Giant Simple Three W

For 2016, a "lifestyle" cruiser from Giant. Courtesy: http://www.giant-bicycles.com

Giant offers the Simple Three W, an aluminum 3-speed cruiser, for around $490.

Here's a large bicycling company, truly a giant in the industry, marketing to women. This is something we've seen again and again (for example, the Trek Cocoa ad campaign), because women are the bicycle industry's major untapped consumer market.  Some women-specific models have been successful, like Giant's Suede, others a bit ridiculous, like the Trek Lime (discussed here).

Giant's "Liv" campaign (on twitter it's @Livgiant) features images of competitive female athletes, as well as regular women riding "lifestyle" bikes like the Simple Three W.  The "W" is apparently there in case you had any doubt that the model was being marketed toward women.  By the way, if you'd like to read a fun rant about women-specific bikes, here's a good one by Amanda Batty.

Marketing is one thing; bicycle design is another.  As Velouria, the Lovely Bicycle blogger, put it: "We are women, we are wonderful, and we need bicycles designed for us." I think the industry needs more women designing bicycles.  Sure, there is Sky Yaeger (of Bianchi, Swobo, and Shinola fame), but "bike designer" remains a male-dominated profession. 

The Simple Three is inexpensive and basic.  In short, it's cheap transportation, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!   Comes with chainguard, fenders, kickstand, and a front basket.  Here are the specs:

FRAME

SIZES One Size Fits Most
COLORS White/Blue, Red/Purple
FRAME ALUXXgrade aluminum
FORK Chromoly
SHOCK N/A

COMPONENTS

HANDLEBAR Women's Steel Cruiser
STEM Alloy quill
SEATPOST Alloy, 27.2mm
SADDLE Liv Comfort Cruiser, w/ SuperSoft foam
PEDALS Nylon, Antislip platform

DRIVETRAIN


SHIFTERS Shimano Revo, Twist
FRONT DERAILLEUR N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR N/A
BRAKES Shimano, Coaster brake
BRAKE LEVERS N/A
CASSETTE Shimano 22T, 3speed internal
CHAIN KMC Z410, Rustproof
CRANKSET Giant alloy 3piece, 44T
BOTTOM BRACKET Threaded, Sealed

WHEELS

RIMS Giant Alloy
HUBS [F] Alloy, [R] Shimano Nexus, 3speed
internal, 36h
SPOKES Stainless steel, 14g
TIRES CST Cruiser, 26x2.125

OTHER

EXTRAS Front Basket, Fenders, Kickstand