July 19, 20232 yr 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.
July 19, 20232 yr 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. Edited July 19, 20232 yr by Ocsid
July 19, 20232 yr 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.
July 19, 20232 yr 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.
July 19, 20232 yr 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! Edited July 19, 20232 yr by guerney
July 19, 20232 yr 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 Edited July 19, 20232 yr by AndyBike
July 20, 20232 yr 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?
July 20, 20232 yr 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. Edited July 20, 20232 yr by Az.
July 20, 20232 yr 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 .................
July 20, 20232 yr 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.
July 20, 20232 yr 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
July 20, 20232 yr 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.
July 20, 20232 yr 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.
July 20, 20232 yr 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
July 20, 20232 yr Yes !!......I've just bought a secondhand Pendleton, a "ladies" bike, but I don't care, it gets me where I want to go, and hopefully will help me back to fitness, after blood clot by-pass operations.......
July 20, 20232 yr 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. I keep looking at Marin bikes. Would love to see prices drop a bit (by at least 50%) https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Marin-Larkspur-2-2022-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_231704.htm
July 20, 20232 yr I've a dropper post fitted. Which does make getting on considerably easier. Drop the post,swing over leg, then hit the lever and the saddle pops up behind you all set at the correct height.
July 20, 20232 yr 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. Men are now allowed to declare that they're women and take part in women's sport, so I can't see why anybody would have a problem with you riding a woman's bike. In fact, if you just tell them that you're a woman, it's a hate crime if they say you're not. Just go for it. At least it won't get nicked.
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