Hey ladies, this one’s for you! Here’s a quick list of our top picks for the best women’s mountain bikes under $500:
But before we get into it, I think we need to clear something up. There is no big reason why men and women need different types of mountain bikes. The only reason why you should buy a women’s bike is if you’re looking for something designed for smaller people. Companies make these bikes for women because females tend to weigh less and be shorter than men.
Most women’s bikes are built with this in mind so they usually have smaller handlebars that are not as wide as other unisex bikes. They also lean towards having a shorter distance between the seats and the handlebars. This is great for people like me with smaller arms.
Now, let’s dive in. Mountain bikes can get quite pricy and retail for upwards of $5,000 but if you’re a beginner or just looking for a cheaper alternative to keep you on a budget, we will be showing you our favorite women mountain bikes for under $500. But first, you should be familiar with the different types of mountain bikes.
Types of Mountain Bikes
Before you go any further with your research, it’s important to know the difference between the different mountain bike styles. There are four main types of mountain bikes, trail bikes, cross-country bikes, fat bikes, and all-mountain bikes.
Trail Bikes
These bikes are great for climbing and descending. They are also the most common mountain bike. This is because they are extremely versatile and can be used for fun and racing.
Cross-Country Bikes
A cross-country bike is great for a fast pedal on smooth trails. They are powerful bikes that are great for riding during your longest rides. Usually for riders that are more advanced or looking for a step up from their trail bike.
Fat Bikes
These bikes are great for biking through difficult terrain, including sand and snow. If you’re a beginner looking to take on some mountainous and woodsy trails you may consider getting a fat tire bike since the wheels allow you to make more mistakes without falling. They also help make bumpy rides just a little smoother.
All-Mountain Bikes
These bikes work great for steeper hills. They are typically the most lightweight of the mountain bikes and are just a small step up from a trail bike.
What to consider
Before I show you our favorite women’s mountain bikes, you should really know what you should be considering before spending on your next bike. Ultimately, all you need is a bike that fits your body and feels comfortable while you ride.
But if you want to buy something that you’ll love, you should take into consideration where you’ll be riding your bikes and how often. This will help you narrow down whether or not you are looking for something smaller or larger, this will also help you decide whether or not you want a lightweight bike or a bike with larger wheels. The type of bike you get will also depend on the amount of experience you have.
Our Favorite Women’s Mountain Bikes
Iron Horse Maverick 2.1
Description: This 27.5’’ cross-country bike is one of our favorite medium-sized bikes. It is smaller than the Mongoose bike listed below and larger than the smaller Dynacraft on our list. This bike is also the most expensive bike on our list. It has both front and rear disc brakes making is a wonderful bike to use on trails, gravel, climbs, and descents. If you’re looking to use your mountain bike for sport, this is the best bike for you under $500. It weighs 36 pounds this is a great bike for someone moving from a beginner to intermediate skill level. It works great on trails and can be easily upgraded.
Pros:
- Dual disk brake on front and back wheels
- Great cost value
Cons:
- Grip shift is difficult to use when racing
Mongoose Impasse Full Dual-Suspension
Description: This Mongoose bike is a great middle of the road mountain bike. This is considered a trail bike so it is built to endure woodsier trails and stronger drops than the Royce Union bike on our list. It has an 18-inch aluminum frame and 29-inch wheels. This mountain bike also offers disc brakes. This is important because if you are going to be using your mountain bike mainly for trails and mountainous cycling than you need to make sure your bike has disc brakes. That is because instead of attaching something to the rim of your wheel that gets the bike to stop, disc brakes are metal objects placed in the center of the back wheel that can be used in any kind of condition and they are stronger and more durable than the alternative. Also, these brakes don’t heat up your wheels or work less in rainy conditions. This bike is a little heavier than the bike listed above and weighs 44 pounds.
Pros:
- Amazing quality for the low price
- Disc brakes that work in all types of weather and won’t falter in rain
Cons:
- Not great for shorter people
- Slightly heavier, not the best option for city commuters
Royce Union RMA Women’s 21-Speed
Description: The Royce Union RMA Women’s 21-Speed All-Terrain Mountain Bike is a great trail bike and works great on gravel paths. Of course, that means it’ll also work great on a city street. This is good for someone who is looking to get a bike that works for your more outdoorsy adventures and your commute to work. This is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly mountain bikes on the market. This bike also comes with a number of different frame sizes to choose from so you can find a bike size that fits you best. Because this bike has larger wheels it offers less rolling resistance than a typical mountain bike tire. It comes with an adjustable padded saddle and raised handlebars. Also, the front suspension fork is built to absorb bumps and dips which is one great feature for any mountain bike. Royce Union also offers a 10-year warranty on their product. This bike weighs less than 42 pounds.
Pros:
- 10-year warranty
- Different frame size offers
- Larger wheels
Cons:
- Not great for extreme mountain biking with large rocks and steep climbs
24’’ Dynacraft Women’s Speed Bike
Description: This 24-inch women’s mountain bike is a great bike for beginners. It’s the cheapest bike on our list but it will work great if you’re a beginner or just looking to try out mountain biking. It has a full-suspension mountain bike frame, both front and rear breaks, a padded mountain bike saddle and a quick-release seat port. Like most mountain bikes, this bike has a grip shifter allowing you to shift gears with your right hand. This bike offers a Shimano grip shifter, while not the best of the best, this shifter will get the job done. It comes in at 24 inches, making it a pretty small bike that will work great for women 5’’ to 5’’ 4’ tall. If you’re taller, I would recommend getting a bike that is a little taller. Overall this is a good commuter bike. Just like the Royce Union option, his bike weighs 42 pounds.
Pros:
- Quality of the bike is worth the price
- East to make adjustments to seats and handlebars
Cons:
- Not great for taller women
- Not great for steep mountain climbs
Conclusion
Now that you know what $500 can get you on the mountain bike market, I hope you feel more confident about your next purchase. Whether you’re purchasing one of our favorite budget women’s bikes or you’ve decided to invest in something a little more expensive, I recommend you try before you buy. Go to your nearest store and test ride some bikes, this will help you as you continue to search online.