Step Through Bike Vs Diamond Frame

The classic woman s bike featured a downward sloping top tube a design that dates back to days when women riders wore long skirts.

Step through bike vs diamond frame.

Among the wide variety of bikes to choose from there is one type that has become the most popular among female cyclists the hybrid bike. This german bike is known as one of the best step through bikes on the market and for good reason. Alternative step through designs may include leaving out the top tube out completely as in monocoque mainframe designs using a separated or hinged seat tube and twin top tubes that continue to the rear fork ends as with the mixte frame. It s a seven speed model with a u shaped frame for easy mounting and stepping off.

The biggest disadvantage of a step through frame is the weight strength and stiffness. The regular diamond shaped design of most bikes is so widely used because it is the better design. 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. Biria easy boarding 7 speed step through cruiser bicycle.

Step through bikes lack the top tube and instead the front of the bike slopes downward as it extends towards the back of the bike. Diamond frames are stronger and lighter than step through models for several reasons. Step through frames rely on a rectangular trapezoidal or tubular shape at the joints. You still see casual women s bikes with that look but it s for aesthetics not performance.

The top tube gives the frame strength and stability while allowing for the use of lightweight materials. They are made with 3 triangles. These alternatives to the diamond frame provide greater versatility though at the expense of added weight to achieve equivalent strength and rigidity. Bike designers today are experimenting with curved elements on many pieces not.

What about step through frames. Bicycles with a high top tube cross bar known as a diamond frame were known as men s gents or boys. As time has gone by the women s hybrid bike has seen a ton of upgrades toward ease of use comfort speed and a wider field of use. Back in the day they were also called diamond frames because the top tube down tube and seat tube form a diamond see image above.

A step through bike frame is about equal in weight to a traditional diamond frame often called a men s bike where the frame is made of two triangles that form a diamond.