Buying a Women's Electric Bike: What You Need to Know

Electric bikes are for everyone.

That's one of the great things about e-bikes: anyone can ride them, from men to women to children to senior citizens. From commuters to beach-goers to off-roaders and everyone in between. We'll say it again - electric bikes are for everyone. But if you're shopping for someone in particular, then there are a few things that you should know about e-bikes as well as what the recipient's personal preferences and riding style are. And one demographic that you might be particularly interested in shopping for - whether if it's for a birthday gift, special occasion or "just because' - is that of any active woman in your life. An electric bike could make for the perfect present - whether you're treating yourself or someone else.

In this post, we'll cover in detail what you need to know about shopping for electric bikes for women. From riding intention to features to look out for to a closer look at some of the best e-bikes for women on the market today, here's an in-depth overview of electric bikes and women riders.

What's Your Riding Purpose?

First things first: In order to determine what type of electric bike is best for anyone - man, woman or child - you first have to determine where you intend to be riding it. In other words, how will you or whomever you're buying for be using the bike?

Will you be using it to commute to work or run errands throughout the city? Are you looking for something that can navigate the boardwalk at the beach? Do you intend to take it off-path for more adventurous riding? Do you want something comfortable that's good for a leisurely stroll to the store and around the neighborhood? What about a tricycle style e-bike?

Before you buy, make sure you know the intended end use. For example, if the woman recipient is only interested in taking fun, relaxing joy rides throughout the neighborhood, then an e-bike with an emphasis on maximizing comfort is likely best for her. If she intends to ride it to and from work every day, weaving in and out of traffic and cruising by pedestrians in the city, then a commuter style bike is likely to be the right fit. You get the picture. Do a little bit of homework before you make your purchase - and this goes for whatever sex or age demographic you're buying for - not just for women riders.

Key Differences Between Women and Men's Bikes

The differences between men and women bikes are similar regardless of the type of bike that you're considering - electric or conventional. Aside from availability in colors that tend to be more appealing to women, women's bikes - again, e-bike or standard bike - tend to have shorter stack heights and reach lengths. This is because, comparatively speaking, women tend to be shorter in stature than men. Hence, bikes for this gender are made accordingly.

In reality, however, any bike can feasibly be ridden by either a man or a woman comfortably. So, while there are models intended for both women and men, it all really comes down to personal preference and riding comfort when you make a decision.

Features to Watch for

Again, it really doesn't matter what gender you're considering purchasing an e-bike for, make sure that you're getting a bike that suits the intended end use and has the features that the rider is going to want while riding. For instance, some of the features that you may want to be on the lookout for include:

• Speed: E-bikes have an electrical drive system that can provide pedal assist and help riders travel much faster than they would if they were pedaling solely on their own. However, how fast your e-bike can travel is largely dictated by the motor that's powering it. Some motors can help riders travel at speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour, which can propel them to their final destination much faster than other motors. How fast do you want to go? Make sure you select a motor that can meet your needs.

• Throttle assist: Do you ever envision yourself wanting to take a break from pedaling and just let your e-bike's motor do all the work? That's where throttle mode comes into play. Much like riding a moped or electric scooter, you just flip a knob on your handlebar to activate it and the motor will do all of the work for you while you rest your legs and/or catch your breath.

• Storage space: Many bikes come with baskets or the option to attach basket attachments either to the front or back of bikes. These baskets can be helpful if used for commuting to the office or heading to the store to bring back groceries and other supplies. Hence, versatility can be a significant feature to be on the lookout for when it comes to e-bike shopping.

• Passenger: Is the bike meant for just one rider or two? Some e-bikes have seats behind the main rider's seat where a passenger can climb aboard and enjoy the ride as well. If you envision rides with a partner or friend, it's a consideration. An additional consideration is the weight that the bike can adequately support. If you plan to ride with more than one person at times, make sure the bike is built to support the projected combined weight.

• Battery life and recharge time: The size of the battery is going to do more than just power the motor to faster speeds, but dictate how long it's going to take for it to deplete. Similar to an electric vehicle, e-bike batteries have a range. And while you can always pedal an e-bike like a conventional bike if the battery depletes, it's good to know about how long an average ride is so that you can select a battery accordingly. Most e-bikes have a range of anywhere from 20 to 40 miles, depending on whether you're using pedal assist or throttle mode to power it. On a similar note, it's also worth finding out how long batteries take to recharge once they've been depleted.

• Posture: Bikes are made to suit different body types and riding preferences. If you're uncertain about what type of riding style you or anyone you're buying for would prefer, we strongly suggest getting fitted for a bike so that you know for sure.

• Weight: Motors and batteries can add some excess weight to the bike itself. It's something to keep in mind when shopping for a model, especially for a woman that might be more petite in body type. Weight also becomes a more important factor if the rider has to carry it to an upstairs apartment or regularly load it onto a bike rack, for instance. Some e-bikes are even designed to fold, which can make it all the more convenient to store and carry wherever your adventures take you.

• Price: E-bikes are more expensive than conventional bikes, and can range in price from about $1,000 to more than $4,000. Make sure the bike you select matches your budget.

Top E-Bikes for Women

Want to know what type of e-bike is right for the woman that you're considering buying for? Or want to get an idea of what's out there if you're looking to treat yourself? We certainly encourage you to weigh the overall riding purpose and to consider the features that we listed in the above section when making your selection. In this section, we'll cover some of the top women's electric bikes currently on the market. Here's a closer look:

Radpower Radcity

This bike strikes a great balance between performance and affordability, coming in at under $1,600. It features a 750 watt motor that's powerful enough to provide significant pedal assist and also features a 7-speed drivetrain. Classified as an entry-level bike, it's also a great all-purpose one. It features built-in lights so you're easily seen on the roads and sidewalks and a decent amount of storage space. It also offers a low standover, which makes it stylish and comfortable to ride - whether you're in pants, shorts or a skirt.

SixThreeZero Evry Journey 500W

Another great all-purpose option that's built specifically for women, the Every Journey 500W from SixThreeZero is designed for comfort and ideal for both leisurely and aggressive riding. With a 500W motor that can provide throttle and pedal assist for up to 40 miles at a top speed of 20 miles per hour, the bike can support a weight of up to 250 pounds. The design allows for a comfortable riding style, especially for riders who suffer from knee or back pain. It's dubbed "the world's most comfortable e-bike" and checks in at a price point under $2,000.

Tern Vectron S10 E-Bike

In the previous section, we noted how bike weight is an important consideration, as the motor and battery have a tendency to cause e-bikes to weigh a bit more than standard, conventional bikes. One of the nice things about the Tern Vectron S10 is that it folds for easy storage. Let's face it - regardless of how much a bike weighs, it tends to be a bit awkward when it comes to transporting them or carrying them. A foldable bike can help resolve this point of pain. Whether you're taking it on the bus, subway, to an upstairs apartment, etc., it's easy to fold and store. The one downside is the high comparative price point to do so. The Tern Vectron S10 costs more than double what some of the other models do, clocking in around the $4,000 mark.

Obrea Gain

If you're looking for a lightweight women's e-bike, the Obrea Gain is the right selection for you. It weights just 30 pounds, which is much less than most other electric bikes on the market today. But its motor still packs a nice punch. It comes in at a price point of around $3,300.

Liv Embolden E+

Looking to take your e-bike off the pavement and onto the trails? The Liv Embolden E+ is a women's e-bike that is intended for mountain biking purposes. Designed for the trail or dirt road, the tires are a bit wider and the frame is designed to be a bit more sturdy. And the pedal assist feature will make even the steepest slopes all the more manageable. The bike comes in at a price point of about $3,700.

Contact SixThreeZero Today

Electric bikes are the future, as they offer a sustainable means of transportation while not losing sight of the fitness benefits that are associated with cycling. And as technology continues to advance and battery range continues to make strides, we're likely only going to be seeing more e-bikes on the streets and sidewalks, perhaps even replacing motor vehicles in some households. For more information on how to select a women's electric bike and for a closer look at the various models and features to consider as it pertains to selecting an e-bike, contact SixThreeZero today. As a leading bike maker, we supply a range of electric bike models for women, including hybrids, cruisers, comfort bikes, tricycles, fat tire bikes and more.

Like we said in the beginning, electric bikes are for everyone - but it's important to purchase based on riding style and posture. Contact SixThreeZero today for more information on the vast line of women's e-bike models that we have in stock.