Is >21lb too heavy for all women?

[pug_dog]

I am looking for my first bike in a long time for weekend riding in a hilly area. One of the posts mentioned:

"Weight makes a huge difference to women. I've been going to bike shops for years. They universally sell women heavy bikes that don't fit well, because the sales people are kids and then are usually boys or men. They just assume you're not a serious biker. First of all get an eight or nine speed road bike or high end hybrid (road bike with a flat handlebar). A light weight bike that fits makes a huge difference. Don't buy a bike that weighs more than 21 pounds."

Is this 21lb rule really true?

My shortlist is/was Trek FX7.2 (Woman's Specific Design) and Marin Larkspur (Woman's). WSD seemed like a good idea since I am 5'2". Both are ~$400 and I like the relatively upright position. They are the same weight at 27lb...
http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_...s_larkspur.html
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...id=1323013&f=26

 

[gclark8]

21lb (9.55kg) is excellent, 27lb is ok, I am selling a 15.5kg (35lb) ladies bike that a 5'1" 52kg lady rode ok.
http://www.triwa.org.au/bb/viewtopic.php?t=65

At 5'2" try to find a bike with 650c or 26" wheels, it will speed up and balance better. Little Jackie (4'11") has a Felt F100 650c and an Aopllo Panther, a 24" wheel MTB, for the bike paths.

We weighed all the bikes here the other day:
Lesley's Malvern Star Tempest: 15.5kg
Jackie's Apollo Panther: 13.5kg
Jackie's Giant Sedona AX: 12.5kg
George's Wheeler T-63: 10.0kg
George's Felt SR81: 9.75kg
Jackie's Felt F100-650c: 9.5kg

 

[matagi]

Well my bike weighs around 24lbs, and I don't find any problems riding it. I have never heard of this 21 lb rule for women's bikes.

Also, think about kids BMX bikes, a lot of those weigh well over 20 lbs, yet kids don't seem to have problems getting around on them.

Just test each of the bikes and go with the one that feels most comfortable. If you decide to take up racing in the future, then the weight of your bike may well be a factor in your performance, but for general riding and fitness a 27lb bike should be fine.

 

[pug_dog]

Well my bike weighs around 24lbs, and I don't find any problems riding it. I have never heard of this 21 lb rule for women's bikes.

Also, think about kids BMX bikes, a lot of those weigh well over 20 lbs, yet kids don't seem to have problems getting around on them.

Just test each of the bikes and go with the one that feels most comfortable. If you decide to take up racing in the future, then the weight of your bike may well be a factor in your performance, but for general riding and fitness a 27lb bike should be fine.

Thanks so much...one less thing to worry about!

 

[wackydeirdre]

I am looking for my first bike in a long time for weekend riding in a hilly area. One of the posts mentioned:

"Weight makes a huge difference to women. I've been going to bike shops for years. They universally sell women heavy bikes that don't fit well, because the sales people are kids and then are usually boys or men. They just assume you're not a serious biker. First of all get an eight or nine speed road bike or high end hybrid (road bike with a flat handlebar). A light weight bike that fits makes a huge difference. Don't buy a bike that weighs more than 21 pounds."

Is this 21lb rule really true?

My shortlist is/was Trek FX7.2 (Woman's Specific Design) and Marin Larkspur (Woman's). WSD seemed like a good idea since I am 5'2". Both are ~$400 and I like the relatively upright position. They are the same weight at 27lb...
http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_...s_larkspur.html
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...id=1323013&f=26

I had the same problem. I went in the store only the female sales person showed me heavy bike after bike even after said first thing I wanted a racing bike. It wasn't until I went over and asked to look at a specific racing bike that a male sales person took over and showed me some bikes. He was very helpfull and to this day helps me when I go in the shop.