Low step for a man yes or no?

[LesG]

Without wanting to start world war 3 on here, what is the general consensus on males riding low step (formerly known as ladies) bikes.
We all have opinions so it's just a yes or no.
As a man in his 60's I am seriously considering it.

 

[matthewslack]

Just do it!

 

[Peter.Bridge]

new bike with Woosh XF08c ebike conversion

youtube.com

(Yes)

 

[sjpt]

Absolutely. Especially as in 10 years you'll be a man in his 70's.

 

[Ocsid]

Yes.
I am in my 80s, I have and regularly ride cross bar road bikes, a Brompton and a low step through e-bike; if a male riding a step through troubles others, I see that as their, not my problem.
A down side is a step through can't place the metal where structurally it would be best, so tends to be, like for like, heavier than a structurally optimised bike. Not generally a big issue with an electric drive.

 

[lenny]

https://www.pilatesnearyou.co.uk/

 

[StuartsProjects]

Without wanting to start world war 3 on here, what is the general consensus on males riding low step (formerly known as ladies) bikes.

What the heck has 'consensus' got to do with it ?

If you want to use a 'low step' bike then do it.

I ride a low step most days, as in a Brompton.

 

[Raboa]

I ride a hybrid which is designed for women as I find it more comfortable.
If anybody says anything I just ignore them or tell them to feck off.

 

[Nealh]

If it keeps you mobile and riding the style of bike matters not.

 

[guerney]

I don't think there's a sillier looking bike than mine on this forum. Invisibility is the last thing a cyclist needs: Better to be looked over than overlooked!

 

[AndyBike]

Go for it.
In truth the step through is a unisex design, specifically woman's bikes were designed and called Mixte.

Mixte -


Step through -


Interesting bike. Appears to be a shaft driven

 

[Ocsid]

In truth the step through is a unisex design, specifically woman's bikes were designed and called Mixte.

Plus, as my wife used there are high cross bar frames that have the geometry and porportions for "women" and marketed as such, Giants "Liv" range being one that was widely sold. Not that IMO women or men have particular geometries, nor even size, what makes most senses is a bike layout that you can adjust to comfortably and efficiently suit you.
Is it in these times PC to even accredit male or female suitability to bikes?

 

[Az.]

I bought my wife two ebikes. High cross bar and step through. I use both of them and have no problems with that.
One of them is purple. I ride on it most of the time and my pride remains intact.

 

[Stanebike]

Yes. Low step does it for me, and as I’ve aged it’s become essential.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Yes. Low step does it for me, and as I’ve aged it’s become essential.

Yes as you age, its not the getting your leg over thats the problem, but getting it back without falling over .................

 

[Raboa]

Women generally have long legs and short body, men generally have long body, short legs. Women's bikes tend to have a shorter top tube so the reach from seat to handlebar is less.

 

[WheezyRider]

Go to other countries and you won't see this obsession with "men's" bikes and "ladies'" bikes. People just ride what works for them. When I had my leg operations there was no way I could have continued riding with a cross bar bike.

These days you get guys riding all kinds of bikes, red, green, blue, purple or even pink and covered in fairy pictures

 

[Cadence]

I decided a few weeks ago that my next project would have a step-through frame as there will come a time when I will need one. I am now casually musing over what to look for as a conversion.
Ideally it will have 26" wheels, but not a suspension fork, which rules out a lot of MTB frames. I'm not keen on rack batteries (cente of gravity) so to fit a downtube battery it will have to have a single downtube or the step-over benefit will be lost. Ideally it will have disc brakes as well, though not crucial. Other considerations are capacity for wide tyres and preferably vertical rear dropouts for a rear hub motor. I'm visually thinking of something like the Woosh Santana or Wisper 705. In fact, if I wasn't such a cheapskate and didn't like tinkering with bikes so much I'd happily settle for either (despite the rack batteries).
When it comes to colour and "image" I'm not fussed about the frame shape but don't really want "Barbie Pink" . However, I rebuilt a bike for my wife a few years ago and had it powder coated in dark blue which looked rather good.
Generally ladies bikes are hardly used and dumped in the garage/shed. There are plenty for sale in good condition but unfortunately most are at the lower end of the quality scale. There are some bargains around though.

 

[Oldie]

I'm thinking of getting an Orbea step-through (looks like their current Optima Electric, but without the electrics).

Still not decided on which method of conversion though.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

I decided a few weeks ago that my next project would have a step-through frame as there will come a time when I will need one. I am now casually musing over what to look for as a conversion.
Ideally it will have 26" wheels, but not a suspension fork, which rules out a lot of MTB frames. I'm not keen on rack batteries (cente of gravity) so to fit a downtube battery it will have to have a single downtube or the step-over benefit will be lost. Ideally it will have disc brakes as well, though not crucial. Other considerations are capacity for wide tyres and preferably vertical rear dropouts for a rear hub motor. I'm visually thinking of something like the Woosh Santana or Wisper 705. In fact, if I wasn't such a cheapskate and didn't like tinkering with bikes so much I'd happily settle for either (despite the rack batteries).
When it comes to colour and "image" I'm not fussed about the frame shape but don't really want "Barbie Pink" . However, I rebuilt a bike for my wife a few years ago and had it powder coated in dark blue which looked rather good.
Generally ladies bikes are hardly used and dumped in the garage/shed. There are plenty for sale in good condition but unfortunately most are at the lower end of the quality scale. There are some bargains around though.

Yes - I did try to find a step through with disk brakes which would take wide tyres without success - how about a broken 705 - replace the battery / controller / display - probably can leave the motor if it is working