Possible Sexism In Bicycles?

I'm looking to buy a new bike. I'm wanting to get into bicycling again for the exercise, not necessarily the speed.

To that end I'm looking through a lot of different bikes on Wall mart's website and I'm noticing something interesting.

Ladies' bicycles tend to have raised handles, like this:



They are also tended to be called a cruiser bike.

Now, men's bicycles tend to be like this:



And they tend to be called off-road bikes, or mountain bikes, as opposed to cruisers.

So what gives with the differences in bikes? It is really sexism? After all, why can't men's bikes have the raised handles like a ladies bike?

If the men's bicycle handles are for aerodynamics to have a faster speed, why can't ladies bikes be like this? After all, there are a fair amount of ladies out there who also like to mountain bike as opposed to just cruising around the streets.

However, I stress that this is only on the Wall mart site and I haven't been to other stores or websites yet, so I could be wrong, and I don't know for certain.


Edit: okay, I just saw a ladies mountain bike, but it still looks a lot like the top picture and not the men's mountain bike.

reply to post by EvilSadamClone


I think examining sexism in "bicycles" is a completely pointless venture. A man can buy a woman's bike, just like he can buy women shoes and vice versa. Its no issue because everyone can get exactly what they want, regardless of in store labels.

You'd have to be pretty paranoid about sexism to read it into bike design. Obviously women's bodies are built differently so bikes will be built differently to accommodate them. This is a good thing.

You're not being restricted on what kind of bike to buy, right? Just buy what you want. A "ladie's bike" is termed that for historical reasons. You will notice it has no cross-bar from seat to front. Why? To accommodate ladies' dresses. It's the same issue as side-saddles. Would you call side-saddles sexist? If you do, I feel sorry for you. Ladies can use any kind of saddle they want. What's this world comiong to if we have to have politically correct bicycles. It's insane!

Actually yes, I was truly under the impression that those ladies bikes were just for ladies and I imagined if some guy bought one, somebody would get offended at him and insult and berate him because of how offensive it is. I get insulted and berated a lot because somebody somewhere gets offended at something I said. People can't help themselves I suppose.

reply to post by EvilSadamClone

Actually yes, I was truly under the impression that those ladies bikes were just for ladies and I imagined if some guy bought one, somebody would get offended at him and insult and berate him because of how offensive it is. I get insulted and berated a lot because somebody somewhere gets offended at something I said. People can't help themselves I suppose.

I can not imagine a situation in which this would happen during the purchase of a bicycle.

"I would to purchase this bike"

"Sir, that bike is for women"

"I am aware of that."

Is it for... your wife?"

"No, It is for me"

*Offended* "How dare you!!!"

Actually I think of it the other way round, I see one group of bikes that anyone can ride, racers, mountain bikes etc and another group of bikes that are aimed specifically at ladies.. so where my specialist MAN bike?

reply to post by TsukiLunar


I've really been in situations like that.

Unfortunately.

Also, I'm still something of an old fashioned guy. When I see something labeled as men or ladies, I think of things just for men and ladies.

I guess that could be sexism in and of itself, but that's how I was raised.

reply to post by EvilSadamClone


You are over thinking it.

It probably has something to do with big titties. If they get lower handle bars they will have to slouch over more, carrying the weight of the tit on their backs vs gravity.

The girl bike pictured above was designed like that so women can ride it wearing a dress.

It still to this day, works.

The womens bikes you are seeing look like that because you are looking at a big box store. Go to a bike shop and you will find that the difference between mens and womens bikes is in the geometry of the frame, not necessarily the shape. Cruisers and other comfort oriented bikes will have step through frames, but performance oriented bikes labeled as WSD(womens specific design) will typically look like the "mens" bikes. WSD bikes tend to have shorter top tubes and different head tube angles to better fit womens proportionately different bodies. Some women have long inseams relative to their height, compared to men. They make up for it in shorter torsos and therefore can't reach as far comfortably. Women not built like this typically fit mens frames just fine and don't need the WSD. Do yourself a favor and save up enough money to buy a quality bike from an independent bike shop. End of season sales are going on and their cheapest bikes will be much higher quality than anything that a big box store sells. You should be able to get a pretty decent bike for $300, I have seen bikes at Walmart for $200. It would be worth saving for a few more weeks to make up the difference.

There is nothing sexist about cycling. As one poster stated the down tubes are curved for some women's bikes so a dress can be worn, though I have never seen one in the past 10 years.
Large tire bikes otherwise known as balloon tire bikes almost always have curved tubes for women. Straight Top tubes for men. They often tend to be single speed coaster brake bikes geared for the somewhat older generation or some who desire to ride that generation of bikes. Ride these only for only a few miles at a time.

There are several styles and types of bikes today. Mountain bikes for "mudding" which most people end up riding on paved roads for some reason. They too can be gender specific They are useless for long distance riding and geared down more for hills and climbing. Take one of those noisy knobby tires on a paved trail for 20 miles and it will drive you nuts regardless of your sex designation.
Road bikes also known as the curved handle bar bikes. Bikers call the curved down handle bars "drops".
These bikes are for more speed and distance and mainly for paved surfaces. Road bike frames are sometimes gender specific but very high tech built to meet a specific demand for power riding. Won't wanna wear a dress with one as they don't usually have curved top tubes.
There are what is known as Hybrid bikes which are a combination of Mountain/Road gearing. They can be ridden somewhat off road and also on paved surfaces...Also known as comfort bikes. They can be somewhat sexist in build though most high end makers are trying to get away from that.

Probably 80% of all the bike types I mentioned here come in a Ladies, or Men's style. Most of which now are not intended to be ridden with a dress. Frames are especially made to fit women's specific build. Even seats are a little wider for women since a woman,s sit bones are actually a little wider. That isn't sexist. They do that simply because a woman's build is not the same as a mans.

There is no sexism in biking today if you go to a real bike shop. You may only find a gender gap in Walmart per say. Cheap bikes are just that: Built to catch the eye. Hence it does appear to be somewhat sexist. Built to impress, but not last. Curved down tubes for a Woman who wears a dress [but has no intention of doing so]

But if you go to a bike shop; Initially you may not be able to tell the difference between a women's specific frame and a mans' but believe me...the shop knows.
Chances are if you buy that road bike you have pictured above from Walmart you probably will end up parking it. Spend a little more: Have a bike shop fit you: They know their frames and there will be no sexist appearing bikes.
When a woman walks in the Shop they know what frames are specific for her build. Same for Men.

And o yea. At the mart if you get a helmet you will notice they are pinks and blues, and children's flowers, and darker colors..
They are indeed gender made. What matters most is head size, not gender build. But they know a woman will buy a light blue or pink helmet rather than black. Sexist.
If you want to just ride 10 miles, a genderless Walmart bike will do. If you plan to ride longer distances, you will need to get fitted at a bike shop. Which I always recommend.
Whatever you do keep in mind. Falling off a bike regardless of what gender the frame is made for will generally result in your head hitting first. Be safe: Wear a good fitting, non-sexist helmet.
I ride long and hard. I have both passed women, and been passed by them. Sometimes at speeds in excess of 35mph. Not a single one of them had a dress on.

reply to post by DavidsHope


Thank you. I live in a small town so bike shops are extremely rare, but I did find one.

It's going to be a few months before I can do this, though. I would rather have a bike outfitted to me rather than a factory made bike.

You're right. from now on I shall only ride a unicycle, in order to mantain my renowned political correctness. Now, what about public restrooms.Sexist or not sexist?

Originally posted by RealSpoke
It probably has something to do with big titties. If they get lower handle bars they will have to slouch over more, carrying the weight of the tit on their backs vs gravity.

edit on 13-9-2012 by RealSpoke because: (no reason given)

I have an overwhelmig urge to field test your groundbreaking theory Dr. Realspoke. All I need is some research funding and some giddy and well endowed ladies. Oh and a few bicycles.

Originally posted by RealSpoke
It probably has something to do with big titties. If they get lower handle bars they will have to slouch over more, carrying the weight of the tit on their backs vs gravity.

edit on 13-9-2012 by RealSpoke because: (no reason given)

The only good answer so far, on this retarded thread.