The Best Women's Bikes For Beginners

Maybe you want to exercise more for personal health or enjoyment. Or perhaps you're looking to trade your car in for a bicycle to save money? Maybe you have just moved to a big city and want a bike to get around easier? Or perhaps you're picking up a new hobby and want to hit the dirt trails or the boardwalk with friends?

Whatever the reason behind your decision to purchase a bike, let it be known that if you're a novice rider, you shouldn't be looking to break the bank on a high-end model. And while this is true for both men and women riders, in this post, we're going to focus specifically on beginning women riders. We'll kick things off with some information about what to look for and understand when it comes to bike shopping and finding a solid, entry-level bike model. And then later on in the piece, we'll talk about some of the best entry-level bikes on the market today. Here's a closer look at what you need to know about the best women's bikes for beginner riders:

What to Look for in a Good Beginner's Bike

Say you've made the decision to purchase a beginner's bike. Do you know what to look for as far as features are concerned? The number of gears and brake type is one thing, but there are various other intangibles that we'd encourage women (and anyone really) to weigh as well. We've compiled this list of features that you're going to want to weigh before making the purchase. Here's a look at some of the leading things you'll want to look for:

Price

First things first, remember that this is a beginner's bike. And noting this, you shouldn't be looking to break the bank on the top-line, name-brand, state-of-the-art model. We'll say it again - it's a beginner's bike. You want to start on the lower end, get the hang of things, get into riding and then gradually work your way up as you ride more and need a better model of bike to support your fitness habit or riding purpose. You should be able to get a quality, well-made beginner's bike at an affordable price. Think entry-level model, not something for an experienced, seasoned rider.

Know Your End Use

Make sure you don't just pick a bike that looks cool and meets your budget - not all bikes are created for the same end use. There are mountain bikes, cruisers, electric bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes and more - and they all come in entry-level, beginner's models. So make sure that you know what your intended end use is with the bike. Are you looking for off-road trails? Or are you just looking to cruise around your neighborhood and get some exercise? The bike you select should be based on your end use.

Fit Matters

The big difference between men's and women's bikes is the length from the seat to the handlebars. That's because men tend to be bigger than women, so bikes are designed and manufactured accordingly for these two sexes. So if you're looking for a women's beginner's bike, first things first - make sure the bike is designed for women. Next, you'll want to get fitted so you know what type of bike would work best for your posture and personal preference. You can either do this in person in the store or take a fit test online to discover the bike specs that would likely meet your size and preferences. Don't just buy a bike on a whim - make sure you're sized properly to ride it, or else you're not likely to have a positive experience.

Accessories

While accessories may not be as important as some of the other features to look for on this list (i.e., fit and price), it is worth it to pay attention to any value-added features that an entry-level bike comes with. For instance, are you looking for a bike with a basket to help with transporting groceries or other supplies? What about a water bottle holder? Does it have an extended seat to make it accessible for more than one rider? Pay attention to these smaller details, as they could become the deciding factor between two beginner's bikes that you value equally.

Weight

Like the accessories that we mentioned above, weight isn't so much of a make it or break it feature when it comes to selecting an entry-level bike. But go back to the point of your riding purpose for a moment and consider where this bike is going to be used and where it's going to be stored when it's not being used. Will it be parked in a garage? Will it need to be hauled upstairs to an apartment or into an office building? The weight of the bike should play a factor if you expect to be carrying it or hauling it.

Other Considerations

There are various other factors that you may want to weigh as well when it comes to selecting a beginner's bike. Some of these include:

• Frame material: Carbon fiber is the best combination of lightweight and durability, but steel and aluminum frames are good options as well. The frame material has a large influence on the overall weight of the bike.
• Brakes: Bikes often come with either caliper style brakes or disc brakes.
• Drivetrain: Most entry-level bikes come with very basic drivetrains. The nice thing about bike drivetrains, however, is that if you really like the bike that you've purchased, you can also spend some money to upgrade to a better drivetrain in the future.
• Tires: The size and width of tires isn't just something that you may want to consider, but so too is whether they're tubeless. Tubeless wheels, though not available on many entry-level models, essentially can't be pinched or punctured. This translates to a lesser likelihood that you'll ever get a flat tire while you're out riding.
• Personal preference: It's important to note this as well - how much do you like the bike? Is it comfortable to ride? Do you like the style? Be sure that the entry-level bike that you're purchasing is something that you will enjoy riding and can suit your personal preferences for the years to come.

Top Women's Bikes for Beginners

Now that we've gone over some of the considerations that you want to weigh when looking for a good entry-level bike, let's take a closer look at some of the top women's bikes for beginners on the market today. These models range from electric to general purpose. Here's a closer look:

Liv Avail AR 4

At under $1,000, the price is right on the Liv Avail AR. And when you consider that the bike is designed to be a solid all-around entry-level bike option, then there's peace of mind after the purchase that it will hold up just as well on the light trail as it will on the sidewalk or street. Technically, the bike is characterized as an "endurance" bike, meaning that it's designed to provide more of a relaxed and stable fit. The tires are also a bit larger and wider than your standard bike. And with disc brakes, it also offers solid stopping power.

Schwinn Phocus 1400

When it comes to any type of bike, you can't go wrong with a brand name like Schwinn. And the brand's Phocus 1400 offers a smooth ride with comfort and durability that you won't get from many other models. Part of the secret is in the carbon fiber frame, which helps it maintain a lightweight, yet durable profile. With 16 gear speeds, alloy caliper road brakes and high profile rims, you can ensure that you're riding in style. And weighing only 27 pounds, it's light enough to carry just about anywhere. For women who want a little bit larger entry-level bike, Schwinn also makes the Phocus 1600.

Giordano Livero Women's Bike

Classified as a road bike, the Giordano Livero comes in both men's and women's versions, so it's important to select the one for women if it is atop your shopping list. It's an affordable option, available at a price point that's significantly less than most other bikes in its class with similar features. Speaking of features, it offers an aluminum frame to permit good stability and fast-shifting gears. While it's intended more to be ridden on pavement, it can be used for some light off-roading as well. And one of the nice things is that it's available in both tall and short versions, so it's not difficult to find a fit that works best for you. At just 25 pounds, it's lightweight enough to go anywhere. And we'll say it again - it's one of the more affordable quality entry-level options that you'll find for women.

Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser

We'll round out this list with the Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser, a true women's bike based on its design and color availability. And while it's only a single speed bike, it's also among the best entry-level models that you can get for your money. That's part of why so many women like it as an option - it's simple. There's nothing overly complex about it, you just hop on and ride. With tires designed for all-purpose riding, a lightweight build available in either steel or aluminum and a stylish cruiser frame, it's not difficult to see why so many have selected the Firmstrong Urban Lady Beach Cruiser as their starting point as they get into bike riding.

The Top Women's Bike: SixThreeZero EVRYjourney

While the five options that we listed above are all solid entry-level bikes for women, there's one that stands out from the rest: the EVRYjourney from SixThreeZero. This hybrid bike combines comfort and all-purpose, making it an ideal selection for anyone that's interested in getting into bike riding. Its design makes for an ergonomic riding fit that keeps the back upright and the body's joints tension-free. And its frame provides enough durability for many years of riding fun and enjoyment. To learn more about the EVRYjourney and what makes it such a great choice for an entry-level bike, contact SixThreeZero today.

Contact SixThreeZero Today

For more information on what features to look for in a quality entry-level bike and to learn more about the EVRYjourney and other models from SixThreeZero, contact us today. We're standing by and ready to conduct fit tests to pair you with the perfect bike model based on your posture, riding style and personal preferences. Contact SixThreeZero today for more information about what makes for an ideal entry-level bike for women.