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 Giant Transend Womens Bike.

   As riding in street clothes makes a welcome comeback, the traditional lady’s bike is facing a big revival. Because the old style women’s frames lost so much strength without the crossbar of a men’s bike, they made riding much harder for women as the flexing of the frame soaked up pedalling energy. Giant’s Transend 2W minimises this loss of efficiency while retaining the classic looks and convenience of a traditional lady’s bike for just $529.

  Although the Transend 2W retains all the equipment and features of the men’s Transend 2, it is not simply the men’s version minus its top tube and strength as too many women’s bikes are. Giant has re-engineered the Transend 2W frame specifically for women. 

  Giant has reduced the distance between seat and handlebars for a more upright seating position just right for wearing a dress or long jacket. The clever part was to leave the seat post ahead of the rear wheel, inside the wheelbase. This leaves plenty of room behind the seat for luggage and minimizes road shock as it doesn’t leave the seat perched above the rear wheel.

  It also makes it easier to step on the pedals when moving off or, if you need to get off in a hurry, it is simply a matter of stepping forward. It is a comfortable bike by design without resorting to heavy and energy sapping shock-absorbing systems.

  None of this would be worth the trouble if the Transend 2W was too heavy or hard to pedal. The open V of a lady’s bike will normally try to cave in as soon as the front wheel meets resistance. If there is no bar joining the seat post to the handlebars, pressure on the pedals will twist the back half of the bike relative to the front. Both sap vital pedaling energy.

  Giant exploits a clever twin down tube design that mimics the two down bars of old in side profile. The upper tube kicks up at the base so it meets the seat tube at a higher point for extra strength. Giant splits this toptube into two sections and wraps them around the seat tube for a triangulation effect. It leaves the Transend 2W with a frame unusually energy-efficient for one that looks so traditional. It feels responsive the moment you start pedaling while the all aluminium construction keeps weight in check.

  The Transend 2W was test-ridden by a strong female rider who is a physiotherapist and normally rides on premium men’s frames. She was pleasantly surprised by how stable and comfortable the bike was and how pleasant it was to ride over medium distances. She praised it for the lack of jarring over bumps and how easy it was to scan the road with its more upright riding position.

  Best of all, she noted that she could go out on the bike at any time without having to change into cycling gear yet still enjoy the ride. She also observed that riders who have stiffness in the hips, knees or neck should enjoy this bike without discomfort.

  She liked the seat with its feminine touches and the standard luggage rack and mudguards. Although Giant has opted for a lighter frame colour and extra polished parts over the men’s version, she noted that she would add some bright panniers, basket or bags for some extra colour.

  In her view, the Transend 2W was more than just a practical commuting or starter bike for a female cyclist on a budget. For a serious female rider wanting the occasional break from men’s frames and lycra to be more of a girl, she concluded that $529 was not a big outlay for this much fun. 

  View the Transend 1w $699

  View the Transend 2w $529

  View the Transend 3w $449