A magnetoresistive read element with improved biasing of the free layer is disclosed. The read element includes a free layer, a spacer layer, a first pinned bias layer, an APC layer, and a second pinned bias layer antiparallel exchange coupled with the first pinned bias layer. The second pinned bias layer has a width greater than the width of the first pinned bias layer, while the volumes of the first and second pinned bias layers are substantially similar. The width of the first pinned bias layer allows magnetic fields from the first pinned bias layer to longitudinally bias the free layer. The width of the second pinned bias layer avoids magnetic fields of the second pinned bias layer from biasing the free layer.