Bikeforumuser0019

Hi all,
As you know, I'm seriously considering an eBike for my new daily commuter. The bike shop is trying to convince me that I should get a step thru model, versus the diamond frame.

If the step thru wasn't so dutch looking, maybe I wouldn't feel so conflicted about it. I think Dutch style bikes look too girly. Not that there's anything wrong with being girly...... I just don't think of myself as a "girly" girl and tend to gravitate away from things that are cliche.

But I also very much gravitate toward things that are utilitarian and practical. And I think that's what the bike shop is getting at, by saying I should consider a step thru for my eBike. I test rode one yesterday, a step thru eBike. It was nice. Besides, don't the Dutch know a thing or two about making functional bikes?

I suppose I assumed the only purpose of step-thru was style, and I didn't like the style. Do you think the bike shop is correct in suggesting the step-thru model is more functional?

Thanks
p.s. here's the side by side for the bike I'm considering:
Diamond:
Raleigh Bikes, 2016 Detour iE
IZIP Electric Bikes - E3 Path+ Diamond Frame
Step Thru:
Raleigh Bikes, 2016 Detour iE Step-Through
IZIP Electric Bikes - E3 Path+ Low Step Frame

Leisesturm

FWIW, I don't like any of your choices. I agree about the step through thing, but, tbh, as step throughs go, that Raleigh isn't the worst. The worst have only a single tube at the bottom of the step through curve, makes for an extremely low step through but it cannot possibly make for a very good handling bike.

IMO the electric bike you should look for has a crank drive (like the Raleighs) but the battery pack is also centrally located as part of the seat tube instead of over the rear wheel. I don't have any examples close to hand but I have seen them around.

I've been meaning to ask you... what does your sig mean?


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EDIT: Top 5 Best Electric Bikes | Heavy.com

Bikeforumuser0019

Thanks for your input. If I can get a floor model and/or closeout at a discounted price, I certainly will.

I tried a floor model yesterday (step thru) that had the battery on the back rack. Today I'm testing a different one (diamond frame) with the battery centrally mounted inside the frame, like you prefer. I'm interested to see the difference in feel. Altho' I am already used to having a bit of weight on the rear rack so I didn't find the rear-mounted battery, which was only 6 or 7 lbs, terribly objectionable or even noticable.

Yes I suppose you're right that Raleigh isn't the worst. I've seen some God-awful looking step through models that look like they'd snap in half. I used to have a 1990s ladies Mongoose mtb that had a great frame that was also low step-over height. I'm sure if money was no object I could franken-bike myself everything I wanted in an eBike and nothing I didn't. But I like getting the warranty and service through my LBS. I haven't set my heart on any specific model yet, but I do want disc brakes and 700c wheels, fenders, and it might be nice (but not required) if I can have integrated lighting, which the above model accomodates.

My signature is from a little Youtube video about how the movie Spiderman 3 should have ended:
I thought it was hilarious, and the phrase often still comes to my mind at random moments and still gives me a hearty chuckle.

Darth Lefty 

Stepthroughs are great, especially with a tall rear load or a kid seat. Though I don't know where you'd put a kid seat with the batteries on the rack. Those two frames both obviously popped off the same assembly line and of course they have identical drivetrains. I'd choose between them either by price or color, or maybe which handlebar felt better.

It seems strange to see Acera on a $2300 bike but I guess you are paying for the motor system.

bmthom.gis

I can see the practicality of a step through - doesn't matter what kind of clothes you are wearing, it's easy to swing your leg over.
I can't help you with what might be better. For those prices, I would rather have a pedal bike I really liked and then if I really wanted something motorized just get a 50cc scooter. At least down here, you don't need to be licensed or carry insurance to drive one.

Bikeforumuser0019

Yeah, I've been thinking over a gas moped or 49cc scooter for many years. I finally went to test ride a good one this summer (Genuine Buddy) and I was surprised how much I didn't like it. It was so large and heavy.... and noisy. AND the engine stank, too. I wanted it to ride and handle more like a bicycle, and be quiet like a bicycle. So, since then I've gotten turned on to the idea of an eBike, and so far based on the ride I had yesterday I'm very excited about the idea.

bmthom.gis

Gotcha. At least you tried the scooter route already and know that it is definitely NOT what you want. I have my own bias against e bikes, and a lot of it has to do with very limited options, high prices, and rapidly changing technology.
Will be interested to hear more of your impressions as you continue test riding them though.

fietsbob

Yes, Even Men do this , Next question..

BobbyG

I'm 54 and commute and I think my next bike may be a step-through.

Steely Dan

i've never been able to get on board with the aesthetics of step-thru frames.

diamond frames just look "correct" to my eye; the engineering makes intuitive sense to me.

step-thru frames look like they're trying hard to find a reason to snap in half.



do whatever floats your boat, but as they say, diamonds are forever.

PaulH

They make sense in the same way that cars with doors make sense. It makes the vehicle more convenient to use. I've got about 60,000 year-round commuting miles on mine over 15 years. As for the "girly" factor, I'm a guy. So go for it.

exarkuhn15

As a tall guy, I can't stand that there aren't many tall step-throughs available. There's a few here and there, but hard to come by. I would love to have my normal bike (Surly cross check set up as a townie) be a step through.

Brompton are effectively step-throughs, so having one of those has kept me from feeling the need to swap out my main city bike as soon as I probably otherwise would.

The Van Moof full step through (the truly Dutch-style one they make) looks terrific. When I need a new bike, I might go with one of those.

The Rivendell Clementine looks amazing, a little pricey, but still seems like a great deal for the quality, and one of the few tall step throughs out there.

kellichou

I was wondering and wondering about that sig too! That is hilarious, agreed!

I prefer the look of the "straight" geometry, personally. I have heard that step-through is nice for touring, for getting onto a fully loaded bike more easily. I have regular geometry on my 10 year old Trek low-end hybrid 7300, and I like it just fine.

Craptacular8

I don't currently commute on a step-through, but I am considering re-building a vintage mixte frame for that purpose. I see public bikes, and I'm sure others do offer a mixte frame version of ebike that you might find more palatable, with the added benefit that they are still easier to swing a leg over. I'd not want to buy something that didn't blow my hair back, especially with that kind of price tag...would definitely need to like it a lot, otherwise, I'm sure I'd come up with excuses not to actually use it like I should.

fietsbob

My Bike Friday (Disc brakes,Rohloff Hub) is a step thru, in effect.

canklecat

Yeah, for an errand bike, definitely. It's awkward getting on and off a heavily loaded bike with a horizontal or even a sloping top tube compact frame bike.

Amigo_Frio

Step-thrus are quite convenient for women who would sometimes wear skirts or dresses. Though the diamond design does yields a stronger frame

Bikeforumuser0019

For those who were curious earlier....

So far I've ridden one step thru with the battery rear rack mounted, and one diamond frame with the battery mounted between the legs. After I got on the bikes, in both cases, I instantaneously forgot either bike had a battery. They're not terribly heavy and I didn't feel like they affected my ride in either position.

I am, however, after two rides thinking about finding a Class 3 bike to try, which would be pedal assisted up to 28mph versus the others which were assisted up to 20mph.

These bikes are really fun. I'm going to avail myself of trying as many as I can before making the monetary investment. Much easier and more fun than test driving cars. For one thing the salesmen are far less pushy.

jade408

I have a mixte frame and I think mixtes are great looking bikes.

As for ebikes? Most look a bit strange to me. There are two brands that look great. Faraday and Public Bikes Bionix. The public is in both a diamond and mixte frame. The mixte looks great. The Faraday aims for porter style and has a more traditional step-thru paired with the diamond frame. That might be too girly.

Mixte frames are French unisex bikes. And that might be the way you want to go. It is not as easy to step over as some as they are higher. But they generally have road bike like geometry too.

exarkuhn15

Viewing these bikes as girly is just silly. A step-through frame is just convenient; it has nothing to do with dresses anymore. It's particularly useful for people who ride in 'normal' clothes. I find that swinging my leg over the saddle, or pulling my foot up over the top tube in jeans can result in some minor spills if something catches in the process. Also, if you ride in the winter and wear heavier clothes, that makes it that much harder to get on a normal bike than a step through. Like I said, if I could turn my Cross Check into a step-through, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

reppans

I restarted short-touring on a Brompton folder - for me, there's so many practical advantages for a ~5% speed sacrifice. Anyways, I found yet another really practical advantage over full-frames in its step-through style frame.

If you have to carry the bike for a long distance, you can flip it upside-down resting the step-through "V" around the back of your neck, with the bike's weight resting evenly on both shoulders, arms wrapped around seat on one side, and handlebars on the other. For me, it's near ideal CoG is far more comfortable than single shouldering a triangular frame and I use all the time: bushwacking in the woods looking for stealth camping, taking the bike to a nice spot on a beach, hiking tough trails to swimming holes, covering long staircases, etc.

Not sure this applies to the OP's e-bikes given the addition, and offset, weight though.

CrankyOne

I have a diamond frame Opafiets at our house and step-thru Omafiets at our cabin and flat in Amsterdam. I like both but have occasionally wished I had a step-thru at home.

In Europe almost all women ride step-thru bikes and an increasing number of men of all ages do especially in The Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy. In The Netherlands over 60% of non-racing bikes sold are now step-thru which would indicate that about 25% of men ride them. The Workcycles Gr8 and Fr8, two of the most popular new bikes in The Netherlands are not even offered in a diamond frame. WorkCycles Gr8 (as city bike)

I believe ALL rideshare bikes world-wide are step-thru as are most rental bikes. Cargo bikes like Bakfiets are nearly always step-thru.

For racing a diamond frame is still best but for daily transportation I don't think anyone would be able to tell the difference in a well made step-thru Omafiets and a diamand frame. 100 years ago it was a very different story but advances in metallurgy have made the straight top bar largely unnecessary except for fashion or carrying extremely heavy loads.

Oh, some people looking 'girly': https://www.flickr.com/photos/mellbin/

I'm pretty OK with girly. :-)

AusTexMurf

Here are two of ours that ride up to 4 of us. We have many others. Wife has 2 here, daughter has one, our Bike Friday Triple Family Traveler. We have three more step through IGH bikes with fenders in Frostburg, Md. One of my main commuters is a low slung diamond frame Trek steel mtn bike from the 90's. Low top bar has similar benefits to step through/mixte when operating around town with panniers, trailers, trails, stop and go, etc...

AusTexMurf

SOMA BUENA VISTA (COMPLETE BICYCLE)

Buena Vista (Complete Bicycle) | SOMA Fabrications
A retro townie build that includes Sycip Wonder Bars, smooth rolling 650b tires and 9-speed indexed thumbshifters. Frame is equipped with rear rack/fender braze-on, front mini rack braze-ons and low rider bosses.

Frame: Tange Prestige CrMo

Fork: Lugged crown CrMo

Wheels: Suzue sealed bearing hubs w/ Ukai alloy rims; 32h

Tires: Innova 650b x 35mm

Drivetrain: SunXCD rear derailleurs, IRD Alpina front derailleur & Microshiift 9-spd indexed thumbshifters, Sugino XD 48-36-34t crankset, SRAM PG950 11-32t 9-spd cassette

Brake Set: IRD B-76 Dual Pivot, Tektro FL-750 brake levers

Cockpit: Sycip Wonder bar, Soma Shotwell Stem, layback alloy post, Soma Tabo saddle

Sizes: 50, 54, 58cm (no 42cm)

Paint: Pearl White

Robert C

What I commute on isn't quite a step-through. However, it is not a traditional diamond frame either. It is a bit mixti'ish.