Spinning your wheels

Sore back? Sore butt? Nevermore. Get a bike that fits properly and you'll be cruising, not bruising. Today's women's-specific bicycles are lighter, smaller and sized to fit female proportions. "Biking is not supposed to hurt!" says Sara Ecclesine, women's bike developer at Specialized in Morgan Hill, Calif., who offers these tips:

* Test what feels comfortable during a Spinning class, then make a note of that bike's measurements, or have a professional bike fitting at a reputable bike shop or sports center. Measure seat height, distance from the seat to the handlebars and handlebar height.

* For a mountain or hybrid bike, aim for 3-4 inches of clearance between your crotch and the bike's top tube when you're standing with feet flat on the ground. On road bikes, 1 inch is sufficient.

* Get a women's-specific seat, such as the Dolce from Specialized, which accommodates women's wider "sit bones" and offers recessed areas to prevent uncomfortable pressure.

* To gauge seat height, the ball of your foot should be flat on the pedal when you are sitting on the seat with your leg straight but not locked. Seat height can be lower for mountain biking.--J.W.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group