So What Differentiates Women Bikes from Men Bikes?

Many manufacturers offer different bikes for men and women with some subtle variances to accommodate physiological differences between them. Although many women find unisex/men bikes perfectly suitable for their needs, many are looking for bikes with a more specialized design and female- specific features.

Some key differentiating factors between unisex/men and women’s bikes include:

Smaller sizes with a subtle difference in geometry
Shorter reach (usually measuring the distance between saddle and handlebars), resulting in a more comfortable and upright position
Lowered top-tube in commuter and hybrid bikes, making it easier for female riders to get on/off the bike
Narrower handle bars to accommodate narrower shoulders and shallower drops on road bikes to shorten the reach
Shorter crank arms to accommodate riders with short legs and reduce leg stretch
Lighter shock tune in mountain bikes is meant to accommodate the usually lighter weight of female riders
The saddles are also usually designed keeping physique of female riders in mind, but that’s a personal preference in most cases

Which Type of Bike Should You Buy?

The most important thing to consider is perhaps the type of bike you should buy. Bikes are designed for different purposes and terrains, making it very important to choose the right one in the first place.

The four main bike categories include Road, mountain, gravel and time trial/triathlon bikes. Road and mountain bikes are generally the most popular bikes types so here we’ll try to focus on these and we cover gravel bikes in a separate post.

Road Bikes

As the name suggests, these bikes are designed for paved roads and focus on speed and paddling efficiency. Road bikes are the right choice if you want to go far and fast on tarmac roads. Road bikes are not just for big events as they also allow you to improve fitness and participate in different activities such as weekend races, group rides and evening criteriums.

Some key attributes of road bikes include:

High pressure, narrower and smooth tires for reducing rolling resistance
Dropped/bent handle bars make it easier for cyclists to lean forward/downward and decrease drag
Lightweight
Geared higher and usually have fewer climbing gears as they are meant for flat surfaces
Don’t usually come with front/rear suspension
Wheel clearance is tighter

Road bikes are available in different variants, including race, aero, endurance and hybrid road bikes. Choosing the right one mainly depends on what you want to accomplish and where you plan on riding them the most.

Mountain Bikes

These bikes are the perfect option if you want to go off-road and plan on conquering challenging terrains. Mountain bikes are also available in difference variants, but their main purpose is the same; allowing riders to move through challenging terrains with comfort.

These versatile off-road machines are made for mountain trains, single trails, fire roads and other unpaved roads. Although you can also use them on paved roads, they are not as efficient and fast as road bikes so it comes down to your intended use when deciding between these two types.

Key characteristics of mountain bikes include:

Usually come with front and/or rear suspension for absorbing shocks and vibrations
Straight handlebar for better control and maneuverability
Large and knobby tires
Powerful brake
Durable wheels
Lower gear ratios (up to 27-speed) than road bikes, allowing riders to climb steep grades
Heavy-duty construction, designed to take the beating
Suspension travel up to 200mm (the higher the travel distance, the more shocks it can absorb, but also wastes some pedaling energy)

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road adventures and suitable for riders who want to explore their local surroundings. If you want something in the middle of road bikes and mountain bikes, you should probably check out our guide to gravel bikes that are multi-terrain bikes. Different types of mountain bikes include cross-country, trail, all-mountain/enduro, downhill and fat bikes.

Our Top 5 Bikes for Women

Trek Domane SL 6 Disc Road Bike

Domane SL 6 is a performance road bike that’s both fast and comfortable. It has all the road-smoothing advantages of a lightweight OCLV Carbon frame with Front and Rear IsoSpeed, a full Shimano Ultegra drive train, high-quality wheels and hydraulic disc brakes for confidence and braking power in any conditions. Plus, it has an easy-access storage compartment for stowing ride essentials.