It doesn't always have to be your boyfriend's old bike. We show you the most exciting models between 1000 and 3000 euros that will make women happy. Guaranteed to get the new season off to a good start.
Women's mountain bikes for 1000 euros
The 1000 euro class automatically means hardtail. At this budget, a fully makes no sense for either women or men. To achieve a sporty riding position, improve handling and keep the weight down, small female riders should opt for 26-inch bikes.
Conway MQ 727 27.5": With a steeply sloping top tube and a slightly shorter riding position, the Conway MQ 727 offers plenty of comfort even on longer climbs. The equipment with 3x10 Shimano XT gears and Rock Shox XC 30 fork is durable and functional. Only two frame heights limit the choice somewhat.
Poison Zyankali 650B Team 27.5": The Zyankali from mail-order company Poison scores with above-average equipment, which keeps the overall weight low with 27.5-inch wheels. The smallest of the four frame heights for this model starts at 15 inches, which also appeals to smaller riders.
Steppenwolf 26/60 Tayma 26": For 949 euros, the Steppenwolf with its 26-inch wheels also appeals to smaller riders. The three available frame sizes go down to 36 centimetres. The Shimano XT gears with a very good price/performance ratio round off the package.
Women's mountain bikes for 2000 to 2600 euros:
Fullys in this price range already have high-quality suspension and components. In addition, five of the six bikes presented weigh less than 13 kilos. This is also due to the wheel sizes of 26 and 27.5 inches. 29ers weigh more heavily in this price range.
Cube Sting WLS 120 SL 27.5"/29": A polarising colour and wheels that grow with the frame size characterise the Sting WLS, which has been specially optimised for women. While the 43 cm frame for smaller riders is fitted with 27.5 inch wheels, the three larger ones roll on 29 inch wheels.
Canyon Nerve AL 9.0 W 27.5": Canyon offers four frame sizes for the Nerve AL with 27.5-inch wheels, starting at 36 centimetres. The complete XT equipment and the Fox suspension with 120 millimetres of travel ensure perfect and long-lasting performance. The weight is very low.
Ghost Miss AMR 7500 26": Also equipped with a complete Shimano XT groupset and 120-millimetre Fox suspension, the Miss AMR is aimed at the touring rider. Ghost still relies on 26-inch wheels for its Lady Fully.
Radon Slide 130 WL 29": With 130 millimetres of suspension travel, the 29er-Slide offers plenty of comfort and also feels at home on demanding trails. Radon also equips the bike with high-quality components including a telescopic seat post. Due to its 29-inch size, it is more suitable for taller girls.
Scott Contessa Spark 700 27.5": The Twinloc lever on the handlebars allows the Contessa Spark's suspension to be tightened in a matter of seconds. Ideal for sporty female riders who not only fancy touring, but also the odd marathon. The lightweight frame has a geometry customised for women.
Stevens Riva ES 27.5": Only 12.2 kilos with 120 millimetres of suspension travel: that's something to be proud of. The high-quality Stevens Riva comes with full Shimano XT equipment and offers a lot for the money. Perfect for marathon to touring use.
Women's mountain bikes for 3000 euros:
High-priced women's models with exclusive features and low weight are still rare. Nevertheless, we have tracked down four attractive models for touring use. The Juliana from Santa Cruz with its lightweight carbon frame and elegant features sets an exclamation mark.
Giant Intrigue 1 27.5": The Intrigue 1 is based on the Trance platform and offers a full 140 millimetres of travel at the front and rear. This means that the bike with its own telescopic seatpost and Fox suspension also feels at home in demanding terrain.
Juliana Furtado Primeiro 27.5": Juliana is the exclusive women's brand from Santa Cruz and spoils the biking ladies with the finest carbon and high-quality equipment. The Primeiro shines as a lightweight all-rounder with women-specific geometry.
Specialised Rumor Expert 29": The Rumor is Specialized's first 29er fully exclusively for women. In addition to the customised geometry, the Rumor offers 110 millimetres of suspension travel, a double crank and lightweight wheels. The sizes start at 38.7 centimetres.
Trek Lush SL 29": Despite 29-inch wheels, the smallest frame size of the Trek Lush SL starts at 35.5 centimetres. Thanks to the special DRCV shock, even light riders can make perfect use of the suspension travel. A telescopic seat post is already included.
Interview with Dr Kim Tofaute on women's mountain bikes
Do special women's bikes even make sense?
Definitely no. It is not the case that all women have longer legs and a shorter torso and therefore need special bikes. As a rule, however, the arms are somewhat shorter and women have less support. Many get along quite well with unisex bikes.
What characterises a good women's bike?
A women's bike can be conceptually divided into three stages. Stage 1 is a unisex bike with a special women's saddle. In stage 2, the stem length and possibly the gear ratio have been adjusted. In combination with large wheels, a triple crank is advisable in most cases. The third level includes bikes that have been customised for women in terms of geometry with a slightly shorter frame. Companies such as Scott or Specialized get a lot of feedback from female bikers in order to adapt the geometries to their needs.
Will small riders be happier with smaller wheel sizes?
At 1.70 metres, the average woman is around ten centimetres shorter than a man. This alone limits the choice of bikes. To achieve a sporty riding position, a small wheel size makes perfect sense. With 29ers, the front end will otherwise be quite high due to the long fork. Some manufacturers draw the line at 1.75 metres for 29ers.
What do you think of concepts that adjust the wheel size to the rider size, for example Liteville?
It's good that even riders under 1.60 metres can find a proportionally suitable bike, which has a positive effect on handling. In addition to geometric optimisation, however, training in riding technique plays a central role.
