From entry-level cross-country builds to those designed for more technical terrain, women-specific bikes now span the entire mountain bike spectrum. Geometry tweaks are giving all bikes, especially 29ers, lower standover heights, which makes them accessible to smaller riders. Short-suspension bikes now have slacker geometries that don’t impact climbing and make going downhill more stable. Big-travel bikes are better than ever at pedaling uphill, and many can now handle a range of conditions from technical trails to those found in bike parks.
What Is a Women’s Mountain Bike?
Much like there is no single female body type, there is no single geometry tweak or feature set that differentiates women’s bikes from men’s or unisex bikes. But, most brands agree that the average woman is shorter and lighter than the average man. Some companies, like Yeti, Specialized, and Santa Cruz, think that a great bike doesn’t need a different geometry to work for male or female riders. Those brands’ women’s models offer a shock tuned for a lighter rider and female-specific touch points, like a women-specific saddle, narrower handlebar, and shorter cranks. Other brands, like Liv and Canyon, think women are best served by bikes that are designed for females based on empirical research. Women-specific bikes often come in small sizes not offered in unisex versions, including XS and XXS.
The Right Bike for You
Before purchasing a MTB, think about what kind of experience you want on the trails, what your current skill level is, where you’ll be riding, and, of course, your budget. A cross-country bike is best for fast and efficient pedaling on smooth trails. Trail bikes are best for a mix of climbing and descending, as they tend to be efficient on climbs and playful on descents. Enduro bikes are for going big with confidence on technical downhills—though, thanks to modern suspension design, many can be adequate for some climbing.
Try Before You Buy
It’s good practice to test a few bikes before you buy one. If you’re able to demo mountain bikes at your local shop, be sure to ask them to set up the suspension specifically for you. Also ask that they check the compression and rebound settings before you roll out. If these things are not set up properly, a bike that might be ideal for you could feel terrible during a ride. Finally, before you head out on your test rides, double check the tire pressure and make sure you can use the full length of the bike’s dropper post (if it comes with one).
Points of Contact
The main points of contact that a cyclist has with her bike are the handlebar and the saddle.
First, the handlebar. Many women’s bikes are now coming with 740mm, 760mm, or wider setups. Even if a wide bar feels unfamiliar, give it a try before you have your shop pull out the cutting tools. A wider bar can give you more control, though a bar that’s too wide can can have the opposite effect. Take your time to find the sweet spot, and remember that a handlebar can be cut a little at a time.
Second, the saddle. Even if your new bike comes with a women-specific saddle, it may not be right for you. Just like testing a bike, you should be able to test saddles at your local shop. Once you find one or more that you like, you can learn to easily make this swap, and subsequent adjustments, at home.
That’s a lot of information, but it’s here for you to refer to once you really begin searching for your next, or first, mountain bike. To get you started, we’ve assembled a list of the 16 best women’s mountain bikes available this year (so far).
Yeti SB5 Beti
A true trail bike, ready for enduro as well
Price: $5,199
men’s SB5. Yeti’s Switch Infinity, an additional linkage at the bottom of the seat tube, helps the suspension on this ride feel bottomless. The $5,199 SB5 Beti seen above features a 1×12 SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and 150mm Fox Performance fork, but the bike is available in several other builds, too. Models range from $4,799 to $7,999.
Juliana Strega
Full-suspension bike for enduro and freeriding
Price: $4,499
A bike made for women who like to go big, this 27.5-inch enduro machine has 170mm of front and rear travel, a 65-degree head-tube angle, and an updated VPP linkage inspired by sister company Santa Cruz’s V10 downhill bike. A flip chip in the rear can make the bike slacker, which puts it in the geometry range for a downhill bike. The Strega offers exceptional handling on descents, and it still pedals uphill without feeling sluggish. Like Yeti, Juliana rebrands a unisex bike (the Strega is the female version of Santa Cruz’s Nomad) and adds female touch points and shock tune. Available in sizes XS–M, models range from $4,499 to $7,199.
Fuji Addy 27.5 1.1
Affordable option for riding rail trails and light singletrack
Price: $1,100
The Lux Comp provides good components on a dependable, aluminum hardtail frame with extra standover clearance. The RockShox 30 Silver fork puts 100mm of travel on the front end to take the sting out of roots, rocks, and drops. And the smooth-shifting, 1×11 SRAM drivetrain helps you pedal through whatever the trail dishes out. Bigger, 27.5-inch wheels have Schwalbe Rapid Rob tires that roll well over obstacles and have great traction. Women-specific touch points include a saddle, 720mm handlebar, and smaller-diameter grips.