BEST STARTER BIKE FOR WOMEN

MOMSEN MIA SPORT ONE

PRICE: R7 995 / MOMSENBIKES.COM

THE THEORY AT THE PRO END OF THE SPECTRUM is that there isn’t actually any difference between men’s and women’s bikes. Certain parts make a difference – like the saddle, most importantly – but in terms of frame geometry, what’s fast for a guy is fast for a girl.

Lower down the ranks, however, there’s still a case to be made for a women-specific bike that’s easy and comfortable to ride right off the shop floor, without having to make any significant changes.

Momsen Bikes is a homegrown brand, based in Port Elizabeth; and although they also offer dual-suspension MTBS and gravel bikes, they’re most well known for their range of great-value hardtail mountain bikes, which have been putting a smile on South Africa’s dial for more than a decade.

Their junior bikes are some of the lightest and besthave specced on the market; and now they a whole new range specifically for ladies, called Mia.

Mia is designed for a smaller rider, with three frame sizes: XS, S and M. There’s a curve in the top tube to reduce the stand-over height, and 27.5” wheels across the size range that better complement the compact frame and keep the bike nimble and balanced. (If you’re taller than 175cm, you should look at the AL029 men’s bike, which has 29” wheels and frames up to XL in size.)

Don’t underestimate the paint job, either: classy black, with a subtle blue/purple fade.

You get decent components despite the humble price tag, which isn’t the case with some other sub-r10k bikes, where it’s clear the manufacturers are just trying to get rid of outdated gear. The 2x8 Shimano Altus drivetrain does the job, as do the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, the Maxxis Ikon tubeless-ready tyres, and the Suntour fork with 100mm of adjustable air suspension.

Other women-specific features include shorter cranks (170mm instead of the 175mm standard), an in-house-brand saddle designed for the female anatomy, and grips that are more comfortable for smaller hands.

All in all, the Mia Sport One is a wonderfully simple bike that won’t break the bank, for general riding. It looks snazzy, it’s relatively lightweight, and you won’t spend your life fixing mechanical issues and punctures.

If you think you might get more serious about your mountain biking in the future and you want even more simplicity, have a look at the One’s sister bike, the Sport Two, which still squeaks in under R10k and features a 1x12 SRAM SX drivetrain. There are also two girl’s bikes in the Mia range for future Kate Courtneys, with a similar component spec but fitted with 24- and 26-inch wheels respectively.