Need help!

Hi rc4life,

In what way is it a women's bike? The major difference that I know of between a women's bike and a mna's bike is that women's bikes used to have a different frame design that made it easier to get on and off. If this is the only difference, I don't see how learning on this bike will make any difference to your getting into the sport, but please get some other responses as well, I'm pretty new to cycling and I'm a women! There might be things I don't know!

Michelleh said:

Hi rc4life,

In what way is it a women's bike? The major difference that I know of between a women's bike and a mna's bike is that women's bikes used to have a different frame design that made it easier to get on and off. If this is the only difference, I don't see how learning on this bike will make any difference to your getting into the sport, but please get some other responses as well, I'm pretty new to cycling and I'm a women! There might be things I don't know!

In case of a crash your testes will be safer on a womans bike

According to the Cannondale web site, the female specific R500 has a shorter top tube compared to the seat tube. This is to accomodate a woman's generally longer lower body and shorter upper body (as compared to a man).

In general, if you feel like you fit well when you ride the bike, this should not be an issue. Look at some sites like Sheldon Brown's for general ideas about bike fit, and see if you are in the right ballpark.

If you feel that you are "cramped" by a short top tube when riding, I think that a longer stem would be a good way to make the fit more "masculine."

If I were to run into a good deal on such a bike, I would buy it, install a longer stem, and ride the heck out of it.

If the labeling that informed you that it was female specific concerns you, do the manly thing and cover it with electrical tape (or better yet duct tape). 😄

Enjoy the ride!

rc4life said:

Over the weekend I unknowingly purchased a Cannondale R500 off the street that turned out to be a woman's bike. I am a male, and have been looking at getting into cycling for a while now. This bike is in very good condition, and according to all the sizing guidlines I have found, it fits me well. I could probably sell this bike for much more than the price i paid for it and turn around and buy another one, but i wanted to see if it is possible to get away with learning on/riding a woman's bike. If someone who knows about cycling would help me out, I would really appreciate it. thanks!

Have you read The Third Policeman?
If you ride this bike then you will turn into a woman.