It can be difficult for petite females and just short people in general to find the right size bike. It’s not just a curse on only small people though, for extremely tall people, it can be difficult to find the right bike as well. Sometimes our body types don’t fit the standard-sized bike mold.
There are two common complaints that short ladies encounter.
- The seat position is always too high, even at the lowest position. The problem is that your feet can’t touch the ground when at a stop. Trying to make quick and firm contact with the ground on your tippy-toes as you fall sideways and moments away from smacking the pavement does not instill confidence. Even with the seat in the lowest position, partners and bike professionals tell you to raise the seat even higher to be in the proper riding form!
- With standard-sized bikes being designed for taller people, gripping the handlebars requires leaning forward and stretching. This constant stretching to reach the handlebars makes turns difficult. You feel like you’re stuck in a falling forward position and can not return to an upright position. These issues can destroy your confidence in safely riding, stopping, or dismounting the bike.
It’s frustrating and disappointing shopping for bikes to find most bikes’ geometry won’t work for your body type.
Most short people entertain the idea of buying a kid’s bike as a solution. Is that an option? Of course, it is. Being short and riding a kid’s bike seems to bring the bike closer to the proper size and reinstill confidence. But you can still consider an adult bike as well.
This comprehensive review will focus on kid and adult girl bikes with 24″ wheels ideal for ladies 4’5”-4’9” in height.
Top 10 Best Bikes For Short Women Reviewed
1. Diamondback Bicycles Tess 24 Youth Girls 24″ Wheel Mountain Bike Blue


2. Vertical Alpine Eagle 24″ Bike

3. Huffy 24″ Women’s Nel Lusso Cruiser Bike 54576 Mint Wire Basket

4. Huffy 24″ Nel Lusso Women’s Cruiser Bike Purple Satin
…click image to see more on Amazon We’ve already recommended a couple of different best bikes for short women on this list, and Huffy is the most affordable of the bunch. The Perfect Fit frame delivers enhanced comfort, confidence, and a better ride. The bike has dual-density grips and a swept-back position for better short-person posture.See more on Amazon…
5. Roadmaster – 24 Inches Granite Peak Girl’s Mountain Bike Purple


6. 24″ Royce Union RTT Women’s 21-Speed Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame Trigger Shift White


7. Mongoose Exlipse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike for Kids Featuring 15-Inch/Small Steel Frame and 21-Speed Shimano Drivetrain with 24-Inch Wheels Kickstand Included Pink


8. Huffy 24” Womens Nel Lusso Cruiser Bike with Basket Purple
…click image to see more on Amazon The Perfect Fit frame is an exclusive design that’s ideal for casual and recreational riders. The raised handlebars let you ride in an upright riding position, which is more natural for your back, arms, and hands. The padded seat on this purple cruiser bike is designed to be a little farther back and have a lower center of gravity. It also comes with additional accessories, including a front basket and rear rack.See more on Amazon…
9. WJHWSX Junior Aluminum Full Mountain Bike Stone Mountain 26 Inch 21-Speed Bicycle

10. BCA by Kent 26″ Women’s Charleston Cruiser Bike Pink
…click image to see more on Amazon The 26″ Women’s Charleston Cruiser bike is a classic ladies cruiser for the beach and beyond. The bike has a clean and classy finish and is made with a lightweight aluminum frame. Comfortable upright riding position and soft padded seat is the formula for casual all-day fun. This beauty even comes with fenders to keep you dry and clean and a basket for your stuff.See more on Amazon…
Can an adult ride a bike with 24-inch wheels?
Yes, a short adult can ride a bike with 24-inch wheels. Although 24-inch bikes are mostly sold as kid bikes, an adult can ride one. It solely depends on the height and weight of the rider, not the age. For example, adults under 5’10” could benefit from a 24″ bike over an adult-sized bike.
Before riding a smaller bike, always make sure to verify the weight limit. Women whose heights are under 5’10” and weigh less than 200 pounds find riding a 24-inch bike comfortably. This is because the frame is the perfect height to match the length of your torso and legs. Petite people tend to have longer legs and a shorter torso. Bike manufacturers that make smaller bicycles tend to assume this. You should find that you can easily stand over the frame or sit in the saddle, and your feet will be flat on the ground. If this is not the case, the bike is too big.