Limits of step through bikes?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 124
Bikes: Cannondale T-800, Bridgestone RB-1, Bianche Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Limits of step through bikes?
At 70, my wife can no longer swing her leg over the seat when mounting or dismounting her Cannondale touring bike. She’s waiting for hip surgery, and we’re both hoping this limiting problem will disappear with surgery (ya gotta be an optimist past 60….). Over the decades, we’ve cycle toured many thousands of miles, and she intends to get back on her Cannondale. In the interim, however, she wants a step through. I’m thinking a step through (unless one goes super hi-end or custom) is NOT going to give her the stretched-out geometry of a road or touring bike. But she does NOT want an upright, large saddle, urban cruiser. Are there typically bike configurations — especially second—hand ones — to be had these days that allow step through dis/mounting but also more athletic and efficient cycling? Thanks for any advice.
#2
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
There are some pretty nice used mixte's out there. Takes a bit of searching and some patience, like with most used items. You seem to know what she is in need of, that is a good start. Maybe you have seen this thread, but here is a link: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...te-frames.html
Last edited by delbiker1; 04-28-22 at 06:16 PM. Reason: add more info
Likes For delbiker1:
#3
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,953
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6178 Post(s)
Liked 4,795 Times
in
3,307 Posts
Step throughs will generally be heavy. If it's expected that the current bike will still be used after recovery, then isn't just leaning the bike way over towards her to put the saddle low enough and then pulling the bike more upright after straddling it a viable option?
Though I know you said she didn't want an upright geometry, most step throughs I've seen are more of a cruiser style upright geometry and there really shouldn't be any issue with that for somewhat short leisurely riding during recovery.
And if her current frame has a lot of seat post exposed, then take a look at dropper posts and see if that might be an option to use with the current bike.
Though I know you said she didn't want an upright geometry, most step throughs I've seen are more of a cruiser style upright geometry and there really shouldn't be any issue with that for somewhat short leisurely riding during recovery.
And if her current frame has a lot of seat post exposed, then take a look at dropper posts and see if that might be an option to use with the current bike.
Likes For Iride01:
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 124
Bikes: Cannondale T-800, Bridgestone RB-1, Bianche Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
There are some pretty nice used mixte's out there. Takes a bit of searching and some patience, like with most used items. You seem to know what she is in need of, that is a good start. Maybe you have seen this thread, but here is a link: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...te-frames.html
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 124
Bikes: Cannondale T-800, Bridgestone RB-1, Bianche Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Step throughs will generally be heavy. If it's expected that the current bike will still be used after recovery, then isn't just leaning the bike way over towards her to put the saddle low enough and then pulling the bike more upright after straddling it a viable option?
Though I know you said she didn't want an upright geometry, most step throughs I've seen are more of a cruiser style upright geometry and there really shouldn't be any issue with that for somewhat short leisurely riding during recovery.
And if her current frame has a lot of seat post exposed, then take a look at dropper posts and see if that might be an option to use with the current bike.
Though I know you said she didn't want an upright geometry, most step throughs I've seen are more of a cruiser style upright geometry and there really shouldn't be any issue with that for somewhat short leisurely riding during recovery.
And if her current frame has a lot of seat post exposed, then take a look at dropper posts and see if that might be an option to use with the current bike.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 426 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
436 Posts
Don't know that you'd have luck finding a used one, but Cannondale makes what may work--called their Quick Remixte: Cannondale
#7
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,107
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 852 Post(s)
Liked 1,433 Times
in
815 Posts
Thanks. I wasn't even familiar with the term "mixte," although as I look up examples of mixtes, I've seen plenty before -- just didn't know they had a name! I'll look more carefully now that know a good search term. And I'll also consult with my wife about whether she think they'd work. So thanks again for the tip.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,764
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 904 Post(s)
Liked 1,881 Times
in
843 Posts
I just ordered a Handsome she devil for my wife. seem like it should fit the bill.
#9
Banned
The step through are going to be heavier as the true "ladies" bikes are not being sold in the states. One option to consider is adding a dropper seat post to the bike. This would make it easy to drop the seat to the height of the top tube to mount or dismount and quickly raise it back to the best height for riding. I had this done on my hardtail bike as a retrofit and it works very well. Dropper posts come in different diameters to fit any seat tube on a bike.
Something else to try is having the bike nearly on its side or about a 45 degree angle with the ground. This makes the bike much shorter for swinging a leg over the top tube which is a foot or more closer to the ground. My wife needed to use a curb before she started to lower the bike in this manner.
Something else to try is having the bike nearly on its side or about a 45 degree angle with the ground. This makes the bike much shorter for swinging a leg over the top tube which is a foot or more closer to the ground. My wife needed to use a curb before she started to lower the bike in this manner.
#10
The Wheezing Geezer
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Espańola, NM
Posts: 1,043
Bikes: 1976 Fredo Speciale, Jamis Citizen 1, Ellis-Briggs FAVORI, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 411 Post(s)
Liked 896 Times
in
440 Posts
I dislocated my left hip replacement mounting my motorcycle to ride to physical therapy. She may want a step-through as a permanent solution. Performance step-throughs are an underserved market. There are no inherent reasons for a step-through to be any different other than a small bit of frame weight added for reinforcement to make up for the missing top tube. Unless you run into a used bike that someone else has modified to suit themselves, you'll probably have to build or modify your own to get what you want.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,820
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 614 Post(s)
Liked 564 Times
in
428 Posts
https://www.rodbikes.com/catalog/adv...ture-main.html
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 178
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
31 Posts
I dislocated my left hip replacement mounting my motorcycle to ride to physical therapy. She may want a step-through as a permanent solution. Performance step-throughs are an underserved market. There are no inherent reasons for a step-through to be any different other than a small bit of frame weight added for reinforcement to make up for the missing top tube. Unless you run into a used bike that someone else has modified to suit themselves, you'll probably have to build or modify your own to get what you want.
#13
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3897 Post(s)
Liked 4,829 Times
in
2,228 Posts
While it is true that a road cyclist will find it difficult to find a step-thru with a similar position, they do exist.
A Vent Noir mixte recently sold here on BF C&V sales. It was a deal, too.
Reynolds 531 tubing, drop bars, nice components, etc.
A Vent Noir mixte recently sold here on BF C&V sales. It was a deal, too.
Reynolds 531 tubing, drop bars, nice components, etc.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#14
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3897 Post(s)
Liked 4,829 Times
in
2,228 Posts
At 70, I’m trying to anticipate future needs…..
This mixte was originally sold with drop bars, so I can convert back if this were to become the only style of bike I could mount/dismount safely.
This mixte was originally sold with drop bars, so I can convert back if this were to become the only style of bike I could mount/dismount safely.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 124
Bikes: Cannondale T-800, Bridgestone RB-1, Bianche Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Thanks for all the posts and useful info/insights. This growing old ain't for sissies, that's for sure! I'm 76 this summer and can still ride my Cannondale T800 -- now more than 20 years old -- pretty comfortably, even with a fake knee. I'm missing my favourite riding partner, though, IN THE SHORT TERM! (caps on not by accident). We're still working on solutions....
Likes For rcd: