![]() ![]() What started as a dedicated ’cross race bike has turned into a ’cross, gravel, and bikepacking beast that is one of the liveliest and most versatile “gravel bikes” we’ve ridden. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or a vet, the fun-loving Fuse can turn every ride into a party. On climbs, the combination of the steep seat angle and longer reach help keep the rear wheel driving you forward and the front wheel tracking where you want it to go.įor the price, this bike has a huge range of capabilities and features, including hydraulic disc brakes, a 12-speed SRAM SX Eagle 1x drivetrain, and a 750mm-wide handlebar (780mm on sizes medium and up), which slows steering for a more stable ride. The grippy, wide tires are not quite plus-size (the frame accommodates 27.5+ tires and wheels, too), but they deliver handfuls of traction on rock, snow, and slick clay. Adding to its ability to take on rowdier trails is the smooth-operating TranzX dropper post and the well-knobbed 2.6-inch tires. This hardtail 29er has a semi-slack setup and a 130mm RockShox Recon RL fork, making it a capable and maneuverable little ride. ![]() Then we evaluated them on performance, price, comfort, handling, value, fun, and-yes-looks (because the mere sight of your bike should get you excited, too). Our team of experienced test editors spent many hours and miles using these bikes for their intended purpose-from road races and trail rides to gravel adventures, commutes, and beach cruises. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding these bikes to determine the best options. Related StoryĮvery bike on this list has been ridden and loved by women on our staff. Rim brakes are still popular on city bikes, but discs are gaining popularity there as well, because they offer more control and consistent stopping power in wet conditions. ![]() Discs are pretty standard on mountain bikes and are becoming more common on road bikes that cost more than $1,000. You also want to choose between rim brakes and disc brakes, which cost a little more but offer better stopping power. All are strong options, though carbon is generally the lightest and most expensive, and steel is generally the heaviest and most durable. In addition to choosing from bike style and fit, you also have frame material: carbon, aluminum, and steel. With so many different options these days, it’s a great time to be a woman on a bike. Just remember, you can get a good fit on a women’s frame or a unisex one it just depends on your body and riding preferences. If you don’t know your bike size, getting measured at a bike shop-or even getting a professional fitter to assess you-can make an enormous difference in helping you choose a road bike that’s comfortable for you. Join Bicycling All Access for more gear advice Know Your Fitįor city and mountain bikes, which generally run from XS or S to M or L, it’s easy to estimate the size needed based on your height. And city bikes are often offered as step-over and step-through models, with the latter aimed at women. Most women’s mountain bikes also come with a fork and shock tuned for lighter riders. While some companies like Liv have stuck to that philosophy, others like Trek, Specialized, and Santa Cruz instead favor using the same frame for their men’s and women’s bikes and adjusting some parts-primarily touch points like the bar, grips, and saddle-for the intended gender. Bike companies started cranking out frames with shorter top tubes to better accommodate the average female body’s tendency toward longer legs and shorter torsos. When first introduced, the “shrink it and pink it” mentality reigned supreme, and “women’s bikes” often simply meant smaller frames with stereotypical paint jobs and a lower level of components than their unisex counterparts. Few bike categories have seen bigger shifts in the past dozen years than women’s bikes.
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