Many women are wondering which bike would be the right one for them. The truth is that finding a selection of the best bikes for women would be difficult, since no model will be perfect for everyone. The bike that is perfect for you will depend on a lot of things, including how tall you are, and what your preferred riding position is.
Some manufacturers are offering bikes with a frame designed specifically for women, while others will simply equip their regular frames with different parts. Of course, there are also many models of unisex bikes that can work for both men and women.
Let’s take a look at the different options available for you if you are a woman looking for a great bike.
1. Unisex bikes
Many women have been riding unisex bikes all their life, and don’t even know that some models of bikes are designed for them. If you have no problem riding unisex bikes, or bikes designed for men, there is no reason for you to make a different choice.
But if you feel like you have never been comfortable riding a unisex bike over a long distance, maybe you need to take a closer look at bike models that have been designed specifically for women like you. After all, the best bikes for women are often designed with their target audience in mind.
2. Bikes with a unisex frame
There are manufacturers who use the same bike frame for their men’s bikes and their women’s bikes. To make their women’s bikes suitable for female riders, they make them available in smaller sizes, and they change some of their components.
For example, these bikes will have a sloping top tube, a saddle designed for women, more narrow handlebars, shorter cranks, and different gears.
3. Bikes with a frame designed for women
Those components can also be found on bikes that have a frame designed for women. These frames have a shorter top tube, which is the tube that connects the seat to the handlebars, and a taller head tube, which is the tube to which the handlebars and the fork of the front wheel are attached.
Frames designed for women are supposed to make it easier for them to be comfortable and to make the most of each of their bike rides.
4. Endurance bikes
Cycling is a great way to improve your health and lower your blood pressure, and you will want a bike that can keep up with your vigorous exercise routine. This is where endurance bikes come into play. Endurance bikes are robust and durable, and they are designed for people who want to be comfortable during long-distance rides.
Unisex endurance bikes are a good fit for women who prefer a more upright riding position. The frames of endurance bikes also have a taller head tube, which puts the handlebars higher and allows for a more comfortable riding position for riders who don’t like to be bent over their handlebars.
5. Electric bikes
Electric bikes rely on an electric motor to assist their riders, or to simply do all of the hard job for them. If your legs get tired quickly when you are riding your bike over a long distance, an electric bike could be the perfect bike for you. There are many models available, and you are sure to find one that you feel comfortable riding.
Electric bikes usually have a unisex frame, but many of them feature a sloped top tube, or no top tube at all, which makes them one of the best bikes for women.
6. A sloped top tube for a bike that is easier to mount
Many women’s bikes have a sloped top tube. Some models of electric bikes or mountain bikes have a sloping top tube as well, which makes them a good choice for women, especially women who have short legs.
When the top tube is heavily sloped, or when there is no top tube at all, this is called a step-through frame. Step-through frames make it easier for women to mount and dismount their bikes.
7. A saddle designed for women for more comfortable rides
Have you ever sat on a comfortable bike saddle? Most women struggle to find a comfortable saddle, and will sit way back on it, which will result in an uncomfortable or awkward riding position.
Fortunately, some manufacturers have designed saddles made for women. They are wider than unisex saddles, which helps relieve pressure on the perineum and pubic bone of women. Adding a woman’s saddle to any bike could make a huge difference.
8. Choose a bike you feel comfortable on
As you can see, there are many options for women, and the choice you will make depends on what you want. If you have short arms, or if you prefer a more upright riding position, you might want to shop for a bike designed for women, or a unisex endurance bike.
No matter which model you decide to buy, you should take it for a test ride if possible. This will help you determine whether this bike is a good pick for you or not.
