display
Low entry, wide saddle, curved handlebars and a spoke protector.
These are the main features of the traditional ladies bike.
But experts agree: there is no longer any need to differentiate between women's and men's bikes.
"Although there is still the classic ladies bike with this deep step-through, overall the gender boundaries for bicycles are fluid", says David Koßmann from the press service Fahrrad (pd-f).
Especially with sports bikes, the limits are hardly recognizable based on the shapes.
In addition, however, many men would just as much like to choose a bike with easy access as women would a sporty bike with a bar.
The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) also considers the traditional division to be more or less outdated.
"This distinction is often based on the assumption that there is a fundamentally different body structure between the sexes," says René Filippek from the ADFC.
The basis for this are usually average values that say little about individual people.
The gender segregation in the bicycle
display
There are also men with comparatively short extremities and tall women with proportionally long arms and legs.
Filippek: "Basically all bikes are unisex."
Ultimately, a bicycle simply has to fit the cyclist, says Sebastian Böhm from the specialist magazine “Aktiv Cycling”.
“The decisive factors are the size, the proportions, the weight and the area of application.” These data would determine the type of bike - with or without a top tube.
A question of marketing: Customers come across bicycles with a lower entry as ladies, senior or city bikes in stores
Source: dpa-tmn
The typical women's bike goes back to a time when gender segregation was much more pronounced in this country.
“The low entry allowed women to use their bikes when the social conventions for women provided for long dresses and skirts and climbing over a cross tube was considered improper,” says Filippek.
display
In the meantime, however, this design has emancipated itself and offers advantages for everyone.
“If a child seat is installed, for example, there is often not enough space to swing the leg over the crossbar when getting on.
So the deep entry makes sense regardless of gender, ”says the ADFC expert.
The women's bike becomes a bike for seniors
In addition, the bike without a crossbar also offers many advantages as a shopping bike.
“Anyone who is out and about in the city and often has to get on and off, really appreciate the deep step-through, especially when the shopping is in the basket at the back,” says Böhm.
And especially in the case of e-bikes, which are also popular with older cyclists, the women's bike design makes up a large part of the models.
“Seen in this way, the old women's bike is a bit like the new senior bike,” says Böhm.
A new trend are also SUV bikes with a low step-through, which means off-road city bikes.
Cycle comfortably with an electric tailwind: Many pedelecs look more like a classic women's bike
Source: dpa-tmn
display
From a technical point of view, it doesn't make any difference whether a bike has a crossbar, a high or a low step-through.
"In terms of driving dynamics, it is now irrelevant which type of bike is designed, as long as it has been optimized for the loads," says Gunnar Fehlau from pd-f.
"The basic frame size as well as the fork, saddle, handlebars and grips must be adjusted to personal preferences, that's what it's all about," adds Koßmann.
It is also of central importance that the user likes the bike and that she enjoys riding.
Good advice is necessary for this to work.
According to the ADFC, there is still a problem here.
When it comes to the bicycle saddle, it's all about the bones
“Many women feel that their special preferences or requirements are not given the best possible advice when buying a bicycle.
More women in specialist shops would therefore be desirable, ”demands Filippek.
A closer look at the components of a bicycle shows that there are no longer any gender-specific components, including the saddle.
"Although women's and men's saddles are still being marketed, this distinction can hardly be made objectively, because ultimately it depends on the distance between the sit bones and the sitting position," says Filippek.
Cycling expert Böhm believes that the market justifies the fact that pure women's bicycles are still being built.
"There are still customers who explicitly ask for ladies' bikes and there are still some companies that meet this demand." The same bike can then be marketed with a different sticker as a senior or city bike.
Differences in design can be clearly felt
Interestingly, the gender segregation is clearest in children's bikes.
"Here, a very classic distinction is made between girls 'and boys' bikes, although this is particularly noticeable in the colors and designs - keyword“ Blümchen-Rad ”, knows Böhm.
According to Böhm, the greatest differences between the sexes are actually in clothing for cyclists, i.e. jerseys, shoes and pants.
Here, for example, there are cycling shorts with different padding and carrier systems.
Apart from different cuts, however, it is often design features that make the difference in clothing.
The best thing, says Fehlau, is to go to the bike shop with a completely impartial view: "You shouldn't buy a bike with gender glasses, but focus on what you need."
No stubborn bike: bicycles with a low step frame guarantee easy ascent and descent
Source: dpa-tmn