I'm not usually a defendant of PC rubbish but I can't help thinking that the blatant use of pastel shades (notably pale blue & pink), flowers and other stereotype feminine imagery on women specific MTB's & kit is getting a bit much.

Do any female riders find this a bit patronising or do you genuinely like the girly touch on your kit?

Barbara likes components to match and was especially pleased with her white saddle (on a white Stumpy) till TransWales destroyed it.

i really like the purple spesh. would i be able to ride that without getting called an 'oof.

4AM you will be lucky to find any wimin on here these days, they have got their own forum - how patronising is that!!!!

No, but do it anyway.

The Gary Fisher Tassajara is a gorgeous bike - two of the girls I cycle with have them. Especially nice in baby blue :-), but they were bought for the genesisters geometry, excellent spec for the money and quick delivery from the local shop.

Given the number of men who go for bikes in pink these days it's harder to be sure who certain models are aimed at...

My wife is not a cyclist but she does wear some girly cycling clothing (here, you have this nice pink vest top from the remaindered rack and maybe I'll just buy this cheapo pair of Assos shorts) and I can confirm that she definitely prefers pastel shades with a bit of lace or a bow or something.

But my anecdotal evidence aside, there is nothing in the least bit patronising about offering goods for sale. If people want it they'll buy it and that's all there is to it.

Or we could go down the People Republic of China route and make everyone wear the same clothing. Now that is PC gone mad.

Anyway Ade, shoudn't you be getting out on your bike a bit more rather than taking an unhealthy interest in girls clothing?

TBH its not just bikes is it? My Mrs went shopping for a new mobile the other day and every store offered her something in pink first!
I guess women get used to it.......

You can't win, it either patronising or sexist.

Women love being patronised, a good woman knows her place.

Note: cheeky face required when patronising women.

I may add that my wife rides in pink shorts with flowers on, how girlie is that!

That is all

I am in regular contact with around 1,300 females (purely professional) on a daily basis. The one thing that I can say for certain is that women are different to men.
Why do most men not choose pastel shades of 'lovely colours'.
May be it is because they are brainwashed, or perhaps they just don't like them. A lot of women I know like pink, glitter, and kittens, some don't.
A lot of men I know like black, grey, and high tech gizmos.
If you have a little girl and take her to the 'lovely' Toys 'R' Us try stopping her going down the Pink Aisle. Tell the three year old you have brought up with no stero typing that is just a product of her conditioning and that is why she wants Barbie and her fantastic plastic fairy tale carriage.

*sniggers at going down the pink aisle*

mmmm I think if stood in a cubicle of the public lavs in your local park it might have a different interpretation.

Hiya, girly venturing from shecycles for a nose around.

To be honest I go for how the bike rides, colour is a second option.

Have a Giant NRS couple of years old, hate the colour but love the bike. Its a blokes and a cheap blue colour.

Doesnt bother me that they paint the bikes shades of pink and baby blue, think they stand out nicely against all the black bikes that are about at the moment.

Now as for cars, thats when colour does count no matter how SH$T the drive.

Hark at her, its alright deary you don't have to try and impress us ;-)

I dont really mind bike manuf's sticking flowers/pinky/girly things on their bikes as long as there is an alternative.
i would very much doubt i would part with my hard earned for a pink bike if i could get a pink/flower free version.

This notion wont change unless Chris king start giving away free bling pink bits.

Pink bikes are up there with Yellow cars, just not for me thank you.

I DON'T DO PINK!

Sorry for shouting, but while I value the geometry of a Womens Specific bike, I HATE Pink.

It would also be great to really have the range of clothing you guys get without half of it being in pink or baby blue.