mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
I'm putting this post up as a service to poor bastards like me who have new riders (women) come up and ask for advice on whether the women specific bike is the go for xc.
a few observations about women, these are man observations - so please to self no sexist generalizations (as we all like to see more female peeps on trails don't' we?) .
observations: They have legs like men, they have arms, they also have a variety of leg lengths and arm lengths, it seems like men they come in different sizes and shapes. yep even torso length varies (like men).
now what about color? are there men that like pink? maybe not so, do all women like pink and other pastel like colors?
what about components:, manufacture assumption here, women have no brand knowledge (yep they only go by color/looks) so manufactures put on low level components such as Deore Level when man bike gets XT for equivalent dollars?
why would that be the case? Are they assuming female riders will only ride up and down dirt roads? where us hard core men .... well we go anywhere.
weight: again low end components with pink bits are heavy, so the women's specific bike is harder to push on xc.
and here's the dilemma I faced this week.
reasonably experienced XC rider gets convinced by staff in bike shop that Giant LUST Advanced 2 (2016) is the go for her.
Colors Matte Blue/Fuchsia - rrrrrrrarrr
I hone in on components:
Lust Advanced 2
$3,499 RRP
Shifters Shimano Deore, 20sp
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, direct mount = crapola
Rear Derailleur Shimano SLX, Shadow+
Brakes Shimano M396, Hydraulic disc, 160mm = BIG crapola
Brake Levers Shimano M396, Hydraulic disc = BIG crapola
Cassette Shimano HG50 11-36T, 10sp
Chain KMC X10
Crankset Shimano Deore, 22-36T = crapola
Bottom Bracket Shimano, Press Fit
Fork Fox 32 Float w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, 100mm travel
Shock Fox Float Performance
So this Colorful BARGE weighs in at 13KGS and those brakes well better wear runners to jam in rear wheel on descents.
-anthem
NOW let's compare to Anthem
Colors Red/Black YES
Amthem 27.5 1 $3,799 RRP
Alum Frame, but weight is 12.4KG so no advantage in CF if its heavier package and of course if you break ALU frame you get fantastic Giant Life Time warranty so no issues there.
Shifters Shimano XT, 11sp = shit yeah
Front Derailleur N/A
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, Shadow+ = shit yeah
Brakes Shimano XT hydraulic, 160mm = shit yeah
Brake Levers Shimano XT hydraulic = shit yeah
Cassette Shimano HG81, 11-36T, 11sp = shit yeah
Chain KMC X11
Crankset Shimano XT, 32T = shit yeah
Bottom Bracket Shimano press fit
Higher End fork and shock - Kashima. = shit yeah
Fork Fox Float 32 RL Factory Remote, w/Kashima coat , 15QR, OverDrive steerer 4”/100mm travel
Shock Fox Float Factory, w/Kashima coat
NOW can she ride Anthem? NOT women specific, Oh NO.
a few observations about women, these are man observations - so please to self no sexist generalizations (as we all like to see more female peeps on trails don't' we?) .
observations: They have legs like men, they have arms, they also have a variety of leg lengths and arm lengths, it seems like men they come in different sizes and shapes. yep even torso length varies (like men).
now what about color? are there men that like pink? maybe not so, do all women like pink and other pastel like colors?
what about components:, manufacture assumption here, women have no brand knowledge (yep they only go by color/looks) so manufactures put on low level components such as Deore Level when man bike gets XT for equivalent dollars?
why would that be the case? Are they assuming female riders will only ride up and down dirt roads? where us hard core men .... well we go anywhere.
weight: again low end components with pink bits are heavy, so the women's specific bike is harder to push on xc.
and here's the dilemma I faced this week.
reasonably experienced XC rider gets convinced by staff in bike shop that Giant LUST Advanced 2 (2016) is the go for her.
Colors Matte Blue/Fuchsia - rrrrrrrarrr
I hone in on components:
Lust Advanced 2
$3,499 RRP
Shifters Shimano Deore, 20sp
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, direct mount = crapola
Rear Derailleur Shimano SLX, Shadow+
Brakes Shimano M396, Hydraulic disc, 160mm = BIG crapola
Brake Levers Shimano M396, Hydraulic disc = BIG crapola
Cassette Shimano HG50 11-36T, 10sp
Chain KMC X10
Crankset Shimano Deore, 22-36T = crapola
Bottom Bracket Shimano, Press Fit
Fork Fox 32 Float w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, 100mm travel
Shock Fox Float Performance
So this Colorful BARGE weighs in at 13KGS and those brakes well better wear runners to jam in rear wheel on descents.
-anthem
NOW let's compare to Anthem
Colors Red/Black YES
Amthem 27.5 1 $3,799 RRP
Alum Frame, but weight is 12.4KG so no advantage in CF if its heavier package and of course if you break ALU frame you get fantastic Giant Life Time warranty so no issues there.
Shifters Shimano XT, 11sp = shit yeah
Front Derailleur N/A
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, Shadow+ = shit yeah
Brakes Shimano XT hydraulic, 160mm = shit yeah
Brake Levers Shimano XT hydraulic = shit yeah
Cassette Shimano HG81, 11-36T, 11sp = shit yeah
Chain KMC X11
Crankset Shimano XT, 32T = shit yeah
Bottom Bracket Shimano press fit
Higher End fork and shock - Kashima. = shit yeah
Fork Fox Float 32 RL Factory Remote, w/Kashima coat , 15QR, OverDrive steerer 4”/100mm travel
Shock Fox Float Factory, w/Kashima coat
NOW can she ride Anthem? NOT women specific, Oh NO.