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Choosing a bike can be daunting. I went through two mountain bike purchases before I found the one for me, a Specialized S-Works Epic Evo Pro. The information below is based on research from chatting with ladies who ride and bike shop owners. Picking the right bike can make or break your riding experience. Trust me—I have been there.

Why did my first two mountain bikes fail?

Finding the right bike can make or break your riding experience. I am a road, gravel, and cyclocross cyclist, but I did not know how I would feel about mountain biking. To ensure I liked mountain biking, I started with a hardtail on the lower end, the Specialized Fuse 27.5. The bike did its job. I fell in love with mountain biking. But, after a while, I started to feel that the components were not what I was used to, and it was not carbon. And what I mean by after a while was a month. The Specialized Fuse 27.5 retails for $2400.

For my next bike, I went online and did some research. I knew I wanted a full-suspension carbon mountain bike. I landed on the Specialized Stumpjumper. This bike gets excellent reviews and is a best seller for Specialized. It is a great bike, but it is a massive bike. The travel is long, and I felt it when I rode. I didn’t understand at the time why my front wheel was always getting caught weirdly on berm turns and tight turns. But, all in all, the bike was way too long for me. My friend, James Craig, is the manager at Specialized Chicago. He suggested a bike for me, and it was on sale. I took it for a test ride, which I highly recommend, and the difference was noticeable. My new bike is a S-Works Epic EVO RS. My riding experience improved, and my time was way better, too. I was no longer falling over because of the bike travel. I had more control. It is a super light and a fast bike. This bike retails for $13,000. I got it on sale for $7,799.99.

Pro tip: Bikes always go on sale later in the season.

2024 mountain bike picks for Women.

The five picks below are all great bikes at varying price ranges. I am biased toward Specialized mountain bikes, as I love mine.

01. Epic World Cup Pro

I have heard nothing but great things about this bike. Its dual function as a hardtail and full suspension is excellent. When I was searching, this bike was on my radar because bike shops highly recommended it by my go-to bike shops. But my friend who works at Specialized Chicago found a comparable one that was on sale and better fit my budget.

The Specialized Epic World Cup is recognized as the fastest XC race bike in the world on smooth to moderately technical courses. It achieves this through an unmatched combination of efficiency, control, and lightweight construction. Developed from four decades of off-road experience, this bike integrates a new, innovative shock technology and a holistic design approach to deliver exceptional performance. The Specialized Epic World Cup Pro features an innovative suspension system uniquely integrated inside the top tube. This design lowers the center of gravity and enhances frame stiffness, improving handling and responsiveness, particularly on technical terrains. World Champion Christopher Blevins has endorsed its capabilities, noting that it combines the best features of both hardtail and full-suspension bikes.

Why great for Women: The Specialized Epic World Cup is ideal for women due to its lightweight design and adjustable geometry, which cater to a comfortable and custom fit for different body types. Its advanced suspension system enhances control and ease of handling on various terrains, supporting both competitive and recreational female cyclists in achieving optimal performance.

Price: $9,000 6,999.99
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Color: Gloss Deep Lake Metallic / Chrome

Pros: The Specialized Epic World Cup is a high-performance bike with a lightweight design and advanced shock system. This combination offers the speed of a hardtail with the stability of a full suspension, making it highly efficient and responsive on varied terrains.

Cons: The Epic World Cup's advanced technology and specialized design may not suit everyone. Its high-tech features require precise setup, which can be challenging for less experienced riders.

What people are saying: Insanely fast. This bike is the best mountain bike I have ever ridden.

02. S-Works Epic World Cup

The S-Works Epic World Cup is a high-end cross-country racing bike for competitive riders. It combines the lightweight and efficiency of a hardtail with the comfort and control of full suspension, using advanced materials and technology to optimize performance on varied terrains. This bike is ideal for racers seeking top speeds and precision on challenging courses. The color choices are bland, but the ride will compensate for that.

Why Great for Women: The S-Works Epic World Cup is excellent for women cyclists for several reasons. Firstly, its lightweight design makes it easier for riders to handle and maneuver, which is particularly beneficial for women who often prefer bikes that are not overly cumbersome. Additionally, the bike features adjustable geometry, allowing female riders to tailor the bike's setup to their specific body dimensions and riding style, enhancing comfort and efficiency. The advanced suspension system also improves control and stability on rough terrains, ensuring a smoother and more confident ride.

Price: $12,000
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colors: Satin Chameleon Lapis Tint Granite / Brushed Chrome and Gloss Red Tint / Flake Silver Granite / Metallic White Silver

Pros: The S-Works Epic World Cup excels in cross-country racing due to its lightweight frame and advanced, integrated suspension. Its adjustable geometry allows for precise customization to suit different riders and racing conditions, making it efficient and adaptable. The bike's design maximizes speed and responsiveness, which is always good on the trails.

Cons: On the downside, the S-Works Epic World Cup's high cost makes it less accessible for casual riders or those with limited budgets.

What people are saying: The Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup is praised for its lightweight build and advanced, responsive suspension system. However, its minimal suspension sag might make it feel too rigid for some riders, resembling a hardtail experience, which can be less comfortable on rougher trails.

03. Juliana Wilder

The Juliana Wilder is a high-performance women's mountain bike for cross-country and trail riding. It features a lightweight carbon frame with Juliana's advanced Superlight™ Suspension system to enhance traction and handling on varied terrains. The bike is engineered specifically for women, with tailored geometry to ensure a comfortable and efficient ride. It also includes the innovative SRAM GX Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, offering precise and reliable shifting. The Wilder is ideal for female riders looking for a top-tier bike that performs well in racing and challenging trail conditions.

Why Great for Women: The Juliana Wilder is specifically designed for women, offering a range of features that cater to female riders. These bikes boast a lightweight frame and optimized suspension settings for lighter riders, improving trail handling and comfort. Furthermore, the geometry is tailored to fit the typical female body proportions better, ensuring a more natural and efficient riding position. This focus on female-specific design makes the Wilder line an excellent choice for women looking for a high-performance mountain bike that enhances their riding experience.

Price: $4,499-$6,699
Sizes: S, M, L
Color: Gloss Palisade Peach

Pros: The Juliana Wilder line is renowned for its lightweight carbon frames and women-specific geometry, making it well-suited for female riders. The tailored suspension settings optimize performance for lighter riders, ensuring better control and comfort on diverse terrains. These bikes also feature high-quality components like the SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain for precise shifting.

Cons: However, the Juliana Wilder line has a high price tag, which may not be justifiable for casual riders. Its specialized design for rigorous trail use may not appeal to those seeking a more versatile, everyday bike. The advanced technical setup might also require regular professional maintenance, potentially adding to the long-term ownership costs.

04. Liv Intrique Advanced

The Liv Pique Advanced is highly praised for its tailored design for women, focusing on achieving an optimal balance of efficiency, control, and comfort on technical terrains. This model is mainly celebrated for its lightweight and stiff frame, which enhances climbing performance and speed. This series's FlexPoint Pro suspension technology offers a smooth, active rear-wheel travel of 115mm, improving traction and handling across challenging terrains. The bike's geometry is also designed to be more aggressive, with a more extended reach and a slacker head tube angle, which helps maintain stability and control on steep descents and sharp turns.

Price: $4,499-$6,699
Sizes: S, M, L
Color: Gloss Palisade Peach

Pros: The Liv Intrigue Advanced is designed for women, with geometry tailored for female anatomy, enhancing comfort and efficiency. It features high-quality components like Fox suspension, ensuring smooth handling on various terrains. The bike's versatility is evident in climbing and descending capabilities, supported by a lightweight yet durable composite frame, making it ideal for trail enthusiasts​.

Cons: The Intrigue Advanced's focus on aggressive trail riding may make it less suitable for smoother trails, potentially limiting its playfulness. Its premium price may deter budget-conscious riders.

05. 2024 Specialized Epic 8 Evo Pro

The Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro is a versatile mountain bike that blends characteristics of XC and trail bikes, equipped with a 130mm Fox 34 Factory fork and a robust frame using Specialized's FACT 11m carbon. It's designed for competitive racing and challenging trail rides, featuring high-quality SRAM X01 components and internal storage for practicality on long rides. However, its enhanced trail capabilities come with a slight increase in weight, which may affect its climbing efficiency on less challenging tracks. Despite this, the bike maintains good pedaling efficiency and control, making it suitable for various terrains​.

Why Great for Women: The Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro's lightweight design, tunable suspension, and adjustable geometry make it a strong choice for female riders. These features allow for a customizable fit and enhanced comfort, which are crucial for competitive racing and challenging trail riding. Its performance-oriented build delivers control and ease of handling, which benefits women seeking a high-quality, versatile mountain bike.

Price: $8,500
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Color: Satin Forest Green/Spruce/Metallic Spruce

Pros: The Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro excels in versatility, equipped with a robust 130mm Fox 34 Factory fork and a lightweight FACT 11m carbon frame. It features premium SRAM X01 components and an efficient suspension system, making it capable on race tracks and rugged trails. The bike also boasts internal storage for convenience on extended rides.

Cons: Despite its high performance, the Epic 8 EVO Pro's focus on trail readiness increases its weight, which may compromise its appeal to those preferring a lighter race bike. Additionally, its advanced features and high-quality build come at a substantial cost, potentially placing it beyond the budget of more casual riders.