Cycling for Women: Deconstructed (AU)

cycling for women:deconstructed

2012 Specialized Womens Book A5_FA.indd 1 18/10/12 10:44 AM

a little bit about usWe strive to set the bar for women’s

cycling products. We want to be the

brand of choice for all female riders,

from first timers to pros. As women,

we know that it’s as much about

looking and feeling great as it’s

about having a great product.

With a mission to get more women

feeling empowered — on the road and

on the trails — we hope to inspire you

and women everywhere to find more

reasons to ride.

Products designed for womenWomen are not just “small men,” and we don’t

approach product design that way. We start

with women’s specific data, consider your ride

experience and design the perfect bicycle from

the ground up.

by womenWomen’s products are designed FOR women who

ride, BY women who ride. We are also inspired by

female bike shop employees, professional athletes

and everyday cyclists. We travel the globe to hear

from other women cyclists about their needs and

experiences, which can be found in every product

we create.

tHat fit greatEvery woman has specific fit needs, and we

address those needs with each product we create.

There is no one “women’s geometry” that suits all

female riders. For this reason, we have different

geometries for each ride experience, so you get

the best fit possible.

are beautifulWe’ve come a long way since pioneering our first

bike specifically designed for women 10 years ago.

Since then, we’ve launched a full line of women’s

road, mountain and fitness/recreation products to

fit, encourage and empower all female riders.

We strive to deliver uncompromising products that

are technically advanced and built for women.

and give you tHe confidence to cHallenge yourselfRide further than you ever have, try out a sprint

triathlon, tackle a technical piece of singletrack —

we want you to do it all. Every ride should inspire

confidence. That’s why we carefully design bikes

to offer low standover heights, stable handling and

a wide range of sizes that are all custom tuned for

the female rider.

Whether you’re training for your next race or riding

for the first time, we hope you’ll find this guide a

helpful companion.

Welcome to the Club!

Specialized’s Women’s Team

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wHy ride?reasons togo by bike10

Shape up that booty

Arrive at work

feeling energized

Put a big fat smile

on your face

Build legs of steel

Whiz past traffic jams

Give a little love to the earth

Log a little extra sweat

for the day

Act like a kid again

See things you wouldn’t

notice in your car

Feel the wind in your hair

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What the LBD (little black dress) does for your wardrobe, your LBS (local

bike shop) can do for your cycling experience: it’s a necessary staple.

But, we know bike shops can also seem overly technical and intimidating,

which can be a roadblock for many women who are considering getting

into cycling. Our goal is to help break down those barriers by creating

user-friendly experiences at our dealers, and making it easy to get started.

Here are a couple of tips for making your first bike shop visit —

and return visits — a success:

•Bringafriend(cyclistornot)

•Getcomfortable(checkoutthewomen’scyclingapparelfirst)

•Letasalespersonknowwhyyouarethere

•Askquestions(don’tworryifyoudon’tknowthelingo)

•Goatyourownpace(don’tfeelpressuretobuy)

Making a connection with your LBS gives you access to people who

are passionate about cycling and can also save you time searching for

answerstocyclingquandariessuchas:

•MybackhurtswhenIridemorethanafewmiles,isthathowit’s

supposed to feel? (spoiler alert: No)

•Canyoushowmehowtofixaflat?

•WhatmaintenancedoIneedtodoonmybike?

•ArethereanylocalgroupridesIcanjoininon?

•Whatarethebestcyclingroutesaroundheretoavoidtraffic?

Having a connection to the cycling community can help you learn about

the sport and you’ll probably make some friends along the way. Sounds

more fun than trying to muddle through it yourself, doesn’t it?

your localbike sHoP

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wHat is body geometry fit? BodyGeometry Fit is a step-by-step method based on 30 years of

experience and bike fitting in conjunction with the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine and Dr. Andy

Pruitt. BodyGeometry Fit is designed to help cyclists of all levels ride faster, longer, more comfortably

andwithreducedchanceofinjury,BodyGeometryFITisavailableonlythroughSpecializeddealers.

wHo can benefit from a bike fit? Anyone who

rides a bike will benefit from a bike fit. What if

your bike isn’t set up properly? Let’s say, you ride

your bike 40 kilometres… you will turn the pedals

7,500 times! Cycling is a sport of repetition. Poor

fit + repetition = injury. Everybody can benefit from

a bike fit to be more comfortable and efficient on

their bike, and to protect from overuse injury.

finally, wHy sHould you get a bike fit?

You can spend a lot of money on a bike and if

it hurts you, or isn’t fun to ride, it may just sit in

your garage. A good bike fit will help you to feel

comfortable and safe on your bike. And you never

know, you may just become hooked! Also, your

bike fitter is someone you can rely on to help guide

you down the road. You now have someone you

can trust to help you make decisions about future

gear purchases and your next step as a cyclist.

Cycling can be a lifelong passion, taking you to

incredible places where you will meet wonderful

people. You will experience life from a different

vantage point and learn about yourself in ways

you never thought possible. A bike fit will help

you take that journey safely, comfortably and

more efficiently.

body geometry fit

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It’seasytowalkintoabikeshopandspendaninfiniteamountofmoney.

Like shoes, you can never have too much bike stuff. But if you’re

looking to get started, here’s the inside scoop on what you really need.getting started

Pink starter kit - $70 black starter kit - $70

vita - $599

sierraHelmet - $70

ariel disc - $649

>“IWAnTTorIde

MyBIkeToWork”

>“IWAnTToGeTAWorkouTonTheLoCAL

dIrTpAThSAndrIdeTheroAdToGeTThere”

total $739 total $789

sierraHelmet - $70

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total $1852

asPireHelmet - $100

tHe works kit - $130sPirita rbxsHoe - $130

dolce sPort - $1169

bg gelgloves - $45

bg comPsHort - $139

>“I’vedeCIdedIWAnTToGeTInToroAdCyCLInG

AndBuyMyFIrSTroAdBIke”

jersey - $139

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saddle q&a q:I’minterestedinridingabike,butallofthesaddlesseemsouncomfortable.

howcanIbecomfortable?

q:Ialreadyrideabike,butwhenI’mridingIfeelnumb,soreorgetchafing

orsaddlesores.WhatshouldIdo?

q:I’minthemarketforanewsaddle;whatshouldIlookfor?

a: My best advice is to visit a Specialized retailer and work with a

knowledgeable salesperson. He or she will measure your sit bones and

askquestionsaboutyourridingposition.notworidersarethesame,

and a good salesperson will help find what works for you.

a: Getting a saddle that fits you correctly is the most important way to feel

comfortable on a bike. All Specialized saddles are designed and tested with our

global team of BodyGeometry fitters. We’ve taken thousands of measurements

to dial in the best fit. Our saddles are also medically tested. We use a process

called pressure mapping to create saddle cutout shapes that remove pressure

from sensitive soft tissue areas, making your ride more comfortable.

a: Suffering from any of these problems is uncomfortable and unacceptable!

youdefinitelywanttogetaBodyGeometryFitandtryanothersaddle.It’s

also important to consider the shorts you’re wearing for cycling. Be sure that

they’re made by a good cycling brand. Also, never wear underwear with cycling

shorts! We know this seems radical, but the chamois pad inside cycling shorts

is typically anti-bacterial and your shorts are designed to move with you and

pull sweat away from your body. The fabric and seams of underwear do not

move with you, and the bunching can cause chafing, sores and discomfort.

> riding a bike can be fun (or not!) based on How your saddle feels. julie bates, a certified body geometry fit Professor at sPecialized, answers commonly asked questions about women’s saddle fit.

oura Pro saddle

bg comfort gel saddle

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wHy cycling sHoes?

cycling sHoessneakers

accessibility? Chances are, you already have them. Consider it the latest addition to your killer shoe collection! Ifnot,startsat~$70. Availableatbikeshopseverywhere,startingat~$90.

initial benefit? keepsyouwithinyourcomfortzone. Allowsyoutousepedalsthatyouclipinto (ironically called “clipless”).

wHat about tHeir sole? It’susuallycushyanddesignedforthe Thestifferthesolethebetter.yourfootdoesn’t way your foot rolls as you walk/run. need to flex at all on a bike pedal, so reducing that boosts efficiency and minimizes the risk of injury.

arcH suPPort? Yes, but not ideal for cycling. Yes, Specialized footbeds offer three different levels of support so you can get a customized fit.

laces to tie? Almostdefinitely. notlikely.Strapswithratchetclosures,velcro,orSpecialized’s patented BOA dial system snugs things up in a jiffy.

sPin-class aPProved? Greattostartwith. doublesyourworkout—worksyourhammiesandquadsby allowing you to pull up as well as push down on the pedals.

sPecial Perk? Lessclumsy/noisyinthecoffeeshop, Admitit,youmisshavingvelcroonyourshoesanddon’t easiertomaintainsassywalkoffthebike. wanttowaituntilyou’re90tobeabletopullitoffagain.

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Helmet fit

Your helmet should have a snug fit and sit

squarelyonyourhead(nottiltedtoofarback!).

Italsoshouldnotbeonbackwards(we’veall

seen it happen…). The most important thing

is to make sure the chin strap is as tight as

itcanbewhilestillremainingcomfortable.It

may seem too tight at first, but it is the single

biggest factor in keeping the helmet on your

head in the event of a tumble!

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wHat do i wear?Before we get into specifics, why is most cycling apparel so tight?

Theshortanswerisit’ssimplythemostpracticalthingtodo.Itkeepsyou

fast, using less energy and more importantly safe, so loose pant legs don’t

get caught up in your chain. Not wearing it is like a swimmer wearing a

sweater in the pool. The good news is, the more miles you ride, the better

it will look.

Bike shorts take some getting used

to. Having padded shorts can feel

strange on top of the fact they’re

really the only acceptable reason to

go commando. However, once you

start logging more and more miles,

that extra padding will keep you more

comfortable.

One of the best things to do

while riding is layering.

Temperatures can vary

widely throughout the

day. Having arm and leg

warmers are great and

easy to stash. Jackets

and vests that take the

edge off the wind can be

life savers as well.

Fabric technology has been

developedtoofferuvray

protection benefits up to SPF 50

and can help you stay cooler even

though you are more covered up.

Check the tags on any apparel you

buy! (All Specialized apparel offers

a minimum protection of SPF 30,

so you can skip the tag check.)

Beginner cyclists tend to put more pressure on their

hands than is necessary, even with a good bike fit.

The extra padding in cycling gloves can save

you from any unpleasant sensations that

come after relying on your hands too

much when riding. Also, in case of a spill,

gloves can save the day — at least where

your hands are concerned.

solar vita jersey

arm warmers ex

lo down glove

bg rbx sHort

deflect Hybrid jacket

sl comP glove10


> keePing your trusty steed trusty

Before you go out for a ride, there are a few things you

should always check:

Tyres: Check to make sure there aren’t any small

holesorcracksinyourtyres.Ifthereare,skipthe

ride and bring your bike to your local bike shop.

You don’t want to get a flat on the ride or worse

have your tyre blow out.

Tyre Pressure: Not having enough air in your

tyres will make you work a lot harder and can

also cause pinch flats. The tyre will get pinched

going over bumps and cracks in the road and can

put a little hole in the inner tube.

Chain:haveItakencareofmychainlately?your

bike’s chain needs to be cleaned and lubricated

about once a week. Not sure what to use to clean

or lube your chain? Your bike shop is a great

resource and will be happy to show you what you

need and give you some cleaning tips.

Flat Kit: Make sure your flat kit is always

complete with a tube, tyre levers, patch kit and

pump.

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Pre-ridecHecklist

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best riding adviceInadditiontoourtips,weenlistedourFacebookcommunitytoseewhat

was the best cycling advice they have been given.

> wHat is tHe best riding advice you Have been given?

• “Do not wear underwear under your padded shorts — learned this first-hand. Just trust me.” – Maria R.

• “Take a swig of water every other kilometre, just to make sure you don’t get dehydrated!” – Lisa Marie J.

• “Look where you want to ride.” – Laura V.

• “Ride with all five senses.” – Mimi B.

• “Always carry a spare tube, H20, a snack and tools!” – Tracey J.

• “Just keep pedaling!” – Heather R.

• “Get the ‘BodyGeometry Fit’ done so that the bike is just right for you!” – Lauren B.

• “Get a women’s specific saddle!” – Diane N.

• “Don’t go cheap on a bike chain and theft prevention.” – Jennifer M.

• (regarding clipless pedals) “Some day you’re GoInGTofallover.Justlaughitoff, becauseeveryBodydoes...”– Sheila C.

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stay motivated> toP five ways to stay motivated

You have all the gear, you know you’ll feel better if you

just get out there, but you just can’t push yourself to get

out on your bike. Here are some of our favourite ways to

stay motivated!

1 Join in on a group ride at your local bike shop.

2 Pick somewhere close that you normally drive

to, and see what it’s like to travel there via bike

instead.

3 Go watch a race in any cycling discipline, even if

you never plan to race yourself.

4 Find a charity ride close to your heart and do it!

Most have multiple distance options to choose

from. Start small for your first one and work your

way up.

5 Tell family/friends about your cycling aspirations.

You are more likely to push yourself to follow

through if you know someone may ask you how

it’s going later!

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glossaryTops

DropsHoods

HANDLEBARS

Saddle

Cassette

Brake Caliper

Brake Lever

Seat Post

RearDerailleur

Fork

Top TubeShifters

DownTube

Seat Tube

Stem

Seat Stay

Crank

Chainring

Chain Stay

Head Tube

FrontDerailleur

> road bike anatomy amira

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> mountain bike anatomy myka fsr Grips

Saddle

Rear Brake

Head Tube

FrontDerailleur

Front Brake

Brakes

Seat Post

RearDerailleur

Front Shock/Fork

Top Tube

Shifters

SeatTube

DownTube

Rear Shock

Stem

Seat Stay

Crank

Chainring

Chain Stay

glossaryHANDLEBARS

Cassette

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crankset The combination of the front chainrings

and the cranks.

derailleur The mechanism that moves the chain from one gear

to the next when you move your shifter.

droPs The lower part of curved road handlebars.

When your hands are here, you are “in the drops.”

stem Part of the bike that keeps the handlebars on.

saddle The bike-nerd term for the seat.

cHamois Pronounced “shammy,” this is the padding

part of bike shorts.

skewer A skewer is a rod that threads through the wheels

and attaches them to the bicycle. You can either

havequick-releaseskewersthatallowyouto

take your wheels off without tools, or you can

haveaversionthatrequirestoolsandisa

little more theft-resistant.

cassette The stack of gears on the rear of the bike.

cliPless Pedals Pedals that you clip into on a bike. They engage

with a cleat on a cycling shoe to attach the shoe

directly to the pedal.

cleat Hardware that you bolt onto your shoe in order

to connect with clipless pedals. Different brands have

different bolt patterns, so you need to make

sure your shoes are compatible. Also, not all

cleats will connect with all pedals, so you have

to match those up as well. Road bikes and mountain

bikesusedifferentpedalsandcleats.Ifyouhear

the term “SPD” in your spin class, this is a classic

mountain bike pedal and cleat system.

cHainring The toothed wheel/gear (aka sprocket) that is

connected to the cranks.

cranks The two straight arms that you attach the pedals to.

Whether you’re talking with your local bike mechanic, chatting it up on

a group ride or hoping to impress your date with your cycling expertise,

here are some key terms to know.

key terms

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Cycling for Women: Deconstructed (AU)

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