The Woman's Bike kit reccommendation thread

[stray cat]

I have been sitting on some supermotos lately, with an average seat height of 910 mm (and I am 5'5"). Having heard everyone raving about the ladystar boots, I tried on a pair at the ExCel show. They won't help you if you are on tiptoes anyway on the bike, the built up bit is mainly in the heel and would help mostly people who want to flat foot on their bikes. However, they did feel really, really comfortable and have a good safety reputation. No toe sliders, though, I noticed.

[LadyB]

Originally Posted by egypt220

is that a small door are are you taller than you say you are ?

I live in a dolls house, really...

Nah, that is probably a small door and I am still 5' 4". Or just big boned...

[Diablo rosso]

Originally Posted by egypt220

as alpinestars,Dainese and spidi all do a good fitting ladies range i think where some probs arise is where the lady is on the big size and moans thats nothing fits off the peg.
made to measure is the only way for them to go.

Why should it be so, though, as big men can get their kit off the peg? Not every large lady can afford to get made to measure, and if, like Smixxy, they're on a diet, it can be prohibitively expensive.

Besides, the Italian companies still seem to believe no woman above the size of 14 should be on a bike, as in a lot of the jackets that's the largest size.

It's up to the shops to keep pressure on the head offices, importers and/or manufacturers to bring out more non-pastel, fully armoured and adjustable gear for the lady bikers, so your attitude is not very helpful.

[Jockey]

My mrs is tiny (5 footer) and she struggled,she has textile trousers as leather would have to be mde to fit but has alpinestars stella ice jacket,would recommend that

[LadyB]

Originally Posted by Jockey

My mrs is tiny (5 footer) and she struggled,she has textile trousers as leather would have to be mde to fit but has alpinestars stella ice jacket,would recommend that

That's actually quite pretty, although I expect the white needs regular cleaning. I have a white panel on my Wolf jacket and it's greyish already.

[malphesius]

Scottish bike show was a wash out, literally! last weekend. Particulary wanted to see if I could pick up a new pair of leather breeks. Not a hope. Very little stalls and not a lot of bikes for that matter. 1st and last time visit I think.

[smixxy]

MCA Leicester - awesome folks!

Kindly let me try on some suits - did find one that fits (although would need the arms and legs shortening - or I need mine lengthening!) but tis a tad more expensive than I had planned, so saving for a little longer to try and get it - it looked gorgeous and fitted well (tight, but useable!). And my bro swears by Dianese, so guess thats ok!

They were also brilliant and helped me find some gloves that fitted beautifully, and let me try a selection of lids too.

All this even though I didn't get there till 5pm today. They gave me a couple of names of peeps that might also be able to refit the jacket i have that is too big.

Just can't recommend them highly enough. soon as the £'s have stacked up I will be going back to get the suit and gloves - well worth the two and a half hour trip for the helpful, friendly service. As I started with - awesome peeps.

Grib - thanx again for your recommendation xx

[herriwullie]

evenin' all....

http://www.altberg.co.uk

for boots Altberg (from Yorkshire) will make to measure, have several different width fittings and run from size 3.5 to 13.5. They are running fitting days over the next month. I'm off to Wadhurst in E Sussex next saturday to get measured and order some decent bike boots.

[BlaZe]

Can't say I've ever had problems getting kitted out. As long as they let me mix the sizes in the 2-piece suits. First bought an Aardvark one when they didn't, so ended up with a rather baggy arse. Leather quality and protection level pretty good.
But my top choice is Richa gear. Not every bike shop stocks them, but they're not that rare, either (I'm talking about a few years ago here, don't know what it's like now). Bought zip-together trousers and jacket (one size up from the trews), fit great, look great (IMO), good quality leather, only replaced the hard protection with HG soft ones (I always do, much comfier).
Gloves - never looked at specifically ladies' ones (come to think of it, the only time I bought ladies' ones (Frank Thomas) the index finger was too small so I couldn't wear them in the end, anyway).
Did have to order boots (Oxtar TCS waterproof) in my size specifically, as nobody seemed to stock a lot of smaller sizes (I wear 5 (38 ), so it's not that titchy, either) on a regular basis.

[wildwoodflower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by egypt220
as alpinestars,Dainese and spidi all do a good fitting ladies range i think where some probs arise is where the lady is on the big size and moans thats nothing fits off the peg.
made to measure is the only way for them to go.

Originally Posted by Diablo rosso

Why should it be so, though, as big men can get their kit off the peg? Not every large lady can afford to get made to measure, and if, like Smixxy, they're on a diet, it can be prohibitively expensive.

Besides, the Italian companies still seem to believe no woman above the size of 14 should be on a bike, as in a lot of the jackets that's the largest size.

It's up to the shops to keep pressure on the head offices, importers and/or manufacturers to bring out more non-pastel, fully armoured and adjustable gear for the lady bikers, so your attitude is not very helpful.

Too right. And what's more I AM that woman customer, Mr Egypt ... yes, the one who comes into your shop and moans how being tall nothing fits. Which means I won't be spending my loot. I don't think we have to be economists to see where this is going.

The lady is right - if you want to be helpful, lobby your suppliers to give women the kind of choice they give men.

Now, here's a picture of someone in a big wig to reassure you that I'm nice really.

<gets off soapbox. leaves>

[smixxy]

Originally Posted by wildwoodflower

Too right. And what's more I AM that woman customer, Mr Egypt ... yes, the one who comes into your shop and moans how being tall nothing fits. Which means I won't be spending my loot. I don't think we have to be economists to see where this is going.

The lady is right - if you want to be helpful, lobby your suppliers to give women the kind of choice they give men.

Now, here's a picture of someone in a big wig to reassure you that I'm nice really.

<gets off soapbox. leaves>

I found a supplier selling Prexport leathers for ladies, reduced to £99. And they advertised size 18 in various colours. I got all excited, went to try the leathers on - figured if they were a little tight, I could at least buy them and work a bit harder to get into them.

WELL - Smallest size 18 I've ever seen or tried - the jacket did up, but seriously restricted my breathing!! and the trousers wouldn't even go on. Ad yet the trews I took off to try the leathers on were a 16!!!!!!

So, I can see I'll end up in blokes leathers again purely for cost. I can't justify £750 for a set of leathers that won't fit next year. And sadly, it seems that there are very few, if any, manufacturers that will make reasonably priced two or one piece suits for the larger lady. As said before - I've never know a 'big' bloke have this sort of problem finding a suit!!

And before anyone says - oh but the bloke suits will be fine. Yes, they are adequate, but they don't fit properly!!

Wildwoodflower - you can have the soapbox back now!

[LadyB]

Originally Posted by smixxy

I found a supplier selling Prexport leathers for ladies, reduced to £99. And they advertised size 18 in various colours. I got all excited, went to try the leathers on - figured if they were a little tight, I could at least buy them and work a bit harder to get into them.

WELL - Smallest size 18 I've ever seen or tried - the jacket did up, but seriously restricted my breathing!! and the trousers wouldn't even go on. Ad yet the trews I took off to try the leathers on were a 16!!!!!!

So, I can see I'll end up in blokes leathers again purely for cost. I can't justify £750 for a set of leathers that won't fit next year. And sadly, it seems that there are very few, if any, manufacturers that will make reasonably priced two or one piece suits for the larger lady. As said before - I've never know a 'big' bloke have this sort of problem finding a suit!!

And before anyone says - oh but the bloke suits will be fine. Yes, they are adequate, but they don't fit properly!!

Wildwoodflower - you can have the soapbox back now!

Smixxy, I know it is a bit out of your way, but for reasonably priced M2M leathers, see Phil at Harpers Raecshop in Leigh on Sea near Southend in Essex. My Wolf jacket was off the peg at a £170 special at the ExCel, and my trousers M2M by them, £220. Budget app £500 for the whole thing and he will do you whatever colours you want, lettering etc. Photos earlier in the thread.

If you want to make a day out of it, I'll hook up with you somewhere along the way.

[smixxy]

Originally Posted by LadyB

Smixxy, I know it is a bit out of your way, but for reasonably priced M2M leathers, see Phil at Harpers Raecshop in Leigh on Sea near Southend in Essex. My Wolf jacket was off the peg at a £170 special at the ExCel, and my trousers M2M by them, £220. Budget app £500 for the whole thing and he will do you whatever colours you want, lettering etc. Photos earlier in the thread.

If you want to make a day out of it, I'll hook up with you somewhere along the way.

Cheers LadyB. I may well do that, but next year.

I have gone for bloke leathers for now (Prexport ones). not perfect, but will do for this summer. Just need to change the armour for some softer stuff that won't dig in (my shoulders aren't as big as the jacket has space!! or my elbows!!!!!!) - not exactly flattering, but better in case of tarmac interface than anything I've worn before!!

[Beth]

Originally Posted by Olly

My missus would strongly recommend her Daytona LadyStar GTX boots.........
They're not the cheapest, but they are good value.

Yep, I love those little boots

Originally Posted by Jockey

My mrs is tiny (5 footer) and she struggled,she has textile trousers as leather would have to be mde to fit but has alpinestars stella ice jacket,would recommend that

Yep, that's me! If it's any help I did manage to get alpinestars leathers both top and bottom to fit, can't remember the particular name but they're black, size 6 (I absolutely love 'em). I did have to go girlsbike2 to get them though, it was the only place I could find that had any choice in small ladies sizes.
Helmet wise I bought the Arai Astrolite in XXS (the helmet I had before that made me feel like a spaceman carrying a rock on my head)

Originally Posted by Grib

......they make you look like a little barrell, LOL But when I'm warm and cosy in freezing weather, that really doesn't matter.

Laughed out loud at that, yes, for me, at 5ft, everything does, including those little Michelin man leathers

Originally Posted by LadyB

The Frank Thomas Ladies Range is not too bad....... I have a textile jacket...........you will boil in them in the summer though.

Yep, the B/f gave me my textile jacket (he'd bought it originally for his 13 year old daughter) It's been brilliant in the winter (I rang round the dealers for advice on trousers, told Dainese were good for petite sizing and I did get a pair that are great).

Anyway, sorry to raise this thread again (it's amazing what you miss when you don't log on for a weekend)! There was a thread on 'summer gear' last night , the light mesh type but with decent protection. I've just done a search and can't find it, this came up instead. Basically I'm looking to find that kind of jacket and trousers (available in small ladies sizes) before France this summer, can anyone advise anything. Thanks (hopefully) in advance

[LadyB]

Originally Posted by Beth

Anyway, sorry to raise this thread again (it's amazing what you miss when you don't log on for a weekend)! There was a thread on 'summer gear' last night , the light mesh type but with decent protection. I've just done a search and can't find it, this came up instead. Basically I'm looking to find that kind of jacket and trousers (available in small ladies sizes) before France this summer, can anyone advise anything. Thanks (hopefully) in advance

Much as I haven't been too impressed with the concept of Girlsbike 2 (too much "pink pillion quality gear"), I did get this Ixon Strada Airflow Jacket in a size 6 last year. It was around the £70 mark, and is unlined and has lots of mesh panels. It has got CE armour, and is overall a good ladies fit. I actually find I get a little chilly in it sometimes, it vents so effectively. It comes in several colours.

http://www.girlsbike2.com/site/info.asp?id=359
Me wearing it; http://www.therevcounter.com/showpos...4&postcount=46