Women have a lower center of gravity, typically making them better balanced, and the strongest muscles in a woman's body tend to be her legs. According to Bodybuilding.com, women have stronger leg muscles than men in relation to other muscles in their bodies. Although bicycles have often been geared towards men, most companies are beginning to make mountain bike models for women, taking into account their lighter, smaller frames.
Giant Cypher 1, "W"
This bike was designed with a woman in mind; it has a lightweight ALUXX SL frame and 5 inches of Maestro travel, making it light, comfortable and fast. It has a decreased headset angle and a shorter cockpit length, increasing handling and maneuverability. As a full suspension bike, you get 120 mm of total travel, allowing you to cruise over rocks and roots with minimal shock and with less pedal bob. On Mtbr.com, the go-to review website for cyclists, it rated higher than 4.5 out of 5. It is available in 18-inch frames at most locations, or online.
Specialized Myka FSR Comp
If you are new to the sport, or looking for a good-quality bike at an affordable price, the Specialized Myka FSR may be your best bet. As a full-suspension bike, it has 100 mm of travel and women's specific cross-country trail geometry, creating a lightweight bike that can handle the rigors of off-roading. You have the option to lockout your travel, allowing for customized climbing experiences without ineffective pedal bobbing motions. In other words, you can climb efficiently, comfortably and without a great deal of effort. At an affordable price, and available in 18-inch sizes, the Myka is an excellent choice for beginner riders.
Specialized Safire
If you are looking for a bike to shred some serious downhill trails, the Specialized Safire may be more your cup of tea. This bike actually has a "brain." A qualified specialist will tune the "Brain" rear shock to suit your specific needs, potentially providing an excellent blend of pedaling efficiency and shock absorption. More expensive than the Myka, the Safire is for women that want to make an investment in their mountain bike riding. Mtbr.com's user reviews give it a 4.4 out of 5.
Scott Contessa
The Contessa line from Scott is a fully modified line of mountain bikes for serious women riders. If you are looking for a hardtail, or a bike with only front suspension, the Contessa line has quite a few to choose from, from the 10 to the 50. The Contessa 20 and 30 are available in an 18-inch frame, and are considered excellent bikes for trail and all-mountain riding. Bikeradar.com states that the Contessa 30 "is a bike that far out-rides its meager price. The riding position is beautifully balanced, allowing you to maintain perfect poise when pushing hard through tricky technical steps or on the climbs." The Contessas feature integrated headtubes for a lighter weight without sacrificing strength, a front fork with 100 mm of travel with lockout option and a Richey Logic integrated headset. The 20 model is slightly higher quality, with its brakes upgraded to Shimano's hydraulic disc brakes. Both bikes feature eye-catching colors and feminine touches that are sure to leave an impression on men you pass on the steep climbs.
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