April 13, 2010
A Guide In Mountain Biking For Women
Mountain biking has become an extremely popular sport with both the sexes showing equal interest in it. It is no longer limited to men and do not be surprised if you go mountain biking and you find a women riding alongside you. If you are one of those ladies who just got bit by the mountain biking bug and do not know how or where to start, this guide might just prove useful.
The Start
Women can start by watching the 'Wildflower Mountain biking for Women' video. It will give you a lot of information about selection and maintenance of a bike, practice, finding the correct partner etc. One of the first things that you will notice in this video is regarding selection of bikes. Every women who enters this sport as a novice asks whether 'I need a women specific bike or not'? Well, the answer to this question varies from one woman to another.
The Right Bike
It will depend on your built, your hip structure, your upper torso, your preferences and your style of riding the bike. A regular bike may be fine for you, unless you are one of the broad hipped types. If you are one of them you may want to try as many bikes as possible. You will definitely come across a couple that you will find more comfortable than the rest. Choose the one with a woman specific wider saddle.
If you have a normal frame, you can choose a normal mountain bike. You need not go for a women specific one. This ensures a balance of your weight between the front and rear of the bike, whereas in a women specific bike with sloping tubing, the weight of the body is more concentrated towards the rear of the bike. This is not advisable in mountain biking.
Other Information
Find a shop that offers good information about women specific bikes. Also see if they have proper repair service and a good knowledgeable salesperson that has some information about mountain biking for women.
The Gear
The gear is extremely important in mountain biking. Get a good pair of cycling shorts specially designed with a chamois for women. The ones with the chaffing center seam as in the ones for men will make riding seem like a torture to you. Padded shorts are also a good option. Go for a famous brand when selection your shorts. Next, you need to select the best protective gear try. Some brands offer a small size, which suits most women. The helmets, elbow, knee guards are a vital part of your gear. So select it with care.
Recommended Reading
- Mountain Biking, The Fun Way To Exercise
- Cross Country Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bike Designs
- Mountain Biking In Its Various Forms
- Mountain Biking Accessories

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