How big a market for step through?
- Thread starter pushkar
- Start date
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Step through relaxed frames have a real following. Flat foot, step through means even older riders can get their kicks. And it extends possibilities for those with leg issues.
The question is, which range of components? I'd vote for reliability and 25-28MPH max.
The question is, which range of components? I'd vote for reliability and 25-28MPH max.
I bought a RM Homage GX Rohloff HS least fall, my wife bought a Pedego City Commuter Black Edition. We split our time between Kentucky and Arizona, our bikes stay in Ky.I am looking for another quality bike for our place in AZ. At my age and physical restraints I wanted a step through frame plus I wanted a full suspension, the RM Homage does have both. I ride motorcycles and I like my throttle that is on my wife’s Pedego, so I’m looking hard. I can’t justify spending the same amount of money I did on another Homage. I am holding out for quality components, a step through frame and a throttle. I can drop the full suspension and add a KINEKT seat post if I have to. A combination of all those would make the perfect setup. Only way it could be better is if there was a dealer nearby. Quality does comes with a cost.
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Old hips + step through = happy cyclist 
1. Help us understand why this could be true.
2. Not ideal from a center of gravity (top heaviness) perspective either
3. But not on hanging on handlebars (same rationale as #2 above)
4. The Sondors bike looks cool, me likes batteries integrated into the frame.
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pushkar
Well-Known Member
1. Increases the chainstay length so makes it feel sluggish.
2. Agreed
3. Yeah.
4. I havent either - but just the picture up earlier.
RandomCrap
Member
Make it a Transformer.
The removable cross bar can be an extra battery that transforms it from a step through to a diamond.
I like this idea!
Yes it does increase the chain length, but I don't think it would be a very noticeable difference in performance for an ebike.
A friend has the Dost Drop and it is one powerful bike, and heavy. I do like the Bafang mid drive 750 watt motor,
dual batteries (purchased separately), throttle on demand, Schwalbe super moto 2.4 tires, and a heavy duty rear rack, to name a few of their quality components. What I did notice and did not like was, when sitting on the bike and turning the handlebars back and forth is that the front end wobbles. My friend stated that all step through‘s do that because they don’t have a cross bar for stability, but when riding it, that doesn’t happen. I believe that because both batteries are sitting on the down tube, the heavy weight perhaps causes this to happen. I had taken a very short ride and didn’t notice a wobble. Any thoughts or ideas?
dual batteries (purchased separately), throttle on demand, Schwalbe super moto 2.4 tires, and a heavy duty rear rack, to name a few of their quality components. What I did notice and did not like was, when sitting on the bike and turning the handlebars back and forth is that the front end wobbles. My friend stated that all step through‘s do that because they don’t have a cross bar for stability, but when riding it, that doesn’t happen. I believe that because both batteries are sitting on the down tube, the heavy weight perhaps causes this to happen. I had taken a very short ride and didn’t notice a wobble. Any thoughts or ideas?
Latitude
Well-Known Member
I just noticed this thread, and thought I would weigh in. When I researched and went looking for an e-bike (at age 65 and having been inactive biking for a number of years), a step-through frame was at the top of my list of must-haves. I have a 28” inseam, coincidentally less than the height of a 29” or 700mm tire, so throwing a leg over the top (including the trunk bag I always have installed) would require some high-jumping practice. It makes sense to me with full-size bikes trending more towards taller wheels, that there would be a correlating interest in ST.
I ride my Trek Verve + 3 at least as much off-road as I do on, so I have made changes to it accordingly:
• Redshift Seat post and stem (the sprung seat post that came with the bike was minimally effective and front suspension is not offered).
• Wider ratio cassette, to 11-46 (from 11-36) for better off-road hill climbing, and removed chain guard for quicker access.
• Change from Bontrager commuter tires (soon) to Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 for better all-season/off-road traction.
• More open, knobby pedals.
I regularly ride the bike at 30 km speed, and off-road in the 20’s and have not noticed frame flex to be an issue at all. The battery is in the down-tube at the front. Trek has made provision to add a second battery on top of that tube, but I wouldn’t mount one there. I have removed first a water bottle cage and then a folding lock from that location, as they were just something to hit my knee on when mounting/dismounting. I like the step-through to be as low and open as possible; one of the reasons I didn’t consider a frame like the Allant Stagger or even the Allant step-through.
If I lived in a hilly area, I would have looked for a model with more power (optional?), but it is pretty flat where I live. And I enjoy the added range and a good workout.
I ride my Trek Verve + 3 at least as much off-road as I do on, so I have made changes to it accordingly:
• Redshift Seat post and stem (the sprung seat post that came with the bike was minimally effective and front suspension is not offered).
• Wider ratio cassette, to 11-46 (from 11-36) for better off-road hill climbing, and removed chain guard for quicker access.
• Change from Bontrager commuter tires (soon) to Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 for better all-season/off-road traction.
• More open, knobby pedals.
I regularly ride the bike at 30 km speed, and off-road in the 20’s and have not noticed frame flex to be an issue at all. The battery is in the down-tube at the front. Trek has made provision to add a second battery on top of that tube, but I wouldn’t mount one there. I have removed first a water bottle cage and then a folding lock from that location, as they were just something to hit my knee on when mounting/dismounting. I like the step-through to be as low and open as possible; one of the reasons I didn’t consider a frame like the Allant Stagger or even the Allant step-through.
If I lived in a hilly area, I would have looked for a model with more power (optional?), but it is pretty flat where I live. And I enjoy the added range and a good workout.
This a tall step thru. So I will lean it some. The height of the shock and frame brace will make it very stable. Top quality components. 17.5ah integrated battery. A Member here has already placed the Archon controller and loves it. This is your competition. Under 4000 delivered to the US. https://electrek.co/2019/12/24/review-1-5-kw-frey-cc-full-suspension-electric-commuter-bike/
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Lantley
Member
- Region
- USA
In the end the step thru design has caught on and become a legitimate frame style that is no longer questioned. The frame flex stigma, or girl bike phenomenon has been put to rest by the abundance of satisfied owners
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Or an abundance of owners who don't know any better... frame flex is a real issue with heavy EBikes.
Step-through frame - Wikipedia
A step-through frame (also known as open frame or low-step frame) is a type of bicycle frame, often used for utility bicycles, with a low or absent top tube or cross-bar.
Traditionally, bicycles with a step-through frame were known as "Ladies'", "Women's", or "Girls'", mainly for their advantage to riders wearing skirts or dresses.
Bicycles with a high top tube (cross-bar), known as a diamond frame, were known as "Men's", "Gents'", or "Boys'".
As a result of changing clothing styles since the late 20th century, descriptions that describe the frame style, rather than the presumed gender of the rider, are becoming increasingly common.
Advantages
- less risk of stretching or ripping clothes when mounting the saddle
- the rider can wear a skirt (also requires a skirt guard and possibly a chain guard)
- very quick to mount and dismount, so is suitable for delivery bicycles, or any journey with many stops
- suitable for the elderly and others with restricted agility
Disadvantages
- Heavier Compared to a traditional diamond frame consisting of two near-triangles, open or step-through frame designs must be designed with thicker gauge tubing, the use of additional gusseting members, and/or monocoque frame construction. These structural elements may add weight or cost over a traditional diamond design.
- Inattention to structural design can lead to excessive flexing, resulting in lower pedaling efficiency and reduced frame life.
- Fewer places to mount accessories, e.g. an air pump or water-bottle.
- More difficult to carry around off the ground due to the sloping tube near the bicycle's center of gravity, e.g. carrying it up stairs, or lifting to hang it for maintenance.
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Latitude
Well-Known Member
I’m happy I don’t know any better!Or an abundance of owners who don't know any better... frame flex is a real issue with heavy EBikes.
Step-through frame - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
A step-through frame (also known as open frame or low-step frame) is a type of bicycle frame, often used for utility bicycles, with a low or absent top tube or cross-bar. Traditionally, bicycles with a step-through frame were known as "Ladies'", "Women's", or "Girls'", mainly for their advantage to riders wearing skirts or dresses. Bicycles with a high top tube (cross-bar), known as a diamond frame, were known as "Men's", "Gents'", or "Boys'". As a result of changing clothing styles since the late 20th century, descriptions that describe the frame style, rather than the presumed gender of the rider, are becoming increasingly common.
Advantages
- less risk of stretching or ripping clothes when mounting the saddle
- the rider can wear a skirt (also requires a skirt guard and possibly a chain guard)
- very quick to mount and dismount, so is suitable for delivery bicycles, or any journey with many stops
- suitable for the elderly and others with restricted agility
Disadvantages
- Heavier Compared to a traditional diamond frame consisting of two near-triangles, open or step-through frame designs must be designed with thicker gauge tubing, the use of additional gusseting members, and/or monocoque frame construction. These structural elements may add weight or cost over a traditional diamond design.
- Inattention to structural design can lead to excessive flexing, resulting in lower pedaling efficiency and reduced frame life.
- Fewer places to mount accessories, e.g. an air pump or water-bottle.
- More difficult to carry around off the ground due to the sloping tube near the bicycle's center of gravity, e.g. carrying it up stairs, or lifting to hang it for maintenance.
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