● Our three women’s Bike of the Year options sit in what’s now the mid-range market, beginning at £2,499 and heading up to £4,489. As this price point, there’s electronic shifting courtesy of Shimano 105 Di2 on the multi-terrain Ribble CGR Ti Enthusiast, while the cheaper options of the Scott Contessa Addict 25 (£2,499) and Liv Avail Advanced 1 (£3,699) offer mechanical Shimano 105. The frames of the Scott and Liv are both carbon, while the Ribble brings a titanium build to the table.
And just what makes these women’s bikes? The Scott and Liv are female-specific models, with the Scott built in sizes starting from a XXS 47cm frame with a women’s specific saddle and colour scheme. The Liv, meanwhile, is the only bike here designed using unique geometry based on women’s-specific fit data and is specced with a Liv saddle designed for female riders.
The Ribble is a unisex model, but we’ve used the Lancashire brand’s custom bike builder tech to make it more female-friendly with an inline carbon seatpost and women’s-specific saddle. But can it outflank its more female-focused rivals on the
