SPECIALIZED WOMEN’S WHITEPAPER
SPECIALIZED WOMEN’S PRODUCTS LEAD PERFORMANCE
Bell curve of average women’s weight vs. average men’s weight 120 lbs.
Every Specialized bike must survive a rigorous design and test procedure before it reaches production, and women’s bikes are no exception. First, we work to understand rider demands, and then we study variables like anthropometric data, weight, and power output. Only through this research can we optimize our women’s bikes for fit, confidence, and efficiency in order to provide the fastest, lightest and most confidence inspiring rides..
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* Curve based on the average 150 lbs female rider. * Off the shelf traditional suspension based on an average 180 lbs rider.
FIT:
Specialized Women’s products are created using anthropometric data, measurements that help us understand human physical variation and provide a better fitting bike for women. Instead of taking a men’s product and scaling it down or adjusting the geo, we start with our data on women and build products from the ground up.
CONFIDENCE:
By listening to riders we know that women are looking for a balanced ride and we design every product to instill confidence in the rider.
* Curve based on the average 150 lbs female rider. * Off the shelf traditional suspension based on an average 180 lbs rider.
Through our studies, we’ve learned that the median height of women is 5’ 4” (male median is 5’ 9”), so we design our medium women’s bikes (51 cm, 15 in.) to fit that rider and scale up and down in size accordingly. This ensures that female riders get the best fit and maximum efficiency out of their bikes.
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Through anthropometric studies, we can ensure that every size bike, from 44 cm. to 57 cm., has the same amazing ride quality; that the smaller bikes don’t become too harsh and the larger bikes don’t become too flexible. It also allows us to build different families of bikes with different characteristics, depending on the rider at hand—whether she wants the all-out stiffest bike or the most compliant for long distances. This approach carries through to mountain bike design, where we tune all suspension around women’s average weight and distribution.
Our scientific studies show that the average weight of a female rider is approximately 150 lbs. (male average is 180 lbs.) and that women’s center of gravity is lower. This data helps us develop targets for suspension, tube sets, and layup stiffness to optimize the function for the female rider and ensure that every ride experience is confidence inspiring—whether ripping some singletrack or bombing a descent on a fresh piece of tarmac.
EFFICIENCY:
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Women’s reach (combined torso and wingspan) is on average 2.5cm shorter than a male of the same height. So we tune our geometries and spec accordingly.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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We go to great lengths to lighten both our bikes and equipment so that women can accelerate quickly and maintain the greatest degree of efficiency on their ride.
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CLOSEST ANGLE IS COMP-SET RISE
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D. Mountain Bike Technology. . . . . . . Page 8-9 E. Mountain Bike Experience Map . . . Page 10-11 F. Saddle Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 G. Shoe Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 4
Women’s feet have a narrower heel cup, lower volume in the forefoot and require a lower cuff. We design all BG shoes around a women’s last. WOMEN WHITEPAPER 2
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CUSTOM TUBING
WOMEN’S ROAD BIKE TECHNOLOGY
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The custom alloy tubing or carbon layups used on our women’s road frames create a supple ride with low weight, excellent handling, and proven efficiency. This makes our bikes climb and accelerate faster, while also making them more compliant.
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2011 AMIRA DOWNTUBE 5
WHAT WOMEN WANT From customized tubing dimensions to experiencespecific geometry, every detail of our women’s road bikes is designed and engineered to improve and enhance her time on the road.
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GEOMETRY
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Every Specialized women’s road bike features experiencespecific geometry that’s designed to fit women’s bodies for the perfect fit and optimal handling—whether adapted for racing, endurance, fitness, or recreation. Frames are offered in sizes down to 44cm.
INTEGRATION
4 The image above illustrates the customized tubing dimensions applied to each size of the Amira, from largest to smallest. Size-specific tubing optimizes the ride quality for each rider size.
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Each road frame and fork is designed in tandem to create the lightest, stiffest, and most comfortable combination. This kind of control over the bike allows us to pioneer features like our tapered steerer tube assembly that reduces weight and improve steering precision (found on the Amira).
700C WHEELS
WOMEN’S-SPECIFIC COMPONENTS
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Our road bikes feature components designed exclusively around the female form and the way women ride, including short-reach brake levers, anatomically contoured Body Geometry saddles, and all-new handlebars designed with a short reach and shallow drop.
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Thanks to the ultra-refined geometry developed by our female product managers, even the smallest of our road bikes uses full-sized 700c wheels for a smoother ride and universal compatibility. 3 3 Pressure mapping image of Specialized Body Geometry Dolce women’s saddle (left) compared to a competitor women’s saddle (right). Red indicates zones of highest pressure/discomfort.
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EXPERIENCE
WOMEN’S ROAD EXPERIENCE MAP
COMPETITIVE ROAD BIKE FRAME MATERIAL FEATURES
CLAIM TO FAME
AMIRA
EXPERIENCE
RUBY
FEATURES
CLAIM TO FAME
EXPERIENCE
VITA
SPEED
BIKE FRAME MATERIAL FEATURES
CLAIM TO FAME
SUPPLE RIDE
EXPERIENCE
FACT IS 9R CARBON WITH ZERTZ Predictable handling through OS DT. Compliance through triangulated SS. Nothing is smoother and faster. This is the bike that started the endurance road category for women.
DOLCE
E5 & A1 WITH ZERTZ Predictable handling through OS DT. Compliance through triangulated SS. The first women’s road bike from Specialized (2004). Lightest weight and best handling bike in its class.
FITNESS/COMMUTE BIKE FRAME MATERIAL FEATURES
CLAIM TO FAME
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RUBY
RECREATIONAL ROAD
PEDALING EFFICIENCY
FACT IS 10R & 9R CARBON Ultimate stiffness-to-weight through tapered HT/steerer tube combination, OSBB and OS chainstays 20 PODIUM FINISHES AROUND THE WORLD AND TOP ATHLETE ENDORSEMENTS
ENDURANCE ROAD BIKE FRAME MATERIAL
DOLCE
AMIRA
VITA
A1 WITH ZERTZ Rack mount and fender rack compatibility ensure versatility The most versatile bike for event rides, first-time triathlons, and commuting around town
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FRAMES
WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE TECHNOLOGY IT’S ABOUT THE SYSTEM, NOT JUST THE FRAME COLOR. From custom-tuned suspension to generous standover height, every detail of our women’s mountain bikesis designed and engineered to improve and enhance her time on the trail.
CUSTOM TUBING
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Every Specialized women’s MTB frame is developed from anthropometric research and riding experience to appropriately fit the female form. With smaller sizes, experience-specific geometries, and the lowest possible standover heights, our women’s frames give female riders more control on the trail.
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We create custom tubes for all of our women’s MTB frames and utilize specific carbon layups (where applicable) so they are lighter and smoother riding than overbuilt bikes for men. This makes our bikes climb and accelerate faster, while also making them more compliant.
Whether grips, rotors, handlebars or cranks, our women’s components are tuned, designed, or specially selected to be proportional for women’s bodies and the way they ride.
2011 SPRING CURVES STD MEN VS STD WOMEN BUMP ZONE
INITIAL ZONE
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ENDING ZONE 4
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Load (lb)
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50 90psi Main/50 Neg/Sm VC
ANATOMICAL SADDLES
70psi main/60 neg/Lg VC
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Displacement (mm)
Women’s spring rates (blue line) are tuned for lighter average rider weights to ensure that women are able to utilize all the travel and to have a plush ride.
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Our women’s-specific saddles are the result of extensive research, pressure mapping, and development with medical experts. We refine saddle shape, foam density, and seam positioning and formulate anatomical cut-aways to relieve pressure on sensitive soft tissue and increase overall comfort.
CUSTOM TUNED SUSPENSION
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All of the suspension forks and rear shocks we spec on our women’s bikes (whether proprietary designs or not) are specifically tuned and sized to suit female riders, so even the lightest riders will benefit from more comfort, control, and efficiency. `` On air forks and shocks, we tune the spring curve to provide a plush initial ride and ramp more at the end of the curve, so women are able to utilize all of their suspension. Most shocks ramp up too soon, which essentially becomes wasted travel. `` On coil-sprung forks, we use lighter weight, size-specific springs. WOMEN WHITEPAPER 9
EXPERIENCE
WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE MAP
PERFORMANCE XC BIKE FRAME MATERIAL
SUSPENSION
CLAIM TO FAME
PERFORMANCE
SAFIRE
EXPERIENCE
ERA
CLAIM TO FAME
EXPERIENCE
SAFIRE
M5 ALLOY 120/140mm of custom-tuned FSR suspension with Brain technology Lowest standover height 120mm bike on the market
RECREATIONAL XC TRAIL BIKE FRAME MATERIAL SUSPENSION
MYKA HT
FACT IS 10M CARBON & M5 ALLOY 100MM of custom-tuned FSR suspension with Brain Only women’s bike to win a WC and 24-Hour World Championship
XC TRAIL BIKE FRAME MATERIAL SUSPENSION
MYKA FSR
ERA
CLAIM TO FAME
MYKA FSR
M4 ALLOY 100mm of custom-tuned FSR suspension Most capable and balanced bike in its class
ARIEL
EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE+CHALLENGE
RECREATIONAL XC BIKE FRAME MATERIAL SUSPENSION
SPEED+FITNESS
CLAIM TO FAME
EXPERIENCE
M4 & A1 ALLOY 80/100mm of custom-tuned suspension Family lineup includes the best fitting 29er on the market for women
ALL ROAD BIKE FRAME MATERIAL SUSPENSION
CLAIM TO FAME
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MYKA HT
ARIEL
A1 ALLOY 75mm of custom-tuned front suspension Fully capable off-road bike
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WOMEN’S SADDLES In order to create Body Geometry (BG) saddles designed specifically for women, we have conducted pressure mapping studies with a variety of saddle designs, which shows us, in real-time, how a female rider exerts pressure on her saddle while pedaling. By recording this data in a variety of riding positions, we can determine which sizes, shapes, and cut-outs are best for women’s riding experiences. Additionally, we tune the foam density of our saddles to reflect average rider weight and relieve direct pressure on sensitive soft tissue, maximizing performance and comfort for female riders.
BLUE = less pressure RED = more pressure Dolce pressure mapping
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Soft tissue pressure is relieved through a women’s Body Geometry cut-out, beveled foam contours, and dual density foams.
Competitor saddle with no cut-out
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No cut-out and “dome” shape causes severe soft tissue pressure.
Competitor saddle with incorrect cut-out
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Improperly shaped cut-out causes severe soft tissue pressure.
BG FIT professor Aaron Post works with Team Vera Bradley rider to find the perfect saddle fit. WOMEN WHITEPAPER 12
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WOMEN’S SHOES Our research indicates that traditional cycling shoes are not ideally suited to women’s feet due to excessive volume in the toe box and heel width, allowing the foot to shift within the shoe. To compensate for an ill-fitting traditional shoe, many women will over-tighten the shoe’s closure, which decreases performance, comfort, and can potentially lead to rider injury. In order to directly address the fit and performance needs of female riders, BG women’s shoes are built using a women’s last to address their anthropometric variations. This last creates a more precise women’s-specific fit than the traditional shoe by decreasing toe box volume, narrowing the heel, and lowering the ankle cuff—all of which translate directly to an increase in power output and comfort.
WOMEN’S LAST
Narrower heel cup
Lower volume forefoot
Our Women’s BG shoes also incorporate each of the following technologies designed to optimize fit and performance: A built-in Varus Wedge elevates the inner forefoot by 1.5mm, minimizing forefoot collapse and helping eliminate knee movement under load. Varus Wedge insoles with varying thicknesses are also available to fit every rider’s unique biomechanical needs. Longitudinal Arch Support is designed to act as a gasket between the foot and the sole of the shoe, providing a stable platform for power delivery. As a shoe’s closure is tightened, the arch support ensures that the arch of the foot remains in a neutral position during the power phase, eliminating common foot pain and providing measurable performance gains. The Metatarsal Button is positioned beneath the forefoot in order to alleviate pressure on the muscles, nerves, and veins between the metatarsal bones, which is the most common cause of what cyclist’s call “hot foot”.
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www.specialized.com/women WOMEN WHITEPAPER 16