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Biking is booming these days, and for good reason. The best bikes for women are an affordable and often efficient alternative to driving and public transportation, and, well, biking is fun and good for you. There are a ton of benefits to cycling. If you’re just dipping your toes in the world of cycling, the lingo and guidelines can be intimidating and challenging to understand. We’re here to help.
Looking for advice on where to start? We talked to several different bike experts and avid cyclists on their recommendations and advice across different categories, and for various budgets. Unfortunately, many bike supply chains are struggling to keep up with bike demand, so ship times and availability might vary. Big retailers like REI will ship bikes directly to your home, though some assembly is usually required. Note that due to overwhelming demand, some options recommended by experts were sold out, so we made suggestions here and there for similar bikes based on the experts’ guidelines for how to shop for these (though we haven’t had a chance to personally vet them).
How do I know what kind of bike to buy?
According to REI master technician Steve Walde, the first question to ask yourself when you’re shopping for a bike is how you plan to use your new set of wheels. You’re going to want different qualities in a bike depending on what activities you need it for. Do you want something to ride around town, charge down mountain trails, or ride 100 miles on the weekends? And where are you going to be biking? If you live in an area with steep hills or wet weather, you may want to consider disc brakes, which provide a more consistent, powerful stop even in wet, muddy conditions, or more gears, which alter the pedaling difficulty for hills. If you’re doing mostly flat rides on dry roads, you may be fine with rim brakes (which act on the rim of the wheel) and a single gear.
Pro Tip: Sue Prant, executive director of the Boulder bike organization Community Cycles, adds that you want to be realistic with your plans here and start simple. Don’t buy a hyper-specialized bike based on huge aspirational goals. If you get to the point where your bike is holding you back, then start thinking about getting that upgrade.
What are the popular types of bikes?
In general, there are three main categories of bikes: road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes. Walde says that a road bike is typically “designed for efficiency on pavement,” so it’s lighter, with drop handlebars for an aerodynamic position and narrow tires to move quickly on the road. Mountain bikes have fatter tires, a more upright riding position, and some suspension to make riding on rough terrain more comfortable. Hybrids are a bit complicated, but they’re usually a more versatile bike that melds characteristics of different types of bikes (like touring bikes and mountain bikes) to suit a range of conditions and terrains. If you aren’t entirely sure what type of riding you want to do yet, a hybrid might be a good place to start.
What is a good cost for a bike?
As far as price goes, expect to spend between $200 and $600 on a decent starter road or hybrid bike, though if you want to get more technical with it, that price can easily exceed $1,000. Buying used is always an option, and can help you avoid any supply-chain backup that stores might be experiencing right now.
How to determine bike size
Doing some basic research on different types of bike frames and finding the right bike size can help steer you in the right direction to make sure you get a bike you’re comfortable with.
“Above everything else is the bike fit,” says Prant, especially since these bikes are an investment, and you want to feel good riding them for long periods of time. Thankfully, she notes that even if a bike isn’t the exact perfect fit, there are simple tweaks you can make to adjust the size if it’s a little off, such as adjusting the height and angle of the saddle or handlebars. “With a bike, centimeters or millimeters can make a huge difference in your comfort level.”
We included details on returns for the bikes below in case you buy something that’s not quite the right fit (and may need more than just a simple tweak).
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
What to Look for in a Road Bike
Road bikes have a frame built for speed and longevity on roads, but also include more specialized subcategories like touring and racing bikes. According to Bike Radar these are the standard features to look out for in road bikes.
Road Bike Features:
- Drop handlebars
- Narrow tires
- A lightweight frame (typically between 19 and 24 pounds)
As you get up in price, this weight will generally go down, but Walde says, “A bike that weighs a bit more can be an advantage for a new rider, as it helps to inspire confidence by adding stability, durability, and a smoother ride.”
The best bikes for women are the ones that are literally built for women. Kelly Becker, a former bike shop sales associate, says that there’s a variation in the geometry of women-specific bikes, but many unisex bikes are suitable as well.
Writer, trainer, and cyclist Jessica McWhirt started out road cycling on a bike from Giant, and finds that her Giant Avail ($700) is a lightweight, easygoing starter ride. “The grippy drop handlebar is easy to hold and puts you in an ideal position for maximum speed and efficiency. The smooth, narrow wheels reduce friction against the road to give you an effortless, gliding feeling.”
While the Avail isn’t currently available online, the Triban 100 Easy Bike, below, is a solid backup for many of the same reasons. It has drop handlebars, enough gears for light inclines, is designed for a woman’s body, and it clocks in at around 24 pounds.
Becker likes the Specialized Dolce ($840), which also has a women-specific shape for a better fit, and the Allez ($875), which she notes is “one of the top entry-level road bikes around the world for years.” While the Allez is not designed specifically for women, she says it does allow plenty of adjustability for a comfortable ride and still has smooth control. “It includes mounts for a rack and fender so you can easily transform it into a commuter bike.”
One similar alternative that’s available online is REI’s top-rated Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 Step-Through Bike, below, which is built for road adventures. Reviewers commented on its versatility, lightweight body, and overall ease of use.
Editor’s note: Both REI and Decathlon accept returns up to one year after purchase.
Touring bikes can blend into just about every category depending on the type of touring you plan to do, but they’re all geared toward longer rides and the carrying of heavier loads. Experts like Momoko Saunders, touring cyclist and founder of the nonprofit Bike Farm, recommends looking for the following.
Tour Bike Features:
- Disc brakes
- An upright riding position
- Sturdy frame
- Front and/or back rack (or the capability to add them) for commuting or bikepacking
For long, multiday trips, she recommends outfitting your touring bike with Portland Design Works ergo grips ($60), which provide comfortable, ergonomic support for her hands. Another addition which she’s found helpful is a generator hub that produces energy from her front wheel’s rotation and charges her electronics through a USB port—she considers it an essential for her multiday trips.
Saunders owns and loves a discontinued Soma Groove mountain bike with thinner tires that she’s ridden over 4,000 miles on. Below are two alternatives from Cannondale, one with thinner tires and one with thicker tires for more gravelly, uneven terrain. The Synapse Sora is currently out of stock online, but you can check local bike shops for in-store availability. The Treadwell EQP has disc brakes, a spacious front rack, and Bluetooth capabilities that allow you to see your stats on the Cannondale app.
What to Look for in a Hybrid Bike
The classification for hybrids can sometimes get a little opaque, but they generally blend characteristics of specialized bikes (like touring bikes or mountain bikes) in one to suit multiple purposes. Walde describes them as the “Swiss Army knife” of bikes because they can serve as commuting bikes as well.
Standard Hybrid Bike Features:
- An upright sitting position
- Flat handlebars, like a mountain bike
- Midsize tire width
Nowadays there are so many different styles of bikes, though, that hybrids have branched out into totally different categories like cruisers, cyclocross, or electric bikes. For those who want to ride on the road but don’t want to be crunched up on a smaller road bike, or just want a little extra flexibility to try out gravel or light trails, you may want to spring for a hybrid.
You can find a good hybrid bike in the hundreds range, though some also have front suspension to give you a smoother ride, which may drive up the price.
If you want a comfortable ride to go around town (or out for a couple hours on the weekends), start here. Prant notes that with “around town” hybrid bikes, here are some of the key points to look for:
- Rear-rack capabilities
- Comfortable hand grips and seat
- An upright riding position.
If you plan to put your bike through the wringer and want to prioritize structural durability over weight, Prant also recommends looking for a hybrid with a steel frame. The steel material provides a really smooth ride because it absorbs shock and has an “almost springy” feel to it that’s comfortable for long days of riding. Prant uses a steel Linus bike as her around-town bike because the heavier-duty frame can take a beating. Linus offers a range of different styles and price points (like the Mixte 7i, which features a rear rack, front and back reflectors, and a kickstand).
Though they weren’t explicitly recommended by our experts, here are two similar alternatives—one from Walmart, the other from Retrospec. The Vilano Diverse Hybrid Road Bike is highly rated, thanks to disc brakes, 24 speeds, and its responsiveness and stability on both pavement and gravel. Retrospec’s Beaumont City Bike is not only superbly cute, but functional too. It has shock-absorbing tires, seven gears, and reviewers say it’s easy to assemble.
Editor’s note: Walmart allows returns for this bike for up to 30 days after purchase. Retrospec accepts returns up to 50 days after purchase.
For commuting and longer road rides with some gravel in the mix, certain hybrid bikes are designed to do a bit of everything, with comfort, storage, and longevity top of mind. Some key features to look for in a do-everything commuter are:
- Wider tire allowance for off-road tires
- An upright riding position
- Ability to have bike racks
An avid cyclist of 14 years, writer Lauren Hudgins, uses her Surly Bikes Cross-Check to get everywhere. “I don’t own a car, so the Cross-Check is my main form of transportation. But I also use it for short touring trips,” she says. The bike allows for slightly wider tires than standard road bikes, which Hudgins likes for gravel riding (though she admits it isn’t made for steep hills with loose gravel).
Emee Pumarega, a longtime bike commuter, bikepacker, and mountain biker, also likes her Cross-Check “because it’s light and easy to handle, yet strong, and can carry anything I need for a multiday trip, short bike tour, or a bikecamping trip overnight.”
Since the Cross-Check is unavailable online, we picked Decathlons Riverside Hybrid Bike has a lightweight, aluminum frame and slightly wider tires. The Cannondale Quick CX 4 is a step up, with front suspension, 21 gear shifts, and an upright riding position.
What to Look for in a Mountain Bike
If you’re looking for some extra excitement with rougher single track trails, jumps, and turns like this, you’ll want a mountain bike.
Mountain Bike Features:
- Wider tires with better grip to help keep you stable on uneven or slippery ground
- A more upright riding position
- Flat handlebars to give you more control
While you can find some beginner mountain bikes at budget-friendly prices that will let you get on the trail, Prant warns that most high-quality full-suspension bikes are going to start out expensive (in the ballpark of $2,000 or more). The suspension makes taking on technical terrain more comfortable and stable. If you just want front suspension, often called a hardtail, you’ll have an easier time finding a slightly more affordable bike.
Former girls camp coordinator Jessica Wiegandt got into mountain biking with Liv’s Tempt 4 hardtail ($600). The low price point drew Wiegandt to the bike initially, but she now realizes it was the perfect introductory mountain bike for her with its hydraulic disc brakes and grippy 2.2-inch-wide tires for a smoother ride. Wiegandt says, “The bike was low maintenance (big plus for a newbie) and rode well on a variety of terrain, from the sandy, flow trails in DuPont State Park to the root-filled, technical trails in Pisgah.”
Editor’s note: Liv accepts free returns up to 14 days after purchase. Unused bikes purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods are eligible for return up to 24 hours after in store purchase, pick-up, or home delivery.
Avid mountain biker Amy Kemp, founder of Mountaintop Media, loves the Juliana Maverick bike. One of the queen bees of women’s mountain bikes, Juliana has earned countless accolades for its bikes. “The Maverick is a beast, in a good way,” Kemp says. This ride is a midrange price for women-specific full-suspension mountain bikes, with a lightweight, shock-absorbing carbon frame and 29-inch-wide grippy tires. The standout features of this bike are the suspension and geometry.
Kemp praises the 150-mm front suspension and 140-mm back suspension, “which makes it a smooth ride even through chunky technical sections. It seriously made me feel like I had superhero powers through technical sections.” The geometry or configuration of the bike is another key piece to look at for a good mountain bike to make sure it matches your measurements. Kemp notes that the women-specific geometry of the Maverick accommodates for a shorter reach to the handlebars, which is ideal for more petite women. Right now, the Maverick is only available at local retailers. Our similar recommendations, the Liv Embolden 2 and Mongoose Excursion, are also built for women and have thick, grippy tires and full suspension for tricky terrain.
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