Women’s bodies are built and sized differently, and although you can certainly ride a men’s bike, you won’t find it to be as comfortable as the guys do.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great road bikes that are made to fit the proportions of the female body, so your experience can be just as awesome as theirs.
At first glance, men’s and women’s road bikes may look the same. Many models have unisex styling. However, when you take a closer look or actually mount the bike, you’ll be able to tell the difference. The top tube of the frame may be shorter and slanted down toward the seat to make the bike easier to mount.
Women’s road bike models may also have a wider seat to accommodate your wider pelvic bones and hips more comfortably.
Handlebars on women’s bikes are more narrow to accommodate narrower shoulder width, and the handlebar stem is often shorter.
Contents
Top Rated Road Bikes for Women in 2018: Quick Comparison
Product | Rating | Speed | Frame | Shifters | Derailleur | Cassette | Tires | Brakes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vilano C1 | 21 | Steel | Shimano | Shimano | - | 700c | V-Brake | |
Vilano Classic | Single | Steel | - | - | - | 700c x 28c | Coaster | |
Schwinn Phocus 1600 | 14 | Aluminium | - | Shimano | 8 Speed | 700c x 23c | Caliper | |
PUBLIC Bikes C7 | 7 | Steel | - | - | 7 Speed | 700c x 35c | Pivot | |
Giordano Libero 1.6 | 16 | Aluminium | Shimano | Shimano | 8 Speed | 700c x 25c | Side Pull |
Women’s Road Bike Reviwes
If you’re ready to find a seriously comfortable bike to improve your experience as a female rider, we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of your search. Here are our top five best road bikes for women.
Vilano C1 Women’s Comfort 21-Speed
- Hi-Ten steel frame
- Travel Comfort suspension fork
- Shimano trigger shifters 21 speeds
- Relaxed geometry, front suspension
- Anatomic relief seat for extra comfort
- Pedals and kickstand included
A favorite among petite women, the Vilano C1 is designed with comfort in mind. Its handlebars are in an upright riding position, and a large step-through makes it easier to mount and dismount. Because its handlebars are higher than its seat, it’s ideal for any woman who suffers from back pain.
Vilano didn’t sacrifice performance for comfort. The C1 has quality Shimano shifters to provide smooth, accurate shifting and 21-gears for maximum riding versatility. It makes a great commuter bike; it’s suspension fork keeps the ride smooth, and although it’s not light enough to use for competitive racing or serious touring, it’s great for fitness and everyday transportation. Its unique mint green body and brown saddle are stylish and attractive.
The Vilano C1 is an ideal beginner’s road bike for ladies who demand both quality and affordable pricing.
Vilano Women’s Classic Single-Speed
- Steel frame with relaxed geometry
- Mustache handlebars with comfort grips
- Single-speed 700c
- Coaster brake
- Includes free kickstand and platform pedals
Offering classic styling in a modern, single-speed package, the Vilano Women’s Classic Urban commuter bike is simple, graceful and elegant as well as affordable. Its coaster brake eliminates cables to give the bike a sleek, minimalist look. The track-style frame is paired with a suspension saddle and mustache handlebars to provide both stability and comfort for a woman’s body. Riders love the ergonomic fit and creamy enamel finish of the bike.
The wheels and saddle are good quality, and many riders feel that the bike is worth more than its price tag demands. Surprisingly lightweight, it provides a smooth ride and exceptional control. If you’re seeking a fixie-style girls bike with relaxed geometry and a focus on comfort and value, this Vilano classic should be on your short list.
Schwinn Women’s Phocus 1600 Drop Bar
- Schwinn aluminum road frame
- Carbon fiber rigid road fork
- Full Shimano 14-speed rear derailleur
- Integrated brake lever shifting
- High-profile alloy rims
- Promax alloy caliper road brakes
- Includes toe clips and straps
The Schwinn Women’s Phocus is the perfect counterpart to the men’s Phocus, which is an enormously popular men’s bike with similar features. Its lightweight, responsive frame is made from aluminum, but its carbon fiber fork provides a performance boost. Like its masculine twin, it’s a beautiful bike that gets plenty of stares. Fans of the Women’s Phocus find it comfortable, ergonomically sound and perfect for extended rides.
Ideal for the back path, riding to work or just getting a good workout, the Phocus is agile and fast. Its 14-speed Shimano derailleur enables quick and accurate shifting. The bike also features a quick-release front wheel and reliable Promax brakes. Its saddle can easily be adjusted to the proper height.
For ladies seeking an overall good quality bike that lives up to its namesake, the Phocus is a great choice.
Public Bikes Women’s C7 Dutch Style Step-Thru Seven-Speed
- Shimano Mega Range derailleur
- One-handed twist shifter
- Durable, hi-tensile step-through steel frame
- Modern dual pivot alloy brakes
- Upright handlebars
The Public Bikes Women’s C7 was designed and tested in San Francisco, California. An affordable bike best suited for daily commuting and fitness, this Dutch-style model offers European styling, female-focused ergonomics, quality components, great overall performance and affordable luxury in one attractive package.
The bike’s low step-through frame makes it easy to mount even if you’re wearing a dress. It supports a fully upright riding posture and features swept-back Brunch Bar handlebars with antique brown grips. Its wide platform pedals can accommodate boots, flats, sneakers and even high heels.
The C7 is a reliable and cost-effective way to get around the city. Attach a basket or cargo rack to carry your groceries or books easily. You’ll feel stable and safe with reliable dual-pivot brakes and 700C commuter tires. Choose from five color options to match your style.
If convenience, practicality and aesthetics are more important than racing, this bike is your perfect solution.
Giordano Libero 1.6
- Handcrafted, lightweight 6061 aluminum frame
- Threadless alloy 100mm stem
- Compact crank
- Shimano Claris 16-speed STI shifters and rear derailleur
- Dual water bottle mounts
The Giordano Libero is a famous name in the world of road bikes. Its handcrafted aluminum frame serves as its foundation. Although at 26 pounds, it may be slightly heavier than some bikes in its class, the Libero never compromises when it comes to speed or performance. Whether you’re a casual biker or a serious fitness enthusiast, this model can keep up with your aspirations.
Quality Shimano components, strong aluminum wheels and woman-friendly ergonomics round out its classic design and ensure the best possible safety and performance on the road. Fans of the Libero point out that it’s great for climbing hills, and although it’s designed for street use, you can rely on it to master gravel and dirt roads.
Best Entry-Level Road Bike for Women
If you’re just starting out on your biking adventure, an entry-level bike will give you what you need to advance your skills without a high price tag or features that you won’t yet be able to appreciate.
Our top pick for best entry-level bike for women is the Vilano Classic Commuter, which occupies the number two position of our top five.
Simple, lightweight and versatile, it provides everything you need to learn the ropes while maintaining your physical comfort and enjoying the process of developing your road skills.
As a bonus, it offers attractive styling at an affordable price.
Best Intermediate-Level Road Bike for Women
If you’ve mastered entry-level bikes and have gained the skill and experience needed to appreciate the attributes of intermediate-level bikes, you’re ready for a model that will challenge you and introduce you to new components and features.
We’ve chosen the Schwinn Phocus Women’s Bike as our top intermediate-level bike for women. Its lightweight frame, carbon fiber road fork and quality Shimano components give you a taste of the performance quality of more expensive bikes without requiring a huge investment.
Once you’ve grown accustomed to the differences between entry-level and intermediate-level bikes, you may go for an even bigger upgrade.
Conclusion: Best Road Bike for Women in 2018
We’ve chosen the first bike on our list as our top pick for overall best road bike for women. The Vilano Women’s Comfort Shimano bike goes the extra mile to ensure that women are comfortable and able to function at their highest capacity while riding.
Every element from the handlebars to the color and styling cater to a woman’s tastes and needs without forcing her to pay an exorbitant amount of money for the extra attention. For the discerning female biker, we feel that this Vilano is the best overall choice.