A bicycle built for you

Just in time for summer, cycling manufacturers are offering up more women-specific products, from bikes to gear and clothing. Whether you want to finish a 100-mile century ride for charity, tool around town, compete in a triathlon or head for the mountains, these options will get you rolling.

CYCLING STYLE       BEST NEW RIDE

Road ruler          Giant OCR
                   This 18.5-pound road bike is smaller, lighter and
                   easier to maneuver than most bikes with a straight
                   top tube. Made of aluminum, with a composite front
                   and rear end for a smooth, nonjarring ride, the OCR
                   Elite comes with Shimano's Ultegra components and
                   flash Xero XSR-2 wheels. Frame sizes start at XS for
                   women under 5 feet tall ($1,500; www.giantbicycles.
                   com).
Casual cruiser      Nirve Island Flower Beach Cruiser
                   This single-speed 40-pound steel bike pays homage to
                   the rides of the '50s. The retro 2-inch balloon
                   tires and padded, double-sprung seat absorb shock so
                   you can keep on pedaling without pain wherever the
                   road takes you ($260; nirve.com).
Budding triathlete  Quintana Roo Tequilo
                   A hit among women because it comes in petite 47- and
                   49-centimeter frames (for riders under 5 feet tall),
                   in addition to sizes up to 61 centimeters. The bike
                   has a 3-pound aerodynamic aluminum frame (total bike
                   weighs about 20 pounds) and a shock-absorbing carbon
                   fork, and comes fully loaded with Shimano
                   components, Profile aero bars and Formula wheels
                   ($1,795; rooworld.com).
Off-road rider      Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Pro
                   Take on boulders, ruts and all the nastiness the
                   trails can throw your way on this dual-suspension
                   mountain bike. The design and add-ons cater to
                   women's form-fitting needs and include a shorter
                   reach to handlebars, brakes and gear shifters; a
                   5.4-pound aluminum frame (total bike weight is about
                   29 pounds); and a comfy saddle ($1,250; www.
                   specialized.com).

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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