Best Womens Mountain Bikes [Review] in 2021

Best Women’s Mountain bikes Buyer’s Guide: 

No matter whether you feel the design plays an important role in terms of gender, we can all agree that men’s bikes feel different from women’s bikes. Men’s bikes don’t provide you with as much support around the crotch, plus they’re too tall. 

Women can be pro trail shredders too, and we all deserve bikes that will allow you to push the boundaries and cover ground that you would never imagine before. 

Here’s everything you need to know about women’s mountain bikes. 

Benefits of Mountain Biking for Women

Energy booster – Intense cycling may be a bit tiring but it greatly helps to build your stamina. It also minimizes fatigue since it triggers the brain to produce the neurotransmitter known as dopamine. This neurotransmitter is associated with boosting energy levels in the body.

Prevents breast cancer – Sports activities and cycling contribute to lowering risks of breast cancer. As you ride, the blood circulates within your body at a consistent rate. This allows oxygen to reach all parts of your body. As a result, cycling minimizes risks of breast cancer during postmenopausal and premenopausal ages.

Mental well-being – If you are not aware, cycling is one of the best activities that can really boost your moods. It can make you happier instantly. Again, it makes you to be more active which also allows you to maintain a good balance. Exploring new areas beyond your neighborhood is another great way of spending your free time. It also allows you to learn and interact with different environments.

Reduces stress – Cycling is one of the best ways to relieve stress. It allows your heart to pump blood consistently in your body. This means that cycling will not only help you to lose weight but it will also be a great way of relieving stress.

Joints – Bone density in women’s bodies starts to decrease as they become old. Since cycling involves movements of almost all body parts, it helps to keep your knees, wrist, and joints fit and active. Again, cycling is a great activity for those women with high blood pressure.

Different types of women’s mountain bike: 

There is a wide range of different mountain bikes to choose from; all serve a different purpose in mountain biking and different riding style. Let’s break them down:

Full-suspension:

Now, all-mountain bikes come with the suspension to help absorb the rugged terrain’s shocks and make the ride more comfortable for the rider, but full suspension mountain bikes are best designed for steep, rough, and technical terrains.

They tend to be the more expensive option out of the bunch as there is a suspension fork on the rear and the front, which allows the rear wheel to move.

Full suspension mountain bikes have better control, traction, and comfort and make excellent trail shredders, regardless of gender.

Hardtail mountain bike: 

On the other hand, hardtail mountain bikes have a rigid frame with a suspension in the front fork; hardtail bikes are brilliant for climbing and don’t need as much maintenance as other mountain bikes.

You will most commonly find them amongst cross-country riders and those on the trails, bridleways, and technical terrains.

A hardtail mountain bike is one of the most versatile mountain bikes; it also tends to be a more lightweight and budget-friendly option ideal for entry-level riders.

Cross-country mountain bikes:

Cross country mountain bikes (also known as XC mountain bikes) are designed to provide off-road terrains speed. Their frames are often lightweight, yet stiff and they offer fast-rolling tires.

They also often come with 29er wheels and have around 80-100mm of travel on their suspension fork. They’re ideal for my ladies who enjoy going long distances and having fun-packed days of off-road riding.

They retain a playful and agile feel of being on a flat surface even while tackling rough terrain.

Trail bikes: 

Trail bikes are arguably the most common and most popular type of mountain bike as they’re so versatile. The geometry is more relaxed than cross country bikes; this puts riders in a more comfortable and stable position which helps with confidence.

They’re best for pedaling uphill, and range from a wheel size 27.5 to 29 inches in wheels. Trail bikes are brilliant for beginners getting used to the unpredictable terrain.

Enduro mountain bikes: 

Enduro bikes are mountain bikes with at least 150mm of suspension travel; they’re built for downhill racing while also offering superior efficiency on climbs and shredding the trails.

They have the versatility to tackle technical descents too. Enduro bikes are brilliant for riders who can’t get enough technical terrains and spend long days down the trails exploring and covering new ground and mountain routes.

Downhill mountain bikes:

Downhill mountain bikes are designed to ride downhill with speed, and they’re the top bike used in downhill racing, in purpose-built tracks, or just a bit of tape on a mountain to distinguish a race.

They usually have both front and rear suspension and have a super slack frame angle to make the steepest of slopes manageable. They’re designed for descents, so they don’t tend to do too well with climbing.

What Is the Difference between Unisex Mountain Bikes and Women’s Mountain Bikes?

It is not easy to differentiate between women’s mountain bikes and unisex mountain bikes. However, we have outlined some of their differences to save you from making a wrong choice when buying.

Size – Women cyclists usually have smaller bodies as compared to male cyclists. This means that women’s mountain bikes are smaller. However, women can still use unisex mountain bikes and the choice between a unisex or a women’s mountain bike will depend on personal preferences.

Mountain bike gears – Women’s mountain bikes contain more gears as compared to unisex or male mountain bikes. Since women riders may not be very strong, several gear systems allow them to navigate challenging terrains more easily.

Frame design – Women are a bit narrower than men especially around the chest area. Due to this, their mountain bikes frame usually have shorter top tubes They also have a short distance between the handlebars and the saddle to boost comfort.

What is size are the best women’s mountain bikes?

As you may have already guessed, and it’s not rocket science to say that there is quite a big difference in height between men and women, so which size is best for women? 

Mountain bikes do tend to have two sizing systems, small, medium, large, etc., or it’ll be in inches. Most bikes offer a test ride if you order online to give you an idea of the feel and whether or not it is the best match for you. If you sit between sizes, then testing them out may be best. 

The best women’s mountain bikes are comfortable and will fit even shorter women out there. If it’s still not quite right, you can still adjust the saddle or handlebar positions to get your best fit. 

Key things to consider when buying a Women’s Mountain Bike:

Terrain: The first thing you need to think of is whether the mountain bike will be suitable for the terrain where you plan to use it. Remember, not all mountain bikes can move comfortably on all terrains.

Size: Choosing the wrong size means that you will never enjoy your rides. Before buying, you should test the bike to ensure that it suits your height. In case you are purchasing online, make sure you have ordered the correct size.

Women’s specific mountain bikes tend to come with shorter options as women tend to be much shorter than men.

Frame material:  The frame’s material will determine whether the mountain bike will last or not. Look for a material that cannot bend easily. It should also be rustproof and corrosion-resistant. Again, it should not be too heavy.

Saddle: The difference in the saddle is mainly found in women-specific mountain bikes. Women tend to have wider hips and need more support around the crotch area than men, so you’ll find that the seats are wider and more padded to provide the support needed.

Women’s saddles do tend to be massively more comfortable over unisex or men’s specific saddles. Men and women have different hips, so women’s saddles are wider and shorter, whereas men’s saddles are long and narrow.

Handlebars: The handlebars also differ from men to women because women tend to have smaller hands, women’s mountain bikes tend to have smaller grips, narrower handlebars, and brakes with an adjustable reach.

Wheel size: The wheel size in women’s mountain bikes tend to be much smaller, rather than 29-inch wheels women’s mountain bikes tend to be a wheel size 27.5 inches.

This is, so the geometry and handling are easier than those with larger wheels.

Suspension: The suspension is often compromised because women tend to be much lighter than men. The best women’s mountain bikes tend to have a suspension tune designed to fit lighter (on average weight to height ratio of women).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a woman ride a man’s mountain bike?
Most of the women can still ride a unisex mountain bike but this depends on the body shape. These bikes also have similar features but men’s mountain bikes may not be comfortable for women. If you are searching for a mountain bike that you will be using every day, it is good to look for one that suits your gender.

What is the difference between men’s mountain bikes and women’s mountain bikes?
The major difference between the two is that men’s mountain bikes are bigger. As compared to women, men usually have longer legs and arms which means that the distance between the handlebar and the saddle is usually big.

How heavy should a mountain bike be?
Whether the mountain bike has a suspension or hardtail, it should have an average weight of 21-29 pounds. This means that it should not exceed 9-10 kgs.

The Final Verdict

Whether you are a mountain bike enthusiast or you are just starting out, you need a top-quality mountain bike that will allow you to navigate different terrains easily. You need to check the frame, brakes, wheel size to ensure that the one you have picked is the most comfortable.

When buying, you should also check the design. This means that it should not be too heavy to make you uncomfortable especially when cycling for many hours. Finding a good women’s mountain bike is not an easy thing because they have unique features as compared to standard mountain bikes.

If you are not sure about the exact product you are looking for, you may end up buying a non-functional mountain bike. All the mounting bikes we have reviewed provide unmatched value as compared to other similar products on the market. 

Select any of the ones I have chosen today and get ready the shred those trails in complete style and with complete confidence. 

Happy trail-shredding ladies!