"Ladies" Path Racers ?
11-16-14, 09:46 AM
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"Ladies" Path Racers ?
Been looking at hundreds of pics of path racers, both real and look-a-like, and realized not a single "ladies" (step through) frame. Why? Something to do with structure integrity? Thanks
11-16-14, 11:49 AM
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What is a path racer?
11-16-14, 12:13 PM
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I think that it is mostly a function, at least in part BITD, that racing was a male-dominated sport, just as today. If you look for pictures of Eileen Sheridan, Beryl Burton or Joyce Barry, they always rode a standard "men's" diamond frame.
11-16-14, 12:29 PM
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I think it's because the ladies who take racing seriously don't race in skirts. They dress more or less the same as men.
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11-16-14, 12:32 PM
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^ Yeah, there's that too. I thought of it, but didn't put it in my post.
11-16-14, 12:37 PM
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Wasn't familiar with the term, either.
Path Racer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Path Racer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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11-16-14, 12:55 PM
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11-16-14, 01:00 PM
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It's a British term for a track bike, sometimes with an internally geared hub, raced on a grass track. They often have eyelets on the dropouts for mounting fenders, so you could use the bike for general transportation when not racing. They've faded from popularity as automobiles supplanted bicycles as general purpose transportation in Britain.
11-16-14, 04:20 PM
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Could there be a speed advantage to the "ladies" design? The lack of a top tube, it would appear, would allow the rider to more easily and quickly adjust (move) his weight, for example, get lower on the bike especially on curves. Maybe the "ladies" design is just not structurally sound for racing. Any builders out there willing to experiment with a "ladies" path racer?
11-16-14, 07:35 PM
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"Modern" bike frames now usually have a sloping top tube and longer seat post than was common a generation or two ago. That gives some of the advantages you suggest.
But no, the reason for a lady's frame is so the lady can mount the bike while wearing proper lady garments without making an exhibition of her lady parts. It's all about wearing a skirt. There is no performance advantage, and lady's frames are poorly suited to competition.
But no, the reason for a lady's frame is so the lady can mount the bike while wearing proper lady garments without making an exhibition of her lady parts. It's all about wearing a skirt. There is no performance advantage, and lady's frames are poorly suited to competition.
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11-16-14, 07:53 PM
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The closest thing to a "stock" vintage ladies path racer, to me is the ladies lenton, available without gears and Dynohub. Strip the mudguards and brakes and voila!
The 51 Sports was also available in a fixed hub...I know it's a stretch but stranger things have happened.
The 51 Sports was also available in a fixed hub...I know it's a stretch but stranger things have happened.
Last edited by clubman; 11-16-14 at 07:57 PM.
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