Step through frames – help please

[Sardine]

My apologies for having to ask some pretty basic questions. I have a friend who wants to start cycling again and she would like a bike with a step through frame. She's particularly keen on a mixte frame but not drop handlebars. She has asked me for help with choosing a bike – a bad mistake as I know next to nothing about this type of frame.

Are they sized the same way as other road bikes? With no top tube how do I work out if it's too big. She's 5' 4” . I don't know her inseam measurement. What size frame (range) should she be looking at?

I'd be grateful for some advice before we start visiting bike shops. I have a couple of friends who ride Pashleys but they're rather vague. To be honest, looking over this post I feel pretty daft but I rather ask the questions here than at the bike shop. My two regular shops don't stock the type of bike she's after.

Thanks.

[Bike Writer]

Nowadays most big name companies make the step through frame, it's a sign of the ageing baby boomers. I have two bikes like that. Specalized makes them and so does Trek. Usually they are sized Small, Medium and Large Check these links http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62181&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use it's considered a multi-use bike.

This one is a cruiser from Trek, it's a one speed but they offer many others in multi speeds too http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/cruiser/womens_cruiser/classic_steel_deluxe_womens/#

I don't believe that either of these are mixte style but they are low entry for sure.

Your friends best bet is to go out to stores and take them for some test rides.

[KnottedYet]

Kona makes a nice steel mixte frame bike:
http://konaworld.com/asphalt_simplicity.cfm?content=roundabout

Bear in mind that mixtes are not as easy to "step through" as a loop frame bike (like a Pashley). I swing my leg over mine just like I do my regular diamond frame bikes.

Public and Linus also make steel mixtes.

[Antaresia]

aww, all the mixtes I know of have been listed already (except the belleville (http://www.besportier.com/archives/urban-bikes-for-sale-trek-belleville-wsd.html), but the reviews on that weren't that great). I was obsessed with getting a new one; but later decided I didn't need two of them :D

I swing my leg through mine, I always did and now I have too with the milk crate on the back. Makes for ungraceful dismounts when I don't think of which bike I'm riding and try to step through my road bike or smack my leg on the milk crate. Anyway.

I don't know about fitting them, but I can advise on is the style. Retro-looking mixtes is where it's at.

I did find this though:
http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/measure-frame/road-bike/mixte

can't say how accurate it is, might be a good place to start.

[jlnc]

Just out of curiosity, what is a mixte anyway?

[Seajay]

Specialized also makes the base model VITA in a step thru. Quite a bit "peppier" bike than the Expedition (Now Crossroads) listed previously. Also the Vita is a smaller, perhaps more confidence inspiring bike too. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Vita+Step+Thru&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=Y00elpCrNofa9M:&imgrefurl=http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/en-us/d1794_Specialized_Vita_Step_Thru_2011.html&docid=TSQdkSLyVl8lGM&w=500&h=300&ei=mJiCTtq3G-_UiAKl8YCUDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=89&vpy=154&dur=247&hovh=174&hovw=290&tx=161&ty=103&page=1&tbnh=112&tbnw=187&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

A bit more casual and fun looking is the Electra Verse
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=electra+verse&start=33&num=10&um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=TEsk8TdldOgqNM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mybiketinley.com/Electra-Verse-21D-165-jadeturquoise-ladies_p_34511.html&docid=fiGNPRgTLQHHDM&itg=1&w=700&h=534&ei=zpiCTvH-E9HSiALGjemmDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=709&vpy=295&dur=2151&hovh=196&hovw=257&tx=134&ty=139&sqi=2&page=3&tbnh=121&tbnw=159&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:33

[Antaresia]

Just out of curiosity, what is a mixte anyway?

It's a frame style where the top tube slopes all the way from headset to rear hub, straight through the seat tube (instead of headset to top of the seat-tube); and also has a normal chain stay and seat stay (so there are 3 rear..."stays" behind the seat tube, I guess). You know one when you see one.

My mixte! (http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Candoia/ccmbike.png)

They are soooo classy, more serious than a cruiser but not as serious as a road bike. Good for short commutes, a cute townie grocery-getter bike. And perfect for if you want to wear a skirt and ride.

I have seen guys riding these a total of two times. I wish I could high-five and ride at the same time.

[lxb87]

That is a beautiful bike, Anteresia.

[Sardine]

Fantastic. Thank you everyone for the information and suggestions. It shouldn't be too difficult to find/test ride Specialized, Trek and Kona bikes though she's keen on this one: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/viva/bellissimo-7-womens-hybrid-bike-ec023185?query=viva. I don't know much about this brand. The Kona may be a better option if she wants this look and the other brands will give her more flexibility. It won't be easy but I'll try to get her to test ride as many as possible. At the end of the day though she's got to love the way it looks or she'll lose interest.

OK, I can see that a mixte is not as easy to step through but I think her main concern is stopping rather than getting on, so it should be fine. I'll point that out anyway. I do like the mixte bikes. Antaresia, nice bike - very retro practical chic. Thank you especially for the link to the page on sizing for a mixte frame. Looks like we're after a 50 cm frame or thereabouts.

[hebe]

If she can get to London, I think this one is beautiful. From Bobbin Bicycles.

http://www.bobbinonline.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Products/BRON12

[Sardine]

If she can get to London, I think this one is beautiful. From Bobbin Bicycles.

http://www.bobbinonline.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Products/BRON12

Oh, she'll love that. I'm going to tell her about that one last. We both live in London. Thanks hebe.

[hebe]

Excellent! I'm not in London, which is probably just as well.