Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Would you ride a women's bike?

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Would you ride a women's bike?

Old 10-20-14, 10:45 AM
  #1  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,686

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 12 Posts
Would you ride a women's bike?

A really nice looking Super Sport in my size recently popped on my local CL. Only...it's a women's frame. Not a mixte, just a plain ol' Schwinn women's model. I'm tempted to jump on it anyway. I plan to use it for commuting and running around town, so the step through would actually be a nice feature (one that I've secretly always envied). What do you think, abandon ego and enjoy the ride?

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
00K0K_7mtKUWvdNGE_600x450.jpg (58.7 KB, 378 views)
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 10:55 AM
  #2  
Catching Smallmouth
 
BradH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: In a boat
Posts: 590

Bikes: 1990 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 1985 Trek 460, 2005 Lemond Tourmalet, 1984 Schwinn LeTour 'Luxe, 1988 Trek 400T, 1985 Trek 450, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1993 Diamond Back Apex, 1988 Schwinn Circuit, 1988 Schwinn Prologue, 1978 Trek TX700, Sannino

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Liked 131 Times in 78 Posts
No. That's why they make men's bikes.
BradH is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 10:57 AM
  #3  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,672

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Yes and I do, it's called a mixte. Step through frames also appeal for utility uses.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:01 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Okefenokee Swamps.
Posts: 577

Bikes: Rockhopper, Azor Oma cruiser

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! I'm a former chiro, 60 year old male and there's gonna' be a time that I probably won't be able to lift my leg over the top tube to mount my bike, a late '80s Rockhopper that's been converted to an exercise/road bike. Hence, the preference for a step-thru frame in the near future, especially when it's loaded with weight. Shortly I plan to purchase a Linus Dutchi 8 having a step-thru frame for gentle cruising now and on into my twilight years as I prepare to fly well over the rainbow.
tjkoko is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:09 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 538

Bikes: 1984 Trek 770

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 99 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts
I don't know why not. If you go to Japan, you'll see that that is basically the only style bike anyone rides, unless it's a high-zoot race bike.
upthywazzoo is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:10 AM
  #6  
Fahrradfahrer
 
jwarner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 367

Bikes: n+1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Next sweet mixte or 3-sp Raleigh (diamond frame or not) I find is mine for restoring and putzing around town.

So yes, I would ride a "girls" bike. I might even put a wicker basket on the front.

Mind over matter -- if you don't mind, it don't matter.
jwarner is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:12 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
daf1009's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 3,178

Bikes: LESS than I did a year ago!

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
I think we should do away with the term "girl's bike"....it is a Mixte...plain and simple...or, if you prefer, a step through frame...but...what would you call a 60 cm Mixte? A girl's bike?
daf1009 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:20 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 807
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 56 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 5 Posts
All the modern mountain bikes would have been considered "girls bikes" back in the day. I don't think it matters anymore. If anybody says anything, tell it's the newest mountain bike on the market.
busdriver1959 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:22 AM
  #9  
rhm
multimodal commuter
 
rhm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852

Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...

Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 339 Posts
I ride Citibikes evey day of the week:



But for recreational riding no, I would not, and it's not because I'm a guy. It's because I don't ride in a dress or a skirt. I wear pants. If I couldn't get my leg over the saddle, for whatever reason, then maybe I would. If things were different, things would be different.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.

Last edited by rhm; 10-20-14 at 11:26 AM.
rhm is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:24 AM
  #10  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,672

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by Ex Pres
I agree with the OP. This design is not a mixte, it's a women's frame.

Just always be carrying beer, or construction material, in that dropped section. Make it a "man's" bike.
Interesting edit to twist my post bub. First thing I stated was yes I do, as in ride a womens frame then clarified it's a mixte.. mixte and standard womens frames are not the same. That's like saying a diamond frame and a recumbent are the same frame type. So what do you tell women riding a standard diamond frame, that it's a mans frame and they better put flowers and pink stickers on it? Even if this is joking.. I'm starting to get why some people feel this section is misogynist.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:28 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
vonfilm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 802

Bikes: 73 Super Sport, 86 Tempo, 86 Peloton, 87 Super Sport, 83 Peugeot PFN10, 76 Super Course MK IV, 94 Univega Alpina 5.5

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times in 34 Posts
I would not ride just any women's bike, but I would make an exception for a Super Sport.
__________________
1973 Schwinn Super Sport
1986 Schwinn Peloton
1976 Raleigh Super Course Mk II(for wife)
1983 Gitane Super Corsa
1991 Trek 750 Multitrack
vonfilm is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:34 AM
  #12  
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
 
KonAaron Snake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 17,229

Bikes: Two wheeled ones

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 174 Posts
This was a woman's bike. She was a better rider than I'll ever be.

KonAaron Snake is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:36 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
mparker326's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,978

Bikes: Schwinn Paramount P15, Fisher Montare, Proteus, Rivendell Quickbeam

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
I would if I could find a 68 cm one.
mparker326 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:38 AM
  #14  
Rides Majestic
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Westfield, MA
Posts: 1,357

Bikes: 1983 Univega Gran Turismo, 1970 Schwinn Super Sport, 2001 Univega Modo Vincere, Self-Built Nashbar Touring, 1974 Peugeot U08, 1974 Atala Grand Prix, 1986 Ross Mt. Hood, 80's Maruishi MT-18

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
I have a mountain bike with a seat on the back for my daughter. While getting her strapped in, I straddle the top tube facing backward. Once she's in I have to turn around to ride and it's a very awkward. Every time I ride with her, I say to myself how much better a mixte would be.
likebike23 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:40 AM
  #15  
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,150
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 422 Times in 282 Posts
Couldn't resist....
This made the news last week. Woman riding a Divvy rental ON the shoulder of the Dan Ryan EXPRESSWAY - CHICAGO! Regardless of no helmet (what difference would it make) she sporting earbuds but I'm surprised she wasn't texting or putting on her make-up.






Attached Images
File Type: jpg
divvy.jpg (48.9 KB, 1018 views)

Last edited by crank_addict; 10-20-14 at 11:44 AM.
crank_addict is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:44 AM
  #16  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,686

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by crank_addict
Couldn't resist....
This made the news last week. Woman riding a Divvy rental ON the shoulder of the Dan Ryan EXPRESSWAY - CHICAGO! I'm surprised she wasn't texting or putting on her make-up.






I saw that on the news. To make matter worse, the entrance ramps are on the left on that stretch of the Dan Ryan.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 11:44 AM
  #17  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,686

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by likebike23
I have a mountain bike with a seat on the back for my daughter. While getting her strapped in, I straddle the top tube facing backward. Once she's in I have to turn around to ride and it's a very awkward. Every time I ride with her, I say to myself how much better a mixte would be.
This was my exact thought process. I have a rear seat for my son, too.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:18 PM
  #18  
Still learning
 
oddjob2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Posts: 11,620

Bikes: Still a garage full

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 847 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times in 44 Posts
Undersized step thru frames, not mixtes, appear to be the bike of choice among men in Detroit who either don't own a car or have their license revoked.

I have this Shogun set aside for the day I may want to ride a mixte.


Last edited by oddjob2; 10-20-14 at 12:22 PM.
oddjob2 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:38 PM
  #19  
Full Member
 
bruised's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: WI
Posts: 375

Bikes: Salsa Beargrease Carbon, Sette Razzo Carbon 29er

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
I rode around on my wife's Schwinn MTB for a couple years without giving it a second thought. Then I bought my own bike and became an 'enthusiast', now I wouldn't go near my wife's old bike if it meant world peace
bruised is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:42 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Velocivixen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 4,525
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 400 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 26 Posts
What's a "woman's" bike? They're not gender specific. Diamond frame, step through or mixte .
Velocivixen is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:48 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Okefenokee Swamps.
Posts: 577

Bikes: Rockhopper, Azor Oma cruiser

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Keep on keepin' on ....
tjkoko is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:51 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 647
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 33 Posts
Why would I want to?
oldbikenewbike is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:54 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Shp4man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,051

Bikes: 1989 Schwinn World Sport. 1994 Diamond Back Response Elite MTB. 1964 Schwinn Typhoon. 1974 Bridgestone Sprinter, 2015 Scott Sub 10 Citybike.

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1687 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times in 34 Posts
Didn't the courts just rule that riding a step through frame is legal in several states? Or was that something else?
Shp4man is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 12:55 PM
  #24  
Rides Majestic
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Westfield, MA
Posts: 1,357

Bikes: 1983 Univega Gran Turismo, 1970 Schwinn Super Sport, 2001 Univega Modo Vincere, Self-Built Nashbar Touring, 1974 Peugeot U08, 1974 Atala Grand Prix, 1986 Ross Mt. Hood, 80's Maruishi MT-18

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by icepick_trotsky
This was my exact thought process. I have a rear seat for my son, too.
I say go for it then. For me, it's the end of the line for that seat, she's getting too big. If I still had a year with it, I'd be looking for a suitable mixte.
likebike23 is offline  
Old 10-20-14, 01:14 PM
  #25  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,686

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Shp4man
Didn't the courts just rule that riding a step through frame is legal in several states? Or was that something else?
I think that was in Denmark.
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.