Nowadays, that’s no longer a problem, and I’m so thankful for it! The biggest change, in my opinion, started when bike companies began producing women’s frames. These bikes had different geometry, angles, and sizes that fit us women. At the same time, saddles designed strictly for women began to pop up. Without a doubt, that was one of the greatest moments for female athletes in our sport.
How I’ve benefited from women-specific technology
Right now, I ride the Canyon Ultimate XS frame. It has a different geometry than the men’s XS, being smaller and sleeker, which makes it much easier for me to find the perfect position to train in and perform at my best. Cycling is so advanced these days that every little detail has to be just right, and the correct frame size is the foundation.
Saddles have also evolved to fit women’s needs better. They’re smaller, with a bit more cushioning in the front, designed to fit perfectly with a woman’s pelvis. I’ve been riding the Ergon SR Pro women’s saddle since 2018, and it was the first women-specific saddle I tried. I instantly fell in love with it.
Brands leading the way
Honestly, all the top brands are on a pretty even playing field right now. I think every company is doing its best to stay on top of customer needs and satisfy cyclists of all shapes, sizes, and genders. Personally, I’ve been really impressed by Canyon’s efforts to invest more and more in women’s cycling. They don’t just produce women’s frames—they also focus on proper clothing like women’s bike shorts, jerseys, and jackets.
My team and I do a lot of product testing. We provide feedback and remarks to clothing teams, and they work to improve and make their products even more women-friendly. It’s really encouraging to be part of this process.
How the industry can do better
That said, it’s way different for the average cyclist. The industry could help women cyclists by offering more information, especially for beginners or those looking to get more serious about cycling. It can be confusing when you don’t know what saddle to choose, what shoes are best, or what wheels or bike frame to go for. Having more precise explanations could make a big difference.
Changes in women’s cycling gear over the years
Right now, it’s happening through a lot of word of mouth from enthusiastic riders eager to share their sport. The growth of women’s cycling over the last few years has been incredible—not just in racing but the entire cycling industry. I think it’s been a shared effort between brands and the athletes. We’ve all been open and honest about our feedback and requests, leading to a place where women’s bike gear is now widely available.
I remember wearing jerseys with too much material around the shoulders and not enough around the chest because men’s clothing simply didn’t fit our bodies. With sport-specific gear, you need tight materials for aerodynamic gains, and wearing men’s clothes was never going to work.
Influencing product development and what I want to see next in women’s cycling tech
As a professional cyclist, I always focus on speed, efficiency, and comfort. But of course, we also want to look good! When a brand comes out with a new product or innovation, my teammates and I get the samples to test in different weather conditions and situations. We take notes and pass them back to the brand so they can make improvements that work for everyone.
Overall, I hope we can continue to make it more accessible, but I’d love to see more women riding road bikes. I know some people might think it’s an extreme sport or that it’s hard to spend hours pedaling. But if women were properly informed about equipment and bike fitting, I think it would make a huge difference. I believe every bike purchase should include a bike fitting session—it would prevent so many issues with discomfort or injuries.
Innovations that have caught my eye
In recent years, cycling clothing has also become much more attractive. Cool designs make the sport more appealing, and I think that’s encouraged more women to take up cycling. When I started, we had to wear pro team kits if we wanted to look good because there weren’t many other options. Now, brands focus on getting the fit and comfort right but also making sure the designs are stylish—and that’s definitely caught women’s attention.
Advice for women shopping for bikes or gear
One piece of advice I always give is to prioritize bike fitting. When you buy a bike, getting the right fit can make all the difference and help you avoid any injuries caused by incorrect positioning. Also, pay attention to the three contact points on the bike: gloves, shorts, and shoes. Customizing your insoles can also prevent discomfort and injury.
Also, when it comes to buying cycling gear, one of the most important things for women is to make sure they’re choosing women’s shorts with the correct version of the chamois (that’s the padding inside the shorts, which people new to cycling often call “a diaper”). Men’s shorts are sewn differently, and wearing the wrong type can lead to saddle sores.
When it comes to bike frames, the difference between unisex and women-specific models is most noticeable in handling, especially when descending. Women’s frames are smaller and more agile. At 165 cm, even the smallest unisex frame still felt unnatural to me. It’s all about comfort and safety—having the correct frame size is key to both.
