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As a woman, it’s easy to appreciate the benefits of riding a commuter bike to work or anywhere else. The workout, the convenience of not dealing with traffic, and the massive savings because you don’t have to fuel your car daily. But what should you look for when choosing a commuter bike for women?
Choosing a commuter bike for women comes down to two things: safety and comfort. You are unlikely to commit to riding regularly if it feels like a chore and leaves you with aches and pains. The type, size, and specific components of the bike all come to play here.
To help you choose a commuter bike for women, I’ll look through all the above variables and figure out the most important features to look for. I’ll also fill you in on the best commuter bikes for women and recommend a few that’ll be just right.
What To Look For in Commuter Bikes for Women
The first thing you should know about choosing a commuter bike is that it doesn’t have to be women-specific. Many brands today have a women-specific line, but most bikes are unisex. So if you see a bike you like, don’t be afraid to check it out even if it’s not in the women’s section.
With that out of the way, let’s look at three primary factors when choosing a commuter bike for women.
Type of Commuter Bike
When looking for a commuter bike, the first question you should ask yourself is, what type of riding do I plan to do? This will help you determine the right bike because different commuter bikes are better suited for different situations.
For example, do you plan to ride leisurely on Sunday afternoons on a flat highway, or will you take the bike to work daily and deal with rough roads, hilly terrain, and long distances?
When you’re buying commuter bikes, here are the three types you’re most likely to come across:
- Hybrid bike. A hybrid commuter bike incorporates the speed and lightness of a road bike and the comfortable seating position, front suspension, and flat handlebars of a mountain bike. This makes it fully optimized for urban riding, and there’s no road terrain it can’t handle. It’s the bike you want if you have a long commute to work daily on not-so-perfect roads.
- Single-speed bike. As the name suggests, this bike only has one gear, so it can’t climb hills or ride long distances. This is the best bike if you take rides around your city because it offers a hassle-free riding experience and requires almost zero maintenance. Single-speed bikes can also pick up high speeds if you like.
- Comfort bike. A comfortable commuter bike is designed to be extremely comfortable, thanks to the lowered top tube, low saddle heights, and comfortable sitting position. The bike won’t pick up high speed or take you for those long, rough terrains, but they’re perfect for slow, comfortable rides across open parks and street lanes. If you like taking leisurely rides in the evening just for fun, this is the bike for you.
Appropriate Size
For optimum comfort and safety when riding a bike, you must choose the right size. A bike that’s too big or small will compromise comfort and force you into riding positions that make it hard to ride a bike safely. Physically fitting the bike is the best way to feel if it’s the right size for you, or you can also get a specialist guide on size.
Ideally, you’ll be looking at:
- Height. The height of a bicycle is determined by the seat tube — that is, the vertical bar from pedal cranks to the saddle. There should be some clearance between the seat tube and your crotch area when you stand over the bike with your legs apart. For saddle height, place your foot on the pedal when it’s at the bottom. Your leg should be straight if you’re sitting.
- Stretch. The length of the seat tube also matters because it determines how far you are from the steering grips. Unfortunately, this one has no simple rule of thumb, so you have to get on the bike and feel how stretched you are. Make sure you’re not too bunched up or stretched. Your hands should feel at ease, whether leaning forward or sitting up straight.
Brakes
Commuter bikes come with three different types of brakes — rim, mechanical disc, and hydraulic disc brakes. Rim brakes are the cheapest, and you’ll usually find them in city bikes, but they don’t stop well, especially under wet conditions.
Mechanical disc brakes are mid-priced and feature stronger stopping power but aren’t as good as hydraulic disc brakes. Bikes with hydraulic disc brakes tend to be a tad expensive, but it’s worth it if you’re riding in heavy traffic or on hilly roads.
Although the size, brakes, and type aren’t the only important factors, you can change almost everything else on the bike if you don’t like it. Specifically, you can change the tires, handlebars, and saddle to get better ones.
The Best Commuter Bikes for Women
Now that I’ve discussed what to look for in a commuter bike for women, let’s talk about the best ones available. Our best brand is Schwinn because they make high-quality bikes at a very budget-friendly price. However, our list of best commuter bikes also includes other brands.
Schwinn Hinge Adult Folding Bike
There are benefits to having a folding commuter bike. You can easily fold up and board it when you need to take a bus or train to the next destination. Also, if you sometimes worry that your precious bike can be stolen outside, a folding bike allows you to go with it inside.
But that’s not all you get with the Schwinn Hinge Adult Folding Bike. It’s a 1-speed drivetrain bike which means you can coast along when you want to stop pedaling. The bike also has full-wrap fenders to protect you from mud and water and a rear carrying rack for your bag.
We love that it’s a comfortable bike with a very soft saddle and an upright seating position. And as with all Schwinn bikes, it comes with a lifetime warranty because they’re confident in its strength and durability.
Schwinn Discover Women’s Commuter Bike
If your daily commute is rough and hilly, the Schwinn Discover Women’s Commuter Bike will be an excellent partner. Its 21-speed drivetrain and front fork suspension work well together to make the ride easier and more comfortable. It also comes with beautiful knobby tires that work well on wet and dry roads and alloy linear-pull brakes to deliver exceptional stopping power.
Because Schwinn also values comfort, this bike features soft handlebar grips, a suspension seat post, and a Schwinn hybrid saddle. The Discover also comes with a rear carrier if you want to carry something big and fenders to prevent splashes and grits.
sixthreezero Around the Block Women’s Cruiser
If reliability and comfort are important to you when looking for a commuter bike, the sixthreezero Cruiser Bike won’t disappoint. This bike has many options of speeds to purchase 1-, 3- ,7-, or 21-speed and also comes in 24″or 26″ wheels. The bike also features front and rear handbrakes with foam hand grips plus rear rack for luggage.
As for comfort, this cruiser bike has a robust steel frame and fork to keep the ride smooth and stable. It also comes with swept-back handlebars for that comfortable upright position and a cushy spring seat to absorb impact as you ride.
What we loved most about this bike is that it comes in 12 beautiful colors. It’s also easy to assemble, completely maintenance-free, and you can adjust the seat to suit your height.
Conclusion
While I can recommend all kinds of amazing commuter bikes for women, the best way to find the right one for you is to try it out. If that’s not possible, seek an expert’s advice (like your local bike shop) on the best size for you. They’ll measure your inseam and hands to know how high and long the bike should be. To be on the safe side though, get a bike that allows you to adjust things like the handlebar, seat post, and saddle.
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