Best Bikes for Short Women: Top 3 for Petite Females

Finding the right size bike to fit you can sometimes be a little tricky, especially given the hoards of advice thrown your way from people on the internet and sales assistance in stores.

Throw into the mix being a petite rider and this task can seem a little overwhelming. However, we’ve put together some solid advice in order to help you find a bike that is a suitable size for you.

Bikes are for everyone, even if standard sizes and geometries seem unfavourable, there are bikes out there for you.

But if you’re a little bit vertically challenged, we’ve help find the best bikes for short women.

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Best Bike for Short Female

Does Size Matter… When Buying a Bicycle?

Size absolutely matters when buying a bike: buying a bike that is too big means it won’t be comfortable to ride. Nor will it be easy for you to control.

Not only will a riding a bike that’s too big for you be uncomfortable, but it could also potentially lead to injuries and pains (like back pain) due to overreaching just to hold the handlebars.

Buying a bike that is too small is also problematic. Issues from riding a bike that is too small also includes injury and pains. Again won’t be comfortable, mostly through feeling cramped. Riding a bike shouldn’t injure you at the end of the day, it’s meant to be good for your health.

Which Bike is Best for a Petite Woman?

The best bike for petite women would ideally be a custom made bike. Many companies do actually provide custom build bikes where the frame is built around your sizing needs. However this does come at a cost, thus isn’t going to be an option for everyone.

However, when it comes to sizing and ease of getting on and off of the bike, the best bike for petite size women is a hybrid and commuter style bike. More specifically, a step through style hybrid bike as the dipped frame design allows for easy mounting and remounting.

This is a common issue smaller riders face when trying to find a bike that they feel comfortable riding. Couple this with a comfortable women specific saddle, and you have a winning combination comfort wise.

What Size Bike for Short Female?

Brands will differ depending on their bikes geometry, so it is best to double check each brand. As a rough guide for shorter females (and men as well given most bikes are unisex) is as follows:

Best Bikes for Short Women (Top 3)

1. Sirrus X 2.0 Step-Through

• £749
• $775
• €750

Prices are approximate

Features: Step through design

Suitable for Women: 4’11” to 5’9″

Weight: N/A

Gears: 8-Speed

Modern look with a classic design

Great all round hybrid

Great components

The Specialized Sirrus range is known for delivering excellent quality hybrids for great prices: the X 2.0 Step-Through is no different.

This great all round hybrid is a perfect option for any petite riders, thanks to the smaller geometry (XS), this bike caters very well to the shorter person.

All in all, this is a really great option for any petite rider wanting a high quality step through hybrid that can do pretty much anything.

Pros

• Made of lightweight aluminium
• Step-through design
• XS sizing is great

Cons

• May not come small enough for all riders

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2. Brompton A Line Folding Bike

• £950
• $1,150
• €1,100

Prices are approximate

Features: Folding brilliance

Suitable for Women: 4’7″ to 6’8″ (with extender seat post)

Weight: 11.5 kg

Gears: 3-Speed

Very easy to adjust

Can take it anywhere

Perfect for shorter riders

Although this option, the Brompton A Line folding bike, may seem a little bizarre in this list, it’s not: it truly makes sense being on this list.

For the petite female rider, adjustability is often an issue, but the Brompton solves this. Thanks to an adjustable seat post, the saddle can be lowered down enough to accommodate a 4’7″ rider, it’s a perfect option.

Not only that, but due to being a folding bike, the design features a very low top tube which is no pain at all for petite riders to maneuver when mounting and dismounting. A truly great option, as well as super useful given its folding capabilities.

Pros

• Really easy to get on and off
• Loads of adjustability
• Incredibly useful due to folding abilities

Cons

• Potentially a little niche

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3. Ribble Urban AL e

• £1,999
• $2,480
• €2,276

Prices are approximate

Features: Electric and step through

Suitable for Women: 5’0″ to 5’6″

Weight: 17.5kg/38.5lbs (medium)

Gears: 11-Speed

Step through geometry

Small sizing

Easy to get on and off of

If you were a smaller rider but want the benefits of a motor as well as a small frame, look no further.

Ribble’s Urban AL e is a fantastic hybrid which in size S will be perfect for smaller riders of 5’0″ and up.

The step through geometry allows for easy mounting and dismounting, which is perfect for the more petite riders.

Pros

• Fits rider of 5ft and up
• Benefits from a motor
• Step through frame

Cons

• Little expensive
• Motor makes it heavier than normal hybrids

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