Is there such a thing as a good step thru mtb?
01-01-21, 04:25 PM
#1
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
Is there such a thing as a good step thru mtb?
I want to expand my fleet by one, and it's pretty specific. I want a step-thru frame for when I get too old and decrepit to throw my leg over; worse, it needs to be 16" or 17". Mountain bike because of my love of 26" wheels. I love the late '80's/early '90s Diamond Back Ascent & Apex, with their cool paint jobs and mid-fork adventure nipples, but I'm open to other makes.
Does such a beast exist? Should I keep searching CL and eBay, or content myself with what I have?
EDIT: It occurs to me that with a lower top tube, I could go with an 18" frame.
Does such a beast exist? Should I keep searching CL and eBay, or content myself with what I have?
EDIT: It occurs to me that with a lower top tube, I could go with an 18" frame.
Last edited by Korina; 01-01-21 at 06:51 PM.
01-01-21, 04:46 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,040
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times
in
521 Posts
Not a mountain bike and I don’t think it meets all of your criteria but the new Low Kicker from VO is pretty cool and the first thing that came to mind for step through, steel, quality and smaller/fatter wheels.
Last edited by polymorphself; 01-01-21 at 05:06 PM.
01-01-21, 04:58 PM
#3
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,843
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2923 Post(s)
Liked 2,915 Times
in
1,488 Posts
It depends on what you definition of good is. I am pretty sure most companies made a smaller ladies frame with TreTubi ChroMoly and a ChroMoly fork. You just need to keep your eyes open. Doing some research so you can spot what your looking for is a good idea. A seller might just post “Diamondback lady’s bike”, but doesn’t mention that is a Topanga. If you know that a Diamondback Topanga has the basic frame qualities you want and roughly what colors it came you are leg up on other buyers
I am thinking along similar lines but want a tall Mixtie, but it has to be full ChroMo with a RD hanger.
I am thinking along similar lines but want a tall Mixtie, but it has to be full ChroMo with a RD hanger.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Likes For Bianchigirll:
01-01-21, 05:00 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,829
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2336 Post(s)
Liked 2,803 Times
in
1,532 Posts
Custom? I don't ever recall seeing a truly good quality step through mtn bike
this guy is in san jose (yes I know solid 6 hour + drive from your area) he has been around for a while and his prices are pretty reasonable as these things go frame and fork (custom frame and fork $1650/1750 fillet/lugged)
PS..to OP did you see the video of buddy the elf in downtown arcata? if so that was my kid
this guy is in san jose (yes I know solid 6 hour + drive from your area) he has been around for a while and his prices are pretty reasonable as these things go frame and fork (custom frame and fork $1650/1750 fillet/lugged)
PS..to OP did you see the video of buddy the elf in downtown arcata? if so that was my kid
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Likes For squirtdad:
01-01-21, 05:07 PM
#5
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
I've been drooling on that bike since before it came out. If I was still employed I'd seriously think about it, but $800 for a frame is just too much.
Likes For Korina:
01-01-21, 05:16 PM
#6
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Trek Skye SL? That’s the first bike that comes to my mind because my wife owned one. Not exactly “step through” per se but still a pretty low stand over height.
01-01-21, 05:27 PM
#7
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,841
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2295 Post(s)
Liked 2,041 Times
in
1,250 Posts
When you're 'old and decrepit', you won't want a mtn bike, you'll want a classy late 50's Raleigh Sports.
You could upgrade the hub to 5 speeds or more but they really are a charm, as is.
You could upgrade the hub to 5 speeds or more but they really are a charm, as is.
Last edited by clubman; 01-01-21 at 08:27 PM.
Likes For clubman:
01-01-21, 05:27 PM
#8
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
a long time ago i had a entry level specialized step through frame (grabbed it from a dumpster for the fork). i don't remember the model, but it had oversized tubes and was steel. even suspension corrected for an 80mm travel fork. it wasn't a spectacular, but everything worked well. alivio drivetrain and tektro v brakes. grip shifters as i recall
01-01-21, 05:33 PM
#9
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
Likes For thook:
Likes For CO_Hoya:
01-01-21, 06:36 PM
#11
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,491
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2738 Post(s)
Liked 3,379 Times
in
2,044 Posts
01-01-21, 06:50 PM
#12
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
01-01-21, 06:57 PM
#13
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,777
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12735 Post(s)
Liked 7,635 Times
in
4,050 Posts
Likes For tyrion:
01-01-21, 07:49 PM
#15
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
i really couldn't say. maybe try contacting the seller?
beyond anything else, i posted the link as example of what might be out there for you to explore. it's pretty nice bike. with something like that in mind, i'd wager you could find something to your liking. draw it into your experience all magical like and stuff.
afterall, if there's that one out there, there's usually another and more.
beyond anything else, i posted the link as example of what might be out there for you to explore. it's pretty nice bike. with something like that in mind, i'd wager you could find something to your liking. draw it into your experience all magical like and stuff.
afterall, if there's that one out there, there's usually another and more.
01-01-21, 07:50 PM
#16
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
01-01-21, 07:53 PM
#17
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,843
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2923 Post(s)
Liked 2,915 Times
in
1,488 Posts
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-01-21, 08:16 PM
#18
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
again, can't say how legit, but with some quick searches i continue to find possibilities
https://chestnut-nj.americanlisted.c..._32652641.html
there's three step thru's advertised if you scroll down
and, again, if nothing else, the ads will give you some basis for searches
https://chestnut-nj.americanlisted.c..._32652641.html
there's three step thru's advertised if you scroll down
and, again, if nothing else, the ads will give you some basis for searches
01-01-21, 08:26 PM
#19
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
🤮 Sorry, not sure whether to laugh or... not.
Likes For Korina:
01-01-21, 08:29 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,692
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1946 Post(s)
Liked 2,004 Times
in
1,105 Posts
Start looking for a Breezer. When my dad couldn't get his leg over the Milano anymore we got him a step through Breezer and it was pretty sweet. When I visited, I took it on some less technical single track and it was very well behaved. It was a IGH but there were/are derailleur models.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
01-01-21, 09:06 PM
#21
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
Likes For Korina:
01-01-21, 09:24 PM
#22
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
Custom? I don't ever recall seeing a truly good quality step through mtn bike
this guy is in san jose (yes I know solid 6 hour + drive from your area) he has been around for a while and his prices are pretty reasonable as these things go frame and fork (custom frame and fork $1650/1750 fillet/lugged)
PS..to OP did you see the video of buddy the elf in downtown arcata? if so that was my kid
this guy is in san jose (yes I know solid 6 hour + drive from your area) he has been around for a while and his prices are pretty reasonable as these things go frame and fork (custom frame and fork $1650/1750 fillet/lugged)
PS..to OP did you see the video of buddy the elf in downtown arcata? if so that was my kid
Who's the guy in San Hoser?
01-01-21, 09:26 PM
#23
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
Any opinions on this Nishiki Manitoba? I'm sure I could sell the other bike.
I scrolled through 2,000+ "vintage bicycle" on eBay, and this was all I could find. I think it may be the time of year.
ETA: Ooh, or this DB Sorrento.
I scrolled through 2,000+ "vintage bicycle" on eBay, and this was all I could find. I think it may be the time of year.
ETA: Ooh, or this DB Sorrento.
Last edited by Korina; 01-01-21 at 10:06 PM.
01-01-21, 09:50 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,211
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,000 Times
in
488 Posts
Another take on easy entry was Cannondale's Killer V frame. For easy entry, stick to rigid geometries for a low front end.
Killer V
Killer V
01-01-21, 10:09 PM
#25
Happy banana slug
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1530 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
