I racked my tailbone and other parts years ago when hopping down on a boy's bike...I assume that this is every bit as unpleasant, if not more for guys--why have that bar at all?! :-)
2007-12-17 06:19:41 · 11 answers · asked by truthisparadox 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Yes, the bar will accomodate a girl in a skirt...but why even have it at all for a boy's bike? It is potentially risky--what value does it add?
2007-12-17 06:26:25 · update #1
The reason it's there is because it makes for a stiffer and stronger frame than a bar that's a lot more lower in the bike.
Most mid to high end bikes for women have the bar in the same place. Where the real difference between a mans and womens bike is color (just kidding, sort of). The geometry could be different, but even then, the WSD geometry (women specific design) might fit better some short men, while for some women above 5'6" a mens bike might fit better.
2007-12-17 16:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Roberto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today, the basic design of women's and men's bicycles is the same. The difference is in the lengths of the tubes to account for the structural difference between men and women such as the proportional difference between the legs and the torso. The top tube -- the horizontal bar referenced in your question -- is similar in both designs. A properly sized bike has enough clearance below the crotch to enable the rider to safely hop off the bike. Either the bike you were riding was too big for you or you hopped off with significant knee bend. Either of those would cause the painful landing you've described.
HTH
2007-12-17 06:32:00 · answer #2 · answered by intrepidfae 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Back when the "girl's bike" was designed, most girls still wore skirts most of the time. If she tries to get onto a boy's bike with a skirt, she shows way more than is proper. In fact, if the skirt is not very full, she might rip it getting onto the bike.
2016-04-10 04:28:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
RE: your additional details. The top bar at or near the top of the seat tube is stronger frame triangulation, therefor a stronger frame with no more weight. Sometimes "male" frames are lighter than the "female" frames.
Most high quality bikes have the same style top tube, just different measurements to fit a the smaller body of a female.
2007-12-17 07:19:12 · answer #4 · answered by McG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vast majority of bikes are "mens" style now anyway. All competitive woman ride a diamond frame. As McG stated triangulated frame is a stronger design. Of the millions of miles ridden on bikes the top tube crunch happens rarely. And many times it happen only because one is riding a bike far too large or is simply clutzy - like saying it's the door's fault for slamming your fingers in one.
2007-12-17 07:30:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason for the "horizontal bar is for strainth(boys being harder on equipt)and girls bikes do not to accomodate wearing a dress
2007-12-17 06:25:48 · answer #6 · answered by PATRICK O 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birth control.
2014-07-24 06:16:34 · answer #7 · answered by Donald B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the added value of a horizontal (or nearly) top-tube is added overall stiffness of the frame.
that is, if you stand up and sprint, it won't flex on you as much.
btw some people put pads on their top-tube, to avoid mishaps.
2007-12-17 07:23:12 · answer #8 · answered by fixedinseattle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because boys give sometimes a lift to the girls on the horizontal bar
2007-12-17 06:32:43 · answer #9 · answered by administrator jm 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i guess it's because of the structure between males and females
2007-12-17 06:27:41 · answer #10 · answered by Paris, je t'aime 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋