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