Canondale Synapsis Feminine 3
Most of the big bike companies now have women-specific designs (WSD), including this model from Cannondale. What makes them women-specific is the bike geometry, which takes into account women's anatomy. Most women have longer legs and a shorter torso than men, which is taken into account in the Synapse. In addition, women have a different need when it comes to saddles for long rides as a woman's pelvis is shaped differently from a man's. Women like the Synapse's handling and smooth riding. It comes with an aluminum frame and carbon-fiber parts, such as the seat post. Also included are padded bar tape for comfort on long rides. The Feminine 3 is a mid-level road bike, and the suggested retail price, as of 2009, is $2,999.
Gary Fisher's HiFi Deluxe
The geometry of this full-suspension mountain bike has made it especially adept at slow handling and tight turns, according to reviews in Bicycling Magazine, which voted it best Women's Mountain Bike in the Editor's Choice awards. The bike boasts a single-pivot suspension, which performs especially well on climbs. The HiFi deluxe is available in a wide size range to accommodate even the smallest of women. Suggested retail price for the HiFi deluxe is $2,619.99, as of 2009. The series also includes a higher-end and more entry-level version of this bike.
Electra Gigi
Woman on a townie
Townies and Cruisers look old-fashioned and are popular among beach vacationers and people who want to tool around a town. Typically, these bikes come with a step-through frame or a traditional top tube. The Electra Gigi is usually admired for its distinct, bright colors and style. It comes with a step-through frame and all the components necessary for cruising around town: a bell, a front basket, chain guard, fenders and a rear rack. Many cruisers leave these features out, making riding in a skirt or long pants or with parcels a real drag. The Gigi is a three-speed bike with an internal shifter, making maintenance easier, and coaster brakes. As of 2009, the Gigi is reasonably priced at $530.
