Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
A less dramatic solution bike mounting difficulties is to ride a bike with a step thru frame, i.e. a girl's bike.The bike frame of choice among older men in Germany and other places where the form is recognized for its practical function.
If or when I start to have the difficulties mentioned by Historian, I may switch, without much dramatic concern to one of my daughters' bikes. Problem solved.
Actually, no. I have no problem getting my leg over the top tube. It's lifting myself onto the saddle with one leg while the bike is in motion that is preventing me from getting the "Real Cyclist" seal of approval. When I pull that trick off, then I'll be a "Real Cyclist" - I hope.
As for knee problems originating in having the saddle too low, as another poster suggested, I completed a 384 mile, nine day tour, complete with two back to back metric centuries a month ago. On a dirt and gravel towpath. Pulling a heavy trailer. I had no knee problems caused by the saddle height. (Pushing big gears, now that's another story.....)