The three keystones to every K2 T:Nine bicycle design are fit, performance and aesthetics that are we feel are more appropriate for women riders. While many riders may find an acceptable fit on bikes not designed specifically for women, our T:Nine models offer a number of weight, comfort, ride quality and visual appeal advantages over traditional designs. Here are a few examples why.
Weight Unisex and men’s bikes are designed with more material to safely carry loads far greater than models designed specifically with lighter women riders in mind. Why spend more effort carrying this extra weight up hills than you need to? Comfort In addition to excess strength, men’s and unisex frames are usually stiffer than a well-executed women’s design, to resist taller, more muscular average riders. Extra, unwanted stiffness results in less control over rough surfaces and more rider fatigue over longer distances. Ride Quality – Mountain Bikes Proper tuning of the suspension is key to increased comfort, control and confidence when riding off-road. A typical men’s or unisex bike is likely to use stiff springs designed to support male riders that are 20-40% heavier than women of similar heights. Women riders rarely experience the same quality of suspension performance on men’s bikes, and almost never benefit from the full quantity of suspension available. Ride Quality – Road Bikes For road bikes, women can often switch to a shorter stem on a men’s bike and approach a good fit, but this inevitably compromises performance. The shorter the stem, the twitchier the steering will feel, resulting in a less stable handling and increased rider fatigue over long distances. T:Nine road bikes are designed with special forks that allow the frame to be designed for appropriate reach with a standard length stem, ensuring consistent, reliable steering. Visual Appeal Many men’s and unisex bicycles approach the looks of racing cars, with wildly contrasting colors, sharp transitions between hues and blatant, billboard-like graphics. K2 T:Nine bicycles are styled to blend, not offend. We use complimentary colors that fade across long transitions, with subtle graphics that disappear into the paint at the edges. In some cases this subtlety may mean that it may be difficult to determine at a quick glance what brand of bike you’re riding, but that’s OK with us. We’re confident that you’ll love the way your T:Nine bike weighs, feels, performs and looks so much that all of your friends will eventually hear about it.
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