Best women's road bikes 2023: the ideal bikes for female riders

As the upward trajectory of women's cycling is on a constant march, many brands are thinking more carefully about what women actually need - and want - from a road bike.

First off, it might be a surprise, but not every female rider will want a women's specific bike. We'll take you through the difference between 'female-specific' and unisex frames further down - this is just to highlight now that our guide will also be including some of the best unisex road bikes, which can also also make a great ride for female cyclists and are well worth considering

While we are probably pretty much aligned on the need for the best women specific cycling shorts, and even the best women's cycling saddles, the jury is actually still out when it comes to the question 'is women's specific geometry still relevant' ,  

Further down this page, we explain the different approaches brands take when creating women's bikes, and how to make sure you choose the very best bike for you, so take a read if you're still deciding what's best for you.

But first, our picks of the best bikes...

The Quick List

Best women's road bikes: our picks

Best aero bike

The updated EnviLiv Advanced Pro, while still an aero race bike, has opted for more forgiving geometry, which should make it better suited for longer days in the saddle, too.

This totally new geometry almost mirrors that of the Liv Langma Advanced millimetre by millimeter. What that means is a higher front end than the previous model. The tube shapes and frame material are also new. In general, the bike is slimmer than before, with more rounded tubing. The material is the brand's  new Advance SL Grade composite. The result, according to Liv, is bike that's both lighter (the frame weighs about 200g less) and faster.

We were huge fans of the outgoing model but on test felt that all his reworking has resulted in the new bike losing some of its 'zing'. Sure, it's still fast in a straight line but the handling wasn't quite as good as the previous model - although we felt that some of this is likely down to the deep section wheels. 

But there is plenty to like here. The new frame design alongside the new aero bars and stem has resulted in a far cleaner looking cockpit. It's a huge improvement aesthetically and vitally will also make adjustments and maintenance much easier.

While we test the SRAM Force AXS equipped bike, the EnviLiv Advanced Pro is also available with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset.

.Read more:  Liv Enviliv Advanced AXS Disc full review

Best value carbon

While Canyon doesn't choose to make women specific road bikes, it's wide size range for most of its models makes it a good fit for many. Take its Endurace and Endurace SLX range - the bikes are offered in sizes that start at 3XS, which translates to a standover height of just over 700mm. The more expensive SLX models also feature the German brand's adjustable-width handlebar.

The Endurace CF 8 delivers great value for money. It's built around an endurance-focussed carbon frameset and comes equipped with a mechanical 11-speed Shimano Ultegra groupset that includes hydraulic disc brakes. Sensibly for a bike that's designed to be comfortable over long distances, it comes with plenty of tire clearance and is fitted with 32mm as standard. 

We found that the bouncy VCLS seatpost in conjunction with the big tires makes for a plush and comfortable ride. However, the frame is plenty stiff. The downsides? A rather heavy wheelset and a lack of fender/mudguard guard mounts, which seems an odd omission for a bike that's well-suited to four-season riding. 

Read more: Canyon Endurace CF 8 full review

Best Endurance bike

While Trek did away with its gender categorisation in 2020, it now offer smaller sizes across its range of road bikes - including the versatile Domane, which is available in frame sizes that start at 44 cm.

The Domane, Trek's capable endurance bike that can be raced (it's won Paris-Roubaix Femmes) as well as ridden for leisure, is offered in a huge range of models. The top-tier SLR 9 will set you back well over $/£10k, while a Gen 4 AL 2 can be yours for under $/£1,500.

As for the Trek Domane SL 6 it's probably one of the most versatile bikes on the market, with century rides, touring rides, and even fast paced group rides all being taken in its stride when we tested it. In fact, when we reviewed an older generation model we loved it so much we gave it our Editor's Choice Award.

Similar to the way Liv Enviliv stretches it's aero categorisation, the Trek Domane SL 6 does the same for it's 'endurance' one. On test we found it a great do-all bike, managing to be sprightly, if a little heavy on the hills,  as well as comfortable.

The ride-smoothing IsoSpeed frame comes with decouplers at the rear of the top tube and in the head tube, making it a very comfortable ride.

Any concerns that this inbuilt suspension would compromise power transfer were quickly put to bed, with its oversized tubing assisting in its responsiveness to seated and out-the-saddle efforts.

The latest Gen 4 SL 6 is offered with either a SRAM Rival AXS or a Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed electronic groupset and has clearance for 38mm tires. 

Read more: Trek Domane SL6 full review

Best race-ready bike

The Liv Langma Advanced Pro 1 is a direct descendant of the professionally ridden bike. The bike was updated for 2022 , with a stiffer fork, although it seems to have kept the front cables that we weren't keen on. 

The bike's biggest claim to fame is its low weight, and our review model - with disc brakes and Shimano Ultegra - came in at 15.7lbs/ 7.13kg, but the top-end rim brake options sit under the UCI weight limit of 6.8kg and had to be bolstered for pro riders.

The low weight, however, hasn't reduced its stiffness - even a sprinter like Coryn Rivera can race this bike to success - and we found it offered ample platform for power transfer, with optimised components like the Giant PowerCore bottom bracket and Overdrive II steerer.

Its another stand out bike, and hard to compare against it's peers, but the latest version reminded our Cycling Weekly Tech Ed of the Specialised Aethos that she loved so much.

While we await a full review of the new model, the current one was a top scorer at nearly full marks,  and is easily a GC contender, and will more than hold its own on all but off-road terrain, meaning there is a great deal to really like about the bike.

Read more: Liv Langma Advanced SL Disc full review

Best aluminium bike

Available in a wide range of sizes, including a 44cm, the recently updated Specialized Allez is a great option for those wanting a versatile road bike without breaking the bank.

Based around a stiff and agile aluminium frame and carbon fork, the new Allez has added comfort and compliance to its list of tricks. Tire clearance has been increased, allowing for up to 35mm width, while the geometry has been relaxed a little to make it better suited to longer rides. This versatility is enhanced by the inclusion of fender/mudguard and rack mounts, making it a legitimate four-season road bike that could also handle the commute to work.

However, as we found out when we tested the bike, it's certainly no slouch when shown some power, just like the previous models which were focussed a little more on speed. The 8-speed drivechain did leave us between gears more often than we would have liked, but the next model up solves this problem with the inclusion of a 10-speed Shimano groupset. 

Read more: Specialized Allez first ride review

Best value

When it comes to value for money, Decathlon's Triban RC 520 is hard to beat. Alloy frame, carbon forks, Shimano groupset cable hydro disc brakes...the list of impressive specs goes on. And while it isn't a women's specific bike the size range does include an XS. Alternatively, if you're looking for a women's specific Triban road bike, the RC 500 with rim brakes is available at the time of writing.

As for the RC 520, in the constantly shrinking sub $/£1000 category, in our view it's almost unchallenged. With enough clearance for 36mm tires, it's plenty versatile. This aided by plenty of mounts too - fenders, rack, bottle cages, they're all here. 

Perhaps the standout detail however is the 11-speed 105 groupset. In this price range you're often looking at 8-speed drivechains, which can really limit performance and ride quality.

Yes, it's a bit on the heavy side but on test we enjoyed the way it handled at higher speeds, feeling nice and solid even on fast descents. In short, if you're just starting your road bike journey the Triban RC 520 won't hold you back and is equipped to handle a wide ranging of riding, from long, all-day adventures to winter commutes. 

Read more: Triban RC 520 full review 

What makes a women's road bike female specific?

Aside from that, there are two clear approaches that brands take:

Brands offering women's road bikes with female specific frame geometry

Some brands build a frame to be completely women's specific.

This is often represented in a shorter top tube, and taller head tube. The result is a slightly more upright geometry. Many of the best women's road bikes also feature a slacker head angle and longer rake - which does tend to position the bike closer to that of a unisex endurance bike.

The reasons for this vary: some brands say their research suggests women have a shorter wingspan (arms), meaning a shorter reach is ideal. Others suggest a women's lower upper body mass and centre of gravity make this a more suitable option, while some explain that women position their pelvis differently to avoid soft tissue compression. The results of focus groups and studies imply that many women want to ride in a more upright position.

Brands creating a bike with female specific frame geometry will spec the bike with components that match the intended rider - the handlebars, stems, saddles, cranks and gearing will all be female friendly (more on that below).

Brands offering women's road bikes with unisex geometry and female specific components

Other brands choose not to create a female specific frame, but instead to offer the same chassis as the unisex bikes, but with components adjusted to better suit the average woman's requirements.

Components that are often changed on a female specific bike include:

Handlebars: women generally have narrower shoulders, and ideally your handlebars should measure a similar width to your shoulders. So a well fitting women's road bike will have narrow handlebars. Shifters are often wound in to suit smaller hands (though you can do this for free at home on Shimano or SRAM shifters).

Stem: While frames built from 'the ground up' to suit women often have a shorter reach, those providing a unisex frame will nearly always fit a shorter stem. This does the same job of decreasing the reach, but can affect the handling.

Cranks: Women are typically shorter than men, so usually have shorter legs. Crank length is a debate on its own - but as a rule, reducing the length of the crank allows smaller riders to get the most from each pedal stroke. In the case of a very small frame, the cranks also need to be reduced in size to prevent toe overlap with the front wheel.

Gearing: If we're comparing Joe Bloggs and Lizzie Deignan, it's not realistic to say that the female rider will produce less power. But if we're comparing Joe Bloggs and Joanna Bloggs, it's an understandable assumption. It's therefore hightly likely to find the best women's road bikes featuring a compact or semi compact chainset (50/34 or 52/36 respectively) and wide ratio cassette (11-28 or 11-32).

Standover height: Some women's bikes have a sloping top tube, to reduce standover height. This applies more to hybrid bikes and mountain bikes.

Sizes: A unisex frame with female components marketed as the women's version will usually be available in smaller sizes. In an ideal world, the brand will scale down other elements of the geometry and aspects such as fork angle will change too.

Saddle: Women frequently report saddle discomfort putting them off cycling. Most riders will swap the saddle on their bike early on - but a women's model will come with a women's saddle, giving a slightly higher chance of getting on with the perch after just a few rides.

Brands offering unisex frames with non-adjusted components

Many women choose to buy a standard unisex frame, and adjust the components above to suit. Indeed, many men will adjust these on unisex bikes in time.

If you're at a stage in your riding career where you know you'll do this anyway, then it doesn't make much difference.

However, picking a great women's road bike with these components already tweaked can make the first few months of bike ownership much cheaper - especially for beginners who don't have the standard cyclist's garage full of spare stems, handlebars and saddles.

What type of women's road bike should you look for?

Before you enter a bike shop, get a clear idea of what you want your perfect women's road bike for. If you want the speed and aerodynamic benefits of a drop bar bike, then you're in the road bike camp - and the next step is to decide if you want an endurance focused on more aggressive race orientated frame.

Key road bike categories include:

Endurance focused women's road bikes

Endurance women's road bikes will generally feature a shorter reach, and a taller stack - putting the rider in a more upright position. Disc brakes are more popular in this category, along with a longer wheelbase to aid stability and the material will be fine tuned to offer greater compliance - or comfort. The Trek Domane is an example of an endurance road bike.

Race focused women's road bikes

Race bikes are created to offer nippy handling and a lower, more aero position - usually with a longer reach, lower stack and short wheelbase. The fork angles will be tuned for quick and responsive handling. Some of the best women's road bikes in this style will have disc brakes, which in our opinion are fantastic when hydraulic, and less so when mechanical (cable- actuated), so don't be immediately put off rim / caliper brakes for the sake of any disc options.  

Best women's gravel bikes

If you are sold on the idea of owning a bike that fits your gender best, but want to hit the rough stuff, you might find that our guide on best women's gravel bikes a great help.

There's a lot of variation between cyclocross, adventure road and gravel bikes. They're all designed for riding on and off road - just to different degrees. gravel bikes bikes are one of the most versatile, suited to both road and trails, with higher bottom brackets to help you avoid roots and rocks, with more space for tyre clearance. Adventure road are similar, but closer to an endurance road bike, while a cyclocross bike will be designed purely for being nimble on rough terrain. 

Best women's hybrid bikes

If you are looking for the best wheels for both rough and smooth, then our page on the best women's hybrid bikes is the one for you.

For city slickers who want flat bars and the option of hopping onto rough park tracks and canal paths, then a wider tyre hybrid with disc brakes like the Trek FX Disc Women's or Carrera Subway could be the thing. These will have flat handlebars, and offer a great deal of stability, though handling won't be quite as nippy as a road bike.

Electric women's road bikes

You might find that added vavavoom from one of the best women's electric bikes is what you've been missing on your rides.

If you would benefit from an extra boost up the difficult climbs or so you don't get so sweaty on your commute into the city, there are electric versions of road bikes. These will vary from ones with a hub-based or frame-mounted motor—and can offer different levels of assistance and range of battery life.

You don't have to use the electric assistance on these bikes at all times but it is always there for when you want it. But bear in mind, the e-bikes with the more powerful motors (and best assistance) are often heavier which can make cycling harder than usual when switched off. Therefore, keeping an eye on your battery levels and choosing a bike which has a big enough battery capacity for your riding is essential.

Women's road bike size chart

Road bikes are generally sold in sizes along the lines of 48cm, 50cm, 52cm and so on - though some brands choose instead to go for 'Small', 'Medium' and 'Large'.

There's no real standardisation in road bike sizing - which means one road bike brand's 48cm might suit a rider on a 50cm frame from one of their competitors. Not only that, but the same brand might call a unisex frame a 50cm, whilst the same rider might fit a 52cm frame in their women's range. Confusing, right?

The first option for many is to start by using the brand's designated sizing chart, dictating the ideal height range for each frame size.