A hybrid bike (like the name would imply) is a mix between a road bike and a mountain bike. It has skinny, fast-rolling tires like a road bike, but more relaxed geometry and a flat bar like a mountain bike.
A hybrid bike a good option for women who are looking for a “fitness bike”, who haven’t ridden a bike in years, or for ladies who are uncomfortable on the more aggressive geometry of a traditional road bike.
In this article, we share with you our favorite women’s hybrid bikes (also known as fitness bikes), as well as tips on what to look for when shopping for a hybrid.
Table Of Contents
Our Top Picks
| Bike | What We Love | Price (MSRP) | |
| 1 | Roll Bicycles A:1 Adventure Bike * | Knobby tires, lightweight | $899 |
| 2 | Cannondale Quick 3 * | Integrated wheel sensor | $1,075 |
| 3 | Trek FX 3 Disc Stagger * | Carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes | $1,049 |
| 4 | Diamondback Haanjo 1 | Small sizes, performance on the road | $785 |
| 5 | Specialized Sirrus 3.0 | Good components, hydraulic disc brakes | $1,200 |
| 6 | Kona Dew Deluxe* | Comes with fenders, hydraulic disc brakes | $949 |
| 7 | Liv Alight 3 | Good budget option | $560 |
| 8 | Marin Kentfield 1 | Affordable, fender mounts | $450 |
| 9 | Specialized Roll | Extremely low stepover | $800 |
Roll Bicycles A:1 Adventure Bike
We like everything about the Roll Bicycles A:1 Adventure Bike. Smaller sizes come with a tapered top-tube (as seen above) while larger frames have a more traditional frame design.
This bike can go anywhere. The tires are a bit knobbier than other bikes on this list and are perfect for cruising gravel roads or rail trails.
We dig small touches such as the bar-end grips, the 1×10 drivetrain, and internal cable routing. The weight is also noteworthy: at 23 pounds, this is one of the lightest bikes on our list.
Read Review: Roll Bicycles A1
Price (MSRP): $899
Cannondale Quick Women’s 3
If you are trying to get more exercise, the Cannondale Women’s Quick is a great bike to do it on. Thanks to an integrated wheel sensor you can track all your stats–mileage, speed, and even calories burned.
The bike has hydraulic disc brakes that provide superior stopping power–even when wet. Additionally, the bike has eyelet mounts to accept fenders and/or a rack should you want to add either of those.
The women’s-specific version of the bike has a low standover height, which makes it a good choice for smaller women and those with short legs.
Read Review: Cannondale Women’s Quick
Price (MSRP): $1,075
Kona Dew Deluxe
The Kona Dew Deluxe can do a little bit of everything. It’s well suited to around town riding, but can easily tackle rail trails as well.
Thanks to the hydraulic disc brakes, fenders, and wider tires, this is a great option for women who live in wetter, muddier climates.
The components are good quality and include a Shimano 11-Speed drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, Formula hubs, and WTB Horizon tyres.
Read Review: Kona Dew Deluxe
Price (MSRP): $949
Liv Alight 3
Liv makes some of the best women’s-specific bikes out there. The Liv Alight 3 is no exception.
It has a low standover which is nice if you want to wear a skirt, or if you have limited mobility. There are also integrated dropouts to easily add racks or fenders should you care to do so.
The most obvious attraction to the Liv Alight is the pricetag. It is one of the cheapest bikes on our list.
Price (MSRP): $560
Diamondback Haanjo 1
The Diamondback Haanjo 1 can do a little bit of everything, from riding long distances on the road to cruising gravel canal paths. The tires are slick enough to roll fast on pavement but wide enough to handle a bit of of the rough stuff.
The women’s-specific offering comes in smaller sizes, with the XS fitting women as short as 5’1″.
The geometry is more aggressive than many of the other bikes on this list, but more relaxed than a traditional road bike which makes it a good pick for women who want to ride longer distances on the road but are uncomfortable on a road bike.
Price (MSRP): $785
Marin Kentfield ST 1
The Marin Kentfield ST 1 is a great fitness bike at an entry-level price. It’s not the fanciest bike around, but it will certainly get you going.
In fact, it has everything you really need: mechanical disc brakes, mounts for fenders or racks, and an entry-level Shimano drivetrain (7-speeds). With this bike, you don’t have any excuses stopping you from getting started….
Read Review: Marin Kentfield
Price (MSRP): $499
Trek FX 3 Disc Stagger
The Trek FX 3 Disc is a step-up in terms of quality from many hybrid bikes. It offers a carbon fork to help dampen road vibration, hydraulic disc brakes for superior braking performance, and internal cable routing to keep things clean.
The 1x drivetrain provides a good range of gears without the added complexity of a front derailleur. You’ll also appreciate this bike if you want a lower stepover, which it has.
Read Review: Trex FX 3
Price (MSRP): $1,049
Specialized Sirrus 3.0
The Specialized Sirrus is one of the best-selling hybrid bikes around. It comes in several different models depending on your preferences and budget. We think the Specialized Sirrius 3.0 hist the sweet spot for most ladies.
The bike used to come in a women’s-specific version but it doesn’t anymore. There is the option however, to choose a lower step-thru frame.
The mid-level components are smooth and provide good rider experience. We especially appreciate the hydraulic disc brakes that outperform the mechanical brakes found on many hybrid bikes.
Read Review: Specialized Sirrus
Price (MSRP): $1,200
Specialized Roll 2.0
Like the Specialized Sirrus listed above, the Specialized Roll offers superior bang for your back. With the Specialized brand name, you always know you are getting a quality, durable bike.
The Roll is a great option for women who need an EXTREMELY low stepover. If you have trouble with mobility, this bike is extra easy to get on and off.
The nice wide 2.3″ tires provide a lot of stability and also a little extra cushion. Speaking of cushion, we also like the gel saddle which is comfortable even after quite a lot of miles pedaling.
Read Review: Specialized Roll
Price: $800+
Other Hybrid Bikes To Consider
- State Bicycle 4130 All Road* – This is a beautiful bike. It has extra beefy mountain bike tires to tackle dirt roads as well as paved. $899.
- Priority Continuum Onyx*. A belt drive (rather than a chain) and an internally geared hub make this bike super low maintenance. $1,299.
- Batch Bicycles Fitness Bike – An affordable option to get you started, it also comes in really pretty color schemes. $499.
Comparison Chart: Women’s Hybrid Bikes
| Bike | Price (MSRP) | Weight (lbs) | Wheel Size | Brakes | Frame Material | Tires | Shifter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannondale Quick Disc 3 | $1,075 | 24.5 | 700c | Tektro hydraulic disc | Alloy | Schwalbe Spicer, 700c x 35mm | Shimano Altus, 2x9 |
| Kona Dew Deluxe | $949 | 26.8 | 650c | Tektro hydraulic disc | Alloy | WTB Horizon Comp W/ Puncture Protection 650x47c | Shimano Deore, 11-speed |
| Liv Alight 3 | $560 | N/A | 700c | Alloy V-Brake | Alloy | Giant S-X3 Puncture Protect, 700x38 | Shimano Tourney, 3x7 |
| Diamondback Haanjo 1 | $785 | 23 | 700c | Tektro Aries mechanical disc, with 160/140mm front/rear rotors | Alloy | Vee Rubber Zilent, Wire Bead, 700x38c, Non Tubeless Tire | Shimano Acera M3000, 9-speed |
| Marin Kentfield ST 1 | $499 | 28.4 | 700c | Power CX7 Mechanical 160mm | Alloy | Vee Tire, GPVee, 700x40 | Shimano Altus, 1x7 |
| Trek FX 3 Disc Stagger | $1,049 | 25,5 | 700c | Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc, flat mount, 160mm rotor | Alloy | Bontrager H2 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 30 tpi, 700x32c | Shimano Deore M4100, 10 speed |
| Specialized Sirrus 3.0 | $1,200 | N/A | 700c | Tektro HD-R280, hydraulic disc | Alloy | RoadSport Reflect, Wire bead, Blackbelt/Endurant Casing, 700x32c | microSHIFT, 9-speed |
| Roll Bicycles A:1 Adventure Bike | $899 | 23 | 700c | Zoom DB-330, mechanical disc brake, with DB 160mm Rotor. | Alloy | 700x40mm Kenda K1152 Flintridge Dual Tread.v | L-Twoo A-7 10 Speed 1x10 trigger shifter |
| Specialized Roll 2.0 | $800 | N/A | 650b | Radius CX7, mechanical disc, 160mm | Alloy | Nimbus II Sport, 650b x 2.3 | microSHIFT TS39 Trigger shift, 7-speed |
| State Bicycle 4130 All Road | $899 | N/A | 650b OR 700c | In house mechanical disc | Steel | Vittoria Tubeless | In house 1x11 trigger |
| Priority Continuum Onyx | $1,299 | 31 | 700c | In house hydraulic | Alloy | In house 700c x 32 | Internally geared hub |
Things To Consider When Choosing A Hybrid Bike
Not sure how to choose the best hybrid bike for YOU? Read on to help you make an informed decision.
Frame Size And Shape
You’ll notice many of the bikes on this list have a “step-thru” style frame. This is where the top-tube (which is the bar on the top of the frame triangle) is sloped downward rather than straight across.
A step-thru frame (left) has a down-swept top-tube compared to a more traditional frame (right).
This design is good for smaller women as it provides a lower standover height. It’s also nice for ladies who have limited mobility, want to wear a skirt, or simply feel more comfortable with this design.
That said, don’t feel limited to a step-thru frame especially if you are taller or more athletic. We’ve also included several bikes on this list that have a more traditional frame geometry.
Brakes
The bikes on this list have brakes that fall into one of three categories: v-brake, mechanical disc brakes, or hydraulic disc brakes.
V-brakes (or rim brakes) are the more old-fashioned, traditional style brakes you might be used to. They are easy to maintain and cheap. Unfortunately, they don’t offer as much stopping power as disc brakes, especially in wet weather.
Mechanical disc brakes are a good choice for most women. They offer more stopping power than v-brakes, are generally pretty affordable, and don’t require much maintenance.
Hydraulic disc brakes are the most powerful, are easier to pull if you have weak hands, and provide plenty of modulation. These brakes provide the best performance. That said, they also increase the price of the bike and require more maintenance.
Drivetrain
All of the bikes on this list have gears. While a lot of women get hung up on trying to compare the number of speeds a bike has, we’d advise you not to worry about this. A handful of gears is really all you need.
While all these bikes have multiple gears on the rear wheel (this is called a cassette), only some have multiple gears upfront at the crank arm. Again, we wouldn’t worry about this too much, although we personally prefer a single gear at the crank. (This design is called a 1x or “one by”).
Why? It keeps things simple. You only have to worry about one shifter rather than two, and you don’t have to worry about “cross-chaining.”
A single front chainring (left) is simpler than a double or triple front chainring (right).
- Read: A Guide to Bicycle Gears
You should pay attention to the type of shifter the bicycle has. Some bikes will have a grip shifter, while others have trigger shifters.
In general, we prefer trigger shifters as they make cleaner shifts. That said, grip shifters can be more intuitive, so if that thought of shifting stresses you out, go with a grip shifter instead.
Another thing to be aware of is that there are different component levels. We’re not going to go into too much detail here on that, but just be aware that the cheaper the bike you buy, the cheaper the drivetrain components are going to be. If you want a really smooth-working drivetrain, you might want to spend a bit more.
Women’s Specific vs Unisex Bike
Some of the bikes on this list are specifically designed for women, while others are unisex bikes that happen to work well for women.
Women’s-specific bikes are a good choice for smaller ladies as they generally come in smaller frame sizes and offer a step-thru frame (as discussed above). They also offer components like smaller grips and women’s’-specific saddles (seats).
If you are taller, a unisex bike will work just fine, though you may still choose to upgrade to a women’s-specific saddle later on.
Wheel Size and Tires
Most hybrid bikes have 700c wheels, the same as a road bike. That said, a few hybrid bikes have 26-inch wheels, more typically found on mountain bikes.
The type of tire also matters. If you plan on riding primarily on pavement, look for a slick tire without a lot of tread. These will roll faster on the road. If, on the other hand, you want to hit up gravel roads or mellow dirt trails, look for a bike that has knobbier, higher volume tires.
Suspension
When you are shopping, you might notice that some hybrid bikes come with a suspension fork. While compiling our list of the best women’s hybrid bikes, we intentionally tried to avoid bikes with suspension.
Why? A suspension fork really isn’t needed on a hybrid bike and it adds weight. Hybrid bikes are best suited for pavement and mellow gravel and dirt trails; conditions that just don’t require a suspension fork. If you want to ride more challenging trails, consider getting a real mountain bike instead.
Weight
Don’t forget to pay attention to weight when buying a hybrid bike. The lighter a bike is, the faster and more enjoyable your ride will be. Anything over 25 pounds is definitely going to slow you down and feel heavy if you are climbing hills.
E-Bikes
While we haven’t included any e-bikes (bicycles with an electric motor to help assist you pedal), they can be a great option especially if you havent biked in years.
Electric bikes are significantly more expensive but help open the world of cycling to women who may need the extra boost. If you’re interested in electric bikes, check out our list of the Best Women’s Electric Bikes.
Thanks so much! This was so helpful! I’m 66 years old and haven’t biked in years. I want to get back into it to help with fitness and just have fun! I’m just starting to look and expect to have to order since local inventory is nonexistent. I figure if I order in the fall, I may have something by next spring. I’d be grateful for any tips you could send me!
Thanks!
Cindy
I just wanted to let you know that my wife and I fully endorse your review of the Roll A1 hybrid bike. We ordered online in August and the bike was delivered a few weeks later despite the pandemic, The bike was very nice and exactly as you describe it. We unfortunately had to return the bike after a few weeks due to knee issues my wife had (nothing to do with the bike or with Roll). As this happened Roll showed first class support. They gave us more than their standard 50 day return policy so that my wife could take time to make her final decision. Their customer service is superb. We highly recommend them.
Love hearing this positive feedback. Thanks for sharing!
This info was very helpful. As a person who likes to bike, but isn’t a Biker with a capital “b”, this was written at the very level I need!
Kristen,
Hello. Great article as I am in the market for a new bike. Would you be able to tell me the difference between the Liv Alight 3 and the Liv Comfort Alight 3 and whether you would equally recommend them both?? I road a Liv Alight rental last year on a 30+ mile ride and loved it, but they could not tell me exactly which one. Thank you.