The best bikes for women, according to a keen cyclist
Which is the best bike for women? A good question, particularly as the days get longer and our collective desire to spend our evenings, commutes and lunchtimes outdoors multiples. Being able to hop on two wheels and cycle down winding countryside lanes or into the city for catch-up coffee with friends is arguably one of the greatest joys in life. Perhaps I’m biased, but cycling offers so much more than just an alternative mode of transport, cycling opens the door for adventure and spontaneity – not to mention incredible physical and mental health benefits, too. All you really need is the right women's bike.
Whether you are setting out to enter your first triathlon, just starting to cycle again after a long break, or you’re already a keen mountain bike cyclist looking to master a new skill, knowing which are the best bikes for women can be quite the feat. But don’t worry, we have you covered. From our favourite road bike that will put you ahead of the pack to the best women’s bikes for cycling to work, into the city or to the park, we’ve pulled together the ultimate wish list – so you can take the first steps towards finding your dream bike. Spandex optional.
Meet the experts | How are women's bikes different to men's bikes? | How to choose a new bike | Our full reviews.
The best women’s bikes of 2023 at a glance:
- Best women’s hybrid bike: Pinnacle Californium 1, £350, Evans
- Best women’s road bike: Liv Langma Advanced Pro Disc 1, £2,999, Cycle Store
- Best women’s mountain bike: Cannondale Trail Womens 7 Mountain Bike 2022 - Hardtail MTB, £412, Tredz
Where to buy the best bikes for women:
Meet the experts:
- Collette Clensy, Liv Cycling
- Rachel Bettison, Raleigh
You don't have to be concerned about distance, elevation or reaching a summit.
How are women’s bikes different from men’s bikes?
“Women generally have longer thigh bones and shorter torsos than men, so women’s bikes are built to accommodate this,” says Collette Clensy at Liv Cycling – a dedicated female bike brand.
“A Liv bike fit goes beyond the frame design and considers touch points like grips and saddles to support the best and most comfortable, confidence-inspiring ride,” she says. “Using data that shows how women use different muscles than men when riding, namely the rectus femoris (exterior thigh muscle), Liv bikes are built from the ground up for women so that we can leverage our strength and be in the right position on the bike to be both powerful and efficient.”
Women often report saddle discomfort as one of the barriers that stops them cycling, so women-specific bikes are often designed to optimise weight distribution and put women in the correct position. This enables you to use your most powerful muscles when you ride, so you can ride for longer and experience less fatigue and discomfort in the process.
“Our data finds that the proportional attributes of women 5'7" and below and 5'7" and above change. This means that arm length, leg length, torso are not the same for every woman. At every height range, we change the geometry to best fit the proportions of that size rider, resulting in an almost custom-fit bike,” says Clensy.
Women’s-specific geometry is more important when riding for performance, adds Rachel Bettison, campaigns and content manager at Raleigh. “Performance bikes typically have a shorter frame length between the saddle and handlebars to reduce reach. When choosing a bike for leisure, you're more likely to find unisex frames.”
“Different frame shapes, for example, crossbar vs low-step, are no longer seen as 'men's' or 'women's' bikes, this simply being down to preference and use,” she says.
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How to choose the best women’s bike for you:
Not every female rider will want a women’s specific bike, but if you are looking for a bike with narrower handlebars and a women’s saddle then “it's essential to have a clear understanding of the sort of riding and terrain you want to tackle on the bike and consider the amount of time you want to spend in the saddle,” says Clensy. Since “there are many types of bikes available for many different purposes.”
Bettison agrees: “Choosing the right bike comes down to what you need out of it; if you’re looking for something to ‘nip into town’ on, or if you’re wanting to experience the countryside in a new way, your choice of bike is totally individual. Don’t forget to consider the differences between a unisex and women’s frame, and of course, the different components that might come with it. If you find a model that your heart is truly set on but aren’t 100% sold on what comes with it, you can also tweak these to make your bike perfect for you.”
- Think about what you want to use the bike for: “Don't rush this decision. Think about when and where you'll be using the bike, consider the position, the terrain and personal comfort,” says Clensy.
- Set your budget: “Be realistic of your expectations from the bike and specifications with what you intend to invest,” says Clensy
- Ensure you get the correct size: “If you’re buying your bike online, always double check the size guide and make sure you measure correctly. Knowing body measurements such as height, inside leg, torso, and arm length, will help determine the right size for you,” says Bettison. “Fit is personal, but comfort and the right position will result in better control and ride, incorrect size can result in rider injuries,” adds Clensy.
- Seek advice: “We recommend consulting advice on our website or a Liv retailer, don't be afraid to ask questions,” says Clensy. “Buying a new bike is personal, make sure you like how it looks! You need to want to ride it and be happy doing so.”
Ahead, the best bikes for women to get your hands on in 2023.
Pinnacle Californium 1, £350, Evans
If you’re a city dweller and looking for a bike that can get you from A to B on roads, cobbled streets and light trail cycle paths then the Pinnacle Californium is both a stylish and comfortable choice. Featuring a wide range of gears and a relaxed upright riding position, it’s a classic-looking bike without being old-fashioned. We particularly love the cute front basket, and the fact that this bike comes complete with mudguards and a chain cover means you really can wear your normal day-to-day clothes without fear of getting muddy through any puddles.
Frame sizes: Tall.
Gears: Shimano Tourney, 7-speed.
Brake type: dual pivot, Tektro 810CLiv Langma Advanced Pro Disc 1, £2,999, Cycle Store
This is the bike I used when I completed my 70.3 IronMan last summer, and – honestly – it’s a dream bike. Not only is it beautiful (just look at that glossy teal blue frame) it’s super lightweight, thanks to its carbon fibre frame, and features fancy tubeless tyres and integrated disc brakes. At £4,399 this bike isn’t cheap (suffice to say, I borrowed it from a friend to race with and sadly don’t own one myself), but you can downgrade to the Langma Advanced Disc 2 (£2,699) – which also has a carbon frame, but lower spec drivetrain and wheels. For those looking to go all-out, then there’s also an upgrade option for serious athletes: the new Langma Advanced SL Disc (£10,999) – as used by the women of Liv Racing WorldTeam.
Frame sizes: XS-L.
Gears: Shimano Ultegra 8025 2x11 speed.
Brake type: Disc brakes – Shimano Ultegra hydraulic.If you’d like to start regularly riding to work or school, and your cycle ride will take half an hour or more, then you’ll probably want what’s often called a fitness hybrid bike, or commuting bike. AKA a road bike with flat, mountain-bike-style handlebars that features a
comfortable upright riding position so you can see and be seen. We love this women’s specific fun fitness bike from Liv Cycling – it feels both fast and comfortable and is built for everything from commuting to popping out to meet your friends for coffee.
Frame sizes: XS-L.
Gears: Shimano Tourney, 3x7.
Brake type: linear pull, Tektro TK837.Designed to ‘do it all’ this female-specific gravel bike from German brand Canyon not only looks beautiful but is ideal if you plan to spend your summer bike touring. Rigged for racks, you can take all the gear you want with a rear pannier rack (which is easily attached to its sturdy aluminium frame), while the female-specific saddle means you’ll be more comfortable adventuring for hours on end. The wide 45mm tyres provide excellent traction and stability on any terrain, while the drop-down handlebars give it more of a racy feel. If we were to embark on a long-distance adventure, this is the bike we’d want.
Frame sizes: 3XS-M.
Gears: Shimano GRX RX400, 10-speed.
Brake type: Shift brakes, Shimano GRX RX400, 2s.
Hammerandtongs Carbon Road Bike, £5,650, Pearsons
So this Hammerandtongs carbon bike isn’t *technically* designed just for women, but as Pearson Cycles are big on bike fits, this road bike can be completely tailored to the female body. Using their in-house geometry system, the bike fit data they gather determines everything from bar width and stem length to the height and position of your saddle. You choose which groupset (mechanical or electronic) and wheels (alloys or carbon) you prefer, so you end up with a totally bespoke bike.
Frame sizes: XS - XL.
Gears: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 12-spd, 105 Di2 R7170 12-spd, or 105 R7020 11-spd.
Brake type: hydraulic brakes, Shimano Ultegra R8170, 105 R7120 or 105 R7020.Moustache Lundi 27.5, £4,199, Fully Charged
My mum has a Moustache e-bike, so I can confirm these are the real deal when it comes to e-bikes (as this French brand has only ever built electric bikes), and before she bought it I went to the Fully Charged store in London Bridge to give it a test-ride. The Lundi is actually the first e-bike Moustache developed – it’s one size fits all, super comfortable and really an urban bike for anyone and everyone. Featuring a low step-over frame, a powerful and quiet Bosch motor, integrated LED lighting, and a top-of-the-range display unit from Bosch, this bike has a super upright geometry so it feels really safe and even has a compatible rear luggage rack that allows you to easily attach panniers.
Frame sizes: One size (Size 46, suitable for approximately 1.57m to 1.90m).
Gears: Enviolo 380, rotating handle with visual indicator.
Brake type: hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano, MT200 or Alhonga HJ-472.
