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A step-through frame (also known as open frame, drop frame, or low-step frame) is a type of
* less risk of stretching or ripping clothes when mounting the saddle
* the rider can wear a skirt (also requires a
One particular type of step-through frame is called a mixte. In a mixte frame, the top tube of the traditional
Another type of step-through frame is called a ''cross''. The cross frame consists mainly of two tubes that form a
Image:Ladies safety bicycles1889.gif, Image from an 1889 advertisement for a ladies' safety bicycle
Image:Post-cycle-Cologne-508.jpg, Postal delivery by bicycle in Cologne, Germany
Image:Cyclist-Cologne-475.jpg, Cyclist in Cologne, Germany
Image:Paris folding bike.JPG, Folding bike
Image:Albany-folding-bike-2.JPG, "Albany" bike
Image:L-Damenrad.png, Damenrad from 1900
Image:Itera plastic bicycle.jpg,
A step-through frame (also known as open frame, drop frame, or low-step frame) is a type of bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles: a main triangl ...
, often used for utility bicycle
A utility bicycle, city bicycle, urban bicycle, European city bike (ECB), Dutch bike, classic bike or simply city-bike, is a bicycle designed for frequent very short, very slow rides through very flat urban areas. It is a form of utility bicycle ...
s, 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' bicycles" mainly due to their advantage to riders wearing skirt
A skirt is the lower part of a dress or a separate outer garment that covers a person from the waist downwards.
At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of fabric (such as pareos). However, most skirts ar ...
s or dress
A dress (also known as a frock or a gown) is a garment traditionally worn by women or girls consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice (or a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment). It consists of a top piece that co ...
es. Bicycles with a high top tube (cross-bar), known as a diamond frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles: a main triangle ...
, were known as "men's", "gents, or "boys' bicycles". 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
A skirt is the lower part of a dress or a separate outer garment that covers a person from the waist downwards.
At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of fabric (such as pareos). However, most skirts are fi ...
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 elderly and others with restricted agility
* potentially safer than a high top tube; a rider who loses balance can step through the bicycle without becoming entangled
* compactness provides a popular starting point for folding bicycle
A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings, on public transportation (facilitating mixed-mode commuting and bicycl ...
s.
Disadvantages
* Heavier. Compared to a traditional diamond frame consisting of two near-triangles, open or step-through frame designs must be designed with thickergauge
Gauge ( or ) may refer to:
Measurement
* Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments
* Gauge (firearms)
* Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire
** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, es ...
tubing, the use of additional gusseting members, and/or monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
frame construction. These structural elements may add weight or cost over a traditional diamond design.Van Der Plas, Rob, ''Bicycle Technology'', San Francisco: Bicycle Books (3rd ed.), , (1995), pp. 60-2Peterson, Leisha A. and Londry, Kelly J., ''Finite-Element Structural Analysis: A New Tool for Bicycle Frame Design: The Strain Energy Design Method'', Bike Tech, Bicycling Magazine, Vol. 5 No. 2 (1986)
* 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.
Variations
Mixte
One particular type of step-through frame is called a mixte. In a mixte frame, the top tube of the traditional diamond frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles: a main triangle ...
is replaced with a pair of smaller tubes (''lateral tubes'', or ''lats'') running from the top of the head tube all the way back to the rear axle, connecting at the seat tube on the way. The normal seat stays and chain stays are retained. This provides the lower standover height of a step-through frame bicycle with a strong diamond-frame geometry.
''Mixte'' (pronounced ) is a direct appropriation of the French word meaning "mixed" or "unisex". The usual North American bicycle industry pronunciation of this loan word
A loanword (also loan word or loan-word) is a word at least partly assimilated from one language (the donor language) into another language. This is in contrast to cognates, which are words in two or more languages that are similar because the ...
is .
A variant on the mixte uses a single, full sized top tube running from the upper head tube to the seat tube, but retains the middle set of stays. The FNCRM (Fédération Nationale du Commerce et de la Réparation du Cycle et du Motocycle) calls this style a ''sport''.
Other named French styles of step-through frames, in addition to ''mixte'' and ''sport'', include ''berceau'', ''Anglais'', ''jumele'', ''col de cygne'' and ''double col de cygne''.
Cross
Another type of step-through frame is called a ''cross''. The cross frame consists mainly of two tubes that form a cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a s ...
: a seat tube from the bottom bracket to the saddle, and a backbone from the head tube to the rear hub.
Cross Frames at rijwiel.net http://www.rijwiel.net/kruisfre.htm
Gallery
Itera plastic bicycle
ARETI International Group of Companies is a private energy company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ARETI was created by Igor Makarov in 2015 as a result of rebranding of Itera International Group of Companies, which was started in 1992. T ...
File:KIA MIXTE BIKE.jpg, Kia mixte frame
See also
*Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles: a main triangl ...
*Bicycling and feminism
The bicycle had a significant impact on the lives of women in a variety of areas. The greatest impact the bicycle had on the societal role of women occurred in the 1890s during the bicycle craze that swept American and European society. During th ...
References
External links
* {{commonscat-inline, Bicycles with a step-through frame Cycle types