How Long Have You Been Using Your Step-Through Frame?
 

Common wisdom dictates that the step-through frames will always be weaker than the regular-shaped bicycle.
It is said that, because of its smaller triangle, step-through frames can not handle the normal bumps of the road for long.

I wonder if the above statements applies to any of you.

If you have one, does your step-through frame last as long as your regular shaped bicycles (assuming equal usage)?

Dunno... I end up giving most of mine away because they are too small for me to ride. I have a couple that are still rolling along after 20+ years.

Aaron :)

I voted "it lasted as long." However, remember, I am in China. That means that it was stolen in about the same amount of time that it takes any other bike to be stolen.

If you are really concerned, and waht a step through, get a mixte. It is an approach that seems to combine the best of both designs.

That's how it looks to me, Robert, but I have never seen an actual mixte.

I can use my Bike friday like a step through . does that count?



generally,
Women's bikes are abused less than young men's and boys bikes..

Old guys dont do risky riding so then its more equal. :50:

My wife has a 2007 Breezer Uptown and would be considered an Athena since she is not a little pixie... the bike has seen 6 years of constant use through every season, hauls, tows, and has even gone off roading a little.

The rims have worn out due to lots of use (and been replaced) and the original Shimano 8 speed IGH needed to be replaced after 10,000 miles but after that the bike has been solid as a rock and still runs the original headset and bottom bracket which I have checked and deemed to be fine.

Figure my wife was riding at least 3000 miles per year so the bike has close to 20,000 miles on it... the second set of rims was better than the first and have lots of life left in them. The Pacific Northwest is a torture test for rim brake equipped bicycles and 10,000 miles is not bad mileage in that climate.

manufacturers moved to smaller, compact frame bikes for a couple of reasons.

it is easier for them to fit people on less sizes of compact bikes, but compact frame bikes also gives a rider an intrinsically stiffer frame because of the smaller main triangle.

A mixte with double top tube would likely be as strong as a trad diamond frame bike, and maybe even more so, as the lower stays share more of the force that ordinarily gets transmitted directly to the drive side chainstay.