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Successes of female GB cyclists give women's bike market big boost

Pendleton and Trott credited with encouraging more women to ride

Victoria Pendleton and Laura Trott are among the Olympians credited with inspiring a boost in female cycling, with a corresponding pick-up in sales of women's bikes and accessories.

Sales of bikes to women are up 73 per cent, according to the online retailer Very.co.uk, a catalogue-style department store.

Very sells a number of bicyles, ranging from a £599 E-go folding electric bike to a £129 Elswick hybrid style.

Sara Lomax, head of seasonal buying for Very.co.uk, said: “Team GB cleaned up in the Velodrome once again and female cycling heroes like Victoria Pendleton, Laura Trott and Lizzie Armitstead seem to have left a serious legacy - something all the naysayers continually doubted.

“Cycling has obviously become more popular in the UK in recent years but these figures show how the phenomenon has really crossed into the mainstream.

“We sell all sorts of products to young British women but bikes have never flown out of our depots so quickly – it’s great to see.”

Of course Pendleton will be hoping that her influence will be helping sell a few more of her own Pendleton for Halfords range, which has already seen record sales this summer.

If you're looking for a new bike, check out our review section for hybrids, road bikes and fixies.

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8 comments

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OldRidgeback | 11 years ago
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She appears to have some sort of alien death ray pointed at her midriff. Could someone please warn the charming lady that she is in danger?

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ragtag | 11 years ago
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Inch it up on the quiet, very slowly over a number of weeks.

Steff, less efficient and probably not as enjoyable - especially when one gets to any sort of incline.

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Edgeley replied to ragtag | 11 years ago
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I've tried that subterfuge with my wife's bike, after trying explanation and demonstration without success. Now she accuses me of fiddling with her saddle whenever we go out, even though I haven't touched it.

I am resigned to her going more slowly and less far than she could, and getting off if there is a hill which is out of the ordinary. At least she goes out on her bike, even if I find it frustrating.

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antonio | 11 years ago
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On the open top bus today Vicki declared she will no longer ride a bike, she is now into come dancing. An odd interview from someone wanting to sell bikes to ladies.

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steff | 11 years ago
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It depends rather on what the intended use case is, surely?

For a first-time-as-an-adult rider of either sex who's buying a bike for basic utility transport within a couple of miles, what's the objection to setting the saddle lower? Being a bit less efficient is much less important than having confidence that they can stop easily. I do this myself when it's icy - being able to bale out slightly more elegantly more than offsets the disadvantage of speed you can't use anyway.

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Simon E | 11 years ago
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Guys, it's a lack of training and confidence. My wife is like this and refuses to be persuaded otherwise.

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bigmel | 11 years ago
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Edgeley, this is a constant problem for me
Whenever I set a bike up for a lady they always try to sit on the saddle and then moan that BOTH feet aren't FLAT on the ground.
Pointing out that the saddle should be set for cycling and not walking doesn't seem to help!

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Edgeley | 11 years ago
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This might appear a tad sexist, but there do seem to be more women than men who have their seats far too low. I presume there is a concern about getting both feet on the floor while sitting on the saddle, which of course isn't really very necessary or useful. Perhaps bike shops might gently point out how bikes can best be set up to make cycling more efficient and pleasurable.

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