05.01.2023 | Reading time - 16 min(s)

Which is the best Ladies Road Bike?

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Posted in: Road Cycling, Women's Cycling

As more and more women are taking up cycling, we see similar questions coming up when it comes to women's specific bike such as; whats the difference between women's road bikes and men's road bikes? Here, we take a look at this question and some of the other frequently asked questions when looking at women's bikes that hopefully will help you choose the perfect road bike.

Contents and quick links to sections

Whats the difference between women's road bikes and men's road bikes?
Examples of men's (Giant) and women's (Liv) road bikes
Would unisex bikes suit women?
Can women ride men's bikes?
Can men ride women's bikes?
What are the consequences of each choice?
Which road bike is right for me?
Which saddle is right for me?
Best Women's Road Bikes
Maintenance and Accessories

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Whats the difference between women's road bikes and men's road bikes?

When companies such as Liv bikes (The sister company to Giant racing bike) have a dedicated ladies road bike for sale, they will generally have a different shaped frame with shorter reach and a higher front end to cater for the trend that women tend to have longer legs and shorter torso for their height (of course this is not the case 100% of the time).

Contact points are the other change as the saddles are usually a different shape and are wider, the handlebars narrower and the cranks shorter - all due to the different physical characteristics. In the Giant/Liv example given, there is the equivalent Liv road bike for every men's bike, there is the equivalent women's bike. Another change on women's road bikes is that some come with hydraulic disc brakes will come with a lever that is easier to pull and is designed for smaller hands. The Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brake lever is one such example.

Examples of men's (Giant) and women's (Liv) road bikes

The Giant TCR road racing bikes are the equivalent of the Liv Langma and are lightweight frames designed for racing and climbing, the Giant Defy road bikes are the equivalent to the Liv Avail Advanced are endurance road bikes designed for long distance and comfort, and the Giant Propel is the same style as the Liv Envieliv so there are plenty of options whether you are looking for performance, lightweight, comfort or commuting in the carbon road bike category. For a more versatile gravel option, check out the Liv Devote.

For the aluminium frame material and more affordable options; there are the Liv Avail (rim brakes), Liv Avail SL (lightweight frame and a choice of rim brakes or disc brakes) and, more on the gravel road side of the road bike category, the Liv Avail AR with more tyre clearance and luggage options transport.

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Would unisex bikes suit women?

Rather than having a dedicated male/female differentiation, a Specialized road bike will have unisex sizing on their road bikes but they tend to put narrower handlebars and wider saddles on their smaller sizes of bikes. For taller women, we just have to be careful that the saddle and handlebars are comfortable. It is also not uncommon for unisex bikes to require a tweak to make them higher at the front end and a shorter reach but this is on a case by case basis and having a seat on a bike will help to answer whether this needs done. Specialized bicycle and Merida bikes, Edinburgh bike coop are two of the brands hat have unisex sizing.

Can women ride mens bikes?

The short answer is yes and sometimes they are the better option depending on body proportions but for most women there would need to be some adjustments made such as a different saddle, shorter stem to shorten reach and increase height on the front or narrower handlebars to make sure the bike is comfortable.

Can men ride women's bikes?

Again yes, and again, this is sometimes the better option especially for shorter men or those with different proportions. A lot of male riders prefer the more upright position the higher front end and shorter reach give.

What are the consequences of each choice?

For women on a mens bike that has had no adjustments, the danger is that if the reach is fine, there will be too much of a drop to the handlebars which could lead to a lot of pressure through the hands and if the height is fine, then the reach might be too long so it really

Which road bike is right for me?

This would very much depend on you and the type of bike you are looking for but these questions are usually answered by having a chat with a quality bike shop to narrow down the style (road race, endurance, aero) and then sitting on and testing some to make sure they are comfortable. Racing road bikes are designed for speed at the expense of a bit of comfort and endurance road bikes reduce road vibrations on rough surfaces and have a more upright, relaxed position but are still very efficient. There are also questions about going for an aluminium, carbon or steel frame - each with their own unique characteristics.

Which saddle is right for me?

This is a great question as this very much depends on the person it is for but generally (and, again, this is not 100% of the time) women will need a wider and differently shaped saddle in order to be confortable but saddles are something you need to perform a little trial and error with. Specialized have a very useful body geometry saddle measuring device that can measure which saddle will be best for you.

So as you can see, there are some general rules to go by but the bottom line is that everyone is different and there are no hard and fast rules for everyone. The best way to decide is to visit a knowledgeable bike shop (like us!) who can help with advice and sizing and any possible tweaks to maximise comfort. We are also more than happy to discuss which bike would best suit your needs and this can be done via our online team or any of our stores.

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Liv Bikes Size Guide

Best women's road bike

Here, we will take a look at some of the best women's road bikes from women's specific brand Liv and some unisex bikes from Specialized and Merida that would be very suitable for female cyclists.

Liv Avail AR 3 2024 Women's Road Bike

The Liv Avail AR 3 is an 'anyroad' bike that is as comfortable on tarmac as it is on light gravel and semi rough terrain. A road bike with a nice relaxed riding position and more forgiveness from the surfaces travelled on with wider 32c tyres to dull that road buzz. All this, plus the robust alloy frame and carbon forks add up to a very comfortable ride.

Ultra reliable Shimano Sora gearing and disc brakes give all the confidence you need when on or off-road, come rain or shine.

This is a supremely versatile bike with rack mounts for a pannier rack for commuting or bikepacking and mounts for full mudguards means you can keep you and your bike dry when the weather turns.

Liv Avail AR 2 2024 Women's Road Bike

The same frame and carbon fork as the above but the Liv Avail AR 2 comes with upgraded gears. On the Avail AR 2, you get 10-speed Shimano Tiagra for smooth, reliable and robust shifting. This model also comes with tubeless tyres as standard so you can enjoy less punctures or lower pressures to increase grip and/or a more comfortable ride.

Liv Avail AR 1 2024 Women's Road Bike

The Liv Avail AR 1 is the top model in the AR range with a massive upgrade over the other two models - the gearing is upgraded to a full Shimano 105 12-speed groupset (gears) and the brakes are upgraded to the phenominally powerful and reliable Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes to ensure efficient braking regardless of the conditions.

The Avail AR range come with specific women's saddles, a narrower handlebar and shorter crank length.

Liv Avail Advanced 3 2024 Women's Road Bike

The Liv Avail Advanced 3 is a full-on road bike with carbon frame and forksfor a significant increase in power transfer meaning you are either faster or more efficient over a set distance. Carbon frames and forks will also increase the comfort due to compliance built into the frame that reduces road buzz. On the subject of comfort, the Avail Advanced are in the endurance road bike category which means that they have a more upright position with a higher front end and shorter reach that many riders feel is a more comfortable ride.

The Advanced 3 comes specced with the reliable 2 x 10-speed Shimano Tiagra gearing that is reliable and smooth and the brakes are Shimano Tiagra hydraulic disc brakes that give excellent stopping in the wet and the dry.

Liv Langma Advanced 2 Disc 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Lamgma Advanced 2 Disc Road Bike.jpg

While the Avail Advanced is in the endurance bike category, the Liv Langma Advanced 2 Disc is for those that want to be faster, especially uphills. The frame weighs less than the Avail and the position is a little lower at the front end with a longer reach for a more aerodynamic position for more speed. The handling of a climbers race carbon bike will be sharper for more manoeuvrability while cornering on the downhills.

The Advanced 2 Disc comes specced with the incredible 12-speed Shimano 105 gearing that is smooth, light and robust and the Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes will stop you confidently in any conditions.

Liv Avail Advanced 2 2024 Women's Road Bike

The Avail Advanced 2 2024 is the upgraded version of the above Avail Advanced endurance bikes. The frame and forks are the same, the difference is in the gearing and brakes. The gears, here, are the Shimano 105 12-speed that are smooth and reliable and the brakes are the ever-reliable Shimano 105 hydraulic brakes.

As with most Liv bikes in this category, these bikes come tubeless as standard for less punctures and lower pressures possible for more road contact and a more comfortable ride.

Liv Langma Advanced 1 Disc 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Langma Advanced 1 Disc Road Bike.jpg

The next step up to the above Langma, the Liv Langma Advanced 1 Disc has all the same componentry as the Advanced 2 aside from one massive difference - this bike comes with the intuitive and smooth Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gearing. The characteristivs of the Di2 is that only a light touch is required to shift gears rather than a full throw of the wrist along with the fact that you do not have any cable stretch and the gears, once set up, align themselves automatically negating the need for manual 'trim'.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2024 Women's Road Bike

Another model from the 'Avail' range but this time we have the Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2024 which is the next level up from the above Avail Advanced bikes. The Pro 1 version still comes with the carbon frame but the first upgrade is of the forks - these are the top-of-the-line Advanced SL grade carbon for even lighter weight and incresed stiffness for predictable and confident handling.

The next significant upgrade is of the wheelset - this bike comes with the full carbon wheel system that adds stiffness and reduces weight to fly up those hills even faster and provide more dialled in handling on the descents.

This class act is finished off with Shimano 105 Di2 gearing and Shimano 105 hydraulic brakes.

Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp 2024 Road Bike

Specialized opt for unisex sizing on their bikes however, the smaller bikes in the range come with narrower handlebars and a women's specific saddle. If a female cyclists require a larger size then you would simply change the saddle. With the handlebars, we would usually recommend trying the bike in this scenario and if it works, great; if it doesn't then a new, narrower bar can be sourced.

On to the bike - The Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp 2024 is the perfect mix of climbers race and aero road bikes. The carbon frame increases power transfer for ultimate efficiency and gives exceptional comfort.

The gearing here is the Shimano 105 Di2 electronic gearing for smooth, simple and reliable shifting while the Shimano 105 hydraulic brakes give incredible stopping power in all conditions.

Maintenance and accessories for your Bike

With road bikes in particular, there are some maintenance requirements and some accessories to consider. We will start with some potential extras and then go on to the maintenance that will keep your bike as efficient as possible.

Accessories

Road bikes are performance machines and for that reason, there are some accessories to consider wither immediately or in the near future that will make you even more effficient and comfortable.

Pedals

Road bikes do not typically come with pedals although if you buy your bike from us, we will supply pedals that will get you started. Because road bikes are all about efficiency, it is worth considering clip-in pedals as these will make your pedal stroke more efficient and ensure that your foot is always in the perfect position on the pedal. More advanced cyclists will even be able to utilise more of the pedal stroke for even more power transfer.

We do understand that clipping in to your bike can be a big step for those starting out so our recommendation usually is to get used to the bike first and then add pedals as soon as you feel comfortable.

Cycling Shoes

Moving on from the point above, you will need specific cycling shoes in order to use the clip-in pedals. A good cycling shoe will offer good support and not put excess pressure on your feet. If you want to be more efficient, a stiffer sole will greatly help with this but beware; the stiffer the sole, the higher the price.

It is worth noting that there are two main different styles of cycling shoes - MTB and road. The difference is that road shoes have three holes at the bottom to facilitate a larger cleat for better power transfer and stability and a MTB shoe will have two holes on the base of the shoe and will usually be sunk into a recess so you are able to walk easily in the shoes when off the bike.

Clothing

A road cycling saddle is designed to be as slender as possible without causing undue discomfort. The reason they are thinner than other saddles is because of the position you are in and they are shaped to allow your legs to move freely in this position. Due to the narrower profle, it is recommended to purchase a set of padded bib shorts or padded bib longs for road cycling to greatly incresse comfort and efficiency.

We could open a can of worms here but some other essentials are - a light summer cycling jersey for warm days, a rain jacket for (frequent) emergency showers, a soft shell for colder days and decent gloves (warm and cold weather) to limit fatique/keep you warm. We could go on but those are some of our favourite cycling clothing essentials.

Helmet

A good road cycling uk helmet will offer protection, be aerodynamic, offer excellent ventilation and be lightweight. Of course, all of these things increase as you spend more money and now MIPS technology on some helmets increases the safety by reducing the rotational forces in the event of a crash.

Maintenance

You will be happy to hear that there is not a great deal of maintenance required on a day to day basis however we cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your chain clean and lubricated as we see lots of people who have spent a lot of money on a nice, efficient road bike only to have a filthy chain. What many people are unaware of is that a dirty chain is significantly less efficient than a clean chain and it will cost more money in the long run as moving parts that are dirty will wear out a lot quicker too.

As part of your regular cleaning of the bike, it is worth keeping an eye on other wearable parts such as brake pads needing replaced or just commit to regular servicing from your friendly local bike shop to keep your bike running better.

While out and about

While you are out on a cycle, we would always recommend carrying a spare inner tube (or two), tyre levers for removing the tyre in the event of a puncture and a good pump. Some people who run a tubeless set up on their bike still carry these items in case the worst happens, otherwise you can get some excellent tubeless repair kits for those eventualities.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed this article on women's specific road bikes and the difference between women's road bikes, men's and unisex bikes. One of the main takeaways from this article, though, is that the gender sizing gap is blurring and the bottom line is - if the bike fits you and is comfortable, it doesn't matter what the description says.

As always, if you need any assistance choosing or have any extra questions, please contact our online department or visit us in any of our stores in Aberdeen, Leeds, Newcastle or three stores in Edinburgh - Bruntsfield, Canonmills or our newest store in Stockbridge that stocks exclusively Liv and Giant Bikes.

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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Which is the best Ladies Road Bike?

Contents and quick links to sections

Whats the difference between women's road bikes and men's road bikes?

Examples of men's (Giant) and women's (Liv) road bikes

Would unisex bikes suit women?

Can women ride mens bikes?

Can men ride women's bikes?

What are the consequences of each choice?

Which road bike is right for me?

Which saddle is right for me?

Best women's road bike

Liv Avail AR 3 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Avail AR 2 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Avail AR 1 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Avail Advanced 3 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Langma Advanced 2 Disc 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Avail Advanced 2 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Langma Advanced 1 Disc 2024 Women's Road Bike

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 2024 Women's Road Bike

Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp 2024 Road Bike

Maintenance and accessories for your Bike

Accessories

Pedals

Cycling Shoes

Clothing

Helmet

Maintenance

While out and about

Conclusion