Frequently asked questions about buying a bicycle

For our general FAQ, click here. Have more questions? info@bikecityrecyclery.org

• What is the difference between women's and men's bicycles?
• I'm a man -- can I ride a girl's bike?
• What size bicycle/frame do I need?
• What type of bicycle should I buy?
• How many gears do I need on my bicycle? How do they work?

What is the difference between women's and men's bicycles?

A step through bicycle from the 1890s

There are two main types of bicycle frames:

• Step-through frames
• Diamond frames

In the 1800s, bicycles with a step-through frame were called "Lady's", "Women's," or "Girl's" bikes. This was due to the low (or absent) top tube of a step-through frame, which allowed us to mount our bicycles in long, heavy skirts and without "immodestly" swinging one leg over. The bicycle would also be equipped with a chain guard and a clothes-guard (also called a coat guard or skirt guard) to prevent clothing from tangling in the chain or wheel.

In an 1884 article in The Ladies' Standard Magazine, Mrs. George D. Johnston is quoted saying:

"If I was compelled to go back to wearing a skirt on my wheel, I would give up cycling.... I shall never forget what I suffered with my arm, all the fault of my skirt. Some friends and I were riding one day last summer against a very heavy wind, when it caught my skirt and wound it around my pedal, throwing me. The rapid gait I was going caused the force of the fall to break my arm. It laid me up six weeks; then it was I decided to wear almost any other costume, but never a skirt, and declared if ever I recovered the use of my arm, I should wear bloomers; and truly glad I am that I did so decide, for never in the years of my experience as a bicycle rider have I derived such pleasure from cycling. I climb hills impossible before. It has increased my speed just double. I fear nothing from teams or roads, for if I slip I light on my feet. With my bloomers and heavy undergarments, leggins to my knees, a corset waist, and in cool weather a double-breasted box coat, which amply protects me from chilling, I enjoy my riding."

Women in bloomers doing fixed gear tricks around the turn of the century

A bicycle messenger with trousers and a diamond frame in 1922

The gendering of bicycle frames has persisted in the U.S., even though most cyclists do not wear skirts while riding, and step-through bikes are rarely equipped with the clothes-guards, fenders, and chainguards that make it safe to do so. There's no such thing as a "men's bike", but it's wonderful that step-through frames have persisted!

So, which type of bicycle is right for you? It depends on what you will use your bicycle for. A step-through frame is ideal if:

• you like them!
• you will be carrying cargo, such as groceries, because a step-through will be easier to mount and dismount -- it is very hard to swing your leg over a diamond-frame that has a rear carrier loaded with groceries!
• you will be riding with a child in a childseat
• you have restricted agility
• you will be stopping and going a lot -- a step-through frame is desirable for delivery bicycles
• you are worried about stretching or ripping your clothing. You do not have to swing your leg over the saddle, so a step-through is ideal for commuting in fancy pants
• you will be riding in skirts or dresses -- though you will also need a chainguard and clothes-guard if the clothing is long enough to become entangled in the wheel or chain (this is also true if you are wearing a long coat, or scarf, etc.!)

A mixte Peugeot

A particular type of step-through frame is called the mixte, from the French word meaning "mixed" or "unisex". It can be pronounced "MEExt" or "MIX-tee." In a mixte frame, the top tube of the diamond frame is replaced with a pair of smaller tubes running from the top of the head tube all the way back to the rear axle, connecting at the seat tube on the way. This provides the lower standover height of a step-through frame bicycle while avoiding some of the additional stresses the standard step-through frame bicycle places on the seat tube.

Click thumbnails for larger image and descriptions

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I'm a man -- can I ride a girl's bike?

No. Girl's bikes usually have 12" to 20" wheels, and are too small for most adults. An adult bike would be best.

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What size bicycle/frame do I need?

The best way to find out is to test ride a variety of bikes. For a diamond-frame bicycle, the most important factor is going to be standover height. When you stand over a diamond-frame bike (without sitting on the saddle) with your feet flat on the ground, there should be a 2" gap between your crotch and the top tube, or up to 4" for mountain bikes.

When you hear about a "24 inch bike," or a "54cm bike," what do these numbers mean? Some bicycles, usually inexpensive bikes or kid's bikes, will be measured by wheel size: this is often what people mean by 12", 16", 18", 20", 24", and 26" -- those are all wheel sizes.

Adult mountain bikes usually have 26" wheels, and adult road bikes usually have 27" or modern 700c wheels (which are slightly smaller than the old 27" standard).

But wheel size is not the most important measurement! Frames come in all different sizes, just like people. When Bike City (or other independent bike shops) tells you what size a bike is, we're referring to the size of a frame. Often mountain bikes are measured in inches, and road bikes are measured in centimeters. The frame is measured from the top of the seat tube to the middle of the bottom bracket:

Click here for an interactive frame sizer tool from ebicycles.com.

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What type of bicycle should I buy?

When it comes to buying a bike, it is important to make sure that you are buying your own bike instead of having someone else pick it out for you. This is especially true for women. Someone that knows what bike to pick for himself isn't qualified to pick out the right bike for anyone else. If you know what kind of bike you want -- great! But if you're not familiar with bicycles, or unsure what would suit your style of riding, come by and talk to us! Also, beginners are welcome at Women's Open Shop. We want everyone to be comfortable with bikes, so you can find the perfect one for you.

There are many types of bicycles, specialized to suit their purpose. What will you be doing with your bike?

Riding with small kids

While just about any bike can tow a bike trailer (regardless of wheel size, frame type, etc.) you will probably want a bike with a kickstand and a range of gears. If you will be using a child seat, you may want a step-through frame (a frame with a lowered top-tube) to make mounting and dismounting the bike easier.

Commuting

If you'll be commuting on mostly pavement, there's lots of great options. Keep the weather in mind: for example, sometimes you might ride in the rain or in the dark, so you'll want to outfit any commuter bike with lights and perhaps fenders.

• Mountain bikes / City bikes

Rigid-frame (without suspension) mountain bikes are extremely versatile, sturdy, and comfortable. Although they usually come with "knobby" tires that are meant for riding on rough terrain, they can easily be adapted to urban riding (complete with fenders, bells, racks, baskets, and more). If you're looking to replace your mountain bike because you want to go faster, consider just changing its tires. It's amazing what difference some higher-pressure slick tires can make. We stock a variety, and can help you install them!

We build commuter mountain bikes all the time! Below are some of our past builds. Stop by to see what we're currently working on.


• Road and touring bikes

Road and touring bikes have larger, narrower wheels than mountain bikes, and often have a different range of gears. They can be a great choice for commuting, and can be fitted with fenders and rear racks. They usually come with drop bars, which put the rider into a lower, more aerodynamic position which some people prefer to "upright" riding.


• Hybrid bikes

"Hybrid bike" can mean a lot of different things, but usually it's a bicycle that combines features (such as handlebar style, wheel size, or gearing) of road and mountain bikes. These are a great choice if you want the speed of a road bike and the durability or upright-posture of a mountain bike. Comfort bikes and cross bikes are also types of hybrids.


• Other commuters

Lots of vintage and antique bikes make great commuting machines. Chicago Schwinn lightweights/middleweights and "English racers" can both be a practical (and very stylish) choice, as well as bikes with an old-fashioned beach cruiser feel combined with modern gearing. Honestly, if you love the bike, then you'll love to commute on it. The possiblities are unlimited.

Grocery shopping and other errands

Riding with a heavy backpack isn't good for your health -- or very comfortable. Luckily, bicycle frames are very strong, and most bikes can be adapted to carrying the load for you. You should consider a step-through frame if you would like to use a rear rack with a high load (such as a milk crate), or install a rack with panniers (think "saddlebags"). Many people prefer upright handlebars for hauling.

Riding for pleasure or exercise

You should pick whatever bike makes you happiest. If you're proud of your bike and look forward to riding it, you're more likely to get out and ride. You may want some gears, or you may not (but keep in mind that you can purchase a bike with gears, and if you don't want to use them, you can ignore them -- they won't necessarily make a bike more expensive).

Keep in mind that all types of bicycles need to be equipped with front and rear lights. You will also need a reliable bike lock. Also, consider carrying a spare inner tube or patch kit and some simple tools for on-the-road emergencies. We'd be glad to help you with all this -- feel free to stop by, ask us some questions, and check out our selection.

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How many gears do I need on my bicycle? How do they work?

Glad you asked! Because of the sudden popularity of mountain bikes, almost every bike comes with at least 10 speeds nowadays. A lot of people are daunted by all the jargon -- understandably!

How do bicycle gears work?

A single speed bicycle has one chainring in the front, and one cog in the back. The "number of gears" a bicycle has is calculated by multiplying the number of gears on the front (by the pedals), and the gears on the back (on the rear wheel). This is the number of possible combinations, not the number of actual "gears" (as in the physical metal rings with teeth).

So an old single-speed "Beach cruiser" bike has one gear in the front (the chainring), and one gear in the back (a sprocket or cog). 1 x 1 = 1 . . . so it's a single speed!

Many of the bikes made in the 1970s bike boom were 10-speed. They have two gears on the front (the chainrings), and five gears on the back (sprockets or cogs, and all five of them taken together are called a "freewheel"). 2 x 5 = 10 . . . the famous ten speed!

Bicycles today aren't much different. Three gears on the front (chainrings), and six gears on the back is very common now. 3 x 6 = 18 speed! So the difference between a 10-speed bike and an 18-speed bike is just the addition of 2 new gears, not 8.

In this picture, the bike is in the easiest to pedal gear combination: smallest gear in front, and largest gear in back.

1. Front derailleur or derailer
2. Rear derailleur or derailer
3. Rear sprockets or cogs; make up a freewheel on older bikes, or a cassette on most newer bikes
4. Crank, or crankarm
5. Chain rings
6. Chain
7. Where the pedal attaches to the crank

On the front (5, chainrings): The larger gear is harder to pedal, and the smaller gear is easier to pedal.

On the back (3, freewheel/cassette sprockets): It's the opposite. The larger gears are easier to pedal, and the smaller gears are harder to pedal.

A gear that is difficult to pedal is called high gear, and a gear that is easy to pedal is called low gear.

So do I need gears? How many?

It depends. Due to the hills in Fayetteville, if you only use one gear, you might find yourself walking up a hill once in a while. Many people are fine with that. I am!

However, even a five-speed bike can go a long way. Shifting really isn't hard to learn: anyone can do it! It's never too late to learn to ride a bike, and it's never too late to learn to shift.

If you're not sure you want a bike that shifts, keep in mind that most used bikes now have multiple gears. Our most affordable bikes, for $30, usually come with 18 speeds. Most people who ride a bike with many gears end up having a "favorite" gear that they almost always use. If you're on a budget, consider a bike with gears -- and then ignore them if you want to.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, or just stop by and ask.

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