May seem a silly question but looking at all the reviews etc. they never show getting on and off the bikes with few exceptions. When I was younger I always had a bike with a bar, diamond frame, and when getting on put my left foot on the lower pedal and swung over the seat. Now I see all these step thru frames which in the day were girls bikes?
It seems the diamond frame would be a more solid configuration to me, and would also provide a place for additional bottles, battery, bag etc. My wife' s bike has a step thru frame and I measured the height of the lower tube where you step thru at 19", I still have a tendency to drag my foot over it a bit and getting on that way seems awkward to me. When I rode her bike I gave it no thought and just naturally swung over to mount.
Anyone else had experience similar or given thought between the two frames as far as choice?
I have only been looking at step thru's the whole time just assuming the easier on and off but now I wonder, may reconsider as I really do think the diamond frame would be stronger and more stable..
I dont understand the question, Im lost in the details. I think, step thru or not, swinging your leg, you could put both hands on handlebar, standing on ground, weight on straight left leg, LEAN OVER HANDLEBAR, LEFT FOOT FACING FOREWARD, raise right leg backward swinging leg in one motion over rear of bike, find right pedal and pushing it to 9 o'clock. Stand up leaning forward with right butt cheek somewhere on seat, left leg still straight with weight not changing. You are on the bike now about to shift weight and make bike move to become fully seated and moving in one dynamic motion.
If you cannot take off this way, don't sit, but stand ahead of the seat close to the handlebar. Always start off in your chosen manner, that way you will be in balance thru practice and reliably achieve forward motion to start pedalling. Thats the two methods of mounting while standing.
The other method is pushing the bike with right foot on the 9 o'clock pedal while pushing on the ground with your left foot. The left pedal can be at 6 o'clock or 9 o'clock positions. Some people like it at 12 o'clock.
When beginning moving and about to sit down, raise your butt high above the seat rather than sliding onto the seat. This way your clothing wont get caught on the seat rear and cause you to delay pumping. If clothing is caught, the bike could stall and you could fall and hurt yourself. Thats the main danger when using the push off method. So, it is helpful to pull up your pants to the crotch before stepping on the left pedal.
When dismounting, move your hips forward and up from the seat so the clothing is not caught on the seat horn. Again, you could fall while dismounting, if clothing is caught.
If falling, you could stop your fall to the left by standing on the ground with your left foot extended, leaning the bike by taking a hopping step sideways, while getting unstuck and dismounting.
Aplomb is the goal. Mounting and dismounting takes finesse and to achieve it takes procedural thought that suits you. A lapse could be disastrous. I have not provided all procedural details so, I apologize.
A lot of finesse is the result of your physicality, smooth motor function, common sense, experience level, motivation to learn and do, procedural memory and bike setup for your body.
Jittery people may take longer and may fall more frequently. Dont be jittery unless you have a balance problem.
