Cycling is an amazing sport and one we are seeing many people turn to when it comes to getting fitter, losing weight, and getting into new social circles. In recent years we have seen many new cyclists, which is excellent. Many have noticed the number of female cyclists taking up the sport and the rise of popularity in women’s general and competitive cycling.
When it comes to finding the perfect bike for you, it can be very challenging. There are many types to pick from, and they are all designed for different cycling disciplines. In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the best bikes for heavy women riders and guide you on picking the right bike for you.
What Do We Look for in a Heavy Women’s Bike?
When it comes to picking the best bikes, there’s a lot we need to consider. As bike experts, here’s what we look for when picking our bikes.
Made for Women riders
Most people who cycle are men, and many companies design a bike for men and call it unisex, which isn’t ideal. We are only looking at bikes designed with women’s bodies in mind. This means it is going to fit better and give you a much better riding experience than one designed for a man.
Top Quality
We want a bike that is top quality. It needs to be from a good reputable brand and be made not just to perform but also to last for years of riding and thousands of tough miles. This doesn’t just go for the frame and forks but all the components attached.
Value for Money
We also look for bikes that offer excellent value for money. We want to find bikes that offer an excellent experience for the least money possible so you can spend more on other cycling kits and your adventures.
Fit for purpose
Next, we want to ensure that the bike is fit for purpose. We want mountain bikes that are going to be excellent off-road. We want road bikes that are going to be perfect on the tarmac. The bike has to be designed for the riding you want it for.
The Bikes!
In this article, we’re going to tell you about six bikes. You will have our best picks of off road, road, and hybrid bikes. Enjoy!
OFF-ROAD BIKES
1. Best Overall – Velowave Prado S
- Aluminum with front suspension
- 7-Speed Shimano Gearing
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 750w Motor, 40 mile range
- 20″ Wheels, Off Road Tires
- Weigh 77lbs
- Max Weight 330lbs
If you’re in the market for an electric off-road bike, then look no further than the Velowave Prado S. The bike is unique in its appearance, and not only does it turn heads, but it can also perform.
The bike is made of aluminum and has a front suspension. It is made to be as comfortable as possible and has a very upright riding position. It comes with a powerful 750w motor and a battery to take you as far as 40 miles on a single charge.
It has a 7-speed groupset which gives a basic range, but with that powerful motor, it’s enough. The brakes are hydraulic disc brakes which are incredibly responsive and will stop you fast.
The small 20″ wheels make the bike very agile and are fitted with giant 4″ fat bike tires, making this bike incredibly comfortable and fun to ride. You also get fenders, lighting, and a rear rack too.
Pros
- Amazing off-road
- Price is great for an electric bike
- 7-speed Gearing
- Lighting, fenders, and a rear rack
- Powerful 750w motor
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Cons
- Not the lightest bike
- Not everyone will like the design
Why do we like it?
The Velowave Prado S is a very fun bike to ride and is going to give you some amazing adventures off-road. It’s not the cheapest or the lightest, but the powerful motor and hydraulic brakes completely make up for it.
2. Best Value – Hiland 26″ Ladies
- Steel frame with front suspension
- 21-Speed Shimano Gearing
- Disc Brakes
- 26″ Wheels, Off Road Tires
- Weight 32lbs
- Max Weight 300lbs
Hiland is well known when it comes to good bikes, and the Hiland Ladies mountain bike was one that really caught our eye. It’s a hardtail mountain bike with a steel frame paired with a front suspension fork. It looks incredible in the two color options: bright pink and turquoise green.
It comes with 21 speeds of Shimano gearing, but unlike the Apollo above, instead of grip shifters, you get trigger shifters. These are going to help you quickly change gear when going up and down hills quickly. It comes with mechanical disc brakes, which are going to be excellent in all weather conditions and stop you quickly and safely.
It comes with small 26″ wheels, which are great off-road, and these have knobby tires equipped too. With a weight of 32lbs, it’s a light bike which is going to be a lot of fun.
Pros
- Great colors
- Durable steel frame
- Disc Brakes
- Shimano Gearing
- Lightweight at 32lbs
Cons
- Very bold colors
- Sizing is limited
Why do we like it?
The Hiland lady’s hardtail mountain bike is a great buy. It’s excellent value for money and is a great all rounder. The color might be a bit bold for some, and we would have loved to see more size options, but it’s enough.
ROAD BIKES
3. Hurley Amped Electric Road Bike
- Aluminum Frame and Fork
- Single Speed
- Caliper Brakes
- 700″ Wheels, Road Tires
- Weight 44lbs
- Max Weight 265lbs
The Hurley Amped bike is a low-key electric bike designed for the road. It is made of aluminum and is made to tackle the city at full speed. It comes with a 250w motor which can take you as far as 20 miles.
It is a simple electric bike and isn’t like others on this list. It only has one gear, so you rely on the motor to help you on steep hills. It comes with caliper brakes which will stop you, but they are pretty basic.
The wheels are large 700c wheels and come with road racing tires. Unlike many road bikes, this doesn’t have drop bars due to having motor controls on the bars. It comes with lighting and a super comfortable saddle to keep you going on longer rides.
Pros
- Fast on the road
- Durable aluminum frame
- 250w motor, 2o mile range
- Lightweight for an electric bike at 44lbs
- 700c wheels and racing 25c tires
Cons
- Only one gear
- Simple design
Why do we like it?
The Hurly Amped bike is very simple. With only one single gear and a powerful motor there’s little to it. As a road bike for riding comfortably around a city or town it is ideal.
4. Schwinn Phocus 1600
- Aluminum frame with carbon forks
- 16-Speed Shimano Gearing
- Caliper Brakes
- 700″ Wheels, Road Tires
- Weight 34lbs
- Max Weight 330lbs
Schwinn is known for making some excellent bikes, and the Phocus is a popular road model of theirs. We really like it because not only does it look great, but it performs and offers something the other bikes on this list don’t.
The first thing to mention is this frame isn’t steel. It is aluminum. It will be lighter, feel much stiffer, and paired with the Schwinn carbon fiber fork, it will feel nimble and fast. The Phocus 1600 comes with a Shimano 2×8 groupset. Expect silky smooth shifting and a groupset that will last.
The wheels are 700c, they come with an aerodynamic profile to help at higher speeds, and they are equipped with small racing tires. It’s not the lightest of bikes at 34lbs but does offer a huge weight limit of 330lbs.
Pros
- Looks great
- Aluminum frame
- Lightweight carbon fiber forks
- Relaxed geometry
- 700c wheels with racing tires
Cons
- It only comes in black with yellow detailing
- Limited sizing
Why do we like it?
The Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a solid bike and great for any entry-level rider, whatever your goal. It is going to be fast, fun, and the aluminum frame and fork will make it feel super quick.
Related Article: Schwinn Bikes Review – Are Schwinn Bikes Good?
HYBRID AND CRUISER BIKES
5. Sixthreezero Cruiser Electric Bike
- Steel frame and forks
- 500w Motor, 40 mile range
- 7 Speed Gearing
- Disc Brakes
- 26″ Wheels, Cruiser Tires
- Weight 37lbs
- Max Weight 300lbs
If you are looking for a bike that offers a huge amount of style and practicality, then look no further than the Sixthreezero women’s cruiser. Sixthreezero offers a huge amount of color and gearing options, and they also come with many great add ons.
The frame and fork are made of steel, with a strong weight capacity of 300lbs. It’s got an extremely relaxed geometry and isn’t made to race or shred trails but for cruising with friends and going to the shops.
It has a 500w motor that works as pedal assistance or throttle. The bike can go up to 40 miles on a single charge. It comes with mechanical disc brakes so that it can stop you fast in all weather conditions.
The wheels are small 26″ wheels and pair with oversized 2.1″ tires, which will make this bike great for roads and light off-road terrain with maximum comfort. Coming in at 62lbs, it is light for a hybrid electric bike and even comes with a rear rack, backswept bars, and fenders.
Pros
- So many color options
- Rear rack, fenders, and backswept bars
- Lightweight for an electric hybrid
- Very relaxed geometry
- 26″ wheels with oversized gumwall tires
Cons
- Design isn’t for everyone
- Not the cheapest
- Fairly heavy
Why do we like it?
The Sixthreezero is a very cool electric bike and offers such style and practicality. We really like it, and if you are looking for a fun cruiser, we highly recommend it.
Related Article: Skinwall or Gumwall Tires
6. Best Bike For Low Budget – Royce Union RMY Women’s bike
- Aluminum frame and suspension forks
- 21 Speed Gearing
- Liner Pull Brakes
- 700c Wheels, Hybrid Tires
- Weight 43lbs
- Max Weight 300lbs
The Royce Union is a bike that offers a little mix of a lot of different bikes. It has an aluminum step-through frame making this bike really easy to get on and off. It has a suspension fork on the front to take the bumps out of the road and has been designed with comfort over everything else.
You get 21 different gear options on a 3×7 groupset. This bike will give you a lot of options for climbing and descending. The linear pull brake system offers ok braking, but it is not going to have extreme power like disc brakes.
The bike is equipped with large 700c road wheels, which are paired with oversized tires for puncture protection and comfort. This bike will be great for road riding and even light trails. It’s not the lightest bike at 43lbs, but it does offer a lot of ability and comfort.
Pros
- Aluminum frame with suspension forks
- Great for on and off-road
- Lightweight for a hybrid
- Comfortable to ride
- Large 700c wheels with big tires
Cons
- Does look basic
- Fairly heavy
Why do we like it?
The Royce Union is a lovely bike and similar to the Schwinn Discover hybrid bike that many people use. It offers the rider so much ability no matter where your riding. It’s not the lightest and does look basic, but it does a great job of being an all round bike.
Do you need a Wider Saddle?
One thing that heavier people find when they start cycling is that the saddle is a little too thin and it becomes uncomfortable. To fix this we recommend getting a wider saddle before thinking about changing the bike. Here are some wider saddles we highly recommend.
Giddy Up Bike Seat
YLG Oversized Comfort Saddle
Bikeroo
Women’s Bike Buyers Guide
Let’s say none of these bikes takes your fancy, and you are unsure what to look for when buying yourself a women’s bike. Well, this is our women’s bike buyer guide which will give you the questions you need to ask yourself to ensure you’re getting the right bike for you.
What do you want the bike for?
The first question you need to ask is, what do you want the bike for? If you are planning on off-road riding like mountain biking, then a mountain bike will be for you. If you want to be racing on the tarmac, a road bike. You might want a mix of on and off-road and need a hybrid or cruiser bike. Want to ride on the beach, then fat tire bikes? Get the bike for the job.
Does it work for you?
It’s important to ensure the bike you pick first comes in your size. You always want to ensure it fits, or you will have an awful time riding it. Next, check the weight limit to ensure you are also the correct weight for the bike.
Are the components right?
When we speak about components, we’re talking about the parts attached to the bike. It’s important to have lots of gears and not a single speed bike if you live in a hilly area. If you are planning road racing, you will want skinny tires over large tires.
Budget
When it comes to getting the perfect bike for you, it’s important to have a budget in mind. Typically when it comes to cycling, you get what you pay for, and the more you spend, the better experience you will have and the longer the bike will last.
Conclusion
The best bikes for overweight women looking to lose weight can be challenging to find, and many riders end up going for a fat tire bike or heavy duty bikes when they don’t always need to. Plenty of bikes on the market look normal and have a high weight capacity, which will do a much better job of helping you cycle.
Related Article: How Many Miles Should I Bike to Lose Weight?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a bike?
Everyone has a different budget but the more you spend the better your cycling experience will be and the longer the bike will last.
What tools do I need when out riding?
We recommend some inner tubes, spare patches, a pump, tire levers, and a multi tool.
Are aluminum bikes strong?
Aluminum bikes are very strong, lightweight, and they transfer power excellently.
Expert Tip
We recommend watching some videos on how to get the correct saddle height before you start using the bike. This can be the difference between it being uncomfortable and comfortable.
Did you know?
Bicycles are more popular with women at the age of 18-27 than men.
