Best 20 inexpensive Bikes & Frames for Ladies

Yeti Cycles SB100 Beti GX Eagle Comp Mountain Bike - Women's

If you've been a faithful rider of Yeti for some time, you'll know that a short-travel 29er isn't unprecedented in their line, seeing the previous ASR Beti Carbon occupied this same genre, offering cross-country racers the efficiency to blow the doors off the competition, but with a rowdy alter ego that made it far more capable than its limited travel figures would suggest. As such, you'll find Yeti created the SB100 Beti GX Eagle Comp Complete Bike to fill the void left by the previous ASR Beti Carbon, but with updated geometry figures to make it far more confident over technical sections of trail, plus a compact version of their Switch Infinity suspension platform packing 100 millimeters of efficient travel that excels on climbs and across long distances seen in multi-stage adventure races.

We typically think of cross-country bikes as one trick ponies that barely trouble the scale which makes going uphill less of a chore but the sometimes anorexic build can be slightly unnerving and requires a good test of faith when pushed through its paces on technical descents. With the SB100, it has some pretty good lineage to draw inspiration from and even though the geometry and suspension have cross country riding and racing on its mind as the intended purpose, it's hard not to notice the trail and enduro highlights that bled over from Yeti's longer travel offerings.

The Switch Infinity platform, utilized on all Yetis all the way up to the EWS-winning SB6, has been redesigned specifically for 100mm of travel on this model. It’s light, and tucks behind the seat tube, sitting in its own compartment out of the way of wheel spray and errant trail debris. This design also allows the front triangle to accommodate a very large water bottle, the first we've seen from a Switch Infinity bike. We feel like this a move in the right direction even if it does come with a few added grams over the ASR's single pivot, as every Yeti we've ridden with Switch has awesome climbing efficiency without infringing on its descending prowess. Yeti gets high marks for creating a very capable 100 millimeter travel bike, with a stiff and responsive ride that rarely feels out of place, short of trails where we'd don body armor and a full-face. Beefy pivots offer incredible lateral stiffness that tracks so confidently through blown out washboard trails and minefields that, in the back of our minds we have to remind ourselves that we are pointing and shooting on an XC bike. The Switch platform on this frameset operates in the same manner as on Yeti's other bikes—meaning supple off the top while transitioning into excellent mid-stroke support before ramping up as you test all 100 millimeters on offer. Pair this action with the silky-smooth FOX DPS Factory shock and you'll swear that the rear end is packing more travel.

The brief exodus from the XC scene allowed for a few reboots and allowed Yeti to truly build a no-compromise bike that could climb and descend, not just one that was great at one and mediocre at the other. A 67.8-degree headtube angle might look more appropriate on a trail bike and on paper it would appear that it would detract from the nimble handling and quick steering XC bikes are known for. Yeti has a few tricks up its sleeve and spec'd a FOX 34 Step-Cast fork with a 44mm offset. After a bit of experimentation, Yeti found this reduction in fork rake improves your weight distribution on the bike, offering a bit more downhill stability without compromising its ability to clean tight switchbacks on climbs and negotiate around trail obstacles at slower speeds.

The 74 to 74.3-degree seat tube angle (depending on size) puts you on top and in control of your bike and offer maximum pedaling efficiency for marathon 24-hour stretches or for those lucky enough to have the time off work, a stage race. The wheelbase also walks the tightrope of being nimble and offering stability so you can blitz through the techy bits without wondering if you'll blow it through the berm on the next turn. A departure from the ASR, this rear end is updated with Boost spacing, which allows for wider hub flange spacing and better bracing angles to stiffen things up. It also allowed Yeti to hack off a little length on the chainstays and they now sit at 17.2-inches, so you have plenty of rear wheel traction for competent climbing while remaining agile through tight singletrack. Other notable frame features include internal tubed cable routing for silent operation and easy setup and an uninterrupted seat tube allowing for maximum dropper post compatibility.

This SB100 is built using Yeti's lower spec carbon, which offers nearly the same stiffness and strength as their top-flight TURQ carbon. The main difference between the two frame materials lies in its slightly heavier weight, with this particular SB100 Beti frame weighing about 7.2 ounces heavier (that's approximately 205 grams) than TURQ carbon frames. The payoff is a significantly cheaper price point, which helps you save funds for bike upgrades down the road, trips to iconic trail systems, or even fees to enter that multi-stage race you've been dreaming about for the past few years.

Besides the bright coral colorway typical of Yeti Beti bikes, Yeti chose to retain all the characteristics that make the regular SB100 such an outstanding choice for XC and trail riders, including the same geometry specs, proper 760-millimeter bars for aggressive riding, Fox 34 Step Cast Fork for a supportive feel over bigger obstacles, and beefier 2.3-inch tires for plentiful traction on the trail. However, this SB100 Beti does have a custom shock tune, which makes the rear end of the bike all the more sensitive for lighter female riders pummeling over rocks and roots on the trail.

This GX Eagle Comp build comes with carefully curated components chosen for a mix of cross-country racing and spirited trail riding. SRAM's workhorse GX/XO1 Eagle groupset offers plenty of range for taming the climbs on 5-digit elevation days while having a tall enough gear to link up the paved sections between the trailheads. It's finished with a dependably strong DT Swiss M1700 wheelset with 25 millimeter internal width, as well as tried-and-true Shimano XT brakes for powerful stopping force.

Ridley Liz Carbon Ultegra Complete Road Bike

Sure, some folks may keep a quiver of bikes at hand for every specific kind of riding, but when there are true do-it-all bikes like Ridley's Liz Carbon Ultegra Complete Road Bike, we hardly see the point. This quintessential all-rounder offers a blend of stiffness, weight, strength, and performance, aiming for comfortable geometry that lends itself to long days in the saddle, but takes it a step further by pairing up with unique shaped tubing to elevate aerodynamics, so you can feel just as comfortable toeing the line on race day as heading out for a multi-city weekend cruise. Like we've seen in years past from Ridley, the Liz continues to illustrate the company's view on women's cycling — that we ride hard, and have the same needs as the opposite sex, and it's easy to prove seeing as the Liz continues with the same geometry and carbon layup as its sibling, the Fenix, but with some fine-tuned touch points accommodating our narrower shoulders, and wider hips.

The Liz C is built from the same 24t high-modulus carbon fiber as the Fenix, a move that we can't applaud enough in an industry rife with examples of shrink, pink, and downgrade when it comes to women-specific fare. While its geometry stays the same in both the C and SL designations, this 24t carbon layup is what differentiates the two frames. The SL opts for a more expensive layup with two different gauge carbons, 24t and 30t, the C simplifies things to drop the price. As a result the Liz C is slightly less stiff than its race-ready SL iteration, but still maintains lightweight control on the tarmac.

Ridley maintains the plush ride in a light, stiff as a result of a few design choices. These include narrow, flat-section seat stays that absorb power-sucking road noise while maintaining lateral stiffness. The stays feed into a vertically compliant 27.2mm seatpost, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seatstays and slimmed-down seatpost. The net result is a system-wide vibration damping and compliance for a more forgiving ride across everything from rural chip seal to the jarring stones of Belgium.

The top tube and down tube utilize a unique multi-hexagonal shape, which is undoubtedly partially responsible for the Liz's torsional rigidity and responsiveness. At the front, Ridley utilizes a tapered head tube that makes for increased stiffness while torqueing on the bars and exceptional handling and cornering capabilities while sweeping through descents or diving through the final turn before a finish sprint.

For an extra dose of stiffness, Ridley opts for a beefy PressFit BB86 shell. The wide bottom bracket shell anchors the oversized drive spine, solidly transferring every bit of power to the drivetrain without any watt-sucking lateral movement. While this frame isn't billed as specifically aerodynamic, it does boast an integrated fork crown for a smooth transition between the head tube and fork that at least offers the appearance of aerodynamics. You'll enjoy some drag-reduction benefits over frames without the integrated fork crown, and it just plain looks cleaner.

Juliana Joplin D Mountain Bike - Women's

A Jackie of all trades, the Joplin D Complete Mountain Bike is just as at home doing endurance races as it is getting buck on raucous trail rides where roots, rock gardens, and ledge drops are all part of the recipe. With the fast-rolling XC, 29-inch wheel option, the Joplin covers plenty of miles of trails quickly and efficiently. This frame is constructed from aluminum for durability and without the higher price of its carbon fiber sisters. Adding a Rock Shox Recon fork and SRAM's NX group builds up a capable bike that is ready for challenging trails at a friendly price tag.

Taking design notes from its big brother the Tallboy, the Joplin blends highly responsive XC handling with that of a go-anywhere, ride-anything trail bike with its 110-millimeters of VPP suspension paired with a 120-millimeter fork for the 29 wheels and tires. The shorter travel out back and extra squish up front lets the bike pedal with exceptional efficiency, and offers a little more security when sending blind drops and twisting the throttle when the trail opens up. One area where the Joplin and Tallboy differs is in its female-specific shock tune, so instead of skipping over rocks and roots with damping suited for heavier riders, the suspension will be better able to absorb the hits and keep you in control.

The VPP suspension gets 10-millimeters of extra travel over the previous Joplin, positioning the bike in the do-it-all category of rigs in the 4 to 5-inch range. Juliana didn't just increase the travel, it revised the VPP platform making it perform better in all conditions and making sure that you are able to utilize all of the 110mm of travel. Juliana engineered the leverage ratio so the travel is more supple off-the-top so you'll have more traction when you're riding over bumpy rock and root sections.

The shock remains linear until the end of the stroke for a smooth, bottom-less feel, then ramps up, becoming more progressive resisting bottom-outs on drops to flat and high speed jumps. The suspension kinematics help you use all 110 millimeters of travel leaving you with a plush bike that can handle trails typically reserved for bigger travel bikes. The 68-degree head tube angle remains the same for confident descending when the trail turns steep and rocky, as well as keeping the short 17-inch chainstays and low-slung bottom bracket at 13 inches for nimble carving and stable handling.

Juliana Furtado 27.5+ D Mountain Bike - Women's

When taking on trails that feature massive berms, tight switchbacks, long climbs, and solid descents, you need the nimble handling and playful suspension of the Juliana Furtado 27.5+ D Complete Mountain Bike. Don’t worry, its twitchy control and efficient climbing feel don’t sacrifice the strength and power you need to plow down technical trails at speed. From the 130-millimeters of VPP travel to the extended geometry that maximizes rider confidence and control, the Furtado is the quiver-killer that expands the classification of a trail bike. Updates include a slacker head tube, a lower bottom bracket—making this trail bike reach toward enduro style—and a WTB wheelset that uses SRAM hubs and Boost axles for a more efficient ride that matches the current industry standard.

The Furtado emphasizes surgical precision, especially on tighter trails where trees and rocks pose clearance issues. That being said, this bike doesn't sacrifice much in the way of descending composure versus the Roubion—its enduro-bred, big sister—thanks to a reinvigorated geometry that's longer, slacker, and low-slung. The sub-67-degree head tube angle keeps you confident and composed when you're dropping into steep descents littered with rocks and sudden drops. Plus, it retains one of the lowest bottom brackets in Juliana's line at a mere 13.1 inches, keeping you glued to the trail when you're charging at high speeds and railing around corners. Another notable geometry number, the 16.7-inch chainstays are shorter than your average trail bike, making it quick to change direction around corners.

The inclusion of flip-chip technology allows for a subtle change from the 66.5-degree head tube angle in the high setting and a 66.2-degree head tube angle in its low setting. It not only allows you to ride with a couple of geo options, but also provides the clearance needed to run wider tires up to 2.8 inches in width. Juliana outfits this particular Furtado with their 2.6-inch tires, which deliver all the traction and bump-smoothing benefits of a traditional 2.8-inch tire, but without feeling bouncy, slow, or excessively heavy. This 2.6-inch tire really gives you the best of both worlds, traction and plushness over the rockiest stretches of trail, but without the rolling resistance or tire squirm under braking and hard-cornering like a larger 2.8-inch tire.

As you'd expect with the Furtado, it retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance of the previous version. This VPP platform neatly tucks the lower link above the bottom bracket to protect it from rock strikes and damage from flinging trail debris. The upper portion remains attached to the top tube with a new stiffer box-section upper link. While other DH-oriented frames in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-mounted shock, as to not lose the pedaling efficiency and bottom out resistance needed for the reduction in travel. That being said, it's spec'd with a FOX Float Performance DPS shock for a supple feel with improved traction while pedaling over bumpy trail sections, as well as greater resistance to heating up for more consistency on those long descents. Juliana tuned the shock specifically for lighter, female riders, so this bike complements your riding style in a manner that maximizes sensitivity and response without sacrificing power.

The D build consists of SRAM's NX drivetrain, which offers a great gear range and puts the final nail in the front derailleur's coffin. The simplicity, weight savings, and reliability of a 1x is hard to argue. Other notable features of this build are the Rock Shox Recon fork with its reliably stiff chassis and consistent damping, the SRAM hydraulic disc brakes that provide confidence-inducing stopping power, and the integrated headset that provides a lightweight, simplified mechanism with decreased maintenance needs.

Please note, because the alloy version of the Furtado uses an integrated headset, the headtube measurement is 10 millimeters longer than what's indicated on the geometry chart, as to match the same headtube measurement as the carbon frame with its external lower cup and internal upper cup installed. Other than this headtube measurement, everything indicated on the geometry chart is accurate.

Juliana Furtado 2.1 Carbon CC X01 Eagle Mountain Bike - 2018 - Women's

Named for the founder of Juliana bicycles, the Furtado 2.1 Carbon CC X01 Eagle complete mountain bike is built for long rides, exploring new places, and pushing your limits every step of the way. With responsive 27.5in wheels and a playful demeanor, there’s not much that the Furtado can’t do with style.

With five inches of VPP suspension, the Furtado has enough suspension on tap to make the most of technical trails without dulling the ability for the rider to push it to the edge. As with all VPP bikes, the Furtado’s counter-rotating links are carefully arranged to resist activation by pedaling forces, all but eliminating unwanted bobbing under power. This being the latest iteration of VPP, it’s tuned to provide more midstroke support than previous generations of the VPP platform, giving the rider a better feel for the terrain and a livelier ride feel.

Of course, the poised cornering and playful attitude that are the defining traits of the Furtado are largely due to its highly refined geometry. The 67 degree head angle remains stable at speed, while still being quick to initiate a change of direction. At 16.7 inches, the Furtado's chainstays are shorter than any of Juliana’s other trail bikes, which further enhances its enthusiasm for cornering. At 13.1 inches, its bottom bracket is just high enough to avoid plunging your pedals into rocks at inopportune moments while remaining settled in situations that start getting hairy.

The Furtado is built using Juliana’s top tier CC carbon fiber construction. By using some of the finest, and strongest, raw materials available, Juliana is able to make its CC level frames extremely lightweight while maintaining outstanding impact resistance, exceptional stiffness, and just the right amount of finely tuned flex to cancel out trail chatter. Of course, balancing these factors requires true mastery of carbon fiber, and the design team at Juliana has proven time and again that their command of carbon fiber construction is unsurpassed in the bike industry. The result is a frame that holds up to years of hard riding, provides a comfortable ride, and does so at a very competitive weight.

This Furtado build is dressed in components that accentuate its best traits, beginning with a class leading suspension from FOX. The fork is a 36 FLOAT FIT4 Performance Elite unit, and it's paired with the new FLOAT DPS Performance Elite air shock that's tuned for lighter riders. This setup offers a supple stroke, on-the-fly adjustments at the flip of a lever, and easy tuning for both suspension gurus and those less experienced. SRAM’s X01 Eagle 12 speed groupset provides the gear range necessary to take on big climbs and all-day rides, while the Guide brakes keep speed in check when diving into turns. The Rockshox Reverb dropper post enables the necessary on-the-fly saddle height adjustment, while the Santa Cruz carbon fiber handlebar offers a perfectly tuned balance of stiffness and flex that simply surpasses many of the best aftermarket carbon fiber handlebars available.

Juliana Joplin D Mountain Bike - Women's

A Jackie of all trades, the Joplin D Complete Mountain Bike is just as at home doing endurance races as it is getting buck on raucous trail rides where roots, rock gardens, and ledge drops are all part of the recipe. With the fast-rolling XC, 29-inch wheel option, the Joplin covers plenty of miles of trails quickly and efficiently. This frame is constructed from aluminum for durability and without the higher price of its carbon fiber sisters. Adding a Rock Shox Recon fork and SRAM's NX group builds up a capable bike that is ready for challenging trails at a friendly price tag.

Taking design notes from its big brother the Tallboy, the Joplin blends highly responsive XC handling with that of a go-anywhere, ride-anything trail bike with its 110-millimeters of VPP suspension paired with a 120-millimeter fork for the 29 wheels and tires. The shorter travel out back and extra squish up front lets the bike pedal with exceptional efficiency, and offers a little more security when sending blind drops and twisting the throttle when the trail opens up. One area where the Joplin and Tallboy differs is in its female-specific shock tune, so instead of skipping over rocks and roots with damping suited for heavier riders, the suspension will be better able to absorb the hits and keep you in control.

The VPP suspension gets 10-millimeters of extra travel over the previous Joplin, positioning the bike in the do-it-all category of rigs in the 4 to 5-inch range. Juliana didn't just increase the travel, it revised the VPP platform making it perform better in all conditions and making sure that you are able to utilize all of the 110mm of travel. Juliana engineered the leverage ratio so the travel is more supple off-the-top so you'll have more traction when you're riding over bumpy rock and root sections.

The shock remains linear until the end of the stroke for a smooth, bottom-less feel, then ramps up, becoming more progressive resisting bottom-outs on drops to flat and high speed jumps. The suspension kinematics help you use all 110 millimeters of travel leaving you with a plush bike that can handle trails typically reserved for bigger travel bikes. The 68-degree head tube angle remains the same for confident descending when the trail turns steep and rocky, as well as keeping the short 17-inch chainstays and low-slung bottom bracket at 13 inches for nimble carving and stable handling.

Juliana Strega Carbon C XE Mountain Bike - 2018 - Women's

We're not one to judge a book by its cover, but we are here to tell you the Juliana Strega Carbon C XE Complete Mountain Bike does actually ride as good as it looks. All it wants to do is have you pilot it through the biggest lines at the park or take it out for that backcountry epic you've planned for months. Named after the Italian word for witch, the Strega will have your riding partners green with envy at first glance, and it'll have you spellbound with its aggression on the trails.

Officially, the 170mm Strega is officially branded for women; but, in our experience, the bike is really for any demanding rider desiring a long-travel machine to progress their skills across jumps, sketchy steeps, and technical alpine terrain. If getting butterflies in your stomach when you are about to drop in on a weekend shuttle run or playing rock-paper-scissors on the lift to see who goes first (and always cheating to ensure you win) is what you live for, then you've met your match.

One of the first things you'll notice with the Strega is its reconfigured VPP suspension, which is driven by a lower-link mounted shock that marks a radical departure from the likes of the Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock location takes cues from the Santa Cruz V10, which is renowned as a World Cup DH weapon of the Syndicate. Translated to the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it feel more linear and supple throughout its stroke, allowing it to never be phased over the roughest terrain and provide a bottomless feel like that of a good DH bike. Juliana does take the extra step of employing a custom shock tune designed for lighter riders, meaning it'll be more active and not as harsh.

Geometry wise, the numbers have the Strega at a black diamond inspiring 65-degree head tube angle in the high geometry setting making it the slackest women-specific bike on the market. Not too long ago this was in the realm of DH only; however, realizing that many female riders desire a long-travel bike that can actually pedal uphill, the designers at Juliana engineered it with a pedal-friendly 74.5-degree seat tube angle (again, in the higher geometry setting). This allows you to power up steep climbs and string together sections of trails across the map, especially with the superb gear range of the Shimano drivetrain and e13 9-46t cassette.

Juliana lets you choose your own adventure and engineered the Strega with a flip-chip on the linkage that changes the bike's geometry from its burly trail rated 65-degree head tube angle to a downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly elongating the wheelbase for rock-solid high speed stability. We really like the special fender that blocks detritus from reaching the shock. Juliana engineers clearly ride, and they spec smart details that show it. For example, the custom shuttle guard, which reduces the risk of your Carbon C frame getting damaged from banging around on truck tailgates or being tossed about by overzealous lift operators.

Speaking of its Carbon C frame, the Strega Carbon C XE is slightly heavier than the Carbon CC frame, but doesn't sacrifice any of the strength or stiffness that's made Juliana frames legendary. Many of us will gladly save the cash and buy lift tickets for the season or upgrade parts down the road. Juliana achieves this fine-tuned balance of stout construction and weight by using a slightly heavier and less expensive carbon fiber in the lay-up of its Carbon C frames. And seeing it's custom built for hard-changing shorter riders, a low standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches for the XS frame) and size-specific droppers make the most of the bike's slack and aggressive geometry without compromising fit.

Juliana Joplin Carbon S Mountain Bike - Women's

Built with some big updates that boost it into the modern world, the Juliana Joplin Carbon S Complete Mountain Bike has Boost rear spacing, and a new geometry, to push its boundaries from smooth and rolling singletrack to all-mountain trail riding. This is in part thanks to a slacker head tube that tracks with control through rocky sections, and a stiffer rear end that allows for flickable maneuverability. And not to mention 110mm of travel, allowing you to tackle terrain from the chunky rock gardens to long climbs loaded with tight switchbacks on this more-capable-than-ever XC and trail machine.

This year, the Joplin moves away from its XC race dedicated roots, and slides into a versatile all-mountain spot. By dropping the head tube angle a full 2.2-degrees, landing at the moderately slack 68-degrees, the Joplin feels more stable on descents than before, and with the addition of Boost spacing in the rear, you won't find that agility is sacrificed for this stability. Boost spacing stretches the rear hub outward to 148mm, allowing for the rear end to be tucked up underneath the bike, shaving 13.3mm off of the chainstays, which gives the bike a lively and snappy feel when putting down power, or getting playful on rollers and roots. With the updated geometry, the Joplin now enjoys its ability to bounce back and forth from XC race day on rolling singletrack, to chunkier trails up higher on the mountain.

The Virtual Pivot Point suspension has also taken queues from all-mountain trail bikes, gaining an additional 10mm, which aligns the Joplin perfectly with the emerging crop of 4.5in, do-it-all bikes. Suspension also happens to be where we find the key difference between the Joplin and the Tallboy—the shock tune. Juliana's market research finds that the typical women cyclist weighs in about 30lb lighter than men, and the shock was adjusted so that we can enjoy the same plush benefits of VPP as the guys. This model features a FOX Float Performance DPS shock, with a light shock tune that allows us to take full advantage of the 4.5-inches of travel. Despite the changes in tune, the VPP design is a carry-over from Santa Cruz's re-worked frames like the Bronson 2.0 and 5010 2.0. It's inspired by the enduro-roots of the Nomad, and as a result, the links stay out of the way, which allows the shock to nestle in its spot with room for bottle cages, and enabling more ground clearance with lower standover height.

The latest VPP's changes aren't limited to wandering links, though; the system's tuning has also been tweaked. Where the old suspension curve described a deep "U," the new VPP's curve resembles a flattened check mark, with less dramatic ramping on either end of the arc and, as mentioned above, a lighter tune to give lighter riders access to the deep end. The results are that, during the initial and mid stroke, it boasts improved square edge bump compliance to keep the tires glued to the trail for more traction across lumpy trails and root latticed climbs. It also maintains its predecessor's firm feel during accelerations, so it won't dampen the Joplin's spirited kick while rallying for position in a mass start or a finishing sprint. The shock's ramp-up arc doesn't dramatically alter as the shock compresses, so the pedaling platform stays consistent across travel, with less wallowing, bob, and bottom-outs, even while the Boost axle's path turns rearward to absorb bigger hits deep in its travel.

Juliana's industry-leading carbon fiber construction has made its way to the Joplin, although this version uses a slightly lower grade of carbon fiber than the top-tier Carbon CC frame. This requires more material to achieve the same strength, so it does carry a bit more weight, but in every other aspect it's held to the same uncompromising standards as Juliana's Carbon CC frames. The upshot is that you get a frame that's every bit as stiff and strong at much more palatable price point. The frame's two carbon triangles are built as whole pieces rather than glued together from disparate bits, a method that saves weight and increases structural integrity by allowing Santa Cruz to wrap carbon continuously through and around key junctures. This process reinforces the frame with less material while eliminating the artificial stress points that result from bonded construction methods. Finally, the carbon is also compacted from the inside and the outside for a more even finish that avoids any structural defects, excess material build-up, and resin pooling for (you guessed it) even more weight savings.

The Joplin's reworked linkage means it's one-by only, but with the huge gear range of SRAM Eagle, this built still offers you some easy-pedaling bailout cogs that might be missed in other one-by drivetrains. The threaded bottom bracket is another feature that we've come to just expect from the California-based brand, and it's a strong selling point for those who don't like dealing with the tricky tolerances and creaky interface of press-fit models.

Ridley Liz SL Disc Ultegra Complete Road Bike

Some of us believe in the N+1 theory when it comes to bikes. That is, the correct number of bikes in our quiver is always one more than we've got, but Ridley flips that theory on its head with the Liz SL Disc Ultegra Complete Road Bike. This do-it-all endurance machine is capable of hammering centuries and hill sprints alike, and carries its strength through to race day when you're toeing the line with the podium on your mind. It manages to capture so many categories by combining a meticulous carbon layup with diamond constructed tubes that reduce aerodynamic drag, while elevating stiffness for putting the power down. This year's Liz continues Ridleys trend of offering the same race-proven geometry to women as it's men's line, but with different touch points that better suit our anatomy, like a narrower bar, and female-specific saddle.

The Liz SL is built from a blend of 30t and 24t high-modulus carbon fiber, just like the Fenix SL, a move that we can't applaud enough in an industry rife with examples of shrink, pink, and downgrade when it comes to women-specific fare. While its geometry stays the same in both the C and SL designations, the SL features a blend of 30t and 24t carbon layups to differentiate the two frames. The SL opts for a more expensive layup with two different gauge carbons, 24t and 30t, offering unbeatable stiffness, while maintaining intensely light construction. This particular model pairs its stiff frame with disc brakes, as opposed to the classic rim brakes. While they may scale in just a couple of grams heavier than their rim counterparts, the Ultegra 8000 brakes on this SL offer impeccable modulation, and the power to stop on a dime on the steepest pitches,

Ridley maintains the plush ride in a light, stiff as a result of a few design choices. These include narrow, flat-section seat stays that absorb power-sucking road noise while maintaining lateral stiffness. The stays feed into a vertically compliant 27.2mm seatpost, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seatstays and slimmed-down seatpost. The net result is a system-wide vibration damping and compliance for a more forgiving ride across everything from rural chip seal to the jarring stones of Belgium.

The top tube and down tube utilize a unique multi-hexagonal shape, which is undoubtedly partially responsible for the Liz's torsional rigidity and responsiveness. At the front, Ridley utilizes a tapered head tube that makes for increased stiffness while torqueing on the bars and exceptional handling and cornering capabilities while sweeping through descents or diving through the final turn before a finish sprint.

For an extra dose of stiffness, Ridley opts for a beefy PressFit BB86 shell. The wide bottom bracket shell anchors the oversized drive spine, solidly transferring every bit of power to the drivetrain without any watt-sucking lateral movement. While this frame isn't billed as specifically aerodynamic, it does boast an integrated fork crown for a smooth transition between the head tube and fork that at least offers the appearance of aerodynamics. You'll enjoy some drag-reduction benefits over frames without the integrated fork crown, and it just plain looks cleaner.

Juliana Roubion Carbon CC X01 Eagle Mountain Bike - Women's

With the updates to its brother the Bronson, its sister, the Roubion Carbon CC X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike gets a reboot too and sees the engineers at Juliana reaching into their playbooks and unleashing an all-mountain ripper of a bike dedicated to female riders, creating a more confident ride while hauling the mail on natural terrain or lift-accessed bike parks. And just like on the new Bronson, Juliana creates a more aggressive Roubion by reconfiguring its VPP suspension, inspired by the Strega, strapping a longer 160-millimeter fork on the front, slackening the head tube angle with an adjustable flip-chip, and adding in a longer reach for a roomier cockpit and better composure on steep, technical descents.

For this third-gen Roubion, it receives a longer, slacker geometry that's more at home on rowdy descents. Remarkably, it doesn't significantly alter its all-around versatility, so that slack, long-travel plushness comes in handy on the downhills without being a detriment on the climbs. Specifically, Juliana lengthened the reach by approximately 15 millimeters across all sizes for a more confident, controllable ride at eye-watering higher speeds, plus that centimeter lower standover height offers a better fit with smaller riders and allows for more dropper post travel. The head tube angle slackens from the previous generation's generously-slack 66-degrees to an even slacker 65.4-degrees in its highest setting, complete with a flip-chip that slackens it out even further to a near DH bike friendly 65.1-degrees. These were numbers usually reserved for freeride or mini-DH bikes just a few years ago, so you can guess what this offers while bombing down technical descents full of steep drop-offs and nasty rock sections.

The other significant change to the latest Roubion lies in a reconfigured VPP suspension platform. Instead of relying on the previous upper-link driven design, the third-generation Roubion enjoys the increased bump compliance and glued-to-the-trail traction you'll experience with a VPP suspension driven by a lower-link mounted shock that's inspired by the V10 and Nomad. This lower-link driven VPP suspension platform is something that's reserved exclusively for the Roubion and Strega on the Juliana lineup as it provides increased bump compliance, better support, and higher levels of traction in all-mountain, freeride, and downhill disciplines. To best match the increased performance capabilities of this lower-link driven VPP, Juliana spec'd a Super Deluxe RCT shock for a super-supple feel that stays glued to the ground noticeably better and resists heating up on those rough descents that lose thousands of vertical feet.

The last major change implemented on the third-gen Roubion is the ability to clear massive 2.8-inch tires if you prefer the voluminous support of plus-sized tires. However, we'd recommend getting the 2.6-inch version that comes spec'd with what Juliana is calling the "new" plus as the internal width of the rims are greater and better support the tires. Larger 2.8-inch tires do provide more traction, there's no question about that, however, they can be squirmy under hard cornering, feel a little draggier on the climbs, and the tires have more of a tendency to pinch flat while riding at full blast over technical terrain since they shave material to save weight. Juliana specs this Roubion with a 2.5-inch front Maxxis Minion DHF and slightly narrower 2.4-inch Maxxis Minion DHR II in the rear for an optimal blend of traction over kitty-litter and loam, cornering support, and fast-rolling speed.

Thankfully, one thing that didn't change with the updates is the construction of Juliana's carbon frames, which is a good thing since its legendary strength and unwavering stiffness of their renowned carbon layups is known industry-wide. This particular Roubion benefits from a Carbon CC layup, which offers excellent stiffness and strength, as well as reducing weight to the tune of about half a pound over the Carbon C frames. The frame's impressive stiffness translates to telepathic handling when at speed over demanding terrain, as well as quick accelerations when stepping on the pedals out of corners and up steep climbs.

Of course, Juliana's commitment to delivering an optimal fit and riding feel for female riders continues too, and it extends to a lighter shock tune that's developed with female riders in mind, as they're on average 30 pounds lighter. There's an extra-small size available for even the smallest-stature females, meaning you'll finally have a bike that's custom tailored to your vertical disposition. Saddle and grip touch points also cater to the female anatomy so you can ride in comfort when you're going hard and fast on the trail.

Juliana Strega Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame - Women's

Strega is the Italian word for witch, and we're not sure if the folks at Juliana picked the name or designed the frame first. Either way, the bike lives up to its namesake; you're in for a wicked good time as you get aggressive with the Strega Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame's slack angles and efficient yet plush VPP suspension design. The Strega packs all the features you'd want in a hard-hitting enduro bike and gives you all the speed you'll need to keep from getting burned at the stake—err, off the line.

The big-hit Strega is easily the rowdiest, most capable women-specific enduro sled we've come across. The incredibly slack head tube angle is adjustable with a simple re-position of the flip-chip on the linkage, so you can customize the ride from a higher, trail-taming 65-degrees, to a DH-worthy 64.5-degrees. The DH setting also drops the bottom bracket and elongates the wheelbase, offering plenty of composition at speed yet staying agile enough to take anywhere. Regardless of setting, the steep 74.5-degree seat tube angle allows this bike to pedal well up sheer terrain. You can really get your weight forward, encouraging you to attempt the sharpest uphill switchbacks without resulting in extreme body-English while your power is right over the pedals.

The Strega's VPP suspension design takes cues from the Santa Cruz V10 and Nomad with its lower link location. Nestled in the lower link is the RockShox Super Deluxe RCT shock, with nearly 7in of suspension, positioned in a way to keep the bikes center of gravity as low as possible. No detail goes unnoticed with the Juliana team, and the shock has its own fender shielding it from errant trail debris.

The shock location also creates the most sensitive VPP platform in the Juliana line-up, providing a consistent linear feel throughout the shock stroke and a quality of travel that can make some DH bikes green with envy. New eye-to-eye lengths afford the use of the metric shock standard, gaining increased bushing overlap for a smoother stroke that encourages descending with reckless abandon and still allows room for a full-size water bottle to sit inside the downtube. The shock also receives a custom tune for lighter—yet no less heavy-hitting—riders.

The frame is constructed from top-of-the line CC carbon in a manufacturing facility exclusive to Juliana and Santa Cruz. A one-piece carbon lay-up is used to eliminate overlapping joints, saving weight because there is no need for extra carbon to bond or wrap those joints. Instead, carbon is wrapped seamlessly between tubes for better distribution of loads and impact energy, resulting in a stronger frame. Frame strength is further enhanced by Juliana’s ability to achieve maximum compaction of the carbon layers. This prevents resin migration, resulting in a stout frame that is almost as smooth on the inside as it is on the outside. The lay-up also allows them to integrate full length tunnels for the internal cable routing, greatly simplifying the process of routing housing through the frame. A threaded bottom bracket further eases maintenance duties for the home mechanic and eliminates the BB creaks that often plague press fit systems. Finishing details include an integrated shuttle bumper to protect the frame when it's slung over a tailgate for shuttle laps, a downtube guard to protect from rock strikes, and molded chainstay protectors to silence chain slap. To cap it off, Juliana includes a lifetime frame and pivot bearing warranty to the original registered owner.

Juliana Furtado Carbon CC 27.5+ X01 Eagle Mountain Bike - Women's

It's no secret the Furtado is the most popular bike in Juliana's line, seeing its versatility lends itself to everyone from first timers just learning the ropes of mountain biking to seasoned trail riders sampling everything from backwoods singletrack to slickrock mesas. That's why we're a bit surprised to see it get a major redesign for the 2019 model year, seeing just how darn capable the bike already was. That being said, the clever engineers at Juliana have shown their deep expertise and foresight in the mountain bike world by consistently delivering better and better female-specific bikes, year after year. The newest Furtado is no different, seeing it represents the one bike that pleases anyone lucky enough to throw a leg over its top tube and pedal it down the trail.

For 2019, the third generation of Furtado is longer and slacker for better composure at high speeds—all without compromising its sharp handling characteristics that make it carve up tight trails with near-telepathic precision, seeing it retains a low bottom bracket just over 13 inches. New for this generation is the addition of a flip-chip, which gives you the ability to fine-tune its geometry to your particular riding style and local terrain at hand, as well as Juliana's "new" 2.6-inch plus-sized tires for bump-smoothing plushness without excessive weight.

In the high setting you'll find the geometry has slackened a touch, from the previous bike's 67-degree head tube angle down to 66.5 degrees. If you desire an even slacker geometry for steep descents with intimidating rocks and roots posing a threat, you can slacken it even further down to 66.2 degrees. These slacker figures make it all the more capable on terrain that used to be a bit overwhelming for the Furtado, allowing this trail bike to drop into terrain where you'd normally want an all-mountain bike. Besides being slacker, the Furtado has a 15 millimeter longer reach for a better overall fit on a trail bike of this pedigree. And to compensate for the slacker, longer geometry, the seat tube angle is steeper by one full degree for an optimal pedaling position where you can really lay down power on long climbs.

Juliana now offers the Furtado in their "new" plus-sized 2.6-inch tires, which deliver all the traction and bump-smoothing benefits of traditional 2.8-inch plus tires, but without being overly vague in handling, prone to burping while cornering hard, and way too heavy for pedaling long distances on the trail. This higher volume 2.6-inch tire size really gives you the confidence to monster truck your way across the rockiest stretches of trail without worrying about the tire squirming while cornering and braking hard, which is something that's posed a problem for larger 2.8 and 3.0-inch tires in the past.

As you'd expect from a Juliana, the Furtado retains the high degree of bump compliance, pedaling efficiency, and bottom-out resistance of its VPP suspension platform. While others in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-style VPP platform, seeing it's not as gravity-oriented as the Roubion or Strega. This particular Carbon CC 27.5+ XO1 Eagle build benefits greatly from a FOX Float DPX2 Performance Elite Shock, which gives you a more supple feel with heightened traction while pedaling over bumpy sections of trail.

The carbon CC frame found on this particular build represents the top-of-the-line carbon construction, saving anywhere from 250 to 280 grams (we don't have definitive figures on hand) on many of their popular bike models, but without sacrificing anything in terms of structural stiffness or strength. It's even backed by an outstanding lifetime warranty, so you'll have extra peace of mind while pummeling across rough terrain on the trail.

One thing that hasn't changed for 2019 is Juliana's commitment to delivering an optimal fit and riding feel for female riders with a lighter shock tune that's developed exclusively for females, seeing they're on average 30 pounds lighter. There's an extra-small available for even the shortest of females, meaning you'll finally have a bike that's custom tailored to your shorter stature without having to ride a larger bike and make major compromises. What they haven't done is water down their dialed geometry with a swooping top tube, higher front end, and shorter reach like much of the competition, which only leads to major compromises in ride quality and handling when you're actually riding hard and fast on the trail.

Juliana Strega Carbon C Mountain Bike Frame - 2018 - Women's

The Strega must have been conjured from a cauldron full of rock gardens, rooty tree lines, gravity, and carbon fiber, with an engineer's finger or toe thrown in for good measure. Wicked-slack angles and bewitching suspension design are combined into a bike that's so capable it's spooky. The Juliana Strega Carbon C Mountain Bike Frame, aptly named after the Italian word for witch, may be able to fly down mountains with no hesitation, casting spells on riders every which way, but it's best if you don't burn it, it may feel bombproof, but we make no guarantees that this witch isn't flammable.

Diving deep into the dark of it, The Strega is not designed for just any woman who reaches for a mountain bike, it yearns for women who want to ride like a bat out of hell through the roughest terrain. The unwavering stability necessary for this kind of riding is achieved through an incredibly slack head tube angle, which is adjustable with the swap of a flip-chip on the linkage, so you can customize the ride from the High, enduro and trail hungry 65-degree head tube angle, to the downhill centric 64.5 degrees, which drops the bottom bracket and lengthens the wheelbase. We all hear about long and low geometry in mountain bikes so often that we might think someone may have hexed us, but the Strega is so slack, it's impossible not to comment on the length of the wheelbase. With just over a 47-inch between the hubs in a size Medium (low geometry setting), the Strega is incredibly long and stable, and the slackest women's specific bike currently on the market. When the long wheelbase is paired with short chainstays for a responsive rear end, and a seat tube angle that's even steeper than the Roubion at 74.5-degrees, you've got a long-travel bike that's still happy to be pedaled up steep climbs, so you're not cursed to a life of anything but shuttles and lift access riding.

The Strega's VPP suspension design takes some queues from the Santa Cruz V10 with its lower link location, but dives into territory that hasn't been on the market before, and it's done in such an aesthetically pleasing way. Nestled in the lower-link is the RockShox Super Deluxe R shock, with 170mm of suspension, centered within a tunnel of meticulously laid-up carbon fiber that arcs around it as if to worship it, capped with a fender in the back to shield it from mud spray and stray trail debris. The location of the shock at the lower link translates to a more linear shock rate with a quick responding and consistent ride that wants to track its way through rubble and roots. This shock placement marks an extreme departure from the suspensions of the Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. The Super Deluxe R air shock was redesigned with increased bushing overlap for a smoother stroke to send it over chunder, and metric sizing to future-proof it, should you want to upgrade the rear suspension later down the road. The shock also received a women's specific tune, since we tend to weigh an average of 30 pounds less than the guys on the trails.

The Strega Carbon C uses Juliana's second-tier carbon, which hosts similar construction methods to their higher grade CC, with a different grade of material that adds a mere 250-280g to the frame, and saves big on money. The carbon is constructed using the same one-piece carbon layup technique as their CC level, with unidirectional carbon plies that wrap between the tubes so that the frame can absorb impacts more effectively, and a compressive bladder for applying outward pressure against the mold while carbon is curing to reduce resin pooling. The result is a bike that lures us in with its spellbinding aesthetics and captures our souls with the drive to fly down every mountain in sight on a bike so light that we may confuse it for a magic broomstick.

Yeti Cycles Beti SB5 Carbon GX Eagle Mountain Bike - 2018 - Women's

The Yeti Beti SB5 Carbon GX Eagle Complete Mountain Bike's frame is identical to the SB5 with the exception of a lighter shock tune and touch points (saddle, grips, and bar) better suited for smaller and lighter riders. This bike is just as eager to hit up some hot laps after work as it is tackling that multi-day vacation to a mountain bike mecca that you've been dying to ride. Yeti did a masterful job of curating the spec on this particular build. On the SB5 Beti Carbon GX Eagle Complete Mountain Bike, all of the parts are high-performing and durable enough to get you through multiple seasons of use while coming in at a price that brings the idea of traveling to those far away trailheads a reality. FOX suspension handles the bounce on both ends and the SRAM GX Eagle provides a gear for every occasion.

Both the SB5 and the Beti version have received industry acclaim as a bike that can tackle most any trail condition you will face but still comes in at an impressive weight and pedals exceptionaly well. We attribute the excellent suspension performance to Yeti's Switch Infinity slider. The system utilizes a patented translating pivot that automatically switches direction as the bike moves through its travel. This provides excellent anti-squat characteristics for superior pedaling performance and ideal suspension characteristics as it gets deeper into the travel. Inside are a pair of greased bushings that slide up and down on two Kashima coated rails co-developed with FOX Racing Shox. The fully sealed SWITCH INFINITY mechanism has external grease ports to lube the bushings and seals so maintenance is a piece of cake and you will be spending more time on the trail marveling the excellence of this 5 inches of travel instead of working on your bike or time spent in the shop.

We would be remiss if we didn't speak of the two varieties of carbon used on Yeti frames. The TURQ series is a higher modulus carbon that allows Yeti to build a strong and stiff, very durable frame while using less material, dropping roughly three-quarters of a pound. The carbon series as we have on this build, comes in just north of 6 pounds with shock, depending on size, which still puts it on the lighter end of the trail bike spectrum without sacrificing any strength or stiffness to the TURQ frames. Available in sizes ranging from XS-Large, the low geometry while give you total confidence to test your limits and the tapered head tube and boost spacing front and rear give you all the feedback and stiffness needed when corning hard or pushing the pace through the aspens, pines or whatever indigenous trees you find yourself flying through.

Juliana Strega Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame - 2018 - Women's

Just one glance at the intriguing lines, flashy paint scheme, and gravity-inspired shock configuration of the Juliana Strega Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame is all that's required to evoke thoughts of scintillating downhill laps and epic rides over formidable alpine terrain. Fittingly named after the Italian word for witch, we'd be lying if we didn't admit our spellbinding desire to the Strega's gorgeous aesthetics paired with a mix of aggressive geometry, smooth suspension, and top-flight Carbon CC frame.

Juliana set out to create a bike without equal in the world of women's market, throwing preconceived notions aside in favor of what women desire in a mountain bike with its 170-millimeters of VPP travel. That being said, it's purely intended for the demanding rider seeking a long-travel bike to push their ever-progressing skills over no-fall lines, rowdy rock gardens, and seriously treacherous descents. Ultimately, it's the type of bike for those pouring every bit of passion into their riding, regardless if it's lift-accessed downhills on the weekends or self-propelled adventures deep into the alpine wilderness.

One of the first things you'll notice with the Strega is the reconfigured VPP suspension, driven by a lower-link mounted shock that's radically different from the likes of Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock takes cues from the Santa Cruz V10, which is renowned for its dominance on the pro downhill circuit. Translated to the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it feel more consistent and linear throughout its stroke, tracking to steep descents and dicey lines in a smooth, supple fashion much like a downhill rig. Another important detail, Juliana employs a custom shock tune for the lighter bodies of female riders, making it more responsive when you're pedaling and descending over rugged stretches of trail.

Looking at the Strega's geometry, you'll notice its 65-degree head tube angle (in high geometry setting) makes it the slackest women's-specific bike on the market. A couple of years ago, this would limit the Strega to lift-accessed terrain and shuttle runs like most gravity bikes. However, realizing that many female riders desire a long-travel bike that actually propels itself back uphill, the designers at Juliana engineered it with a pedal-friendly 74.5-degree seat tube angle (high geometry setting). In conjunction with its longer reach, you'll find it's able to power up steep, punchy climbs without struggling to weight the front wheel like many of the slacker rigs in the gravity category.

Since mountain bikes are best when customized to your particular riding style, Juliana engineered it with a flip-chip on the linkage that changes its geometry from its stock 65-degree head tube angle to a downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly elongating the wheelbase for greater composure on downhills. Another cool detail, the reconfigured shock includes a special fender that blocks flinging rocks and kicked-up mud. Juliana didn't stop there with the obsession to detail, hooking up the Strega with a custom shuttle guard, so your Carbon CC frame doesn't get damaged from banging around on truck tailgates.

Speaking of its Carbon CC frame, this version of the Strega offers a significant weight savings over the cheaper Carbon C frame—all without sacrificing the legendary strength and stiffness you've come to love from Juliana bikes. Although we don't have any real figures on hand for the weight savings, a typical Juliana Carbon CC frame weighs about nine ounces lighter than its Carbon C counterpart. Juliana achieves weight savings by using a lighter and stronger carbon fiber lay-up while trimming away strategic areas to reduce weight. And seeing it's custom designed for hard-charging ladies, low standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches for XS) make the most of the bike's aggressive geometry without compromising fit.

Juliana Furtado 2.1 Carbon CC XX1 Eagle Mountain Bike - 2018 - Women's

The 2018 Juliana Furtado 2.1 Carbon CC XX1 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike features a longer, lower, and slacker profile than the original Furtado that pushes the boundaries of its trail bike categorization. This Furtado gets dressed up with SRAM's revolutionary XX1 Eagle one-by 12-speed drivetrain and huge accompanying gear range, a dropper post, and smooth-spinning Race Face ARC 27 wheels to take on almost any terrain.

SRAM’s XX1 Eagle drivetrain jumps ahead of industry tradition with its revolutionary 12-speed cassette. In a nutshell, Eagle lets you have the standard 10-42t 11-cog cassette you've grown to love in your old one-by 11-speed setup and introduces a massive 50t bailout cog that'll save your legs on steep, lung-crushing climbs that normally would have you pleading for an extra gear or two to magically fall from the sky.

The Furtado 2.1's geometry carries over the changes from 2017, with the most notable change apparent in the head and seat tubes. They're slacker and steeper, respectively, with the head tube coming in at 67 degrees for a similar feel to the previous Roubion model. As you can imagine, the change is noticeable when the tires hit dirt, completely blowing up our own expectations for how much terrain a "trail" bike is equipped to handle.

The steepened seat tube is equally impressive, though in a different way. The forward-oriented position of the saddle makes for better leverage on the pedals while slogging up climbs or cranking out speed on long stretches of singletrack. The Furtado 2.1 also has a longer reach, lower bottom bracket, 5mm more travel, increased dropper range, stubbier chainstays, and a wider rear axle. That pile of alterations means that it pedals harder, takes bigger bites out of terrain, and provides a wider dropper range for aggressively tackling double-digit grades on either side of zero. It should be noted that among these alterations, Juliana dropped the ability to add a front derailleur to this setup, but don’t worry—you probably won’t miss it, especially with XX1 Eagle’s huge gearing range.

The latest VPP suspension also sees some changes. The most immediately obvious is the extra 5mm of travel, but the tuning has also been revised. Where the old suspension curve described a deep "U," the new VPP's curve resembles a flattened check mark, with less dramatic ramping on either end of the travel arc. The results are that, during the initial stroke, VPP now boasts increased small bump compliance to keep the tires glued to the trail for more traction across lumpy trails and root lattices. It also maintains its predecessor's firm feel during accelerations while jockeying for position in a mass start or clearing a shelf at the crux of a climb. When paired with FOX's Evol air can, the ramp-up arc doesn't dramatically alter as the shock compresses, so the pedaling platform stays consistent across travel with less wallowing, bob, and bottoming out—even while the axle's path pushes rearward during big hits.

The Furtado 2.0 CC boasts the same top-end Carbon CC construction method and materials featured in sibling-company Santa Cruz's top-tier offerings. Beginning with superior materials allows the engineers to use less carbon in order to hit stiffness targets while claiming weight savings that hover just under the 300g mark. Both triangles are constructed as whole, monocoque pieces, which contributes to keeping weight low by allowing the carbon to wrap continuously through junctures and around joints. This eliminates the artificial weak points of bonded frames and actually requires less overall material in the process. While it's being cured, the frame is compacted from inside and out, a final step that virtually eliminates any excess material and resin pooling, resulting in more structural integrity and, of course, additional weight savings.

Juliana Furtado Carbon 27.5+ S Mountain Bike - Women's

The Furtado line from Juliana has created high expectations that resonate across the industry, and the Furtado Carbon 27.5+ S Complete Mountain Bike is no exception thanks to this year’s redesign which gives it a slacker, more versatile geometry than ever before. Featuring a playful feel that flicks around tight corners, maximizes efficiency while you pedal up rock-littered steeps, and appreciates a speedy, energetic descent, this bike redefines what it means to be called a trail bike. The Furtado makes a wider range of terrain accessible to you, with a low-slung geometry that feels more stable at high speeds without losing the agility, efficiency, and nimble handling that made its predecessors able to successfully replace a garage full of bikes with different applications. This version also features 27.5+ tires, which enhance traction as you climb and add cushion for harder landings as you cruise over drops and jumps on the way back down.

As has been the trend with previous Furtado redesigns, the latest model leads with a slacker head tube angle, down from 67 degrees to 66.5 in its high setting and 66.2 in its low setting. The high and low settings owe their presence to a significant change out back, where Juliana’s flip-chip technology lets you tweak the shock attachment to tune the bike’s geometry for the terrain and riding style at hand. Feeling more of an aggressive, downhill vibe—maybe even with some lift assistance? Go low to send it with the confidence of that extra stability underfoot. Planning on a full day of pedaling? Go high to enjoy a front end less prone to wandering on climbs.

Not only does the flip-chip allow you to ride in a more slacked-out position if you so choose, but it also gives you ample clearance to run wider tires—up to 2.8in. Juliana outfits this particular Furtado with 2.6in tires, which deliver all the traction and bump-smoothing benefits of a traditional 2.8in tire, but without feeling overly vague or excessively heavy. This 2.6in tire gives confidence to monster truck across the rockiest stretches of trail but without worrying about the tire squirming under hard braking and cornering like a larger 2.8in tire.

The slightly longer reach is another major update to this generation’s Furtado. It may be a touch more than you’re used to on a trail bike, but it provides a roomier cockpit for plenty of knee clearance even when you’re shifting your weight toward your bars for those extra steep climbs. This alignment increases composure at the higher speeds you'll be pushing for, and the seat tube is a full degree steeper to keep you in an optimal pedaling position whether you're climbing for thousands of vertical feet or muscling up a short, punchy climbs with rocks and roots standing in your way. The longer reach and slacker head tube are also offset by a short stem, which keeps handling snappy even while you reap the benefits of more stable confidence.

Despite the changes, the new Furtado retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance its predecessors featured courtesy of its VPP suspension. This VPP platform neatly tucks the lower link above the bottom bracket to protect it from rock strikes and damage from flinging trail debris. The upper portion remains attached to the top tube with a new stiffer box-section upper link. While other DH-oriented frames in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-mounted shock to minimize the risk of bottoming out even with its reduced travel. That being said, it's spec'd with a FOX DPX2 Float Performance shock for a supple feel with improved traction while pedaling over bumpy trail sections, as well as greater resistance to heating up for more consistency on those long descents. Juliana tuned the shock specifically for lighter, female riders, so this bike complements your riding style in a manner that maximizes sensitivity and response without sacrificing power.

One thing that hasn't changed is Juliana's carbon manufacturing. This particular frame benefits from the resounding stiffness and strength you've come to love from the Northern California brand's Carbon C layup. This high degree of stiffness translates to lightning-quick acceleration when you're powering out of a corner or hammering up a steep, punchy climb on the trail, as well as allows you to hold your line over rugged stretches of trail. Additionally, you'll find the Carbon C frame pairs nicely with SRAM's GX Eagle group, which provides you with the range needed for steep, extensive climbs as well as lets you find your max speed more efficiently. The frame is backed by an amazing lifetime warranty, so you'll have peace of mind for riding hard and fast out on the trail.

Ridley Liz SL Ultegra Road Bike - Women's

The long-standing approach to trendy "women's-specific" frame design has centered around the myth that there's a consistent difference in torso to leg proportions across genders, leaving many women with average proportions wondering why they can't find a bike that fits. Ridley's taking a different approach with its 2017 Liz SL Ultegra Complete Road Bike, giving it mirror geometry to its renowned Fenix SL and adjusting the touch points to better accommodate riders who have wider hip structure and narrower shoulder. Across the size range, this results in shorter stems and cranks, narrower handlebars, and wider saddles compared to similarly sized Fenix SL builds. Inheriting the Fenix SL's jack-of-all-trades ability and kitted out with Shimano's precise and reliable Ultegra drivetrain, this Liz SL is prepared to usher you through all manner of cobbles, chipseal, and buttery smooth tarmac the road ahead presents.

The Liz SL is built from the same 30t and 24t high-modulus carbon fiber as the Fenix SL, a move that we can't applaud enough in an industry rife with examples of shrink, pink, and downgrade when it comes to women-specific fare. It's a mix that delivers a rare combinations of long-mile comfort and criterium-worthy stiffness in a lightweight package that soars when the road turns skyward.

Ridley maintains the plush ride in a light, stiff as a result of a few design choices. These include narrow, flat-section seat stays that absorb power-sucking road noise while maintaining lateral stiffness. The stays feed into a vertically compliant 27.2mm seatpost, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seatstays and slimmed-down seatpost. The net result is a system-wide vibration damping and compliance for a more forgiving ride across everything from rural chip seal to the jarring stones of Belgium.

The top tube and down tube utilize a unique multi-hexagonal shape, which is undoubtedly partially responsible for the Liz SL's torsional rigidity and responsiveness. At the front, Ridley utilizes a tapered head tube that makes for increased stiffness while torqueing on the bars and exceptional handling and cornering capabilities while sweeping through descents or diving through the final turn before a finish sprint.

For an extra dose of stiffness, Ridley opts for a beefy PressFit BB86 shell. The wide bottom bracket shell anchors the oversized drive spine, solidly transferring every bit of power to the drivetrain without any watt-sucking lateral movement. While this frame isn't billed as specifically aerodynamic, it does boast an integrated fork crown for a smooth transition between the head tube and fork that at least offers the appearance of aerodynamics. You'll enjoy some drag-reduction benefits over frames without the integrated fork crown, and it just plain looks cleaner.

Please note that Ridley recommends a maximum rider weight of 209.5 lbs (95kg) for the Liz SL.

Juliana Joplin Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame - Women's

Quick enough for cross-country hot-laps and composed enough for trail riding, the Joplin Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame from Juliana lets you hit the mid-week XC races while still giving you the capability to tackle all-day backcounty epics on the weekends. Its playful yet efficient demeanor allows you to blast over slickrock slabs, carve through loam berms, and smash up an over root lattices with ease. The Joplin can be built up as a fast-rolling XC machine in 29er form, however, it defies categorization with its flip-chip linkage switching effortlessly between 29 and 27.5+ wheels, all without significantly altering geometry or messing with suspension kinematics. The flip-chip is key to the Joplin's dual persona, easily transitioning from the mile munching benefits of a 29er to the grip and rock-crawling ability of 27.5+ wheels and tires.

This top-shelf version of the Joplin receives Juliana's Carbon CC frame for weight savings in the neighborhood of 280 grams, versus the lower-priced Carbon C frame. This is a significant weight saving that's likely to appeal to the competitive cross-country racer or discerning trail rider looking to shave every possible ounce from their ride. And even though it's lighter than Juliana's lower-priced Carbon C frame, you'll be pleased to note it's every bit as strong and stiff, so you won't sacrifice anything in terms structural integrity or ride characteristics.

Borrowing design cues from Santa Cruz's iconic Tallboy, the Joplin blurs the line between razor-sharp XC scalpel and spirited trail bike with its 110-millimeters of VPP suspension paired with Juliana's recommendation for running either a 120 or 130-millimeter fork (29er/27.5+). The combination of shorter travel out back with extra plushness out front makes it pedal with resounding efficiency, but with greater margin for error when you're dropping into rocky descents. Where the Joplin differs from the Tallboy lies within its female-specific shock tune, which is targeted towards the lighter bodies of female riders. By tuning the FOX Float Performance Elite DPS shock for lighter female riders, you'll find it's more sensitive tracking over roots and rocks.

The VPP suspension gets 10-millimeters of extra travel over the first generation Joplin, aligning the newest version with the current crop of do-it-all trail rigs with approximately 4.5-inches of travel. Not only is the travel a bit more substantial at 4.5 inches/110 millimeters, but the revised VPP platform makes it perform better, so you can squeeze every last drop of bump-smoothing compliance from the suspension. Juliana engineered it to be more sensitive off-the-top, meaning you'll gain better traction when you're pedaling over bumpy sections of small rocks and roots. The shock's ramp-up arc remains more consistent until the end-stroke, at which point it becomes progressive to resist bottom-outs on bigger hits and steep descents. This shock progression is especially important, as it allows you to use a 110-millimeter travel bike on bigger terrain where you'd normally blow through all your travel.

One of the Joplin's best features lies in the ability to switch between high and low geometry settings with its flip-chip, and in doing so, change the fast-rolling 29-inch wheels for the voluminous traction of 27.5+ wheels. The flip-chip rotates along the upper link, allowing the shock mount to migrate between high (29er) and low (27.5+) settings, but without a drastic change in the bike's geometry. In fact, Juliana preserved the 68-degree head tube angle between both sizes for confident descending. Other notable geometry notes, both wheel sizes benefit from 17-inch chainstays for snappy turns around tight corners, as well as a 13-inch bottom bracket for glued-to-the-ground stability at higher speeds.

Juliana Furtado 27.5+ D Mountain Bike - Women's

When taking on trails that feature massive berms, tight switchbacks, long climbs, and solid descents, you need the nimble handling and playful suspension of the Juliana Furtado 27.5+ D Complete Mountain Bike. Don’t worry, its twitchy control and efficient climbing feel don’t sacrifice the strength and power you need to plow down technical trails at speed. From the 130-millimeters of VPP travel to the extended geometry that maximizes rider confidence and control, the Furtado is the quiver-killer that expands the classification of a trail bike. Updates include a slacker head tube, a lower bottom bracket—making this trail bike reach toward enduro style—and a WTB wheelset that uses SRAM hubs and Boost axles for a more efficient ride that matches the current industry standard.

The Furtado emphasizes surgical precision, especially on tighter trails where trees and rocks pose clearance issues. That being said, this bike doesn't sacrifice much in the way of descending composure versus the Roubion—its enduro-bred, big sister—thanks to a reinvigorated geometry that's longer, slacker, and low-slung. The sub-67-degree head tube angle keeps you confident and composed when you're dropping into steep descents littered with rocks and sudden drops. Plus, it retains one of the lowest bottom brackets in Juliana's line at a mere 13.1 inches, keeping you glued to the trail when you're charging at high speeds and railing around corners. Another notable geometry number, the 16.7-inch chainstays are shorter than your average trail bike, making it quick to change direction around corners.

The inclusion of flip-chip technology allows for a subtle change from the 66.5-degree head tube angle in the high setting and a 66.2-degree head tube angle in its low setting. It not only allows you to ride with a couple of geo options, but also provides the clearance needed to run wider tires up to 2.8 inches in width. Juliana outfits this particular Furtado with their 2.6-inch tires, which deliver all the traction and bump-smoothing benefits of a traditional 2.8-inch tire, but without feeling bouncy, slow, or excessively heavy. This 2.6-inch tire really gives you the best of both worlds, traction and plushness over the rockiest stretches of trail, but without the rolling resistance or tire squirm under braking and hard-cornering like a larger 2.8-inch tire.

As you'd expect with the Furtado, it retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance of the previous version. This VPP platform neatly tucks the lower link above the bottom bracket to protect it from rock strikes and damage from flinging trail debris. The upper portion remains attached to the top tube with a new stiffer box-section upper link. While other DH-oriented frames in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-mounted shock, as to not lose the pedaling efficiency and bottom out resistance needed for the reduction in travel. That being said, it's spec'd with a FOX Float Performance DPS shock for a supple feel with improved traction while pedaling over bumpy trail sections, as well as greater resistance to heating up for more consistency on those long descents. Juliana tuned the shock specifically for lighter, female riders, so this bike complements your riding style in a manner that maximizes sensitivity and response without sacrificing power.

The D build consists of SRAM's NX drivetrain, which offers a great gear range and puts the final nail in the front derailleur's coffin. The simplicity, weight savings, and reliability of a 1x is hard to argue. Other notable features of this build are the Rock Shox Recon fork with its reliably stiff chassis and consistent damping, the SRAM hydraulic disc brakes that provide confidence-inducing stopping power, and the integrated headset that provides a lightweight, simplified mechanism with decreased maintenance needs.

Please note, because the alloy version of the Furtado uses an integrated headset, the headtube measurement is 10 millimeters longer than what's indicated on the geometry chart, as to match the same headtube measurement as the carbon frame with its external lower cup and internal upper cup installed. Other than this headtube measurement, everything indicated on the geometry chart is accurate.