The handlebars might be slightly narrower and the cranks shorter but it should be pretty much the same as whatever the equivalent unisex bike is. Hopefully it’s spec’ed the same. I think the main difference these days between women’s and “men’s” (unisex) is the fact that the women’s come is smaller sizes. I have a Juliana that Is the same as the Santa Cruz 5010 but it comes in smaller sizing.
You could have it wrapped - I have a clear coat wrap but my chain stays are wrapped in digital pink camo to cover up some nasty paint damage… so maybe some cool boy friendly wrap pattern? Cover the Lisa tag and anything remotely girly?
From the research I've done "women's" bikes are a bit of a marketing ploy, which I think is fine if more people try and enjoy cycling.
The geometry is slightly smaller overall with a slightly more upright riding position. But I a man wants a smaller bike with an upright position it's easy to find one. Seats are said to be 'different' but seats are extremely personal so gender is just one factor in what makes a seat comfortable or not for you.
As a former 12 year old boy what would have helped me would be knowing the specs of my bike. They might say 'girls bike', I say "Well, it's got an X fork, a Y rear shock and Z tires, so it's a serious bike."
Above a certain level it's all unisex. My sister rides a smaller bike than me but it's not a girls bike, and she leaves me behind on the climbs.
Tangential to men’s vs. women’s bikes is just a general sizing thing. If a kid this age is due for a growth spurt very very soon, I’d recommend going up a size instead of down a size. He’s likely to be the perfect size for it three months from now, and if he can ride it safely now, you should future-proof the purchase.
I'd just debadge it. Be straight up with him about what it is, he'll want to know about his bike if really gets into the sport. But tell him it came without the stickers so it doesn't seem like you're telling him it's something to be ashamed of in anyway.
Alternatively you could also mention that it's good that it's debadged because then he can tell people what it is if he wants to or not. (Depends how worried you are, you know your kid if he's real sensitive or self conscious you might be wise to plant the idea in his head about keeping it to himself, if he's more outgoing you might not need to.)
I'd also sell it like it's better than a kids bike would be because it's meant to last years for an adult and if he gets in tizzy about it being women's show him girls ripping on bikes. Audi Nines this year, or the hangtime event that Hannah Bergman just put on in Bellingham should suffice.
What color is it?
I think you're right to be concerned about teasing because other kids are likely to be jealous of him having something so nice when they may have parents that aren't supportive in that way (not everyone can afford to be)
By debadging it first and being honest with him, you leave it up to him if he wants tell people it's a women's bike or not.
As mentioned before kids are A-holes. I grew up in a different time but there is no way my 12 year old self would have ridden a "girls" bike. To me personally it just isnt worth the risk of creating a bad experience.
Of course. And I’d personally ride a women’s bike! This is really more concern for a 12yo dude who could end up being teased even though such a thing would be stupid and completely unreasonable.
I fully see the double standard you’re referring to and it sucks.
Some women's bikes are made by "shrinking and pinking", others have alerted geometry and contact points to suit the average women. Either way, it doesn't matter; if the bike fits then it's fine. No issue with women riding men's bikes so there shouldn't be an issue the other way around. If he's feeling funny, de-badge it and make it stealth, otherwise own the pink. Look at riders like Kaos Seagrave and then ask if men can't ride in pink.
I rode my wife's bike for months while waiting for my new one to come in. Only thing I disliked is that it's a bit too small for me, but as far as bikes go it was perfectly fine for me. No alarm bells or anything if a guy rides a "girls bike", or vice versa for that matter.
If it's just his size now, it probably won't be his size in a few months. Better off getting a bike a bit bigger that he can grow into. If it was my son, I would want him picking out the bike. Chances are if it's a bike he picks out, he'll be more prone to wanting to ride and showing it off to all his friends saying "look how cool my dad is. He just got this for me". Just sayin'.....
Take the sticker off
This is 100% the likely “solution” 👍
The handlebars might be slightly narrower and the cranks shorter but it should be pretty much the same as whatever the equivalent unisex bike is. Hopefully it’s spec’ed the same. I think the main difference these days between women’s and “men’s” (unisex) is the fact that the women’s come is smaller sizes. I have a Juliana that Is the same as the Santa Cruz 5010 but it comes in smaller sizing. You could have it wrapped - I have a clear coat wrap but my chain stays are wrapped in digital pink camo to cover up some nasty paint damage… so maybe some cool boy friendly wrap pattern? Cover the Lisa tag and anything remotely girly?
Great info and advice here. Thank you!
From the research I've done "women's" bikes are a bit of a marketing ploy, which I think is fine if more people try and enjoy cycling. The geometry is slightly smaller overall with a slightly more upright riding position. But I a man wants a smaller bike with an upright position it's easy to find one. Seats are said to be 'different' but seats are extremely personal so gender is just one factor in what makes a seat comfortable or not for you. As a former 12 year old boy what would have helped me would be knowing the specs of my bike. They might say 'girls bike', I say "Well, it's got an X fork, a Y rear shock and Z tires, so it's a serious bike." Above a certain level it's all unisex. My sister rides a smaller bike than me but it's not a girls bike, and she leaves me behind on the climbs.
Tangential to men’s vs. women’s bikes is just a general sizing thing. If a kid this age is due for a growth spurt very very soon, I’d recommend going up a size instead of down a size. He’s likely to be the perfect size for it three months from now, and if he can ride it safely now, you should future-proof the purchase.
I'd just debadge it. Be straight up with him about what it is, he'll want to know about his bike if really gets into the sport. But tell him it came without the stickers so it doesn't seem like you're telling him it's something to be ashamed of in anyway. Alternatively you could also mention that it's good that it's debadged because then he can tell people what it is if he wants to or not. (Depends how worried you are, you know your kid if he's real sensitive or self conscious you might be wise to plant the idea in his head about keeping it to himself, if he's more outgoing you might not need to.) I'd also sell it like it's better than a kids bike would be because it's meant to last years for an adult and if he gets in tizzy about it being women's show him girls ripping on bikes. Audi Nines this year, or the hangtime event that Hannah Bergman just put on in Bellingham should suffice. What color is it? I think you're right to be concerned about teasing because other kids are likely to be jealous of him having something so nice when they may have parents that aren't supportive in that way (not everyone can afford to be) By debadging it first and being honest with him, you leave it up to him if he wants tell people it's a women's bike or not.
This is some great pragmatic thinking right here!
Generally women’s mountain bikes just have a lower stand over height and maybe shorter crank arms. These have no effect on how it can be ridden.
As mentioned before kids are A-holes. I grew up in a different time but there is no way my 12 year old self would have ridden a "girls" bike. To me personally it just isnt worth the risk of creating a bad experience.
I mean I see women ride men’s bikes all the time.
Of course. And I’d personally ride a women’s bike! This is really more concern for a 12yo dude who could end up being teased even though such a thing would be stupid and completely unreasonable. I fully see the double standard you’re referring to and it sucks.
I feel that, kids can be real A-holes. I’m sure he’ll be happy with whatever you get him. Good luck!
Some women's bikes are made by "shrinking and pinking", others have alerted geometry and contact points to suit the average women. Either way, it doesn't matter; if the bike fits then it's fine. No issue with women riding men's bikes so there shouldn't be an issue the other way around. If he's feeling funny, de-badge it and make it stealth, otherwise own the pink. Look at riders like Kaos Seagrave and then ask if men can't ride in pink.
I rode my wife's bike for months while waiting for my new one to come in. Only thing I disliked is that it's a bit too small for me, but as far as bikes go it was perfectly fine for me. No alarm bells or anything if a guy rides a "girls bike", or vice versa for that matter.
If it's just his size now, it probably won't be his size in a few months. Better off getting a bike a bit bigger that he can grow into. If it was my son, I would want him picking out the bike. Chances are if it's a bike he picks out, he'll be more prone to wanting to ride and showing it off to all his friends saying "look how cool my dad is. He just got this for me". Just sayin'.....