>> 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. <<

That makes sense.

>> 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!) <<

Oddly enough I've seen people cope with a long skirt just by bunching and wrapping it around their legs. What won't work is a narrow skirt over a straight bar.

>> 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. <<

Yeah, it's not safe with a bar there. People can get really injured, boys more than girls.

>> Can you tell I've just finished curating an exhibition on the blasted things? <<

Ah, that explains it. But thanks for sharing! This was fun to read.

>> Back to Flip though - I love his pragmatic approach and willingness to work to get what he wants. <<

Yay! Those things are so much a part of his character, I figure they must have grown in early.