Giant Liv – Embolden

From the parent company, Giant, comes the women’s specific division, Liv. They’ve been working hard in all areas of cycling to find the best possible solutions and rides for female cyclists.

For 2017, they have launched the Embolden all mountain trail bike. The striking alloy frame features RockShox 30 Gold TK forks with 120mm travel, a RockShox Monarch rear shock and a full Shimano group-set.

Liv have put an emphasis on having low stand-over heights on their range of MTB’s to facilitate mounting/dismounting and aid with rider mobility around the bike. This bike has a very affordable price tag of £1100, which is really good considering it’s a full suspension MTB with some pretty good kit on board. Definitely ideal for those looking to progress from their hardtail bikes, and those new to the sport.

Sizes: X.Small – Small – Medium

Available here for £1100

Cannondale Habit Women’s 3

Cannondale have made a big name for themselves in the world off-road cycling with their lightweight performance bikes. Early this year, the Cannondale’s women’s team was announced which would see competitive racing across all disciplines. So with a strong team of expert riders on hand to test and develop the bikes, it’s no wonder we’re excited about the new Habit 3.

The Habit women’s 3 is a lightweight alloy frame that houses 27.5″ wheels, 120mm travel on RockShox Recon Silver forks, and X-Fusion O2 RL rear shock, Tektro brakes and SRAM gears.

Sizes: X.Small – Small – Medium

Available here for £1400

Cube Sting WLS 120 Pro 29er

Earlier this year, I was really impressed with Cube’s Sting WLS 140 trail bike. So when I saw this fruit salad colourway frame, with 29er wheels, I got a little excited about it.

I thought I would dislike riding a 29er bike, but after my dirty love affair with the Juliana Joplin, I guess I’m somewhat of a convert.

This radical not-so-stealth frame is equipped with Manitou Minute TS Air forks which boast 120mm travel at the front, coupled with a Manitou Radium Expert RL shock in the rear. This beast of a bike has a full Shimano XT group-set, with SLX shifters for the 2×11 drive-train. If you need a mountain to climb, this is the bike to do that with.

Sizes: 17″ and 19″

Available here for £1800

Specialized Women’s Camber Comp 650b

The new mountain bike range from Specialized includes machines that are stunning and performance capable. The new Camber Comp is one which stands out for us, and fits into our £1k – £2k budget… just.

This bike has a little bit of everything, blending the responsiveness of a Shimano braking system, and the smooth transition of SRAM gears. The drive-train is a combination of SRAM and Race Face chain-ring and crank-set. The 650b/27.5″ wheelset is complimented with a pair of RockShox Revelation forks, with 130mm travel, and Fox Float Performance rear shock.

The Camber Comp has everything you need to take on the mountains in a cool blue colourway.

Sizes: X.Small – Small – Medium – Large

Available here for £1900

When buying a bike, you’re investing into your hobby and your safety. You want a bike that can keep up with your adrenaline junkie impulses and that can progress with you as you learn new skills.

Bike brands are offering demo days all the time, and these are brilliant ways to try-before-you-buy. Do some research, consider your riding style and what you want from a bike, and enjoy riding!

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