It's a perfect fit and she loves it.

[@sandiegoson]

Bought my wife a womans' specific Canyon bike because the geo on her Marin didn't work. Now it just sits in the garage with less than 5 minutes of use. Money well spent.

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

I remember trying all sorts of bikes when i first started and they all felt awful. Every bike ride felt too fast and un-enjoyable too, so i never wanted to do it. That was until i joined a women's specific group ride. I enjoyed myself so much, that I wanted to do it more, and getting out more made me stronger, and eventually all the bike discomforts faded away. If your wife can find a reason to get out and enjoy it, perhaps with friends or other women, then the bike she owns may end up being the right bike after all. 😊

[@madtownangler]

In the 90's a lot of guys would buy a certain GT bike I can't remember which one it was that was a woman's bike that had a lower top tube that had a curve in it but wasn't really sized shorter for women. I remember my friend got one that was like $1300 and he made maybe $14 an hour

[@TheArcanai]

i recently bought a discounted Cannondale Trail SL Women's 3, just because of the color options availiable, the mens frame had really agressive green paint i just couldn´t bring myself to pay for, the components and price were the same, so i didn´t really see the problem with buying women´ s bike, i will see how i handle original women saddle

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

I don't care what anyone says - colour is important! There, i said it. 😄

[@darrenelliott9222]

Brilliant

[@ish474]

I think at any size the arm to leg ratio is something I don't think anybody really talks about I'm 5'10 as a man and I slot between medium and large on most companies bikes recommendations but especially these days with reach getting really long and my arms not being the longest I almost always fit better on a medium but if I hopped on a women specific model and it fit me better I would have no problem buying it I honestly like the look of the Liv bikes. I am quite heavy though so I would need a stiffer shock

[@mikejex]

Canyon neuron al 6 and wmns small mens and womens have exactly the same stack and reach. No mention of changed tune on suspension. Saddle change and narrower bars but that's it's.

[@user-vg8ry6zr1g]

Anna, what bag are you wearing? Love the pocket on strap but cant see what brand it is from the vid! Thanks! Good vid too!

[@user-vg8ry6zr1g]

Got it! Lol just hadnt finished the vid!

[@gmbn]

We were about to tell you!

[@laeljon]

Being a 5'1" man I looked at Women MTB just for XS size frame....Since I wanted a gearbox bike had it custom made....

[@Usual_Goon]

Isn't it mainly a different shock tune for women - with a bit of branding as well e.g. Juliana is Santa Cruz but just marketed at women riders.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

No bikes for short mens... As a 6ft tall person I have no issues finding my match but my buddies that are shorter are always complaining about fitment...

[@ivansemanco6976]

My colleague is nearly 190cm tall but he have very long legs so is struggling with frames. Frame for his height has too long reach for him… Im only 176, riding L frame and its too big for him. So , sometimes its difficult to match.

[@antrace92]

Try Nicolai buddy. They make big ass frames

[@antrace92]

I roughly noticed women's frame sizing falls between men's

[@jacolursen1145]

Are you riding a Occam LT? Beautiful❤

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

I sure am. 😇

[@greasycervelo]

At least they no longer not only shrink n pink but cot back the components as well like they used to do

[@ftrujillomunizaga]

Loved seeing Doddy on the video!

[@Lamby1010]

My wife always gets my old bike when I get a new 1 , win win realy 🚲

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

So she's basically a sponsored rider. Lucky lady! 😅

[@Lamby1010]

@@AnnaOnTheBike she’s lucky anyway 😄

[@better.better]

you didn't address the old practice of the angled top tube on women specific frames of the past. I'm a guy, and I pulled up to Dunkin donuts on my Surly big fat dummy just as an old guy was climbing out of his pickup truck and after the usual exclamation about how big the bike is he asked me if it was a "woman's bike" when I looked confused he clarified that the top tube wasn't horizontal. and then I had to explain that the only reason that was ever a thing was so women can climb on while wearing a dress, and women riding a bicycle in a dress hasn't been a thing in a very long time, but also this is more of a mountain bike frame, in modern mountain bikes are pretty much thrown that old design aesthetic out the window

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

Yes, the sloping top-tube was initially to accommodate skirts, but i think it stuck around because beginner riders, particularly smaller ones, felt more confident with a lower top tube. I prefer low standover for sure. Personally, I would question why men's have stayed high!! 😅

[@alanmtbuk]

All depends on the rider

[@basberger5921]

I bought a women specific ring with a diamond and she said yes ❤

[@arthurbates1167]

congrats mate 🎉

[@better.better]

do they make chain rings with a diamond pattern spider? 🤔 j/k congrats!

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

I like my female frame, I don't rack my nuts on the frame when I inevitably come off the bike, on the other hand my big ass GT XL dude frame, I've blown my junk out multiple times on what should have been simple "whoopsiedoodles".

[@DirtlovR]

I think that apart from certain obvious parts like saddle or clothes there is little point in having women specific bikes. Just offer variety of sizes, colours and adjustability. Women, contrary to popular belief, are not aliens. We are more alike than we are different.

[@grazita77]

I have a unisex “men’s” mountainbike, and i’am a woman 👍🏻

[@philiptite3844]

Can we have opposite for us giants please, by giants I'm talking about over 6ft5!!! 😅😅😅

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

Oh wow, yes you have it tough too for sure. Good job geometry is getting longer, eh? 😉

[@philiptite3844]

Trust me as I guy with size 14 feet as well, most MTB shoes don't fit either 😂 being at either end of the bell curve isn't much fun! 😉

[@shanereid5663]

I do not have a big bottom I have big sit bones.

[@harleywalters5877]

Nope. Women’s options generally have shittier specs and colours. Just more sizes and suspension tunes correctly for how you ride and weight. Makes sense to have women’s and men’s specific saddles for the… different parts 🎉

[@danielb8373]

Was that a woman specific crash?

[@ChampionGaming]

I really wish more women would be interested in extreme sports, us guys would certainly be big fans!

[@Justobserving9291]

Was that a staged fall towards the end?

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

I wish. 🤣

[@Justobserving9291]

You’re a Pro!! I would be in a neck brace if I miss a peddle. Glad you’re doing good and not seriously hurt.

[@Accuracy158]

Take away from this video: She didn't buy a woman specific bike and she crashed... Got it.

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

If women's-specific bikes stopped people slipping on wet roots we'd all be riding them. 😏

[@SimonBauer7]

women specific is shit in terms of branding. id rather have bikes for shorter people than "women specific"

[@benjy288]

If I'm a bloke and I decide to identify as a woman does that mean I need to buy a woman's specific bike now?

[@Hippie-lee]

what is a woman?

[@alanmtbuk]

We don't want to open that can of worms

[@BTC2179]

Easy, women are born with a vagina and men are born with a penis.

[@danielcalderone6244]

This video/ channel is about mountain biking. Please leave your politics at the door.

[@fud1376]

If you can't just sit on a bike and feel right, then you shouldn't be riding anyways...Ha !

[@tmstriveon]

How will Trans choose? This industry it's too binary! Ahahahahahaha

[@lysanatt]

I really hope you didn't mean it to be as offensive as it sounded.