Frameset for the taller lady

[ghisallo2003]

I suspect that women specific frames are just a marketing tool to provide some degree of price discrimination. Womens proportions overlap with those of men.

Good tip is to have a partner around the same height so that you can justify passing down bikes and getting new ones.

I have a good mate who has put his wife on his old frame, but not following the height rule he has had to persuade her that this is ok, and that it is normal to be so uncomfortable.

[CamW]

Its pretty common for "Womens bikes" to just be "Mens bikes" with a different paint scheme and a female specific seat. Frequently when you compare them in the sizes that overlap they have IDENTICAL geometry.