Is there such a thing as a good step thru mtb?
01-01-21, 04:25 PM
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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
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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
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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.
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
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01-01-21, 05:00 PM
#4
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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
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01-01-21, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by polymorphself
Not a mountain bike 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.
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01-01-21, 05:16 PM
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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
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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.
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01-01-21, 05:27 PM
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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
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01-01-21, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by thook
Seems pretty good from here
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01-01-21, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by thook
01-01-21, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by CO_Hoya
Pic assist
Seems pretty good from here
Seems pretty good from here
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 01-02-21 at 07:30 AM.
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01-01-21, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Korina
Interesting site. Is it legit?
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
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Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
Pretty sweet. They also made the RockHopper, the next model up, in step thru. Pretty rare though.
rockhopper? that reminds me of the model i pulled from the dumpster as i mentioned above. it was a hard rock
01-01-21, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by tyrion
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
01-01-21, 08:16 PM
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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
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Originally Posted by tyrion
🤮 Sorry, not sure whether to laugh or... not.
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01-01-21, 08:29 PM
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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.
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01-01-21, 09:06 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
I am thinking along similar lines but want a tall Mixtie, but it has to be full ChroMo with a RD hanger.
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01-01-21, 09:24 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by squirtdad
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
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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
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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
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Originally Posted by DorkDisk
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
