17 Awesome Bikes for ladies
Let’s be clear on one thing. If you’re a lady buying a bicycle , your choices aren’t limited to only women’s models (that said, some women’s bikes are a far better fit for some men). The purpose is: If you're keen on a bicycle , you're keen on a bicycle . Simple. If it fits, it’s comfortable, and it causes you to be happy, you’ll ride it more often than one that doesn’t. We took into consideration that while some women truly enjoy the geometry and tuning characteristics of women’s bikes, others won't . That’s why our list includes women-specific bikes also as unisex models we actually dig. See quick reviews of 5 of our favourite bikes for ladies , plus a b uying guide to assist you opt if a women-specific model is for you. Or scroll past all this for extended reviews of 17 bikes we expect women will love. Women’s Bikes Then and Now
Few bike categories have seen bigger shifts within the past dozen years than women’s bikes. When first introduced, the “shrink it and pink it” mentality reigned supreme, and “women’s bikes” often simply meant smaller frames with stereotypical paint jobs and a lower level of components than their unisex counterparts. Then women-specific geometry took over. Bike companies started cranking out frames with shorter top tubes to accommodate the typical female body’s tendency toward longer legs and shorter torsos. While some companies like Liv have stuck thereto philosophy, others like Trek, Specialized, and Santa Cruz instead favor using an equivalent frame for his or her men’s and women’s bikes, and adjusting some parts—primarily touch points just like the bar, grips, and saddle—for the intended gender. Most women’s mountain bikes also accompany a fork and shock that are tuned for lighter riders. And city bikes are often offered as step-over and step-through models, with the latter aimed toward women.
Know Your Fit For city and mountain bikes, which generally run from XS or S to M or L, it’s easy to estimate the dimensions needed to support your height.I tried to make buying guide and tips so that they could be used independently of the brand. Road bike size can get a touch trickier. If you don’t know your bike size, getting measured at a bicycle shop—or even getting a knowledgeable fitter to assess you—can make a huge difference in helping you select a road bike that’s comfortable for you. If you regularly feel stretched over your top tube while riding a road bike or prefer more endurance-oriented riding, you would possibly want to undertake a bicycle with women’s geometry, just like the Liv Brava SLR. If you wish for a racier, more aggressive positioning, inspect the Specialized Allez Sprint Comp Disc. If you’re unsure which you favor , test-ride different bikes so you'll get a pity both styles. Just
remember, you'll get an honest fit on a women’s frame or a unisex one, it just depends on your body and riding preferences.
Other Features to think about With numerous different options lately , it’s an excellent time to be a lady on a bicycle Rider . additionally to picking from bike style and fit, you furthermore may have frame material to seem at: carbon, aluminum, and steel. All are strong options, though carbon is usually the lightest and costliest , and steel is usually the heaviest and most durable. You will also want to settle on between rim brakes and disc brakes, which cost a touch more but offer better stopping power. Discs are pretty standard on mountain bikes and are getting more common on road bikes that cost quite $1,000. Rim brakes are still popular on city bikes, but discs are gaining popularity there also because they provide more control and consistent stopping power in wet conditions.
How We Tested Every bike on this list has been ridden and loved by women on our staff. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding these bikes to work out the simplest options. Our team of experienced tester editors spent many hours and miles using these bikes for his or her intended purpose—from road races and trail rides to gravel adventures, commutes, and beach cruises. Then we evaluated them on performance, price, comfort, handling, value, fun, and—yes—looks (because the mere sight of your bike should get you excited, too). Here are 17 mountain, road, gravel, cross, commuter, cruiser, cargo, adventure, and e-bikes that we feel are a number of the simplest bikes available for ladies immediately .