photo credit: richardmasoner
Female athletes interested in performance have their choice of road bikes, time trial bikes and mountain bikes specifically designed for women. Depending on the intended use, components and budget, sport-specific bikes can range from $300 to custom bikes in the tens of thousands. Women interested in casual, non-competitive riding also have many options to choose from. There are plenty of hybrids and comfort cruiser bikes for women to choose from. Now that bike-commuting has become popular, city bikes for women are also becoming more common.

There is no one "best" bike for women - it depends on the type of riding she will be doing, her fitness level, and her budget. Some bikes have the capability of being multi-sport bikes (for road, mountain and city riding), and some are very specialized (such as time trial bikes). If the cyclist has the budget for only one bike, it should be a bike that "does it all". Hybrid and city bikes are probably the best for all-around use. Although they are heavier than road bikes and not nearly as aerodynamic, they are comfortable and can be light enough to ride long distances. Some hybrids are quite heavy and designed only for bike path use; however, city bikes (which are a more road-worthy cousin of hybrids) are more and more present on century rides (100 mile rides) because of their comfort. Hybrids and city bikes are not designed for aggressive trail use, but can easily handle gravel roads or gentle hiking trails if the tires are switched out to knobby cyclo-cross tires for better traction.

Comfort bikes for women are popular with cyclists looking to cruise the bike path or ride around the neighborhood. They are strictly for fun - they are not nimble climbers on the hills, nor maneuverable and responsive as road and mountain bikes, but for a fun, gentle ride that does not blow the budget, they are great.

Although most women's bikes fit most women, there are a few out there who are particularly short, or tall, or have certain physical requirements, that are not addressed in "off the rack" women's bikes. For these women, custom bikes can be an alternative. Expensive, yes, but worth it when their personal requirements are met!

When it comes to bike maintenance, there are two kinds of cyclists—those intimately acquainted with their bikes, who lovingly wash, lubricate and maintain their trusty steed throughout the cycling season—and the rest of us: cyclists who could change a flat tire in a pinch, but mostly consult a bike mechanic when our bike doesn’t look, sound or feel right.

The first kind already know how to store their bikes for the winter. For the rest of us, I picked up some storage tips from Duncan Beard, a bike-fitter and mechanic at Fresh Air Experience in Ottawa.

Do you need to lubricate the cables or chain before storing the bike?

If you store your bike in an unheated garage, or outbuilding, then it’s a good idea to lubricate the cables and chain. But if your bike is snug for the winter months in a heated area then it isn’t necessary.

If you live in an apartment and store your bike on the balcony, make sure you lubricate the chain, turn the bike upside down and put a tarp over it to protect it from the elements.

Should the tires be inflated or deflated?

They should be inflated. They will deflate over the winter months. If you store your bike in an unheated garage you can take the tires off and bring them inside to a heated area. This will protect the rubber on the tires.

Should I hang the bike up?

You can hang your bike on a wall or ceiling, or just turn it upside down so there’s no weight on the tires.

Will direct sunlight harm the bike?

Don’t store your bike in direct sunlight. Unless your windows are new and UV protected, sunlight can dry and split the side walls of the tires.

Do steel-frame bikes need any special attention in the winter months?

If steel-frame bicycles are left in an unheated garage the metal can get cold enough for condensation to build up inside the tubing. This causes rusting. It’s best to store these bikes in a heated area, or pre-treat the steel frame with rust-proofing oil.

Keep It Simple

Duncan recommends keeping winter storage simple, “Bring your bike in for a tune-up at the end of the season rather than in the spring” he says, “ Then all you have to do is turn your bike upside down in a warm place for the winter.” Next March, when you’re ready to ride outside, your bike is ready too. Just pump up the tires and go. Another bonus?you’ll avoid the spring tune-up queue, which at a popular bike store like Fresh Air Experience, can be very long.

Duncan Beard is a bike-fitter and mechanic at Fresh Air Experience in Ottawa.
website: www.freshairexp.com

© Laurel-Lea Shannon

As bicycle technology advances through time, choosing the right road bicycles can prove to be a difficult task. There are many things that you have to consider before committing to purchasing a specific bicycle. One thing you need to determine is the type of bike that is right for you and perfect for your need. You have to know your cycling needs, habits, the road you would be cycling on, the road types and the places where you aim to use your bicycle.

If you are new to the cycling world, you might find yourself overwhelmed at how many different types of bicycles there are available nowadays. If you walk into a bicycle shop, you would see an array of designs, brands, and different makes. If you are in such a situation, think of how frequent you would be riding your bike, what kind of riding you would want to do, and what is your budget. From there, you can choose on the different kinds of bikes.
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