That style of frame is known as a step-through, and although is traditionally seen as a female bike, it didn't start off that way, and back in the day when bikes were used by various shop-boys for delivery, most of them had a 'step through' frame as it made getting on and off quicker. They became associated with female riders, as you couldn't ride a bike with a top strut in a long skirt and jacket. (Maybe if you were wearing Rationals, but that was daring enough without riding the wrong type!)
IRRC The rationale behind the 'boys' frame used to be that building it that way made for a lighter bike, but I've always thought it was asking for a painful 'bike meets bits' accident.
Can you tell I've just finished curating an exhibition on the blasted things?
(There was a rather large bike race this weekend in the county I work in, and part of the route ran by the site I manage. Summer exhibition this year was therefore on historical cycling...)
I am now officially cycled out.
Back to Flip though - I love his pragmatic approach and willingness to work to get what he wants.
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dancing_serpent
(no subject)
Date: 2014-07-06 07:27 pm (UTC)IRRC The rationale behind the 'boys' frame used to be that building it that way made for a lighter bike, but I've always thought it was asking for a painful 'bike meets bits' accident.
Can you tell I've just finished curating an exhibition on the blasted things?
(There was a rather large bike race this weekend in the county I work in, and part of the route ran by the site I manage. Summer exhibition this year was therefore on historical cycling...)
I am now officially cycled out.
Back to Flip though - I love his pragmatic approach and willingness to work to get what he wants.