7 Best Road Bikes For Women Tested By Pro Bikers
We tested women’s road bike models from Hiland, Schwinn, Giordano, Head, and three other cycling brands to find the best road bikes for women.
Are you searching for the best road bikes for your wife, daughter, or girlfriend? Let’s be honest; every woman has a different body shape, weight, and height from each other. With so many options of road bike models in the market, it can be very hard to decide which will be best for your women.
We are here to help you choose the most suitable fitness road bike for any woman. So, keep reading this review to find the most appropriate and affordable road bike option for your female family without breaking the bank. We also mention the recommended height and weight in the features section and describe each road bike. It will help you quickly find suitable options for your wife or daughter.
In this latest review, we researched and selected the top 13 most popular and highly in-demand women’s road bikes and tested them on various roads of the Santa Ynez Valley of California for comparison. Based on our final results Schwinn Phocus and Hiland Commuter are the best road bikes for women. Both models come with adjustable seat and super-relax geometry and compatible with the height and weight of any female rider.
Below, we have made a list of the best road bikes for women after completing the test and ranking procedure. All these bike models have comfortable seats, drop-down handlebars, anti-slip fast tires, and much more. If you have a specific or low budget, then you can see our latest review on the best road bikes under 200. We also have tested the best maternity bike shorts review in collaboration with gynecologist doctors.
Best Road Bikes For Women
Image | Product | Features | Price |
1 | Schwinn Phocus Adult Road Bike | ||
2 | Hiland Road Commuter Bike | ||
3 | Giordano Aversa Road Bike | ||
4 | Schwinn Volare Sports Road Bike | ||
5 | Outroad PanAme Speed Bike | ||
6 | Hiland Alliance Aluminum Bike | ||
7 | Giordano Libero Women Road Bike |
1. Schwinn Phocus Adult Road Bike For Women
Features:
- Lightweight Rust-Proof Aluminum Frame
- Aluminum Handlebar, Stem, and Seat Post
- Shimano 14-Speed Microshift Trigger Shifter
- Alloy Disc or Caliper Alloy Brakes Option
- Comfortable Bike Seat & Soft Handle Grips
- Front & Rear Quick Release Alloy Wheels
- Suitable For 5’4” to 6’2″ Tall Female Riders
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 280 Pounds
This Schwinn Phocus Road Bike is constructed using a lightweight and rust-proof aluminum frame, handlebar, and seat post to make it super light and easy for female riders to handle. Like the Schwinn Volare, this Schwinn Phocus road bike also comes with quick-release adjustable seat posts, providing the best riding position for 5’4″ to 6’2″ tall female riders.
We were personally impressed with its aerodynamic geometry, which provides a perfect weight-to-speed ratio for riding at fast speeds. The complete Shimano 14-speed micro-shift trigger shifter and rear derailleur provide accurate speed changes for various road surfaces.
We purchased two models for testing: one with caliper and the other with disc brakes. We found that alloy caliper brakes were less responsive in wet conditions but gave quick, responsive stopping force in dry conditions. Schwinn offers this bike Volare series in flat and drop handlebar options.
2. Hiland Road Commuter Bike
Features:
- Hi-Tensile Carbon Steel Frame
- Shimano 14-Speed Trigger Shifter
- Dual Alloy Caliper Hand Brakes
- Curved Handlebar For Best Position
- Double Wall Aluminum Alloy Wheels
- Best For 5’7″ to 5’11” Tall Female Riders
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 330 Pounds
In the world of road bike cycling, this Hilland Road Commuter Bike is popular among female riders due to its curved handlebar, which provides a comfortable position. You will never feel pain in your back, shoulder, or arms, even in long-distance fast rides.
The excellent combination of a Shimano 14-speed shifter and an alloy brake lever at the same place on the handlebar provides quick gear shifting and full control of the bike’s speed. Hiland gently uses a high-tensile carbon steel frame to make it super-light, and this bike has only 31 pounds total weight, including wheels, which is almost similar to the above aluminum frame bikes we tested.
You will also get double-wall alloy rims and 700c sports tires that have low rolling resistance and provide fast speed. During assembly and testing, we found that its seat was not adjustable, and the left shifter was slightly stiff. Still, we gently fixed that issue and never again disturbed it during test rides. However, this Hiland road bike is suitable for 5’7 “to 5’11” tall female riders.
3. Giordano Aversa Road Bike For Women
Features:
- Rust-Proof Aluminum Frame Material
- Hi-Tensile Alloy Carbon Steel Fork
- Shimano 14-Speed Shifter & Drivetrain
- Front & Rear Alloy Caliper Hand Brakes
- 32-Hole Double Wall Aluminum Alloy Rims
- 29-Inch Wheels & 700x25c Sports Tires
- Suitable For 5’6” to 6’4″ Tall Females
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 250 Pounds
This Giordano Aversa Road Bike model is constructed of a lightweight aluminum frame and features super-relax aerodynamic geometry, providing an easy-to-start and easy-to-stop facility. We were impressed enough to consider it a great choice for female riders. Giordano uses invisible welding technology to give a smooth feeling of touch at the joining points of the bike frame.
Its Shimano 14-speed shifter and drivetrain provide effortless speed changes for various road types. Other reliable specifications include a carbon steel fork, dual alloy caliper brakes, sports seat, 32-hole double-wall alloy rims, 29-inch wheels, and 700x25c sports tires, along with a free kickstand, CPSC reflectors, and a pre-drilled mount for the water bottle cage.
The company did not mention the recommended weight limit for this road bike on its product page. During analysis and testing, we found that its 29-inch wheel size is perfect for 5’6″ to 6’4″ tall females, and its maximum weight limit is 250 pounds. So, if your wife or daughter is tall, slim, and smart, then we will highly recommend this road bike for them due to its easy-to-control facility.
4. Schwinn Volare Sports Road Bike
Features:
- Rust-Proof Aluminum Frame Material
- Shimano 14 & 21-Speed Trigger Shifter
- Adjustable Seat & Double Density Grips
- Front & Rear Alloy Linear Pull Hand Brakes
- Double Wall Alloy Rims & Grippy Tires
- Suitable For 5’4″ to 6’2″ Tall Female Riders
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 280 Pounds
This Schwinn Volare Road Bike is a super-light and speedy road bike for females. It features a strong, rust-proof Aluminum frame. An adjustable sports seat makes this bike suitable for 5’4″ to 6’2″ tall female riders, allowing them to easily get a comfortable riding position. Its wind-breaking frame design provides easy handling even in fast-speed rides.
With this road bike, you can choose from Shimano 14-speed and 21-speed trigger shifter options. Both are smooth, precise, and accurate for female riders who love fast speeds. Furthermore, the dual linear pull brakes also provide valuable and secure stopping power to easily control bike speed.
Our testers were impressed with the good combination of double-wall alloy rims and 700C grippy sport tires, which provide low rolling resistance and excellent performance on both flat and gravel roads. During the assembly of this bike, we have to remove the pre-assembled brakes to install the front wheel, which may be a time-consuming process for beginners. Despite this issue, Schwinn Volare is our top recommendation for female riders.
5. Outroad PanAme Speed Road Bike
Features:
- Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Frame
- Shimano 21-Speed Trigger Shifter
- Front & Rear Linear Pull V-Brakes
- 11-Inch Long Adjustable Sports Seat
- Built-In Holes For Water Bottle Holder
- Double Wall Rims & Anti-Slip Racing Tires
- Suitable Size For 5’3″-6’0” Tall Females
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 330 Pounds
This Outroad Road Bike offers good airflow and a smooth riding experience and is specially made for budget-friendly female riders. When we purchased it for testing, its price was less than 150 dollars. You will hardly find rust-proof lightweight aluminum alloy frames and bold forks built using invisible welding technology at an affordable price.
Its maximum weight limit is impressive, and it can easily hold up to 330 pounds for heavy riders. Another surprising feature that shocked our testers is that this low-budget road bike has a Shimano 21-speed trigger shifter normally found in expensive racing road bikes. A bonus gift from Outroad company is its 11-inch comfortable aero seat, specially made for long-distance rides. It provides adjustable heights to fit 5’3 “-6’0” tall female riders.
Other essential features include front and rear linear-pull V-brakes, double-wall rims, anti-slip racing tires, a bold shock-resistant fork, and a pre-drilled mount for a water bottle cage. This is not a famous brand, and some users face issues with non-professional customer support behavior. Overall, if you have a low budget and want high-quality road bikes for your wife or daughter, then you should choose this one.
6. Hiland Alliance Aluminum Road Bike
Features:
- Lightweight Rust-Proof Aluminum Frame
- Shimano 14-Speed Shifter & Derailleur
- Front & Rear Alloy Hand Caliper Brakes
- Aerodynamic Handlebar & Sports Seat
- 700c Nin-Silo Wear Resistance Sports Tires
- Solid & Rust-Proof Double Wall Alloy Rims
- Three Sizes For 5’4″ to 6’7″ Tall Females
- Maximum Weight Limit Is 330 Pounds
This Hiland Alliance Road Bike Model is a special gift for female riders who want a super-light and easy-to-control bike for their daily commuting. This bike has the lowest weight of 12 kg compared to other models in the list and comes with an aluminum frame and double-wall aluminum rims, so it is easy to move and stop.
Its 700c non-silo sports tires are combined with Presta valves, which maintain air pressure and do not leak air from tires for a long time. Hiland uses advanced caliper brakes in this road bike, which provide good stopping power even in rainy weather conditions.
We did not like the location of the Shimano 14-speed shifter in the center of the handlebar because you have to leave one hand from the handlebar to shift gears. Some professional female racers did not feel any issue with this facility’s separate location of the shifter from the brakes. This Hiland road bike is available in three sizes for 5’4″ to 6’7″ ‘tall female riders.
7. Giordano Libero Aluminum Road Bike
Features:
- Rust-Proof Aluminum Alloy Frame
- High Tensile Alloy Steel Rigid Fork
- Shimano Claris STI 16-Speed Shifter
- Front & Rear Alloy Pivot Hand Brakes
- Double Wall Alloy Rims & Slim Tires
- Three Sizes Available For 5’2″ to 6’4”
- Recommended Weight Limit Is 250 Pounds
This Giordano Libero Aluminum Road Bike is super-light, only weighing 26 pounds. It is a smart choice for female riders who want to enjoy peaceful urban commuting and aggressive gravel road riding. Giordano offers a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and advanced features without breaking the bank.
Based on Giordano Libero’s design, its aerodynamic handlebars, wind-breaking geometry, and narrow sports tires provide fast-rolling speed over flat and rough road surfaces. In addition, the well-chosen combination of Shimano Claris 16-speed drivetrain and Shimano STI shifters is supportive.
Its alloy pivot hand brakes are brilliantly simple and impressive to provide secure stopping power. You will also get double aluminum rims, a free kickstand, and CPSC reflectors. However, when we received this bike for testing, we did find complete screws in the box; as a human being, this may be the mistake of the packaging staff. We love its speed and low weight, which is perfect for females.
Why You Should Trust Us:
Our female testers spent more than five months riding these road bikes on the roads of Santa Ynez Valley, California, to check out how easy each bike is to handle and how comfortable it can give a riding experience. Our testing began by researching and buying the most popular and best road bikes for women in the online market.
After purchasing, our female bike testers ride each bike on the same roads and with the same riding styles to easily evaluate and compare its strength and performance.
Before testing, we measure each bike’s total weight, the wheels and frame size, and the geometry design’s compatibility with women’s body shape and personal preferences, such as brake response, handle grips, seat padding, tire quality, and shifter smoothness.
During testing, we perform different riding styles, such as slow speed, fast speed, and sudden brakes, quickly move the bike from flat roads to side rough areas to check handling, and make detailed notes on the performance of each bike component under different riding situations.
After testing, we analyze test reports of our female testers and calculate our ranking metrics to give scoring and ranking to each bike model to decide the winning road bike for women. Many hours of our testers have used real-world testing and analyzing each bike model for this review to judge the quality of these road bikes for women rather than just getting them out of the box.
Our Ranking Metrics:
Our testing and rating metrics to choose the best road bikes for women cover the following ranking criteria:
- Bike Weight Test ( Frame Material & Components Used)
- Speed Test (Shifter Performance + Tires Quality)
- Speed Control Features (Brakes Quality)
- Comfort And (Stable Geometry + Seat Quality)
- Riding Positions ( Seat And Handlebar Position)
- Price Point (Frame Material + Additional Extras)
The most important factors to consider when choosing a road bike for women are frame design, total bike weight, and drop handle design, which account for about 40% of the total ranking metrics.
Our Testing Team Members:
Stephon Batz is the most senior road bike tester, has become a professional cyclist, and has spent over 15 years in different cycling competitions. He has over six years of experience coaching a cycling club or road bike team. Before joining Best Bikes Lab, Stephon spent over 10 years working as a professional bike mechanic and sales manager in a bike shop in Springfield, Illinois. He has excellent experience in sourcing different road bike brands.
Bart Summers is a senior staff writer for our road bike reviews and has written many cycling books for beginners and professional road bike racers. In that book, Bart shares his 17 years of experience in bike riding. He was an active participant in different racing competitions from 2005 to 2002. His most famous cycling book is “50 Top Bike Racing Tips,” in which he provides useful and essential tips for beginners and cycling racers. He joined us in 2023 as a freelance writer to collect testing details from our road bike test team and write review articles.
How We Tested Women’s Road Bikes:
Our test team gathered a list of the most popular women’s road bike models and chose 13 top road bikes to purchase for testing. After assembling, we allocated each bike to our female bike testers, who spent up to 40 hours per week for more than five months on racing tracks and gravel roads.
During test rides, they also prepare notes on the quality and performance of each road bike to evaluate the best road bikes for women. After scoring each bike using our ranking metrics, we selected the top eight road bikes we think are best for any female rider. We also mention the total bike weight, recommended weight, and height of females and additional specifications for each road bike so that you can easily find the best option for your wife, daughter, or girlfriend according to their body shape and riding style.
Affiliate Disclosure:
As affiliates, we are responsible for informing you that we earn money from affiliate marketing to run this website. Everyone works for money to make a living for their home and family and re-invest in business. We use affiliate links in this review and may receive a commission from the manufacturer to help us buy new bikes for our upcoming reviews. If you buy from our affiliate link, we may get a commission from the supplier. It will not affect the final price of the product you purchase through our link. For more details, read our affiliate disclosure policy.
Conclusion:
Finding a suitable road bike for women can be very time-consuming and complex, especially when you buy from an online market without any opportunity to test-ride the bike before purchasing. To solve this problem, our testing team continuously researched and tested different road bikes to save you time, effort, money, and much more.
A few important features to consider when choosing a road bike for a woman include the lowest possible bike weight, tire rolling, wind-breaking frame design, relaxed geometry, and a secure speed control system. Our bike experts use their years of experience and knowledge to determine which road bike would be universal and best for women. We hope this review will help you find the best road bikes for your wife, daughter, sister, or family.