E-Bikes & Bikes Customised to You
According to various reports, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the electric bike market from 2020 to 2025 is projected at about 7.5 percent. That's a significant increase, especially when you consider that conventional bikes still largely dominate the cycling market. Electric bikes are coming - and they're great for a variety of reasons, many of which we'll hit on in this post. And in more good news - electric bikes are also for everyone, including petite women 5 feet tall and shorter.
But there's more to petite women riding a bike than just purchasing any e-bike and adjusting the seat based on their height. Petite cyclers may need to put in a little more legwork to select the right bike that suits them for both personal preference and ergonomic purposes. In this post, we'll cover everything a petite woman needs to know when it comes to purchasing an electric bike. We'll cover some of the key features to consider, some of the top e-bikes for petite women on the market today and more. Here's a look at what you need to know:
Bike Features to Consider for Petite Women
The average bike is designed for people who are at least 5 feet 7 inches tall, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a bike for everyone. In this section, we'll talk about some of the main factors you'll want to consider when selecting a bike for a petite woman. Here are the key considerations to factor into your purchasing decision.
Step-Through Frames
There are various types of bike frames that you can select from. For petite riders, we tend to suggest a step-through frame. Also known as an "open frame" or "low-step frame," step-through frames on bikes are characterized by a lower positioned connecting bar between the seat and the handlebars, which thereby makes it easier for riders to mount and dismount. Step-through frames get their name because riders can literally step through them or over them with ease. They're an alternative to a higher positioned bar, which can make it more difficult for shorter riders.
Bike Weight
Bike weight is a key consideration regardless of who is riding it. It may also factor into some of the situational circumstances that riders are working with (e.g., having to haul a bike up to a second-story apartment, loading it into or onto a vehicle, etc.). And while we certainly don't mean to be stereotypical, many petite women may prefer a bike that is more lightweight in nature for riding and handling purposes. When it comes to e-bikes, components like the battery and electric motor have a tendency to add a bit more weight, sometimes to the tune of 40 pounds more than a conventional bike. With all this being said, shopping for a model that's made of lighter materials or designed in a more light-weight way can make a big difference.
Additionally, you should be mindful of bike weight when any accessories are added onto it. For instance, some popular add-ons include child seats and cargo baskets. These can add even more weight to the bike.
Handlebar Style
Ergonomics are important for any rider (we'll discuss more of the importance of getting fit tested in the next section for any new bike), but they're arguably even more important if you're a petite woman with shorter legs and shorter arms. That's where it can make sense to select a bike with upright handlebars that angle toward you while you're riding. Handlebars styled like this place less strain on your arms and shoulders, making for a more ergonomic ride. There are various different handlebar styles you can choose from. We tend to like the upright style for a more ergonomic ride for petite women.
Tire Size
Bikes come with all different tire sizes, and thicker tires tend to offer a great level of stability while riding - which can be a big help when riding and for maintaining control of the cycle. Thicker tires can also make it easier to maintain stability when you're mounting and dismounting your bike. The bottom line is to not just assume that bikes have universally sized tires. Make sure you understand what your tire options are and select a bike accordingly. Tire size is especially important if you plan on transporting groceries or even children via a child seat with your bike. If you plan on transporting more weight than just yourself, it can make sense to opt for thicker tires for greater stability and control.
Electric Range, Battery Recharge
This tip isn't so much specific to petite women as it is a consideration for purchasing an electric bike altogether. Simply put, it's important for riders to understand the bike specs before purchasing. Electric bikes come in two main modes: pedal assist and full electric. Pedal assist is just what it sounds like - electric assistance to any conventional pedaling. Full electric mode powers the bike solely via the electric motor and is ideal when riders need a rest or are going uphill. Make sure you know how much battery life you can expect to get from both electric modes. Some models are good for up to 40 miles of riding, while others can push 100 miles. The decision you make should be based on your personal preference as well as your intended riding purpose. For example, if you just plan on cruising the neighborhood and maybe running some local errands, you likely won't need as much range as if you're planning to take long rides or commute to work. Make sure the bike you decide on matches your riding intention.
Additionally, make sure you know how long the battery recharge will take on any bike you're considering. Most electric bikes have recharge times of a few hours.
Why it's Important to Get Fit Tested
Like we said above, don't just think that you can raise and lower the bike seat to get it to a point where you can ride it comfortably. And you shouldn't simply eyeball a bike either to see if it would be a good fit. It's important to get professionally fit tested before you make a bike purchase to ensure that you can ride it comfortably and in an ergonomic fashion. And it's arguably even more important to get fit tested if you're petite and don't fit in to the 5-foot 7-inch height that most bikes are designed for. To get fit tested, just stop into your nearest bike shop. You can also get fit tested online by providing a few key details about yourself.
Getting properly fit tested is especially important when it comes to an electric bike, as many riders may want the bike to replace their automobile as their main source of transportation. If you're taking that kind of a step, you certainly want to make sure the bike is as comfortable as possible when you're riding it.
Best Electric Bikes for Petite Women on the Market Today
Now that we've talked a bit about some of the features to consider when shopping for a bike and why you should always get fit tested before making such a purchase, it's worth taking the time to discuss some of the best electric bikes for petite women on the market today. Here's a look at five e-bikes that would look great in your garage or storage shed:
RadCity Step-Thru 3
An affordable option for petite riders, this offering from RadCity comes equipped with a 750 watt motor to give it plenty of oomph and features a low-step through frame for easy mounting and dismounting. What's more is that it can be outfitted with various accessories to fit any rider's lifestyle, such as a child seat, front rack or a large basket. However, it's fairly heavy, weighing about 65 pounds.
EVRYjourney 250W (SixThreeZero)
SixThreeZero designs and manufactures a variety of bikes, including its EVRYjourney electric bike line for every rider, including petite women. The bikes have a design that makes it easy to mount and dismount, a forward-pedaling design that keeps them low on the ground and a battery that can get the job done on, well, "every journey" you take. There's an EVRYjourney model with a 500 watt motor for longer rides as well as a model with a 250 watt motor for shorter rides. While not a part of the EVRYjourney family, SixThreeZero also makes the AroundtheBlock 500 watt beach cruiser, another option for shorter riders.
Bluejay
Though one of the more expensive bikes on this list with a price point of more than $3,000, what's nice about the Bluejay is that it's very lightweight. Crafted from a lightweight aluminum material, it weighs less than 50 pounds. It also packs a 350 watt motor into its footprint and is available in two different sizes so that riders can ensure they get the proper fit. As an added bonus, the Bluejay comes in seven different colors.
Heybike Cityscape Electric Bike
Though you may not get the same performance out of the Heybike Cityscape that you can out of some of the other options on this list, it's a great budget electric bike for riders that are a bit more cost conscious. It packs a 350 watt motor and comes with thicker, 26-inch tires for more stable riding. It weighs nearly 66 pounds. However, like we said, for under $1,000, it's a great option for cyclists on a budget.
Vivi Folding Electric Bike
If space is at a premium in your garage or shed, or if you're regularly humping a bike to an upper-level apartment unit or loading it into your car, a folding electric bike can make for an ideal purchase. The Vivi Electric Folding Bike comes equipped with a 350 watt motor, and is available in 14, 16 and 20-inch varieties, so you can ensure that you're selecting the right size to fit any rider. Regardless of the size of your bike, it weighs 57 pounds. Aside from being compact, the Vivi Folding Electric Bike is also affordable, coming in at a price point of less than $1,000.
Our Pick: SixThreeZero EVRYjourney
When it comes to price, style, riding ergonomics and electric motor performance, you can't go wrong with either the 500 watt or 250 watt EVRYjourney model from SixThreeZero. Dubbed as "the most comfortable electric bike ever," the EVRYjourney offers riders ergonomic riding positions, a smooth, powerful motor for pedal assist and full electric mode, a handlebar display and wide tires for enhanced riding stability. What's more is that SixThreeZero says it's guaranteed to fit any rider's body after they go through a fit test to size the bike properly. Contact SixThreeZero today to learn more about what makes the EVRYjourney 250 watt and 500 watt models such great electric bike options for petite women.
Contact SixThreeZero for More Information
Like we said, there's a bike for everyone - and if you're a petite woman shopping for an electric bike, know that SixThreeZero has a variety of options for you to select from. From our EVRYjourney 500 watt and 250 watt models to the AroundTheBlock 500W, we have great electric bikes for you for however you intend to ride. Additionally, we also design and build a variety of fat tire, beach cruiser, commuter and hybrid models for your riding pleasure. Contact SixThreeZero today for more information and to browse all of the bikes available.
