Originally Posted by
Chuck M
I try to remember to never say never. I don't think I would own a step through, otherwise known to most North Americans as "girl's bikes", but if I get to the point that I can't throw my leg over the saddle, I'd be finding a mixte. It is easy to say I would never put upright bars on a road bike, but if that was what keeps me rolling I'd do it and keep the original bars so my kids can return them to the bike when I'm gone.
As far as buying anything modern, if I wanted a carbon fiber bike with electronic shifting, disk brakes, 1X drivetrain, tubuless tires and a waxed chain, I'd do it without seeking another's approval. I do wonder what arguments we would have if the internet was around when indexed shifting came out.
The mixte is not a bad idea. It's my other bike, and I actually went looking for one. Great set-up for utility purposes eg: grocery-getter. It currently sits on 28mm tires, which are absolutely cruise-ish compared to the 25's on my go-fast/distance bike. I have no problems at 68 with the leg-over (yet) and even do it on the mixte out of habit.
I've had indexed shifting before that worked normally, but don't go out of my way to find it. A little bit of road grit can sure turn them into a royal pain. The down-tube friction shifters still work best for me.
I still actively avoid stem mounted shifters- they seem to have their levers broken off through normal handling.
I won't say never to an e-bike, although I really don't want one yet. Besides, the battery technology should improve before I really consider it.
-D.S.