How to Choose the Right Electric Bike for a Woman?

The right electric bike for women is comfortable, easy to ride, and jam-packed with essential safety features. Features like step-through frames make mounting and dismounting easier, while powerful motors help riders overcome steep inclines with less pedalling effort.

As more Ebike manufacturers start catering to the needs of female riders, finding the right Ebike is easier than ever. But the amount of designs and configurations can be overwhelming. Knowing what to look for in an Ebike for women can help make the choice easier.

In this article, you’ll discover what to look for in an electric bike for women. We’ll cover their key features and how to choose an Ebike that suits your riding style.

What’s Your Riding Purpose?

Your riding purpose refers to how and where you use your Ebike. Will you primarily be commuting to work and school? Going on weekend adventures into the outback? Performing deliveries for the gig economy? Each riding purpose will determine your ideal Ebike type.

If you’re commuting daily on mostly smooth, flat terrain, then a 20-inch Ebike with a lightweight frame will help you cruise around the urban jungle at a brisk pace. On the other hand, if you plan to rough it out in the wilderness, then consider an Ebike with fat tires and sturdy suspension.

Key Features to Consider in an Ebike for Women

Below are some of the key features to consider as a female rider looking for an Ebike.

Easy-Mount Step-Through Frames

Ebikes with step-through frames come in one of two designs. They have either no horizontal top tube, or a top tube pointing downward. Either way, the goal of such a frame is to provide more leg clearance, making it easier to mount and dismount the seat.

Originally designed for women wearing long dresses and skirts, step-through frames are now a unisex design. That said, many female riders may still benefit from the accessibility of a step-through frame, especially if part of your daily commute involves getting on and off the Ebike often.

FURTHER READING: Step-Through vs Crossbar Ebike: Which is Right for You

Top Tube Lengths

The top tube connects the Ebike’s seat to the handlebars, of which its length determines how far you must stretch your arms to reach it. Naturally, the shorter the top tube, the easier the handlebars are to reach.

Most Ebikes for women have a shorter top tube length than those for male riders. You should be able to find this information in the Ebike product description. Compare the top tube measurement to your own arm length, helping you decide if the reach length is ideal.

Comfortable Saddle

A comfortable saddle for women should be height-adjustable, so your feet can touch the ground and your arms can reach the handlebars effectively. It is fairly common for women to have larger sit bones than men. In this case, a wide saddle will help support the pelvic region, increasing comfort and promoting blood flow.

T-shaped saddles have long, slender noses and upward-slanted back regions – ideal for aggressive-style riding. Pear-shaped saddles are best suited for riding upright. They’re smooth from front to rear, covering a wide surface area.

Size & Weight

Ebikes for women tend to have smaller frames than those for male riders.

In most cases, this results in a frame with a reduced top tube length and lower seat height. 

Ebikes with smaller frames often have a folding design, enabling you to fold the frame in half and store it in compact spaces. The reduced weight of a compact frame makes it easier to carry as well, such as up and down stairs or on public transport like trains.

Adjustable Handlebars

Height-adjustable handlebars make it easier for female riders to reach the handlebars comfortably. This works in conjunction with a height-adjustable seat. Adjust both accordingly to strike the right balance between comfort and convenience.

Ideally, the handlebars should be low enough for both arms to rest gently on, while still being within reach of the brake levers and other controls.

Motor Power & Battery Life

The motor power and battery capacity will have a notable impact on Ebike weight. The more powerful the motor is, the larger and heavier it will be. A more powerful motor will also consume more energy, necessitating a higher-capacity (and thus, heavier) Ebike battery.

For many female riders, a 250W hub motor and a travel range of 90 to 110km is enough for daily commuting and leisurely riding.

A 250W hub motor can produce around 60 to 80Nm of torque, meaning it offers smooth acceleration and a quick launch from an idle stance. Plus, the 90 to 110km travel range can take you far on a single battery charge, especially if you’re riding on flat terrain and easy on the pedal assist.

Price

The average price of an Ebike can start anywhere from GBP 1,499 to 1,999. The price of the Ebike is usually determined by the frame material, motor power, travel range, and accessories. More expensive models may also have a throttle, letting you accelerate without pedalling.

When budgeting for an Ebike, consider the price of accessories too. Accessories like helmets and bags can cost anywhere from GBP 70 to 150 depending on where you shop. Portable tire pumps and DIY repair kits can help you out in a tight jam too, such as a tire puncture.

Ebike Choices for Different Riding Styles in Women

Different women have different riding styles. So, it’s important that you choose an Ebike that matches you riding purpose and style. Here’s a few different riding styles to consider.

Commuting

Most commuting involves riding around urban areas like busy cities and quiet neighbourhoods, or a mixture of both. You typically ride on flat, smooth terrain like major roads and sidewalks. Some urban areas may have dirt trails that serve as shortcuts.

For daily commuting as a female rider, an Ebike with a 250W motor and travel range of 90 to 110km is ideal in most situations. The Heybike range, including the EC 1, EC 1-ST, and EC Compact City, ticks all the right boxes in this department.

Featuring an automatic 3-speed hub, the EC Compact City takes the stress out of changing gears. This way, you can relax and simply enjoy the ride. It also has a sleek, modern design that’s eye-catching and makes you look good wherever you go. Plus, the lightweight frame is easy to carry and store.

FURTHER READING: How to Start Commuting on an Ebike

Fitness

Do you have a passion for fitness and want to incorporate e-cycling into your exercise routine? Even though Ebikes have a pedal assist mode, you still need to engage the pedals to activate the motor. Not only does this ease your pedalling effort, but it also enables you to ride for longer with less physical effort.

E-cycling is a great form of cardio exercise, reducing cardio vascular disease (CVD) risk factors – elevated blood pressure, obesity, low fitness – by 25 percent. Staying fit on an Ebike can also go hand in-hand with improved social engagement, such as group e-cycling sessions to contribute to a healthier mindset.

Leisure

E-cycling is a great leisure activity, whether it be riding solo or catching up with friends. You can go almost anywhere, such as the local park or a remote camping site. Certain Ebikes, such as the Heybike EC Compact Sport, are ideal for riding off-road.

Equipped with fat tires and a front fork suspension system, the EC Compact Sport provides outstanding support on rough surfaces, ensuring a consistently comfortable ride wherever you go. It also has a front and rear rack, so you can use baskets to transport up to 120kg of payload.

Conclusion

As a female rider, finding the perfect Ebike can be challenging. Making sense of technical lingo and weighing up the pros and cons of different configurations can make it hard to make an informed decision. We hope this article helps you find the perfect electric bike for you.

Start your e-cycling journey by exploring the electric bike range at Heybike. We offer models in various designs for women, such as compact folding and step-through frames. Grab yourself an amazing deal today!