Not low enough. The OP wants a step-through. The Raleigh is a womens drop-tube frame. Step-through has only a downtube (or a downtube and a small strut tube) and is as close to the same height as the BB as possible.

For instance:
http://www.breezerbikes.com/im/bikes/new/uptown-u.jpg

First of all, forget about the folding bike idea if you wife rides any kind of distance at all. By that, I mean any distance more than about two miles. I can think of few tortures as hellish as riding a folding bike with those tiny wheels more than a couple of miles.

I am surprised at how heavy some of the city bikes are today. The suggestion to get an old Raleigh 3-speed is not a bad idea. You can bring it to your LBS and have them change the rear wheel and shifter to a seven speed. Otherwise, pick any bike with the geometry and weight you want regardless of the gearing and then have your LBS switch it over to a seven speed internal hub wheel.

I like Raleigh's. The Raliegh will be more comfortable ride than the Breezer. However, Raleigh's have steel rims and little braking power when dry and near none when wet. Also the spokes are steel and as they rust they snap, rendering the bike unreliable. So changing out the rims and spokes is a good idea. Myself, I would keep the 3-speed SA, they are bullet proof, just add a couple of drops of oil now and then. If you add dual caliper brakes, I think you have a superior bike to what you can get new. Still, Raleigh has quirks. The threading of the bottom braket is non standard, the stem is non standard, the handlebar clamp and handle bar is non standard. Still if you find one in good shape and make the changes to rims, spokes and brakes, you have a nice riding bike.

http://www.biria.com/images/eb_superlight_8_black.jpg

Biria Superlite 8

Charge Lazy Susan?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=128590
http://road.cc/content/news/5690-exc...rge-lazy-susan

^ this.

Neat looking bike. $900.00

•Frame: Aluminum 7005, 40cm (15.5") and 46cm (18")
•Rims: Aluminum 26"
•Handlebar: City Cruiser
•Stem: Aluminum
•Brakes: Front and Rear Aluminum V-Brakes
•Fork: Hi-Ten Unicrown
•Tires: 26" x 1.75"
•Gears: 8-speed Nexus Shimano with freewheel and Dynamo Generator light
•Included: Chain Guard and Kickstand Integrated rear carrier, Fenders

I used to ride a mountain bike with a sloping top tube, I definitely would have had trouble wearing a skirt while riding. On my mixte, I ride all the time in skirts, and the only ones I have trouble with are pencil skirts. But these will be hard to ride in on any bicycle. Where the top tube on a mixte hits the seat tube is only one consideration when pondering whether or not you can step over it in a skirt-- the overall geometry is important too. I have more room to step over the sloping bar on my mixte than I had with my mountain bike. My mixte is a lot lighter than a comfort style bicycle, so I prefer it for my commuting. I actually find it nicer to ride in a skirt, especially when it is raining.

+1 :thumb:

Words of wisdom. :rolleyes:

Let us not forget, that some, actually do cross country tours on a folding bike.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/c...octype=journal

Indeed. And some folks rode across the world in the 1800's on penny-farthings and some guys eat half their weight in hot dogs at contests. Just because people do it doesn't mean it is a good idea - as we all know...

Folding bikes are fun. They seem like a good idea when you hop on them and ride around the campgrounds, but picture a five year old on a tricycle pedalling five miles and realize that the difference in wheel size of a folding bike is closer to a child's tricycle than it is to a road-worthy bicycle.

I test-rode a Norco Cityglide 8 ST before the snow fell and was impressed. It didn't seem to flex at all when I sprinted out of the saddle and didn't weigh quite as much as my Rocky Mountain Metropolis. The only thing I didn't like was the chainguard, which rattled and flexed all over the place. If they had extended it back to the seat stays and fixed in in place there, it would have worked a lot better. The other thing that I wasn't crazy about was the twist-grip shifter. Personal preference, I know, but the rapid-fire shifters seem less cumbersome to use.
http://www.norco.com/bikes/urban/cit...ty-glide-8-st/
E.T.A.: I love the look of that Soma Mixte. I've never had one, but now that I'm old and inflexible, it's starting to seem like a idea.

Here is my stepmothers Specialized Crossroads Sport.

Cost like 350 bucks as a leftover. My father has the matching one. They don't use them as much as they should, but they are great bikes.

http://alphabluetech.com/kj2/fotos/a...al_LB-CRS2.jpg

I would assume that any bike that has a top tube below the highest pedal height would qualify?

Hey guys, can you recommend some higher end step through bikes for my girlfriend? I'm thinking of a 2015 Specialized Elite Step Through. A 1 piece carbon bike would be cool too. Thanks in advance!

A mid-range-ish options are Public and Linus. I am going to sell my Public C7i soon as the gearing isn't ideal for my neighborhood. If I lived a few blocks over, I would be happier! It is very very stylish, I get compliments all the time when riding! I just need lower gearing and different geometry for the hills. But it is all around a pretty good bike. I am not a "rider" by any means, but easily ride 15 miles in a day around town on it! It is not super light, hard o pick up on the train, not so noticeable on the flats. I haven't ridden the Linus' but they are pretty much the same.

There is also Simcoe, a little blander than Linus and Public, but well featured.

I am building up a Soma Buena Vista frame right now! Something along these lines: Buena Vista (Complete Bicycle) | SOMA Fabrications though I'll have an 8sp IGH, dynamo hub, fenders and a chain case.

I have a thing for 40s styled stuff, so if I was the type to scour craigslist for deals, I'd grab a vintage mixte and make it into my awesome bike. Instead I bought a new frame to do the same. :)

I tried the Swobo step-through, but it looked to mountain-bikey for me. But features/pricing/performance were all pretty good.

I rode Rivendell's Clementine (and Cheviot) today. The Clementine will be her budget model. A full build is ~$1500. The handling was very nice and it was much speedier than the other loop frame step-throughs I have ridden. Definitely a good option if in your budget and you do not want an IGH. It is like half the weight of my current bike! (Ok maybe only 15 pounds lighter. With my rear rack, front rack, dynamo, basket and lock my bike is around 40#)

Thanks Jade! Something less than 25 lbs would be great. She is a new rider and currently rides my Giant Rapid 2, which is a kinda like a flat bar racing hybrid. Also, I have 2 flights of stairs to carry up. Thanks!

One thing I highly recommend to people with step-throughs is Walnut Studilo's frame handle*. A little pricey, but my fave bike accessory. Makes "awkward" to carry bikes easier to handle!


*Wow the price has gone up quite a bit from when I ordered! Mine was ~$44 with mono. Now Mono is an extra $18. Obviously not needed, and you may find a cheaper alternative if you are crafty. This makes stairs so much easier to navigate!

The Public's with internal gears are about 30 pounds. Fairly manageable. My build up Soma should work out to be around 10# lighter than the Public and clock in at around 30#: with in IGH, Dynamo hub and front/rear racks! A derailleur will save around 3 pounds. I also have "heavy" Brooks saddles, too!

Thanks for the bike holder idea! I did find this Silverback Starke is kinda what I'm looking for: Silverback Starke USB ? City/Hybrid Bike | Silverback

The specs of the Silverback are interesting. Could not see a price as it is not available in the US.

Not my style (I like old school looking bikes). I skimmed the geometry. One thing that might be troubling is the top tube length. Not sure if they meant the actual tube or the virtual one, but if it is the virtual one the handlebars in the small are quite far away for a shorter or female rider. For example there is "concern" that the Soma Buena vista top tube is really long, and in the 54cm (medium) the tube is 555m. The small bike above has a top tub of 565!

Sizing might be difficult.

Jeez,they still haven't fixed their pictures. Carrying your bike by the drive side is pure fail,unless grease stains are fashionable now.

My Pap Sommer is a loop frame with an IGH that comes in around 30 pounds standard. It's less if the racks and bags are off it. By putting North Road bars on it (instead of the tall bars it came with) shaved a pound or two as well.
Vintage Bicycles by Papillionaire

It's a great bike for skirts and regular clothes in a way that my mixte is not. FWIW, I'm 5'3" and can get on without fuss.

Pick any 3
 

Yes, mostly light and step through. With the size of bottom brackets and oversize tubes now a days, it doesn't need to be a tank. The Silverback Starke is on sale for $580 US. I think that's a pretty good deal. I think carbon forks and seat post would seal it!