Discover the Best Hybrid Bikes for Women

A hybrid bike is a combination of a standard road bike and a mountain bike, allowing it to cope with off-road terrain while offering speed on smooth pavements. If you’re looking for the best hybrid bikes for women, we’ve provided a diverse selection of eight right here. 

At a glance, the Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women’s Step-Through Hybrid Bike is the best overall, as it’s lightweight and features a comfortable, padded seat.

The Best Women’s Hybrid Bikes 2020

Hybrid bikes are great for casual rides, such as commuting to work or meeting your friends. They’re typically equipped with a slim, low profile and are often accessorized with a basket and bell. Below are some of the top hybrid bikes 2020 has to offer.

1. Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women’s Step-Through Hybrid Bike — Best Overall

Sixthreezero EVRYjourney

This is the best women’s hybrid bike for several reasons. It’s designed with a forward pedaling design which enables you to remain upright while riding. This helps to keep your back straight, improves your posture while riding and offers proper leg extension when riding.

The aluminum frame ensures that this hybrid bike is lightweight, which helps to reduce any strain or excess while riding. The frame also has forward-pedaling geometry, so you can place your foot flat on the floor when stationary, preventing any accidents while you’re stopped in traffic.

It’s best suited for single trips up to 30 miles and speeds of up to 30mph, though, the large range of 21 speeds combined makes it appropriate for a wide range of riding. If you want to travel farther, you’ll appreciate the synthetic leather saddle which is comfortable and features grips to improve safety.

2. Trek Dual Sport 3 Women’s Bike — Premium Option

Are you looking for the best women’s bike for transferring from city streets to gravel trails? This is a great contender, thanks to its front suspension which allows you to travel over rough terrain without any issues. It also offers puncture-resistant tires, which offer you peace of mind that they won’t tear easily if you cycle over debris and stones.

It’s also highly versatile with a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, allowing a variety of people to ride it. You can also attach a basket to it without it becoming weighed down. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and sturdy, which makes it less resistant to scrapes and falls, allowing you to be slightly rough with the bike. 

Instead of cables running wild on the front of your bike, the cable routing is internal, which extends the lifespan of the cables and provides a sleeker look to your bike. With 18 speeds available, you will have more availability to switch to a lower setting so you can cycle up steep hills, which allows you to also use this bike for mountain cycling. 

3. Raleigh Bikes Alysa Women’s Urban Fitness Bike — Best Women’s Hybrid bike for Beginners

Raleigh Bikes Alysa Women's Urban Fitness Bike

Raleigh’s women’s hybrid bike is ideal for beginners due to its smooth transitions of gears, although it’s also a recommended choice for fitness rides. The front of the bike is designed with Hyperglide technology which provides a smooth pedaling experience as well as better chain engagement.

Its tires feature double-wall rims, which provide excellent traction when cycling through puddles and grass without a loss of control. Fortunately, the tires are long-wearing and are equipped with fire center trad rolls which allow you to travel at fast speeds. This is great if you intend to use this bike for fitness purposes. 

The high-quality, lightweight aluminum frame comes with pre-drilled holes with screws, providing a place to store two water bottles, which is great for long rides. The seat is padded for exceptional comfort, which allows you to ride this hybrid bike for prolonged periods. When riding, you’ll notice the bike is smooth, which is down to the carbon fiber fork which absorbs impact and vibrations.

4. Schwinn Wayfarer Unisex Bike — Best on a Budget

Schwinn Wayfarer Unisex Bike

This is one of the best hybrid bikes for women and men on a budget who still want the best and most essential features. It costs around a third of the price of other hybrid bikes in the same class, although it still offers all the essentials for a leisurely cycle or vigorous fitness session.

For example, it offers a seven-speed shifter, which is a generous number and this allows you to choose your pedal resistance. Due to its steel frame which is heavier than aluminum, this hybrid bike can struggle when climbing up steep hills in higher gears. When you’re cycling, you’ll always feel comfortable due to the spring-loaded padded seat that helps to absorb impacts and reduces any strain on the body.

We were surprised to discover that a unisex hybrid bike at this price has alloy front and rear brakes. This material dissipates heat better than steel, and adds efficiency to the brakes which helps to make stopping smoother. Its high-quality construction and suspension system allow you to whizz up and down rocky trails and across campuses of different terrains for a fun and safe ride.

5. Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women — Best for Cycling Through Dirt

Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women

Schwinn’s aluminum frame is the perfect design for a woman’s body with a low curve and short height which allows you to stand up when the bike is stationary. With an ergonomically-designed frame, it is perfect for long rides to improve the bike’s longevity. 

You can cycle in dirty environments, thanks to the fenders which keep dirt at bay. These keep the bike clean when cycling through mud. The bike has fenders on the front and rear and they’re highly durable, remaining intact in a range of weather conditions. 

With its 28-inch wheels, you can enjoy long, muddy rides without any issues of becoming stuck in mud. The rubber at the top of the wheels provides a hassle-free experience, so no matter how bumpy your ride is, the tires will absorb the impact. Finally, the bike is equipped with a reliable brake system, so you can stop suddenly, even when traveling downhill.

6. Diamondback Women’s Calico Dual Sport Bike — Best Lightweight Bike

Diamondback Women's Calico Dual Sport Bike

Its lightweight aluminum design ensures this bike doesn’t carry any unnecessary weight. Its overall geometry determines its frame design, so it remains comfortable and has an ergonomic shape. Despite its lightweight frame, the 75mm suspension forks make this bike suitable for riding on dirt paths and pavements, and it absorbs impact along your route.

The sports wheels are durable and improve the bike’s efficiency. The 45c tires improve your comfort and provide enough traction so you won’t feel every bump and surface that you ride over. It is designed with alloy pedals, which are high quality and allow you to smoothly ride the bike while they also feel smooth against your feet.

Most importantly, this bike is safe to use, thanks to its brakes with a high stopping power. It’s kitted with 160mm rotors which allow you to stop, no matter the conditions. 

7. Tommaso La Forma Lightweight Aluminum Hybrid Bike — Best for Long Distances

Tommaso La Forma Lightweight Aluminum Hybrid Bike

This bike has all the right features for commuting to work. It’s designed with 27 speeds which are prepared to take on a mixture of flat and hilly surfaces. This multiple-geared bike allows you to drop gears while you’re traveling up hills or opt for a higher gear as you cycle along smooth surfaces. With this feature alone, we rate this as the best women’s hybrid bike for long distances.

It’s highly versatile, with a variety of fenders, water bottle stand, and racks. Although it doesn’t come with these features, you can style the bike according to your liking and needs. With thin tires and carbon fork suspension system, this Tommaso bike remains lightweight and helps you to tackle steeper hills and reduce any extra weight. The light weight allows you to carry heavier loads in a basket or bag, compared to some other hybrid bikes.

With road tires which are smooth and have a circular tread with deep grooves, they can disperse water. This makes it a suitable option for riding in the rain or through puddles. The tires also come with 28-spoke alloy rims which are light and highly durable.

8. Sixthreezero Reach Your Destination Women’s Hybrid Bike — Best for Comfort

Sixthreezero Reach Your Destination Women's Hybrid Bike

This is the best women’s comfort bike and is designed with a seat and handlebars which keep you in an upright position. Its seat is cushioned with a synthetic leather saddle which enhances its durability while making it comfortable enough to sit on for lengthy journeys. The handlebars are cushioned to remain soft against your hands. Made from synthetic leather, the grips won’t leave your hands sweaty or grimy either.

This bike is equipped with a low-profile frame which is made from lightweight aluminum to provide easy entry. It comes with medium-width, double-walled 35c tires which are smooth when rolling across pavements.

There are 14 speeds to choose from, which allows you to travel leisurely or on medium-distance rides. This, combined with front and rear hand brakes, enables easy and safe braking. The manufacturer recommends that you ride this for a maximum of 10-25 miles in one session. 

FAQ

What is a good beginner/entry-level hybrid bike for women?

There are many qualities to look for in a beginner’s bike. Firstly, it shouldn’t be too expensive, so look for something below the $300 mark, as if you’re new to cycling, you’re likely to have some accidents with the bike.

Its gear transitions should be smooth to make riding easier, rather than requiring hard twisting to change the gears as you adjust your speed or travel on different terrain. The pedaling mechanics should be smooth too, which will allow you to ride the bike without too much effort. 

A great suggestion is the Raleigh Bikes Alysa Women’s Urban Fitness Bike, as it comes with these two features. It also has a lightweight aluminium frame and weighs less than 35 pounds to reduce any excess weight on the bike. With double-wall rims and excellent traction on the wheels, you can cycle on rocky surfaces and through puddles with ease while smoothly transitioning to tarmac.

What size hybrid bike do I need?

The bike’s height and size are important to your comfort and safety. You should be able to touch the ground when you’re stationary to prevent you from falling off. Getting on the bike shouldn’t be a challenge either and you shouldn’t require any assistance to hop on.

Here’s a rough sizing guide based on a person’s height. However, remember to try sitting on the bike in the store or when you receive it before you ride it.

• 4’10” to 5’2” height — 13” to 14” frame
• 5’2” to 5’6” height — 15” to 16” frame
• 5’6” to 5’10” height — 17” to 18” frame
• 5’10” to 6’1” height — 19” to 20” frame
• 6’1” to 6’4” height — 21” to 22” frame
• 6’4” to 6’6” height — 23” to 24” frame

Hybrid bikes are measured from the middle of the bottom bracket to the seat. They’re typically measured in sizes of S, M, L, and XL, but you should always check the sizing guide before deciding which size suits you best.

Your height and comfort levels may change, so opt for a hybrid bike with a seat height and handlebars which are easily adjustable. The seat shouldn’t be so far forward that your knees are over your toes, as this can contribute to knee pain, numbness, and problems with your achilles. On the other hand, if the seat is too far back, you will need to stretch forward and won’t experience the maximum muscle power from your legs.

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Buying Guide for Choosing the Best Hybrid Bikes for Women

There are plenty of hybrid bikes to choose from, and this can make your search confusing. Consider the below features in order to select the best one for your riding style, environment, and preferences.

Flat Bar vs. Drop Bar

Drop bars have the bigger advantage of helping you reach faster speeds when cycling at speeds of over 15mph. If you find you travel at speeds faster than this and, as a result, spend more time on smooth pavements, drop bars may be a more suitable choice. 

Another benefit of drop bars is the various hand positions they offer, which helps to alleviate hand pains when traveling on long journeys. These handlebars are around 100mm narrower than flat bars, which enables you to pass through tight spaces, such as in between cars in traffic, and makes these handlebars a suitable choice for commuters. 

Drop bars are ideal for transferring your body weight to the front as you climb uphill. The brake hoods provide a firm grip, which allows you to gain more leverage through the pedals and ride with more power.

Alternatively, flat bars have a wider grip than drop bars, which enables you to feel more in control when riding — particularly at slower speeds. They allow you to evenly transfer your bodyweight onto the handlebars, especially when riding on difficult terrain.

Flat bars are positioned higher than the alternative, so you sit more upright in your seat. This helps you to feel more comfortable when riding, as you put more of your weight on your rear rather than on your hands.

As your hands are in a more convenient position compared to with drop bars, you can reach the brake levers with ease, which allows you to adjust the speed with the touch of a fingertip. This is an ideal feature if you travel on a mixture of surfaces and hills. Flat bars are also less expensive to repair and don’t require time to get accustomed to them.

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Disc Brakes

There are two types of disc brakes available on hybrid bikes: hydraulic and mechanical. Hydraulic offer an abrupt stopping power and self-adjust to prevent brake pad wear and tear, although they’re typically more expensive. This type of disc brake requires little effort compared to the braking force which is applied. You can use your little finger to apply pressure and also have more control over the amount of force.

On the other hand, mechanical disc brakes are less expensive, although they require more pressure when braking. However, these types of disc brakes are more responsive in wet conditions, which is something to consider if you tend to ride more when it’s raining.

The Right Gearing 

You’ll notice that not all of the above hybrid bikes for women have the same number of gears. As a general rule, hybrid bikes will have up to 27 gears. Rather than focusing on the right number of gears to have, what you really need is a decent range which is low enough for traveling uphill and pedaling gently down inclines. 

A bike with a higher number of gears has a broader range than one with fewer gears, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for everyone.

Consider the environment you’ll be cycling in. If it’s relatively flat, you won’t require a large variety of gears as you won’t need to minimize the pressure as you would when cycling uphill or increase the gear for more stopping resistance when riding downhill.

Generally speaking, if you plan on riding uphill and downhill and in a range of different terrains, a hybrid bike with more gears is the best choice. This is because you’ll have more traction when cycling downhill and on rocky surfaces. More gear choices also allow you to finetune your ride — a great feature if you intend to use the hybrid bike for vigorous exercise rather than just commuting.

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Frame

You’ll notice that the majority of the best hybrid bikes for women have an aluminum frame, although we also included one which is designed with steel. 

The winning material for durability is steel. It’s scratch- and dent-resistant, which allows its structural integrity to remain unharmed, even when thrown to the ground or used for a long time. On the other hand, aluminum is more vulnerable to damage and isn’t repairable when a frame loses its shape.

However, aluminum is less dense, which means it weighs less and you can travel at faster speeds when riding against the wind, whereas you’ll need to work harder in the same conditions on a steel bike. But steel bikes travel faster downhill, so consider your potential riding environments before making a purchase.

Design

Hybrid bikes have so many advantages to them, the main one being their excellent versatility. The best question to ask yourself is: what will be the main purpose of my hybrid bike? 

If you intend to use it for shopping, ensure that the frame is suitable for add-ons, such as panniers and a front basket. However, if you plan on using the hybrid bike for commuting to work, you may need to carry essentials such as a water bottle and laptop bag. Check the number of eyelets available on the frame which can accommodate these essentials.

Comfort is another important factor with a bike’s design. Bear in mind the saddle’s shape, compared to your size and preference, as there is a wide variety to choose from. For example, a wide saddle with a curved design is ideal if you’ll be sitting more upright. Choose a width which is 2cm wider than you when you’re sat down for ultimate comfort.

Finally, consider the handlebar design. Although we briefly touched on the style in an earlier section, we neglected to mention the materials. If you’ll be carrying your bike around, such as on a train, the less material there is on the handlebars, the greater the convenience. For ultimate comfort, padded grips offer the most comfort. However, there should be some traction, so you don’t lose grip while riding, particularly when it’s raining.

The Winning Bike

Are you unsure of which bike to purchase? Opt for the Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women’s Step-Through Hybrid Bike. It’s manufactured with a forward pedaling design, which enables you to remain upright when cycling. You can also ride at speeds of up to 30mph and for distances of up to 30 miles, which makes it suitable for lengthy journeys.

The Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women is a close runner-up and comes with fenders to keep dirt off you, so you can ride through mud. In addition, with rubber, 28-inch wheels, you can ride in rough terrain while the tires absorb the impact.

For a final alternative, we suggest the Dual Sport 3 Women’s Bike which has a lightweight, aluminum frame, so you can safely and comfortably ride on dirt paths and pavements. The tires also provide excellent traction when riding over bumps.