TOP 11 Good Bikes & Frames for Ladies

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

The Juliana Roubion 2.1 Carbon CC X01 Eagle complete bike has earned a devoted following worldwide of women who shred, hard. With responsive 27.5 inch wheels and plenty of travel to take on technical trails in total control, this is an ideal steed for those who are constantly pushing their riding to new heights.

Part of what’s earned the Roubion such a rabid fanbase is its 150mm of VPP suspension. As with all VPP bikes, the Roubion’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.

The rest of the Roubion’s formula for excellence is largely down to its impeccably refined geometry. The 66-degree head angle is stable and predictable when diving into steep chutes, and it’s quick enough to make easy direction changes, which is easily appreciated when the trail throws a surprise your way. At 17 inches, the chainstays strike a nice balance between being short enough to turn quickly, and long enough to maintain weight on the front wheel, especially when hanging off the back on descents. At 13.4 inches, its bottom bracket height is plenty low to remain planted in bike park style berms and off-camber corners, but it’s just high enough to keep your pedals from hitting rocks and trail debris. Where some other bikes go to extremes, the Roubion’s strength is its balance, of which it has plenty to spare.

The Rubicon 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 time again that their command of carbon fiber construction is unsurpassed in the bike industry. The result is a frame that will hold up to years of hard riding, will provide a comfortable ride, and will do so at a very competitive weight.

This Roubion build delivers components that are similarly ready to tackle any trail you face. It begins with a class-leading suspension from Fox. The fork is a 36 FLOAT FIT4 Performance Elite unit with 150mm of travel, paired with the new FLOAT DPX2 Performance Elite air shock. 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 phenomenal X01 Eagle 12 speed groupset provides the gear range necessary to take on big climbs and all-day rides, while the Guide brakes provide modulation and control in the face of unpredictable terrain. 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.

• Long travel trail bike to continuously push your limits
• 6 inches of VPP travel with a shock tune for lighter riders
• 74-degree seat tube angle optimizes pedaling efficiency
• Longer reach shifts weight forward for better traction
• Carbon CC frame saves weight without sacrificing strength
• X01 Eagle drivetrain includes the ultimate bailout gear
• Item #JLI004I

Juliana Joplin Carbon R Mountain Bike - Women's

Not a one-hit wonder, the Juliana Joplin Carbon R Complete Mountain Bike takes on hits way bigger than we'd ever throw at the first several generations of wagon-wheel bikes. That's because, like the queen of rock for which it's named, the Joplin effectively revolutionized its genre. It proved that 29ers aren't limited to cross country riding on smooth ribbons of serene hardpack. The latest model is even more aggressive, leading into terrain with a slacker head tube and the increased efficiency and tracking of Boost axles. It's built here with a kit that encourages aggression: SRAM's NX Eagle drivetrain combines the Eagle line's ultimate bailout gear to the workhorse, fear-no-trail-furniture functionality of NX.

Boost spacing, a slacker profile, enduro-inspired suspension links, and the protean flip chip are some of the modern features that cap off its developmental arc, following that of the Tallboy. The key difference between the Joplin and the Tallboy is in the shock tune, with the former lightening up a bit for lighter riders. Juliana calculates that typical women cyclists are around 30lb lighter than men, so the Joplin's lighter shock tune allows lighter riders to take full advantage of the bike's 4.5in of VPP travel. In the end, it's a tale of suspension and geometry that's dramatic enough to rival the biography of fast-living young rock stars.

Compared to the previous Joplin, the newest model takes just a bit off the top of the head tube, dropping 2.2 degrees to fall from the standard 70.2 to a moderately slack 68 degrees. The Virtual Pivot Point travel has also taken a turn for the crunchier, gaining an additional 10mm, which aligns the Joplin perfectly with the emerging crop of 4.5in, do-it-all 29ers. 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-minded Nomad, and the result is that the links stay out of the way, which lets the Joplin accommodate a piggyback shock's external can without giving up the bottle cage. The repositioned links also make for more ground clearance, lower standover, and an additional boost in stiffness to the already stiff Boost back end.

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 increased 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 jockeying 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 makes 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 a 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 it still comes equipped with ISCG 05 tabs. 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. Understandably, the frame's clearance decreases as a 29er, but it still accommodates most 2.35in tires, which we think occupy the sweet spot of plush traction without getting a top floppy and muddying trail feel.

• Cross-country race bike that moonlights as a trail machine
• 110mm of VPP travel pedals like XC but drops in like all-mountain
• Longer, slacker geometry is more stable through big lines
• Carbon construction balances weight and price
• SRAM's Eagle drivetrain includes the ultimate bailout gear
• 29er wheels conquer trail obstacles without sacrificing speed
• Juliana Bicycles sets the standard for women's race bikes
• Item #JLI004V

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.

• Versatile trail bike for women who rip
• 5 inches of highly efficient VPP suspension travel
• 74-degree seat tube angle optimizes pedaling efficiency
• Roomy reach shifts weight forward for better traction
• Carbon CC frame saves weight without sacrificing strength
• SRAM's Eagle drivetrain features the ultimate bailout gear
• Item #JLI003T

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, bottomless 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.

• Trail bike built for speed and distance on technical trails
• 110mm of VPP suspension with shock tune for lighter riders
• Aluminum frame adds durability and value
• Rock Shox Recon 120mm Fork handles big hits and rock gardens
• SRAM NX 1x11 drivetrain offers a wide range of gears
• Juliana tailors cutting-edge bikes to female riders
• Item #JLI004Z

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 the 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, chip seal 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 combination 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 seat post, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seat stays and slimmed-down seat post. 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 utilizes 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 torquing 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.

• An endurance road bike for any occasion
• Geometry blends snappy responsiveness with long-mile comfort
• Lightweight carbon fiber construction for responsive handling
• Pressfit BB86 bottom bracket shell efficiently transfers power
• Shimano's Ultegra drivetrain delivers precise gear shifts
• Item #RID007N

Juliana Strega Carbon CC X01 Mountain Bike - 2018 - Women's

A mere glimpse of the spellbinding lines, alluring paint scheme, and gravity-inspired shock configuration of the Juliana Strega Carbon CC XO1 Complete Mountain Bike conjures up daydreams of flying downhill at high rates of speed, sending intimidating freeride lines, and conquering hour-long descents in epic alpine terrain. Fittingly named from the Italian word for witch, the Strega mesmerizes fellow riders and onlookers with its drop-dead gorgeous aesthetics paired with aggressive geometry, smooth suspension feel, and exceptional Carbon CC frame.

Creating a long-travel bike without equal in the women's market, Juliana tossed preconceived notions aside from what ladies desire in an aggressive mountain bike in designing the Strega. Packing 170 millimeters of VPP travel, the Strega is purely intended for the demanding female rider seeking a long-travel bike to keep up with their progressing skills across big hits, scary steeps, and technical alpine terrain. Ultimately, it's the type of bike for those pouring their heart and soul into every ride, whether it's weekend shuttle runs on downhill-dedicated trails or self-propelled adventures deep into high-alpine terrain.

The first thing you'll notice with the Strega lies within its reconfigured VPP suspension, driven by a lower-link mounted shock that's radically different than the likes of Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock location takes cues directly from the Santa Cruz V10, which is renowned on the professional downhill circuit for numerous victories against the fastest riders in the world. Translated to the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it feel more consistent and supple throughout its stroke, allowing it to track smoothly across steep and rugged terrain, much like a dedicated downhill bike. Another thing to note, Juliana employs a custom shock tune that's designed for the lighter builds of female riders, meaning it'll feel more responsive and not overly harsh like male-specific shock tunes.

Delving into its geometry, the Strega inspires downhill confidence with a 65-degree head tube angle (in its higher geometry setting) making it the slackest women's bike on the market. A couple of years ago, this would limit the Strega to lift-accessed downhills and shuttle laps like most gravity sleds on the market. However, realizing that aggressive 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 (high geometry setting). This means you'll be able to power up steep climbs and conquer long swaths of the trail, especially with the 500% gear range provided by its XO1 12-speed drivetrain.

Seeing that mountain bikes are best when they're customized to your personal style, Juliana engineered the Strega with a flip-chip on the linkage that changes the bike's geometry from its gravity-friendly 65-degree head tube angle to a strict downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly elongating the wheelbase for greater composure at white-knuckle speeds. Another sweet detail, the reconfigured shock includes a special fender that blocks flinging rocks and kicked-up mud from clogging it up. Juliana didn't stop there with the obsession to detail, giving the Strega a custom shuttle guard, so you're the Carbon CC frame doesn't get damaged from banging around on truck tailgates.

Speaking of the Carbon CC frame, the Strega Carbon CC XO1 shaves a significant deal of weight from the cheaper Carbon C frame. Juliana achieves this by using a lighter, stronger, and more expensive carbon lay-up, all without sacrificing one bit of strength or stiffness you've come to love from Juliana carbon frames. We don't have any real figures on hand for the weight savings, but a typical Juliana Carbon CC frame weighs about nine ounces less than a Carbon C counterpart. And seeing it's custom built for hard-charging ladies, low standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches for the XS frame) and size-specific droppers squeeze every ounce of performance from the bike's aggressive geometry without compromising on fit.

• Command control across the rowdiest terrain and biggest hits
• Downhill-inspired geometry, yet it still pedals efficiently
• 170mm of VPP travel with a smooth, consistent shock feel
• Lower-link mounted shock elevates it into gravity realms
• Women's-specific shock tune increases its responsiveness
• Carbon CC frame shaves weight without giving up strength
• Bolt-on shuttle guard, downtube protector, shock fender
• Female-friendly touch points: Juliana saddle and grips
• Item #JLI003J

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 drove 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 has 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 the 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.

• The Roubion is back and more aggressive than ever
• Slacker, longer geometry increases high-speed composure
• A flip-chip alters the head tube angle from 65.4° to 65.1°
• 6in of plush VPP travel tames rock scree and bigger drops
• Revised lower-link driven air shock inspired by the Strega
• Shock tuned specifically for lighter female riders
• Carbon CC frame saves weight over the C version
• A centimeter lower standover offers a better fit with smaller riders
• Item #JLI005M

Juliana Roubion 2.1 Carbon C Mountain Bike Frame - 2018 - Women's

Harness aggression into flat-out speed on the mountain with the Roubion 2.1 Carbon C Mountain Bike Frame. Purposely designed for aggressive styles of all-mountain riding and professional enduro racing, the Roubion demolishes chunky rock lines and rips alpine descents with unflappable composure. 150 millimeters of VPP travel smooths out the roughest terrain without flinching, making it an unstoppable force for all-mountain and enduro disciplines where larger rock gardens, steep descents, and bigger hits pose a significant challenge. Seeing that Juliana tailors their bikes for the needs of female rappers, you'll find the Roubion's tuned specifically for lighter riders with its female-specific shock tune. This makes it all the more sensitive when you're pedaling over roots and rocks standing in your way.

The second-gen Roubion is longer, slacker, and more aggressive than the predecessor, meaning it's far more stable and confident charging at higher speeds. This aggressive geometry makes the Roubion well suited for conquering demanding alpine terrain and rocky descents where short-travel bikes would be overwhelmed. The 66-degree head tube angle provides stability when you're opening it up at higher speeds and dropping into steep, rocky descents. The longer reach provides a roomy cockpit, so you're never cramped or uncomfortable riding the Roubion for long distances. Furthermore, the snappy 17-inch chainstays keep its quick turning and agile around tight switchbacks and sweeping berms.

This particular version of the Roubion gets Juliana's Carbon C frame, which provides high levels of stiffness and strength, transferring every pedal stroke into forwarding momentum. It's also incredibly tough, withstanding the regular thrashings you'll be subjecting this aggressive bike to. Internal cable routing cleans up its overall aesthetic while protecting cables from muck and trail grime. Another subtle, yet important feature is the threaded bottom bracket, which prevents the annoying creaks you're bound to encounter with a press fit bottom bracket.

The big story with the Roubion is the VPP suspension, which gets a revised architecture of the linkages for its third iteration. The third version of VPP attaches the upper linkage to the top tube, making it all the stiffer, as well as creating greater stand-over clearance for shorter riders. The bottom linkage is neatly tucked above the bottom bracket, protecting it from damaging rock strikes. These changes in VPP extend to the suspension's overall performance. For the third-gen VPP, you'll find it's more sensitive off-the-top when you're pedaling over rocks and roots. It's also more supportive through the mid-stroke, making it track consistently without the old version's tendency to wallow in the mid-stroke. As always, you'll find the VPP suspension ramps up considerably hard at end-stroke, preventing it from bottoming out harshly on bigger hits.

• Purpose built for aggressive all-mountain riding
• 150-millimeters of travel smooths out rock gardens and big hits
• VPP suspension ramps up at end-stroke to prevent harsh bottom outs
• Women's-specific shock tune increases sensitivity for lighter riders
• 74-degree seat tube angle for superior climbing efficiency
• Longer and slacker geometry inspire confidence at high speeds
• Carbon C frame offers the strength and durability of CC at a better value
• Juliana continues to deliver for their riders with a lifetime frame and linkage bearing warranty
• Item #JLI006B

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 backcountry 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 with 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.

• Blurs the boundaries between trail chops and XC speed
• Carbon CC frame saves 280 grams from the Carbon C frame
• Flip-chip offers the ability to switch 29in for 27.5+ wheels
• 110mm of efficient VPP travel with a progressive feel
• Fox Float Performance Elite DPS shock tuned for lighter female riders
• Boost spacing increases wheel stiffness and tire clearance
• Removable mount for side-swing front derailleurs
• Threaded bottom bracket eliminates creaking
• Item #JLI005P

Juliana Strega Carbon R Mountain Bike - Women's

Aptly named after the Italian word for witch, the Juliana Strega Carbon R Complete Mountain Bike is a magical ride that flies down mountains without hesitation, and seems to be conjured from a cauldron mixed with rock gardens, rooty tree lines, gravity, carbon fiber, and maybe even an engineer's finger or toe for good measure. The Strega is not designed for just any woman who reaches for a mountain bike, it casts its spell on 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 flip of a flip-chip on the linkage, so you can customize the ride from the High, enduro and gravity hungry 65-degree head tube angle, to the downhill centric 64.5 degrees, which drops the bottom bracket and elongates 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 slacked out it's impossible not to comment on the length of the wheelbase. With just over a 47in wheelbase in 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 is 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 cues from the Santa Cruz V10 with it's 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 that we'll go out and say damn sexy. Nestled in the lower-link is the RockShox Super Deluxe RCT 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 and stray rubble.

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 shock tune for the Strega, since we tend to weigh an average of 30lbs less than the guys on the trails.

SRAM's NX drivetrain tags along with the Strega Carbon C frame, with a versatile cassette that can stand quite a bit of abuse, and a gear ratio that so large you can move from a 10-tooth small ring for laying down maximum power, all the way out to 42-tooth cog for working your way up precarious climbs. A 170mm RockShox Yari RC fork sits beneath the head tube, with 35mm stanchions that are stiff enough to track through the gnarliest trails. And, since all good things come in threes, the fork is capped with a 35mm Race Face stem and 35mm bar, for ultimate stiffness and control.

The Strega Carbon C uses Juliana's second-tier carbon, which hosts similar construction to their higher grade CC carbon, but uses a different grade carbon material that adds a mere 250-280g to the frame, and saves on money. The carbon is constructed using the same one-piece carbon layup technique as their CC level, with unidirectional carbon piles that wrap between tubes so that the frame can absorb impact 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 site on a bike so light that we may confuse it for a magic broomstick.

• All-mountain magic abounds in this versatile DH-style bike
• 170mm of VPP suspension for smooth riding on rowdy terrain
• Women's specific shock tune for more responsiveness and comfort
• 75-degree seat tube angle for improved pedaling efficiency
• Durable double-sealed pivots and nearly bombproof frame
• Internal routing for a clean appearance and easy maintenance
• Juliana women's specific grips and saddle
• Item #JLI0051

Juliana Furtado Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame - Women's

Juliana’s Furtado has been the go-to for versatile female riders for quite some time, balancing the need between efficient climbing and powerful descents. The Furtado Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame is the customizable version of the quiver-killer you love. The Furtado is an all-around bike that emphasizes rider strengths, so it’s no surprise that you’d want to customize the build for your exact preferences, for everything from components to personality.

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 the 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 the power on long climbs.

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 Carbon CC build benefits greatly from a FOX DPX2 Float Factory, which gives you a more supple feel with heightened traction while pedaling over bumpy sections of trail.

The Furtado features 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 time again that their command of carbon fiber construction is unsurpassed in the bike industry. The result is a frame that will hold up to years of hard riding, will provide a comfortable ride, and will do so at a very competitive weight.

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.

• The nimble yet powerful frameset for versatile riders
• Slacker, longer geometry increases confidence at high speeds
• Retains low bottom bracket and short chainstays for agility
• 5in of VPP travel balances efficiency with bottom-out resistance
• 74-degree seat tube angle optimizes pedaling efficiency
• Longer reach shifts weight forward for better traction
• Carbon CC frame saves weight without sacrificing strength
• Item #JLI005T