Flick back through the history books of women’s liberation and the humble bicycle looms large. It granted freedom and independence to Victorian ladyfolk who pedalled fearlessly all the way to emancipation. Many criticized the unseemly act of straddling a bike, fearing it could lead to medical complications. Thankfully, we now know this is ludicrous. Yet a woman’s body has caused much consternation in the cycling community and lead to the age-old question… do we need women's specific bikes?
Master frame builder Mark Reilly was adamant this was not necessary and that a frame would work if you were 5ft 3” (the average height of a woman in UK) or 5ft 7” (the average height of a Dutch woman) if the geometry was right. He paid particular attention when designing smaller framesets to minimise toe overlap. Consequently, the same cleverly engineered geometry is matched across all sizes from Reilly’s XXS through to XXL. Whatever the size, all frames can accommodate full size 700c wheels which isn’t always the case with smaller bikes. Rider Height vs Frame Size
See our blog about sizing 5ft cycling powerhouse, Carolina for her epic Across Andes bikepacking trip
The flexibility of frame size is a definite Reilly USP, but there are so many other considerations when buying a bike. I have recently acquired a sparkling, new Reilly Gradient. Billed as an adventure bike, it wasn’t my first choice. I am a 5ft 2” commuter, so my main thrill is dodging London traffic, but thanks to the Reilly sales team, the combination of a XXS Gradient with flat bars and chunky tyres is a winner as I navigate the unexpected undulations of city cycling.
Still undecided? Book a demo