Cannondale SuperSix Women's 3 Ultegra

Reviewers say the Cannondale SuperSix Women's 3 Ultegra is a top choice for serious female cyclists. This carbon-framed road bike comes in four female-specific sizes, and it's outfitted with Shimano Ultegra components, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels and Schwalbe Durano S tires. Reviewers rave about the SuperSix frame, which provides the right amount of stiffness for responsive pedaling and precise handling in corners and at high speeds. At the same time, testers say the Cannondale SuperSix Women's 3 Ultegra doesn't sacrifice comfort. Reviewers have few complaints, but one expert says the Mavic wheels are a letdown, and recommends upgrading to something lighter and more rigid. The top-rated road bike overall, the Giant Defy Advanced 1 (*Est. $3,200) also comes in a women's version.

The best reviews of the Cannondale SuperSix Women's 3 Ultegra come from Women's Adventure Magazine and Bicycling. These sources thoroughly test the bike using female testers, although the analysis published by both magazines is quite short. As a result, we turn to Cycling Weekly, which tests the Cannondale SuperSix 3 Ultegra unisex version. Since the bikes are so similar, this lengthy review helps fill in the gaps left by other sources.