Best Mountain Bikes for Women

Mountain bikes for women have undergone incredible advancement in geometry and features, so that size and color are of least importance today. Female-specific mountain bikes boast an array of options, from women-specific handlebars and softer suspension to women-friendly pressure points and adequacy to women’s body shape. 

The price range is equally versatile, and when choosing among the best women's mountain bikes, three key points will have the final say: your budget, your needs, and your biking skills. But, if you start analyzing the market offer, it’ll take up much of your time, so let’s cut the chase and tell you our best overall pick.

Huffy Exxo - Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike

With a tradition of over a century, Huffy bikes are still thriving on the market thanks to their innovative styles, superior materials, and excellent component selection.

The Huffy Exxo has a lightweight aluminum frame that comes with a 10-year warranty with available frame selections that range from 15 to 20 inches. It has a super-smooth gear shifter for quickly changing the 21 speeds to alleviate the terrain’s specific conditions. Equipped with Shimano TZ-31 rear derailleur, it guarantees endurance and high-quality performance even when used in the most demanding conditions.

The front Kolo 2200 suspension fork absorbs shocks from bumps and obstacles regardless of the speed or the trail difficulty. Tires play a significant role in enhancing the mountain biking experience, so the Exxo mountain bike comes with knobby tires in three available sizes: 24”, 26” 27.5”. Huffy claims the tires to be all-terrain suitable in wet or dry conditions.

Brakes are the ultimate key to safety, so the Exxo comes with alloy linear-pull brakes or rim brakes combined with machined alloy rims. It is not the perfect choice for a mountain bike, but they are solid and reliable. 

The ergonomic design featuring slightly raised handlebar, Kraton grips, comfy seat, and ATB-type resin pedals situated on a 3-piece crank, all add to its quality. Shortly, it is the best mountain bike for women.

Northwoods Aluminum Full Suspension Mountain Bike 

If your mountain biking passion is larger than your budget, we present you with Northwoods Aluminum Full Suspension Mountain Bike. The bike offers a fantastic bang for your buck without extremely cutting down on quality features, as you might expect for bikes that price. 

Northwoods features a lightweight aluminum frame and weighs about 42 lbs, which allows the rider to get a good feel and control. The front suspension is a steel fork that features 50 mm travel without the adjustability option. In contrast, the rare suspension features a spring system that absorbs shocks quickly and works very well.

The bike has 21 speeds that quickly shift by using Speed Twist shifters. Shimano rear derailleur is the right choice for smooth gear switching. The dual linear-pull brakes come as an expected choice considering the price, but they perform well in normal circumstances. You may need to be more careful when biking on wet or muddy terrains as the grip might weaken.

The alloy rim wheels come in two sizes, 24 and 26 inches. The wide and knobby tires are suitable for the price range, and you can expect sufficient traction while riding on bumpy and muddy terrains. 

All in all, it is a reliable bike considering the price, even though it is not recommended for aggressive riding on demanding technical trails.

Royce Union RMA All-Terrain Mountain Bike

The style has always been a part of women’s lives, so if you’re looking for a blend of style and functionality, Royce Union RMA is an excellent option to consider. The ultimate trail companion, as biking experts have called it, guarantees control and reliability wherever you are.

The 17” aluminum frame matches most women’s needs, and there’s also a possibility for a smaller, 15” frame. It is equipped with a front Zoom suspension fork for a smooth ride and combined with the alloy front load 4-bolt stem that comes with a threadless headset. 

Shimano components add durability to the overall construction, and these include a complete Shimano drivetrain with 21 speeds. Gears shift smoothly thanks to the Shimano EZ Fire Plus Trigger combined with the Shimano Altus rear indexed derailleur for extra precision. Practically, you can shift the gear by using your index finger and the thumb without much effort. 

The RMA mountain bike comes with alloy linear-pull brakes that ensure instant stopping power in different terrain conditions. The 27.5-inch alloy wheels are a bit larger when it comes to women’s mountain bikes, but they allow you to maintain momentum and easy roll downhill. And to be able to ride even on technical trails, the all-terrain tread tires are good to start with, even though you might need an upgrade as your skills advance. 

The padded, easy-to-adjust seat and Krayton grips add comfort, so it is an excellent mountain bike for women who love spending lots of time exploring the trails.

Hiland Mountain Bike for Women

This model has been designed to match the needs of a woman mountain biker. The lightweight aluminum frame is smaller and features female-adapted geometry that makes cycling more comfortable. The frame comes in two size options. The 16-inch frame is suitable for a person from 5’1” to 5’9” tall, while the 16.5-inch frame fits the best women up to 6’ tall.

Hiland is a hardtail bike with an impressive front Lock-Out suspension fork. It significantly reduces the vibrations from bumpy trails and delivers excellent support. The 24-speed shifter is easy to handle, and it comes combined with Shimano TZ500 rear derailleur. 

Women riders can also choose from 26 and 27.5-inch alloy wheels. The tires are knobby, wide and ensure stability on all terrains. The dual disc brakes deliver confidence that you can enjoy even more demanding terrains without the fear of accidents.

Schwinn Mesa 1 Mountain Bike

The Schwinn Mesa 1 is a women’s mountain bike intended to appeal to more advanced riders. It is a hardtail aluminum bike with a medium-size frame that matches women-specific biking needs, recommended for women from 5’6” to 5’10” height. However, if you look for smaller or larger frame sizes, you can choose from the additional frame sizes.

The front SR Suntour XCT30 D suspension fork allows you to explore various trails, such as dirt paths, gravel, or even technical trails. One of the best features Mesa 1 boasts, is the braking system, i.e., the Shimano Br-MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, which are rarely found in bikes of this price point. Hydraulic disc brakes offer the best and the most reliable stopping power and guarantee optimal safety while braking on turns, downhill, or on wet terrain.

But brakes are not the only Shimano component. It also comes with a Shimano Acera 24-speed drivetrain combined with one of the best Shimano shifters- Rapidfire. Gear shifting is convenient and fast, and it won’t distract you on your ride. 

The alloy 27.5-inch wheels are sturdy and stable, while the tires are wide and knobby so that you can easily tackle any demanding technical terrain.

FAQ

What is the best women’s mountain bike?

This question doesn’t have a straightforward answer since several categories play a vital part in determining the best women’s mountain bike.

The first thing you need to determine is the price range. It is an essential factor to consider as the MTB market offers bikes that range from $200 to high-end $10,000 mountain bikes. Make sure you know and understand what you are looking for.

The next important factor is your fitness level and your biking skills. If you are a beginner biker, then spending a fortune on a bike won’t make much sense as you could use it just occasionally. In such cases, all of the women's mountain bikes on this list will be a perfect match.

Lastly, think about the type of terrain you intend to explore. Trail bikes are the most recommended for beginner or average women riders as with them, you can enjoy any off-road adventures such as cross country rides, moderate technical trails, and even downhill. 

What are the best mountain bikes for the money?

The first thing you need to do is define the price range and then look for the best women's bikes within the price range. If your range is on the higher end, then you could look for higher quality Shimano or SRAM components, airplane-grade aluminum or carbon fiber frame, hydraulic disc brakes, specific saddle, and front and rear suspension. Hardtail bikes are less expensive than full-suspension bikes, but unless you are determined to advance your skills to a pro-level, a hardtail bike with a front suspension is a good option.

What are the best mountain bikes for beginners?

The main difference between entry-level bikes and advanced bikes lies in the component choice and frame material. Since beginners are not expected to go through extreme technical terrains with obstacles and bumps, the components are of lower quality, and therefore they are less expensive. But that doesn’t mean that they are of low quality either.

Mountain bikes for beginners are usually lightweight, easy to handle, and with a medium suspension travel. The frame size usually ranges from 16 to 18 inches while the wheel size goes from 26” to 29”. The frame material is mainly aluminum as it is lightweight and easier to control. Women's beginner bikes are designed to deliver maximum enjoyment when going on a trek, trail, or cross country ride.