Intro to Women's Cycling: Buying Your First Bike

Buying your first bike in the women's cycling world can be intimidating. There are different types, for different uses such as road use, mountain use, or gravel use, as well as specialized brands for each category. The general price point starts at 1000 EUR and can go all the way up to 4000 EUR. In addition to the bike, you will need to think about road cycling shoes (personal preference), helmet, bike lights, and of course, your cycling apparel (we’ve got you covered on that one).  

Fit and Size

Most bikes will run from a size XS to a size L. The basic way to know your size is based on your height. Depending on your body and riding preference, you can find the right fit on unisex bikes or women’s bikes. We often like to search online for the different bike and price options. However, we recommend first getting fitted at a bike store, and then continuing your online search!

Frame

There are mainly four frame material options that will influence the budget and use of a bike: aluminum, titanium, steel, and carbon fiber.

1. Aluminum: A common, light weight, affordable material that is also corrosion resistant. It makes bikes sturdy on the plus side, but also makes them more stiff and less capable of resisting bumpy roads. Aluminum bike frames are robust and generally less expensive than other materials such as carbon fiber.
2. Titanium: Titanium is extremely durable and doesn’t fatigeu, which makes it a good frame for the long haul. It is equally as good as carbon fiber in absorbing road vibrations and is also the easiest material to repair if it would even break.
3. Steel: Steel was popular in its time, but has now been replaced by more modern materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. It has decreased in popularity mainly due to its heavier weight and price, although its durability is still similar to titanium!
4. Carbon Fiber: This material is very common amongst higher end bikes since it is the lightest of all the materials. In addition to being light, it’s low density makes it capable of absorbing road vibrations.

Gravel bike vs. Road bike 

Gravel bikes have grown in popularity since riders have discovered the thrill of off-road cycling. In countries like The Netherlands or Belgium, cyclists often come across off-road gravel paths that are beautifully scenic, peaceful, and safe as cars are not allowed. Gravel bikes are designed to withstand the different types of terrains of off-road cycling, but also make for good road bikes. However, if you plan to go on long distance group road cycling trips, you are probably better off having a proper road bike. As the name suggests, road bikes are built for hard surfaces such as tarmac and cement. They are usually light-weight and made for speed and long distance rides. Gravel bikes tend to be heavier because their frame is built stronger to withstand off-road terrains. Gravel bikes will also have wider and heavier tires, which allow for more grip with the surface and more comfort.   

At Orya, we encourage our community to buy a gravel bike over a road bike because of the flexible lifestyle it provides! Cycling down any surface without worrying about your tires provides a stress-free ride. Many times, you encounter gravel paths as you steer away from traffic roads, and having the right bike for that is important. And besides, you’re more likely to find a beautiful picnic spot on a gravel path that in the middle of a road!

Recommended Gravel Bikes:

Depending on availability in your area, these are the gravel bikes that we recommend:

1. LIV Avail AR 3: Liv is a part of the well-know Giant brand but their bikes are specifically made for women's cycling. They have a great reputation for having a comfortable saddle and a good fit.
2. Liv Devote 1 or 2: Another gravel bike from Liv.
3. Canondale TopStone Women’s (pictured above): Canondale is a reputable brand in the cycling world and the TopStone 105 (2020), or Topstone 2 (2022 version) is a great women’s gravel bike.

Once you have your gravel bike, then it's time to get the rest of your gravel cycling kit!