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[bollix]

I am thinking of buying a used bike on Craigslist... does anyone have any advice for what to look for? There are a couple listed that say "Women's Schwinn" that look good, but I have not had a bike since about 1983 so am not sure what height or size or features I need. I guess I am pretty tall (5'7) and have a large frame, so should I get a men's

Comments

[ashbloem]

I think the advice you should take from this is that it really isn't a man vs woman bike issue - it is more of a comfort issue. I've had both and they have been comfortable for different reasons (one time I had a purely "Man's bike" it was simply because I liked how it looked).

The biggest difference I ever experienced in male vs female bikes was ONLY in commuter Amsterdammy-type bikes... If you have seen my Kronan, you will notice the body bar is low and swooping, whereas in male bikes it is straight across. This is primarily to accommodate women's skirts/work clothes. In a place like Dallas, this is not as important. You won't be commuting much (at least at first - you might some day!). Women's American hybrid bikes tend to be not much different from men's, other than having some ratio differences, which for some ladies is more comfortable. So, as I said, whichever you find more comfortable is the one fore you - certainly not required you by one over the other.

It has little to do with embracing your femininity or not. It is purely about comfort. And OF COURSE, if you and Erin and Peggy would like to go biking, Davey & I would ALWAYS love to join. We're going on one in March here - come with! :http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/group-ride-the-bonnie-and-clyde-ride/