Hard Tail mountain bikes – those with suspension up the front, but not on the rear – provide riders with awesome bang for their buck. Manufacturers don’t need to pay for rear suspension, so their cash can go on upgraded components and better quality materials.

Buyers’ Guide: Hardtail versus full suspension mountain bikes

Hard tails are more mechanically simple, making them a perfect option for beginners, and they’re lighter – so they are often favoured by racers who want to give themselves every chance of being the first over the hill.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of entry level hard tail mountain bikes for women looking to spend under £1,000, but if you’re looking for a higher end model, choice is more limited.

This said, the brands making quality, female specific, hard tail mountain bikes know how to make a good bike – we found 6 of the best….