There are lots of reasons to buy an electric bike, also known as an e-bike. Perhaps you are trying to drive less and get around more by bike. Or, you might be out of shape or have an impairment that makes an e-assist help you meet your goals of riding a century or climbing up that mountain.
Whatever type of riding you’re planning on doing with your e-bike, we’ve rounded up a list of the best options for women. Some of these are true women’s-specific bikes while others are simply bikes that have a wide variety of sizes and appropriate geometry for ladies.
If you’re brand new to e-bikes, you might also want to scroll all the way to the bottom of the article. There we’ve shared some tips on what to look for–types of motors, batteries, etc.
Electric Commuter Bikes + Recreational Bikes
Do you plan on using your electric bike primarily for running errands and getting to work? If so, they a commuter bike will be your best bet. We’ve got a couple of awesome options for either hauling you around or for hauling you and all your groceries and gear.
Several of these bikes (like the Townie GO and the Civia Parkway) also work really well just for recreational riding. If you want to cruise around the neighborhood or go to the beach, choose a simple Dutch-style bike.
Radpower Radcity
The Radwagon Radcity is the perfect compromise between performance and price. This bike is an affordable, entry-level e-bike for around town riding, but has plenty of power and durability to get you where you need to go.
It has a powerful 750W motor that we’ve found manages to get up even the steepest hills. Climbing is also made easier by the 7-speed drivetrain. (Some of the cheaper Radpower bikes only have one gear).
The bike has built in lights (front and rear) for low light commuting, a rear rack, and bosses to add a front rack to if you would like. Radwagon keeps the price down by not including too many accessories, but there are tons of add-ons you can buy to customize your ride.
We liked that the low standover made it easy to wear a skirt, and the overall vibe felt European and fashionable–not dorky.
Read Our Review: Radpower RadCity
Price: $1,599
Blix Aveny
The Blix Aveny is the perfect bike for riding to work or to the library. The rack on the back can carry your laptop bag or add some panniers to carry groceries. If you have a child, you can also add a Yepp Seat to the rear rack.
This bike has both an electric assist and a throttle which makes getting started easier. The Shengyi motor can propel you up to 20 mph and has a range of 20-40 miles.
The thing we love most about the Blix Aveny is the pricetag. It takes longer to charge than some of the other bikes on this list, and has slightly cheaper components, but it’s a great introductory electric bicycle for anybody who doesn’t want to spend a fortune.
Price (MSRP): $1,599
VVolt Alpha
The VVolt Alpha Step Thru is affordable, simple, and sleek. In fact, this is a bike you might not even notice is an e-bike until you do a double take.
We like the Gates belt drive (which won’t rust and doesn’t need to be lubed), as well as the over all low-maintenance design. Because it doesn’t have an unnecessary suspension fork or fat tires, it is super light weight for an e-bike at only 44 lbs. This means you can ride it home even if the battery dies, which isn’t true of most e-bikes.
Read Our Review: VVolt Alpha Step Thru
Price: $1,399
Cero One
The Cero One is what I’d consider a “light” cargo bike. It has plenty of space for carrying gear in a front basket as well as on the rear rack. This makes it a great choice for women who want to be able to replace trips to the library or grocery store with a bike rather than a car, but don’t want a big bulky cargo bike.
The Cero One isn’t cheap but it is stocked with top of the line components. It’s also super low maintenance thanks to the Gates belt drive and internally geared hub.
Read Our Review: Cero One
Other Electric Commuter Bikes To Consider
- Electra Townie Go* – Super cute cruiser-style electric bike with a quick charging time.
- Specialized Women’s Turbo Vado 3.0 – Thanks to the front-suspension and all-terrain tires, this bike works well on gravel or dirt paths as well as pavement.
- Trek Verve +* – Sleek and fast. Perfect for getting to work in a hurry.
- Radpower Radwagon* – Longtail cargo bike at an affordable price.
Electric Road Bikes
Get a little assist on your next wine country tour or cross-country adventure. These road bikes will get you wherever you want to go (as long as the road there is paved).
Cannondale Topstone NEO
The Cannondale Topstone NEO is designed for long days in the saddle. The endurance-style geometry and “SAVE Micro-Suspension” will help keep you going hour after hour–not to mention the Bosch motor.
The bike is intended for a little bit of everything–road touring, gravel riding, you name it. There is plenty of clearance and lots of bosses for water bottles and racks.
You’ll also appreciate the tubeless-ready WTB wheelset, hydraulic disc brakes, and carbon fork. Just make sure to charge it overnight so you can go hard again tomorrow.
Price: $5,000
Pinarello Dyodo
Everything about the Pinarello Dydodo screams fast, from the sleek red and black paint scheme to the all-carbon build. The bike boasts a full SRAM Force build and Mavic Aksuim wheelset.
This bike will take you wherever you want to go however fast you want to go, and thanks to the stealthy design, folks will have to look real hard to even notice that it’s an e-bike.
Price (MSRP): $7,999
Orbea Gain
At only 30 pounds, the Orbea Gain is significantly lighter than most e-bikes, which means you’ll be able to go further faster. Also, thanks to the hub drive motor, nobody will ever know you have
The bike also boasts a Shimano 105 groupset, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and Ready GR wheelset.
Price (MSRP):$3,299
Other Electric Road Bikes To Consider
- Trek Domane+ *– Trek’s popular endurance race bike with an electric assist.
- Specialized Turbo Creo SL – Super light, super fast, but also super expensive.
Electric Mountain Bikes
If you want to hit up singletrack, dirt roads, or rail trails, a mountain bike is a good choice. These pedal-assist mountain bikes will help you up even the steepest pitches.
Liv Emobolden E+ 2
The Liv Embolden E+ is a women’s-specific electric mountain bike which makes it a good choice for smaller women or anybody who might benefit from women-specific geometry.
You’ll also be able to tackle just about anything with the full-suspension trail bike design, hydraulic disc brakes, and the tubeless-ready plus-sized 27.5-inch wheelset.
Price (MSRP): $3,700
Cannondale Habit NEO
This is the e-assist version of the popular Cannondale Habit mountain bike. You’ll love the TranzX dropper seatpost that allows you to lower your seat for descents without having to get off your bike, as well as the super-beefy 29×2.6″ tires.
Finally, the 500 watt hour battery will go up to 60 miles so you can put in super long days on the bike.
Price (MSRP) : $4,200
Devinci DC
Fly down the trail with the Devinci DC–seriously, you can do up to 20 mph with the Devinci’s pedal-assist. The bikes SRAM Hydraulic disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power, and the plus-sized tires will help keep you from stopping when you don’t want to. The slack geometry makes this bike comfortable and stable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Price: $7,699
Other Electric Mountain Bikes To Consider
- Pivot Shuttle – Carbon frame, DW link suspension
- Norco Sight – 150mm travel, all-mountain rig
- Trek E-Caliber* – XC design, Fauza drive system
Comparison Chart: Women’s Electric Bicycles
Not sure how all these bikes stack up? Here’s a comparison chart to help you out.
| Bike | Price (MSRP) | Bike Type | Motor | Battery | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuba Electric Boda Boda | $3,200 | Commuter | Shimano STEPS E6000 250W | 418Wh | 60 lbs |
| Electra Townie GO* | $2,599 | Commuter | Bosch Performance 250w | Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh | 59 lbs |
| Tern Vektron S10 Folding * | $3,699 | Commuter | Bosch Active Line, 250W | Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh | 48 lbs |
| Cannondale Synapse NEO* | $4,725 | Road | Bosch Active Line Plus 250w | Bosch PowerTube 500Wh | 40 lbs |
| Pinarello Dyodo* | $7,999 | Road | ebikemotion X35 | 250 Wh | 26 lbs |
| Orbea Gain | $3,299 | Road | ebikemotion X35 | 450 Wh | 30.5 lbs |
| Liv Emobolden E+ 2 | $3,700 | Mountain | Giant SyncDrive Sport, 80Nm powered by YAMAHA | Giant EnergyPak 500 13.8Ah | |
| Cannondale Habit NEO* | $4,200 | Mountain | Bosch Performance Line CX 250W | 500 Wh | 49 lbs |
| Devinci DC* | $5,799 | Mountain | Shimano Steps E8000 | Shimano E8020, 504Wh | |
| Specialized Women’s Turbo Vado 3.0 | $3,450 | Commuter | Turbo 1.2, Custom Rx Street Tuned Motor 250W | Specialized UI-460 Wh | 51.2 lbs |
| Trek Super Commuter+ 8S* | $5,199.99 | Commuter | Bosch Performance CX, 250W | Bosch PowerPack 500 Wh | 46.96 lbs |
| Blix Aveny | $1,599 | Commuter | Shengyi 500w | Samsung 672 Wh | 54 lbs |
| Trek Domane+ | $6,699.99 | Road | Bosch Performance Speed, 350W | Bosch PowerTube 500wh | 37.89 lbs |
| Specialized Turbo Creo SL | $9,000 | Road | Specialized SL 1.1 240W | Specialized SL1-320 Wh | |
| Pivot Shuttle | $9,999 | Mountain | Shimano STEPS E8000 | 504 Wh | 46 lbs |
| Norco Sight VLT C3 | $6,799 | Mountain | Shimano STEPS E7000 | In-Tube 500Wh | 49.2 lbs |
| Marin Nail Trail E1* | $3,359.99 | Mountain | Shimano Steps E8000 | Shimano E8010, 500 Wh |
Things To Think About When Shopping For A Women’s Electric Bike
Classes of E-Bikes
There are three different “classes” of electric bikes. Most of the the bikes listed here are Class 1 or Class 3, and can also be referred to as “pedal assist.” This is because they still require you to pedal to propel forward.
Class 1 e-bikes have a motor (up to 750w) and can propel you up to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes also have a maximum motor of 750w but can propel up to 28 mph. Both classes are allowed in most cities and states without any kind of special license.
Class 2 e-bikes have a more powerful motor and do not require you to pedal.
The Motor
Most e-bike motors are supplied by a few major brands. The most common are Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, and Brose.
The power of the motor is measured in watts, and the torque of the motor is measured in newton meters. Both numbers will give you an idea of how much boost you’ll get. The greater the watts and nm the more power.
There are also two types of electric bike motors: a “mid-drive” or a “hub-drive.” A mid-drive motor is at positioned at the bottom bracket near your cranks. A hub-drive motor is in the hub (center) of the bicycle’s wheel–usually the rear wheel.
We generally prefer a mid-drive motor, although there are benefits to a hub-drive. Hub-drive motors are more affordable and require less maintenance which can be attractive to women just getting into cycling.
The Battery
A lot of folks pay a lot of attention to the motor on the e-bike they are buying and not enough attention to the battery. An even more important measurement than watts is watt-hours (or Wh). This tells you how much power you’ll get for how long. The more Wh the longer you’ll be able to ride before recharging. You should also consider how long the battery will take to recharge.
Another thing you may want to pay attention to is how obvious the battery is. Some bikes have a big bulky battery attached to the down-tube of the frame, while others have become more streamlined and nearly unnoticeable. Whether or not this matters to you is entirely personal preference.
Weight
Compared to a regular bike, a motor and battery can add a bunch of weight to an e-bike. Thanks to the electric assist you might not notice the weight that much while pedaling, but it can still make the bike more challenging to maneuver, load on your bike rack, or carry upstairs. More petite women, in particular, should pay attention to weight when shopping.
Frame Design (Step-Thru)
If you are choosing an electric bike for commuting, you may want to consider a step-thru frame. These frames have the top bar (or top tube) slope lower, and are often referred to as a women’s frame.
These lower step-thru frames make it easier for shorter women to get on and off the bike. They also allow you to wear a skirt if you so choose.
How about reviewing ladies ebikes for touring? I’d like to know what are the tops of ladies ebikes for touring?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll add it to the list to work on!
Jenny –
Check out the Blix Aveny e-bike! I bought one last year and LOVE IT! It’s a great, stylish, comfortable ride!
Best of Luck!
Pam
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for the informative review of women’s electric bikes. My wife just purchased a Liv Embolden E+ 2 Power full suspension mountain bike in XS, the smallest frame size. The standover height is just barely enough for her 5′ 2″ frame and 29″ inseam. Liv’s owner manual Fit Section states that standover height is the basic element of bike fit and that 2 inch clearance is minimum for paved surface riding, 3 inches for unpaved surfaces and 4 inches off road use. Good luck finding any women’s full suspension mountain bike frame size with those clearances for shorter women! Why are manufactures not making frames to fit smaller women?
This is a constant battle for us women who are short. Tiresome.
That’s so true. I finally settled on the vida-bike good luck it is still a little large
This is an extreme irritant to me. I am 4’11. I have a large collection of wonderful bikes. But no electric bike, unless I want a tank. No thanks.
To follow up on the standover height issue, I researched the 2019 Women’s mountain bikes you reviewed and a few other popular models. None is a good fit for a 5’2″ woman with 29″ inseam.
Standover Height:
Devinci DC NX/GX Ebike in S is 28.3″.
Cannondale Cujo Neo 130 4 Ebike in S is 30.0
Liv Embolden E+ 2 Power in XS is 28.0
Trek Powerfly 5 Women’s in 14.5 is 29.1
Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp in S is 30.6
Unfortunately, I’m not impressed with the choices presented here. Where is a classic (thin) dutch bike when you don’t need to a carry-3-kids-cargo bike, a spandex-and-corporate-sponsor-required road bike, or a knuckle-busting mountain bike? Or bikes that don’t look like an insect or an overinflated puffer.
I really like the spec comparison chart (that includes weight, motor brand and power), but please add battery brand, capacity, and location information, and motor position information.
Please review Bluejay, Gazelle, Blix, Story, and others offering step-through frames in a classic style.
Thank you!
Hi Teri,
Appreciate your feedback. An update of this post and more reviews is on my to-do list; will work on incorporating your requests….One of the biggest issues is simply how many types of bikes there are now with electric assist (cargo vs road vs city, etc); might have to break into multiple articles to better address some of your concerns (and those of others presented above).
Cheers,
KB