Best Mountain Bikes

Best Mountain Bikes For Women – Reviews & Buying Guide

Traditionally, woman’s bikes use to be shorter in size since women have shorter physique on average as compared to men. However, recent studies have shown that women have shorter torso but longer legs from men, and it affects their comfort and positioning on a mountain bike.

There is a huge variety of women’s budget bikes available on the market these days and choosing between one can be a daunting task because they are different in design, constructions, and ergonomics.

Our list of Best Mountain Bikes for Women will guide you about the products that which features you should pursue according to your requirements.

So let’s begin.

​Produ​​​​​cts

​Size

Rating

​Rate

2018 Gravity FSX 1.0 Dual Full Suspension

​15-inch to 21-inch

Diamondback Lux ST Hardtail

​15-inch to 19-inch

Diamondback Overdrive 29 Hardtail - best mountain bike for women

​16-inch to 22-inch

Raleigh Bikes Eva 2

​1​9-inch

Schwinn Women's High Timber

​16-inch

Reviews of the Best Mountain Bikes for Women

Diamondback Overdrive 29 Hardtail - Best Mountain bike for women

Diamondback

The Overdrive 29 Hardtail mountain bike from Diamondback Bicycle is one of the high performing bikes, and it comes at a very affordable price. It is available in different sizes ranging from 16-inch to 22-inch and a design that will win the hearts of many.

Main Features

The best part about this mountain bicycle is that it features Shimano SR Suntour XCT cranks coupled with Shimano TX50 front derailleur to keep your riding experience smooth and provide you with reliable shifting mechanism.

Moreover, the bike also features SR Suntour suspension fork that is 80mm in size which enables you to roll over various obstacles with ease. The rear derailleur Acera also comes from Shimano and its 8-speed gear range will keep you moving up and down the hill with ease.

It features a couple of 29-inch wheels that will get you going on the trail even if you are new to this whole mountain biking thing. It boats the classic Hardtail designs that go well with single tracks, and it will cruise you to the top of the climb.

The frame is all aluminum which keeps the bike light in weight yet strong and durable. The Overdrive 29 also features a solid component package that is built to last for a long time. The assembling of this mountain bike is very easy, and you will even get a user manual if in case you don't understand what you are doing. All these features make the overdrive 29 one of the best mountain bikes for women.

Customer Reviews

I do plenty of research before buying anything online and did the same when purchasing this mountain bicycle for my wife. Most of the reviews were positive about this bike, and there were plenty of recommendations for Overdrive 29 as an entry-level on plenty of websites.

I must say, my wife didn't know much about mountain biking, and now she does with ease. It is probably one of the most smooth-going bikes that you will find out there. Installation is straightforward; I got it done in less than an hour. So thumbs up Diamondback, keep up the excellent work.

Things We Liked

  • ​Various sizes available 16-inch to 22-inch.
  • Lightweight and rigid aluminum frame.
  • Easy assembling.
  • Excellent product for starters.

Things We Didn't Like

  • ​Not for the people who are looking for assembled units.
  • Doesn’t come with any tools for assembling.

Verdict

​It is a good entry level ladies mountain bike that does the basics right. If you are new to mountain biking, then this ride should do the trick. The features and budget-friendly price factors make it our top choice.

​Gravity FSX 1.0

Gravity FSX 1.0

Gravity FSX 1.0 dual full suspension mountain bike. It is designed to have a comfortable off-road ride and incorporated with valuable features which makes it a high-performance bicycle. It is durable and long-lasting. You can drive it for years to come.

Main Features

Gravity FSX 1.0 comes with front and rear brakes which give you excellent control. They give you amazing stopping power. You ride confidently in the mountains and can easily stop.

The bike comes with a 24-Shimano shifting system. It gives you an option to choose the level of speed in different areas. The top-notch technology allows you to change the speed you desire quickly. These shifters allow you smooth shifts in the speed of your bike.

There is an efficient shock absorbing full suspension front and rear system. It allows you to ride the bike smoothly in tough mountain areas. You take long rides with a controlled and comfortable landing.

Having a light-weight frame when it comes to off-road mountain biking makes it one of the best mountain bikes for women. A heavy weighted bike makes it difficult for you to have good acceleration. Gravity FSX 1.0 is constructed with a durable aluminum frame. It is very light-weight and highly compact. Nonetheless, you’ll experience a very comfortable mountain biking.

It comes with stainless steel rims which prevent rusting. The multi-thread tires are specially designed to handle loose materials and tough surfaces.

Customer Reviews

It is a spectacular mountain bike for entry-level bikers which is very easy to assemble. The suspension of the bike is right to enjoy the ride in rough terrains. It is very smooth and handles all the rocky and turbulent obstacles with ease.

The tires of the bike are not efficient. They are good for road biking, but I don’t find them suitable for rough mountain biking.

Things We Liked

  • ​Light-weight aluminum frame.
  • Powerful disc brake.
  • 24-Shimano quick shifters.

Things We Didn't Like

  • ​Dual suspension is not good.
  • Low-quality tires.

Verdict

Gravity FSX 1.0 dual full suspension mountain bike comes with powerful features. You will be able to have a smooth and comfortable ride on the rough terrains of mountains. The combination of performance and speed make it a 4.7 rated product.

Schwinn Mountain Bike

Schwinn

Schwinn is a well-establish brand which produces high-quality and durable mountain bicycles for vigorous riders. They offer different styles of bikes with various features for women. You can choose the one which meets your cycling needs.

Main Features

Schwinn Women’s high timer mountain bicycle is the best option for riders who are looking for a comfortable. It is designed to deal with a variety of difficult terrains to make your ride comfortable.

One of the key features which make the bike stand out is the suspension it provides you. You can have a smooth off-road ride with the optimal control the bike gives you. It allows you to handle all the knocks and bumps easily.

This bike comes with 21-speed rear which makes it easy for you to change the gears quickly. You can take this bike wherever you want. It gives exceptional performance and speed. No matter where you take the bike with you, it gives you the ease and comfort to enjoy your ride.

The bike has a unique style because of the durable steel frame it possesses. The frame allows you to ride the bike on harsh terrains easily.

The alloy rims allow you to have a firm control on the speed of your bike. They provide a smooth braking surface for you while you are facing tough trials on the bike.

One of the best things about this bike is that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. This feature makes it a good purchase.

Customer Reviews

The size of the bike is ideal for me. The quality is superb and mind-blowing. It was a bit confusing for me to assemble the bike, but with some concentration, I was able to do it well.

It gives me a smooth off-road mountain ride. I can control the speed of my bike without much hassle. I simply love the look of the bike.

Things We Liked

  • ​Beautiful futuristic design.
  • Strong alloy rims.
  • Adjustable quick release saddle.
  • Lifetime warranty.

Things We Didn't Like

  • ​Small Wheel size.

Verdict

 This bike is one of the best mountain bikes for women who are looking for a thrilling ride in the mountains. Thanks to the durable heavy steel frame, you can handle tough terrains with jerky obstacles. Keeping in mind the features and convenience it offers the bikes gets an overall rating of 4.5.

Raleigh Eva 2 Women Bike

Raleigh

Do you want to escape the traffic and congestion of city traffic? Are you looking for an adventurous off-road cycling trip? Raleigh Bikes brings the top-of-the-line mountain bike. They are constructed for women to add a little excitement to bike riding. Raleigh is the biggest manufacturers of mountain bikes. It produces perfect bicycle for women.

Main Features

Raleigh Bike is specially designed for women to have an easy and comfortable mountain ride. It comes with a comfortable saddle which gives you a good cushioning to ride your bike on different terrains.

The 1 inch. Tires of the bike give the balance and stability you need to deal with the harsh conditions of various terrains. You can take the bike wherever you want.

The aluminum frame is very light-weight. It allows you to have a feather-like mountain ride. The frame of the bike is constructed to withstand the stresses of rough terrains. You can travel for an extended period with ease.

The Shimano twist shifters make the bike highly versatile. You can ride the bike with 21 different speed levels.

Whether you are looking for an aggressive and adventurous ride or you want to have a smooth and light city ride with less bump and knocks, the brakes of the bike give you the control you need.

Customer Reviews

I bought this bike for my daughter on her birthday. She is excited to have it. It was easy for me to assemble it for her. I didn’t even read the manual instructions. The gears of the bike are very soft and smooth. My daughter simply loves the stopping power they give. It’s a perfect women-centric bike without any flaws.

Things We Liked

  • ​Adjustable saddle
  • Lightweight frame
  • Easy to assemble

Things We Didn't Like

  • ​Easily gets scratches.

Verdict

Raleigh bikes Eva 2 women’ bike is a compact and light-weight mountain bike. It is specifically designed for women to cover moderate distances. They can face unforgiving trials of the mountains.

Diamondback bicycles Lux ST Women Bike

Diamondback

Who says mountain biking is only for men? If you are an adventurous woman, who wants to have a thrilling biking experience, diamondback bicycles Lux ST women’s hardtail mountain bike is specially designed for you. Diamondback bicycles are engineered to give you the control you are looking.

Main Features

The main component of the bike is the frame, the wheels and other parts are fitted on it. Aluminum frame is the best choice for mountain bikes. It is very light and vibrant. You can take the bike wherever you want. Diamondback bicycles lux hardtail mountain bike is constructed with an aluminum frame.

Another important feature of this bike is the Shimano shifters. They provide 24 different speed levels. The shifters are designed to get dirty. These shifters come with a tough built. They work well under pressure. You can take your bike wherever you want. It deals effectively with rough terrains.

This mountain bike comes with a front suspension system. It keeps you in control when you are riding on rough roads and pavements. The hardtail bike allows you to have the wildest biking experience. The front suspension gives you a smooth and faster ride on trails and rough rocky terrains.

Customer Review 

I have a passion for mountain biking. As a kid, I used to do a lot of neighborhood biking. I am always looking for an adventurous mountain biking. I love to explore rough and turbulent pavements.

When I was searching for a perfect women-centric mountain bike for myself, I read the positive reviews of the bike and decided to buy it for myself. Loved the smooth and comfortable ride it gives. I can take it wherever I want.

I would have loved it even more if it came with a kickstand.

Things We Liked

  • ​Light-weight and compact.
  • Rapid stopping power.
  • Strong and durable.

Things We Didn't Like

  • ​Not suitable for covering long distances.
  • Not able to deal with technical rough off-road trails.

Verdict

The Diamondback hardtails are best mountain bikes for women who are first-time riders. You can have a comfortable and exciting mountain riding experience. Getting on and off the bike is very convenient. You can explore the mountains with this 4.2 rated bike without any trouble.

Buying Guide

This mountain bike buying guide provides you all the information that you will need to buy one. There are different features and spec that you have to consider before buying a bike. We have made sure that you don’t have to go anywhere else to understand and know what spec you need on your bike. 

Types of mountain bikes

There are different types of mountain bikes, and all of them are designed for different terrains or riding styles. The most popular of them all is a trail, enduro or cross-country. Another feature that you have to consider is whether you want to go for Hardtail or full suspension women mountain bike.

  • The full suspension bikes are slightly more expensive than Hardtail and can handle steep or rough terrain more comfortably as compared to Hardtail. These bikes have a suspension system in the rear tire too which is called ‘shock absorbing.'
  • Hardtail bikes come with a rigid frame and suspension system in the fork. If you want to climb then, hardtails will be a good option for you. Another benefit of hardtails is that they don’t need much effort when it comes to maintenance or setup.
  • Cross-country bikes are designed to give you speed off the road and are very lightweight. They have stiff frames and easy rolling tires. These are ideal for people who want to go at high speed for long distances.
  • Trail bikes are the most common ones because they are suitable for all kinds of riders and terrains. It has better suspension as compared to other designs which make tackling very easy.
  • Enduro or all-mountain bikes are increasing in popularity because these bikes are good at speed as well as handling different types of terrains. These bicycles come with full suspension and offer more travel, even better than trails.
  • You can also find downhill bikes that are designed to do one thing, and that is to go fast downhill, but it is suitable for people who are competing in sports and is not ideal for regular use.

Size of the mountain bike

Mountain bikes also have to size systems just like your shoes, clothes and even blocks of cheese. One size system involves small, medium and large categories while the other system includes measurements in centimeters or inches. Most women bikes come with a unique riding position that is more suited for women, and it is not available in those unisex models.

Saddles, stand overs and reach

Women bikes feature specifically designed saddles for women that they will find more comfortable as compared to the unisex or men’s seat. Manufacturers that design bikes for women make them low on stand overs and also give them shorter reach as compared to the unisex or men’s models.

Cockpits 

The cockpits of bikes specifically designed for women are also smaller in size because they are designed ergonomically for shorter hands of women as compared to men. You will find smaller grips and narrower brakes and handlebars that are very easily reachable.

Wheel size

The mountain bikes that are designed for women come with 27.5-inch or 29-inch in size. Some companies use smaller frames for 27.5-inch and larger frames for 29-inch wheels to make the handling and control uniform and preventing toe overlapping.

Suspension

Most of the designs that are made for women are equipped with suspension systems aiming to suit lighter weight and on low average weight to height body ratio of women.

You will always get what you pay if you are looking for a good mountain bike. However, some bikes come at extraordinary prices, and you won't get what you deserve. On the other hand, some bikes won't cost you anything, but they are also low on quality.

Buying a mountain bike in the range of $300 to $700 will be great if you are a beginner regarding skills level when it comes to mountain biking. Therefore, all of our recommendations fall in this price range, and all of them are equipped with some outstanding features too.

Therefore, buying high-quality products doesn't always mean that you have to spend a lot on it. Be sure about what are your requirements and needs and then pick a bike of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I choose one of the best mountain bikes for women?

You should choose according to your needs or where you want to ride. Trails are designed to achieve all kinds of purpose while full suspensions bikes are good at handling harsh terrains and are great shock absorbers. Hardtails are excellent at climbing and don't need much maintenance. Mountain bikes are designed to give you speed off roads while trails are good at handling all terrains with more relaxed and stable seating. If you are looking for something extra than a trail, then go for enduro models which function better as compared to a trial.

Should I buy aluminum, steel or a titanium model?

 Regarding steel, there are two different qualities. One is ‘steel' while the other one is high-tensile steel and you can avoid both of them because they are quite heavy.  However, they are quite rigid too and can absorb minor vibrations from the rough terrains.

Aluminum models are quite light in weight and are stronger as compared to the steel alloy models. But they are also more easily bendable and if they crack then special welding equipment is required. You can look for a lifetime warranty on these which only some brands in the market offer you.

Titanium bikes are the most expensive ones, and they combine the durability of steel and lightness of aluminum. Solid material bikes can stand the pounding of a sledgehammer. Some models come with carbon-fiber bodies. These are not designed for heavy riders or people who frequently go for biking.

Is a seat post shock absorber better than a full suspension feature?

Seat post shock absorber is not a replacement of full suspension feature from any dimension. Shock absorbing seats do tend to soften up the ride, but they don't provide the bike with a capability of gliding over the rocks as a full suspension does.

Do I require clip-less pedals for my riding?

No, you don't require clip-less pedals unless you are comfortable riding on trials without a pair. With these, however, you will be able to use your entire stroke and will get more power when pedaling, but they are not one of your necessities when it comes to mountain biking.

Should I opt for disc brakes on my bike?

Although all the best mountain bikes for women should have disc brakes unless you do a lot of riding in the wet area, you don't need them. However, disc brakes improve the braking system of your bike as compared to rim braking system. Because when you dip your wheel in mud, it means that your rim brake is entirely covered with mud, and it won't grip the tire to stop it, but this is not the case in disc braking system. This system is expensive and will add to the price tag of your bike.

Are trigger shifters better than grip shifters?

It all depends on your preference. People who use trigger shifters find that drip shifters light cause slight inadvertent shifting which makes them uncomfortable.

What is the purpose of those ‘very narrow’ seats?

If you are not too comfortable with those narrow seats, then you can replace them anytime you want. Close seats enable you to move around and shift your positions during downhill and climbing. Wider seats make shifting positions very difficult and make your ride very uncomfortable.

Conclusion

The clear winner from our product roundup is the Overdrive 29 Hardtail mountain bike from Diamondback Bicycles. It is one of the best mountain bikes for women because it has plenty of features come at a very affordable price. The bike is available in different sizes, and all kinds of riders can have a piece of it. It is designed for the entry-level user, and you will do great at all your rides just like a pro.

We sincerely hope that you've found this article very informative. We gathered a list of our best mountain bikes for women provided you with a short buying guide along with some of the most frequently asked questions about mountain bikes.

If in case you have any queries or suggestions for us then don't hesitate to drop your views in the comments section below.

Bon voyage!

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