Having become a genuine alternative to the car for urban travel, the bike is also a wonderful means of escape. More ecological, quiet, economical, fast and beneficial for your health, the advantages of prioritising bike use in the city are numerous.
As the women's urban bike market has grown significantly in recent years, choosing the right women's city bike is no longer an easy task, whether for beginner or even more experienced cyclists! Once you have decided to take the plunge and buy a fine steed for daily commuting or to clear your head by taking advantage of the many cycling facilities and paths on fine days, it is important to start by asking yourself the right questions. Namely:
What type of women's city bike suits you?
Do you need a Dutch bike or a hybrid bike? Or perhaps a compact folding bike that is easy to store in your flat? Or maybe a trendy, easy-to-maintain fixie? And what if the cargo bike was made for you and your little family?
This first question will determine the next two:
- Which frame geometry is the most suitable for the use you will make of it?
- And finally, which components are the most suited to your body shape?
If you want answers, we invite you to read our guide. We will compare the different models in order to help you find the women's urban bike best suited to your needs and travel habits.
The type of women's bike according to your journeys
The nature of the routes you regularly use largely determines the choice of your bike.
For frequent use over fairly long distances, opt for a dynamic, or even sporty bike like the hybrid bike. Conversely, short and occasional journeys in the city centre can be handled by bikes with a truly urban character, such as a Dutch bike or, in a different style, a fixie. If your route is too long or difficult (positive elevation or hills, …) or you want to arrive at work without having to shower, the electric city bike will, without doubt, be the best solution for you.
The folding bike is an urban bike perfectly suited to intermodality, this mode of travel in urban areas that alternates between cycling sections and public transport journeys. It folds up to be more easily carried on a bus, tram or metro, just like a piece of luggage.
If your route uses paved roads and some off-road tracks, versatile, hybrid bikes such as hybrid bikes or touring bikes, which are comfortable on all terrains, are well suited.
Finally, bear in mind that a versatile women's bike of this type can also serve you outside your daily urban use, for family rides, countryside excursions, during holidays or weekends. Depending on your habits and budget, opt for a do-it-all women's bike rather than one with too exclusively urban an identity (fixie, Dutch bike…).
WHAT SELECTION CRITERIA?
Comfort (size, posture, geometry)
Among other comfort criteria, it is worth noting that most classic city bikes are also available in a Step-Through version. This lower frame type is better suited to women. There are also "Wave" frames that are even easier to step over than a Step-Through frame. Step-through geometry models represent an intermediate solution, between straight frames known as "Diamond" and swan-neck frames "known as Wave.
Depending on the type of urban bike, the cyclist's posture can vary. This is an important differentiating criterion. For example, the position on a Dutch bike is very upright, the cyclist rides comfortably with a straight back and a good view of the road. In contrast, a hybrid bike, a fitness bike or a fixie offers a more sporty position, with the upper body leaning further over the handlebars.
The right women's bike remains the one on which you feel comfortable! With the exception of certain folding bikes and cargo bikes, most urban models are available in several sizes. On Probikeshop, you will find a guide on each urban bike page to help make your choice easier.
The transmission of your bike is also an important element to consider, which must be chosen according to the difficulty of the terrain. Manufacturers equip their urban bikes with traditional derailleurs or with internally geared hubs, the use of which is well suited to the flat to slightly hilly routes typically encountered in the city. They require little maintenance compared to derailleur systems, which remain preferable for tackling steep hills.
Safety
In the city, a cyclist may ride close to vehicles and motorcycles, which is why it is essential to equip your bike with safety accessories to make your presence clearly visible to others.
The bike comes with basic lighting, reflectors and a bell. It may also be worth investing in more powerful lighting (for low-light conditions), a danger deflector, and reflective devices. Your urban bike should allow you to ride as safely as possible!
Useful accessories
The urban bike is generally equipped with basic accessories, such as a rear rack, mudguards, a kickstand. Their usefulness is obvious: they allow you to easily carry panniers or a child seat, protect you from water splashes when riding in the rain, and make it easy to keep your bike stable when stopped, without worrying about it falling over while you pop into a bakery.
If carrying capacity is an essential criterion for you, if you plan to transport your children and do major shopping by bike, the cargo bike is specially designed for that! Fitted with a cargo box offering a greater or lesser carrying capacity, it can replace the car in many situations.
WHICH URBAN BIKE FOR MY RIDING?
Hybrid bikes (VTC — Vélo Tout Chemin)
The hybrid bike is an all-purpose model, designed to ride on asphalt as well as on rolling tracks and trails. Borrowing their components from mountain bikes, they are most often equipped with disc brakes, a telescopic fork and a traditional derailleur transmission system, which allows you to tackle all climbs without difficulty.
Touring bikes
The touring bike, or trekking bike, can serve urban women who enjoy long cycling tours for their everyday city commuting. It is a very robust bicycle, equipped with all the useful everyday accessories (mudguards, kickstand, rack…). Fitted with durable and reliable components, they have a large carrying capacity and a transmission system designed to tackle steep climbs with ease.
Dutch bikes
An urban product par excellence, not found outside cities! It is characterised by its swan-neck frame that is very easy to step over. Super comfortable for fairly short journeys on rather flat routes, the Dutch bike is perfect for those who wish to ride serenely, with an upright posture and head held high for a good view of traffic. The transmission components (internally geared hubs) are concealed to avoid dirt and limit maintenance needs.
City bikes
These are models aimed at comfort, usefulness and practicality, designed to best accompany cyclists on their daily journeys. Very well equipped with accessories (mudguards, rack, quality lighting, kickstand…), the city bike makes life easier for the cyclist every day! Robust and durable, it is made from steel or aluminium, and offered in various forms (Wave or swan-neck geometry, intermediate step-through or classic diamond), to be accessible to everyone. Vintage bike, beach cruiser, sporty, classic… the city bike can take many forms!
Fixie/singlespeed bikes
These are stripped-down, minimalist bikes, often popular with young cyclists who cultivate a certain style — fun and laid-back. They have only one gear, and are available with a fixed sprocket (fixie) and/or a freewheel (singlespeed). Ideal for a quick trip around town, over fairly short distances and flat routes!
Folding bikes
An ultra-practical, agile and adaptable product, built for intermodality! This mode of travel, which alternates between public transport journeys and cycling sections, is favoured by cyclists who live on the outskirts and commute to the city centre. Thanks to their folding frame, these bikes are easy to carry on a bus or train, just like a simple piece of luggage.
Cargo bikes
Whether it is a two-wheeler (biporteur), three-wheeler (triporteur) or long-tail (longtail), it is a bicycle with a very high carrying capacity. Equipped with a more or less spacious cargo box, or an extended rear rack, the cargo bike can be used to transport several young children, shopping and/or bulky parcels… Ideal for families and professionals who work by bike, it can replace a car in the city!
Electric bikes
Set apart in our presentation, as it belongs to a cross-cutting category, the electric bike is available in most of the types of cycles mentioned so far. There are thus electric folding bikes, electric city bikes, electric hybrid bikes, electric cargo bikes… which are suitable for all urban cyclists, in particular those with fairly long distances to cover each day. Mid-drive motor, front or rear wheel, range, … The choice and selection criteria are numerous!
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