View Poll Results: Do you ride a step-through bike?
I am a man, and I don't ride step-through bike--that's for women!
30
27.78%
I am a woman, and I don't ride step-through bike.
8
7.41%
I am a man, and I ride a step-through bike--it's not just for women!
45
41.67%
I am a woman, and I ride a step-through bike--it's more convenient.
14
12.96%
I don't know my gender, or what step-through is.
11
10.19%
Voters: 108. You may not vote on this poll
Do you ride step-through bikes (whether you are a man or woman)?
10-17-10, 08:52 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Do you ride step-through bikes (whether you are a man or woman)?
This should be a fun poll, as some people say bikes with step-through frame is "girly" 
, while others say in the Netherlands men ride step-through. But I do have seen plenty of women riding "men's bike" with horizontal top tube. What makes you prefer one to the other?
, while others say in the Netherlands men ride step-through. But I do have seen plenty of women riding "men's bike" with horizontal top tube. What makes you prefer one to the other?
10-17-10, 09:02 PM
#2
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My Western Flyer is a girls bike, but I really don't care what other folks think, ride it for short, flat trips. I prefer DF bikes for performance although I've ridden a nice Motobecane Mixte that rode pretty well.
I also had a Schwinn Breeze for a few years. Scored it at a garage sale for $20. Loved that one too. Oh, and a Bianchi/Nealeco folder that was also a step through - exceedingly fun ride there, as well.
I also had a Schwinn Breeze for a few years. Scored it at a garage sale for $20. Loved that one too. Oh, and a Bianchi/Nealeco folder that was also a step through - exceedingly fun ride there, as well.
10-17-10, 09:03 PM
#4
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In Europe (not just the Netherlands), lots of people of both genders ride step-through bicycles, and they sell step-through bicycles in many of the shops there. I've been to Belgium and France, and Rowan has been to the Netherlands, Belgium, and France and we've had a good look at what's available.
As for what we have ... we've got several step-through bicycles in our garage in various states of rebuilding. I want one as a town bicycle, just to cruise around on. The setup would work well for short distance rides ... while my titanium road bicycle with the horizontal top tube works better for long distance cycling.
BTW - I'm a woman, and the bicycles in my collection with horizontal top tubes are not "men's bicycles" ... they're mine, so they are woman's bicycles.
As for what we have ... we've got several step-through bicycles in our garage in various states of rebuilding. I want one as a town bicycle, just to cruise around on. The setup would work well for short distance rides ... while my titanium road bicycle with the horizontal top tube works better for long distance cycling.
BTW - I'm a woman, and the bicycles in my collection with horizontal top tubes are not "men's bicycles" ... they're mine, so they are woman's bicycles.
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10-17-10, 09:25 PM
#5
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I can go either way 
as I don't worry about such things, much.
as I don't worry about such things, much.
10-17-10, 09:43 PM
#7
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I am a man, and I ride a step-through bike....
Altho I might change to a mens bike by force....
Example I went to the local bike store, and was having a look around. When I asked if a model had a low bar ver of it I was hit by that's for women... Then I went to say the only difference I'm aware of is weight of the bike, and I really don't care they are easier to ride. I was givin the crazy look, and this has made me change my view on continuing to ride a step through.
It's a shame I say cause us men have more to worry about having a tube so close to the gold above....
Altho I might change to a mens bike by force....
Example I went to the local bike store, and was having a look around. When I asked if a model had a low bar ver of it I was hit by that's for women... Then I went to say the only difference I'm aware of is weight of the bike, and I really don't care they are easier to ride. I was givin the crazy look, and this has made me change my view on continuing to ride a step through.
It's a shame I say cause us men have more to worry about having a tube so close to the gold above....
10-18-10, 02:05 AM
#8
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Nothing wrong with the frame design, they serve a purpose.
A couple of years ago on a holiday trip, there was nothing else available at a bike rental shop, so that's what we rented. We needed the bikes for our local transport (groceries, sightseeing, getting to the beach etc). They were not very well maintained bikes, pretty much everything needed adjusting (3-speed gears, bottle generators etc). But they got us where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go. Our longest day trip was in the 50 km range.
Riding position is usually a bit too upright to my taste, for 30km round trip daily commuting. But I admit I haven't looked into them closely enough to see if they could be adjusted for a better fit.
--J
A couple of years ago on a holiday trip, there was nothing else available at a bike rental shop, so that's what we rented. We needed the bikes for our local transport (groceries, sightseeing, getting to the beach etc). They were not very well maintained bikes, pretty much everything needed adjusting (3-speed gears, bottle generators etc). But they got us where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go. Our longest day trip was in the 50 km range.
Riding position is usually a bit too upright to my taste, for 30km round trip daily commuting. But I admit I haven't looked into them closely enough to see if they could be adjusted for a better fit.
--J
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10-18-10, 03:34 AM
#9
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I ride what ever has wheels and serves my purpose. At 6'-2" and 215# I don't get much guff from anybody. The last time I was told a bike was a female bike I asked them to prove it...
Step through bikes are great for city riding and loaded riding, it is a lot easier to mount a step through with a load of groceries on the rear rack.
Aaron
Step through bikes are great for city riding and loaded riding, it is a lot easier to mount a step through with a load of groceries on the rear rack.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 10-18-10 at 05:40 PM.
10-18-10, 10:44 AM
#10
Banned
My Folding bike is functionally a step thru, 20 inches is low enough to step over .
NB with a Child seat on the back a step thru frame is Ideal, for both parents.
NB with a Child seat on the back a step thru frame is Ideal, for both parents.
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-30-16 at 01:02 PM.
10-18-10, 03:09 PM
#11
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My bike is a typical 'girls/ladies' mountain bike with a step-through frame- a line extended from the top tube would hit the rear axle. Before that I was riding a conventional diamond frame. I simply don't care, the diamond frame is lighter and marginally stronger, the step-through is easier to mount, particularly when laden. Each type has its benefits.
10-19-10, 05:03 AM
#12
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my wife has one that I would luv to ride (my mtn bikes sometimes kills my back) and sometimes I do. Its just the pink trim that I don't like bout it. Say what you want, I have low selfesteem issues. Plus I've laid it down a few times cause the pedals are to low to the ground for my liking, can't lean into the turns too well.
10-19-10, 10:03 AM
#13
born again cyclist
my other 2 conventional bikes are both standard diamond frames though. one a hard tail MTB and the other a relaxed geometry road frame.
10-19-10, 10:42 AM
#14
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I ride them on days when I feel pretty.
Just kidding. I'll ride them as a ride of last resort. Such as the situation described above. Was in Ocean City, MD a few years ago and the rental place only had women's bikes left. Didn't kill me.
I think it's interesting that some women won't ride them.
Just kidding. I'll ride them as a ride of last resort. Such as the situation described above. Was in Ocean City, MD a few years ago and the rental place only had women's bikes left. Didn't kill me.
I think it's interesting that some women won't ride them.
10-19-10, 11:21 AM
#15
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My big complaint is that most step through bikes have too small a frame. Thinking of building up a VO or Soma mixte with a 56 to 58 cm frame. I also note that the Breezer Uptown does not call their no top tube frames "ladies" but "Low-Step", and offers them in frame sizes upto 21". To me a step through frame makes a lot of sense for a urban transport bike.
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10-19-10, 11:29 AM
#16
Senior Member
Would this be considered step-through? I mean, it's only knee-height anyway.
10-19-10, 05:40 PM
#17
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I did when I had the kids on a child seat. At my job, bike rental company, we do NOT put child seats on tradtional/diamond/men's framed bicycles.
10-19-10, 05:45 PM
#18
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I voted for do not ride a stepthrough but only because I currently do not have one. I am looking for a good quality 59ish Mixte. derailler hanger and DB ChroMo tubing
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10-19-10, 05:53 PM
#19
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My big complaint is that most step through bikes have too small a frame. Thinking of building up a VO or Soma mixte with a 56 to 58 cm frame. I also note that the Breezer Uptown does not call their no top tube frames "ladies" but "Low-Step", and offers them in frame sizes upto 21". To me a step through frame makes a lot of sense for a urban transport bike.
Rich Wood
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
10-19-10, 06:07 PM
#20
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Alex Moulton, the ultimate step-through bicycle! I have two.
10-19-10, 07:29 PM
#21
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I had a women's 1972 Schwinn Breeze, which was step through, but I just bought the straight bar Giant Via 2, which I find to like more as it looks like your classic bicycle. It just makes a bike look classic, in my opinion. Straight bars for me!
10-19-10, 07:47 PM
#22
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Don't have one now, and I'm unlikely to buy one because I already have more bikes than I need. But if I ever DO buy another one, and it's not recumbent, I'd look seriously at a good step-through. I rented a Dutch bike in Portland last summer, and I liked it a lot.
10-19-10, 08:00 PM
#23
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P.S. If you must post, I'd much rather you post onboard video of you rides, especially the ones that involve blasting by roadies in full kit
10-19-10, 11:00 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Am I the only one who prefers step-through for reason that it makes me feel safer? In case of emergency, I feel that I can get off a step-through much quicker and would not get my leg tangled on the top tube (or the seat).
Last edited by vol; 10-19-10 at 11:23 PM.
10-19-10, 11:05 PM
#25
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
When I initially fragged the back and got back on to a bike I could only get my leg over my Twenty... now I have two and ride them just because I like them so much.