Hitting a backcountry trail on the best women’s mountain bike available is an exhilarating experience. As an avid mountain biker for over 20 years, my top mountain bike choice is the Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Clutch 2 Full Suspension Mountain Bike. This bike features a full Level Link suspension design for your optimum riding comfort. The Diamondback Company has become a pioneer at designing and constructing premium mountain bikes. They consider the Clutch 2 their best-ever design.
A mountain bike is like a regular bike but on steroids. It has been tailor-designed for hard climbs followed by long, gnarly descents. The best women’s mountain bikes are nimble with dependable stopping power. Hardtail mountain bikes are a standard, but the Clutch 2 is a step above with full suspension which is why it is the number one choice on this list.
Top Pick: Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Clutch 2 Full Suspension Mountain Bike
The Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Clutch 2 Full Suspension Mountain Bike is hands-down the top choice for the best women’s mountain bike. A progressive bike, the Clutch 2 features an aluminum frame constructed from well-formed tubes. The construction material and design all make it lightweight but durable. The tubing provides a nice frame so you can sail down hills at top speed.
The Clutch 2 has Level Link for efficient pedaling. The bike’s components are premium. With the RockShox Pike RC 150mm travel fork and the RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir rear shock, you won’t even feel the bumps. The SRAM GX 1×11 speed drivetrain that boasts Race Face Affect cranks the bike is durable, dependable, and offers upscale performance.
When riding backcountry trails, you want a bike that can handle whatever road surface you encounter. The Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Clutch 2 Full Suspension Mountain Bike has a tubeless-compatible wheelset. The wider rims provide stability so you can corner on a dime and tackle technical terrain.
Another added feature of the Clutch 2 that sets it apart from other women’s mountain bikes is the KS LEV Integra Dropper seat post. It fits your body nicely so you can climb and descend with comfort and ease.
Runner-Up: Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Rely Hardtail Mountain Bike
The Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Rely Hardtail Mountain Bike is the runner-up as the best women’s mountain bike. This hardtail beauty doesn’t disappoint. This bike was designed with 27.5 plus wheels for the skilled rider to hit the trails hard. The bike’s speed and riding comfort are undeniable. The incredibly grippy plus-size tires grab the trail for safety and maneuverability. You can take every twist and turn that the road throws at you with ease and confidence.
The RockShox Sektor RL 120mm travel Solo Air Spring fork absorbs the bumps. Even large tree roots won’t slow you down on singletrack. With the SRAM NX 1×11 speed drivetrain, you’ll ride up and down with ease. Also, if you are an avid mountain biker like me then you know the importance of brakes. Is there anything more exhilarating than a fast-paced descent? With the SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm front/180mm rear rotors, you can feel confident in your ride.
Undoubtedly, the Diamondback Bicycles Women’s Rely Hardtail Mountain Bike does not disappoint. It is everything that a hardtail should be and more. As I said, it was a toss-up which bike to put in the top position. Overall, the full-suspension choice took the top pick but this hardtail is also difficult to beat.
A Great Mountain Bike Choice: Iron Horse Women’s Phoenix 1.3 Slate IH1136FM 16 Mountain Bicycle
The Iron Horse Women’s Phoenix 1.3 Slate IH1136FM 16 Mountain Bicycle has been designed to enhance your riding pleasure. The classic hardtail has 27.5-inch wheels with a suspension fork to tackle the bumpiest singletrack. The durable aluminum frame also won’t let you down. Also, the Shimano 21-speed drivetrain gives you the push you’ll need to climb even the steepest trail. In addition, the Pro max disc brakes will have you stopping quickly and effortlessly. The mechanical front and rear disc brakes with Shimano Ef51 brake levers offer you complete control at all times.
Another nice feature of the Iron Horse Women’s Phoenix 1.3 Slate IH1136FM 16 Mountain Bicycle is the alloy double-wall rims with stainless steel spokes that have both a front and rear quick release. You can remove the wheels to load this bike on an auto bike holder for easy transport.
Many downhill mountain biking enthusiasts have picked Iron Horse bikes as their rides. Although the company had financial difficulties, the bikes have still remained top riding choices for many mountain bikers.
Additional Mountain Bike Choice: Huffy Escalate 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame with Shimano Derailleur
For over 100 years, Huffy has made dependable bikes. Their Huffy Escalate 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame with Shimano Derailleur does not disappoint. The bike holds the classification of being affordable fun that can stand up to the toughest trails. This hardtail has 21 speeds. The Kolo 1200 suspension fork lets you ride across even the roughest trails. The slight-rise handlebar gives you an optimum grip without causing back or shoulders strain.
Huffy has designed the Huffy Escalate 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame with Shimano Derailleur with components that you can depend on. The all-Shimano drivetrain, the Shimano Revoshift, and Shimano TY-30 indexed rear derailleur are similar to what you will find on a high-end women’s mountain bike.
An added feature of the Huffy Escalate 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame with Shimano Derailleur is the oversized tires that grip the road’s surface with ease. The traction that the tires afford lets you ride in dry or wet conditions without slipping and sliding. The alloy linear-pull brakes and alloy wheel rims also give you control of your stopping power so if you encounter an obstacle you can apply the brakes in confidence.
Also for Consideration: Diamondback Atroz 1 Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Although this list already contains two other Diamondback bikes (one in top choice and one as runner-up) the Diamondback Atroz 1 Full Suspension Mountain Bike also deserves a spot on this list. It is hard, if not impossible, to find a better ride than Diamondback. When compiling a list of bikes and picking the best women’s mountain bike, Diamondback remains an undisputed leader.
The Diamondback Bicycles Diamondback Bikes Atroz 1 Full Suspension Mountain Bike is an affordable full-suspension ride. This mountain bike has a reliable single-pivot suspension design that has unique sealed cartridge bearings. The bearings smooth out when you are riding on a rough trail to create a pleasant ride. In addition, the 27.5-inch wheels are an added bonus that lets you handle the ride with ease. Also, the WTB Vigilante 27.5×3 inch tires grab the surface of the trail for optimum stability.
The Atrox bike’s aluminum frame has 4 inches of the rear suspension and also features a strong rear shock. The SR Suntour XCM fork with 120, of suspension, has been specially designed to absorb the bumps of the trail.
With the Shimano/Suntour 3×8 drivetrain and 24 gears, you will have no trouble climbing steep hills on the back of the Diamondback Atroz 1 Full Suspension Mountain Bike. The Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes give you control of your stopping power even on the steepest descent. The SR Suntour XCM fork with 120mmm of suspension is what a full suspension bike is truly all about. You won’t feel the bumps when riding as the suspension system absorbs even the roughest terrain.
Hardtail vs. Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
Sure, the bikes listed above all have the bells and whistles that you would expect from a top-of-the-line mountain bike, but there is something else you need to consider. Do you need a full suspension or hardtail bike? In the early days of mountain biking, hardcore riders always opted for the hardtail. I was one of those riders. I liked the hardtail. However, nowadays full suspension bikes rule. That is the main reason why I picked a full suspension for the top spot.
When I purchased my first full-suspension mountain bike I was won over. However, I still pull out my trusty hardtail on occasion to ride a favorite trail. It’s hard to let go of your first love when your favored sport is extreme mountain biking.
Full Suspension or Hardtail?
Newbies might not know the difference between hardtail or full suspension.
- Hardtail: The hardtail mountain bike features only a single suspension fork in the front of the bike. The suspension fork absorbs the impact on the front wheel. The rear wheel has no suspension. Nowadays, hardtails are less expensive than full-suspension bikes because they have fewer moving parts. Some hardtails also allow you to lock the front wheel to create a rigid ride which many old-school mountain biking riders enjoy. If you ride a great distance across trails then a hardtail gives you a good transference of power between the pedal stroke and the rear tire. Overall, the hardtail is easy to maintain and a joy to ride.
- Full Suspension: Nowadays, the full-suspension bike is the Cadillac of all rides. The front fork and rear shock effortlessly absorb the impact of the trail so your body doesn’t feel it. You can ride in comfort without feeling each bump and grind. Also, the full-suspension increases traction between the bike and the road’s surface. This means you don’t have to be so precise when riding on rough terrain. The main drawback between the hardtail and the full suspension for hardcore riders is the energy transference. When climbing a hill, the bike will bob and your energy transference lags. Premium manufacturers of mountain bikes now let you lock out the rear suspension during a climb for optimum power transfer. Such a small feature has made me a lover of the full-suspension mountain bike even though I still use my hardtail on occasion.
Wrap Up – Best Women’s Mountain Bike
As a lover of the backcountry singletrack ride, I can vouch for any of these rides. Each one is truly superb if you are seeking the best women’s mountain bike.
Our list includes 3 models from Diamondback. Needless to say, this is our favorite brand when it comes to the best women’s mountain bike. And considering versatility and durability our top pick is the Clutch 2 Full Suspension Mountain Bike.
