Step Through or step over.
Posted by Bananab0yyo@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 64 comments
I wanna know which is better step through or step over but i have no idea on what i should choose. I currently dont have and problems with my knee, hip ect if that helps.
youandican@reddit
Which ever style you prefer is the best one for you. It really doesn't matter what others think are the best, they aren't riding it. Buy the style you like
Zenigata@reddit
Got a step through cargo bike for my wife and I to use. Surprised by how much I miss the ability to balance the bike with my thighs when stopped so I can use my hands.
My next bike will definitely not be a step through.
m2keo@reddit
Excellent point in favor of 'step over'. Especially if you've got your seat way up high and routinely hop off during traffic stops.
You're hands are free to multitask once it's balanced between your legs. Gonna be difficult to do that with no top bar there ala with a 'step thru'.
libbuge@reddit
I like a step over too, and I wasn't sure why.
Affectionate-Air3239@reddit
I got a step through ebike a few weeks back and have found exactly the same thing. It's worth the sacrifice for me though for the comfort and ease of getting on and off.
qperc77@reddit
Valuable Perspective. I’d have never thought of that, and I Step Over
skeptic38@reddit
Me neither. And as an older woman, I've been regretting getting a step over. May have been an okay decision
Zenigata@reddit
Annoyingly i never thought of it either, maybe one day I'll perfect my time machine so I can go back in time to warn myself.
REDMOON2029@reddit
thanks for this input. I already ordered a stepthrough bike after only owning step overs my whole life. I'll see how i find this
m2keo@reddit
I prefer step over look and with 20" wheels. Looks more like the Bmx freestyle bikes that I used to ride on when I was a teen.
baddieslovebadideas@reddit
I don't like step thru bikes because I like to lean the top tube of my bikes against my thigh, but thats just me
kevendo@reddit
Don't let the "girl bike" history get to you. A step-through is better is nearly every way, especially with heavier bikes, like e-bikes usually are. The "frame stiffness" argument sort of goes away when you have an engine onboard.
On multiple occasions I have had folks with step-overs stop and tell me they wish they had gone with a step-through.
Tight-War-8013@reddit
I got a step thru, wish i got a step over. My old bike was a step over and it was far more comfortable to lean forward in, had far better handling, frame stiffness is real.
greybeard1363@reddit
I have 2 step through ebikes. I have ridden many step over bikes in my time. My step throughs are not "wobbly" at all. Maybe it's a bike design thing that varies with manufacturer.
red4me909@reddit
Much easier to securely lock a step over than a step through.
Low_Establishment573@reddit
If you’re adding a rear basket or other such cargo capacity (which is a very big bonus to e-bikes, the extra ability to haul stuff), the step through is more than worth it.
Don’t worry about the aesthetics of it. I got compliments about my e-bike from bikers; the giant beards, tattoos, leather and chopped muffler pipes type bikers. It was actually a really cool and mildly surprising moment. 😆
doublereverse@reddit
Yeah swinging your leg over your bike is one thing, but it gets downright gymnastic if you’ve got a tall back basket - or worse, kids back there. Seriously, how do people not kick their kids in the head getting on the bike with step-over bikes?
Zenigata@reddit
You lift your leg over the cross bar. Luckily by the time we had kids id had extensive practice at not kicking my wife in the face when getting on and off our tandem so that wasn't an issue for me.
doublereverse@reddit
Whew, sounds difficult, though I imagine that’s a lot easier if you happen to have more stand over room on your bike. I don’t have a ton of stand over room, so hopping over the top tube would be a pretty acrobatic act. Kudos to you for not kicking your wife (and kids) in the face!
Zenigata@reddit
Thankfully top tubes these days tend to be low so it's not too difficult, our original tandem is back from the days before that trend though so is harder work.
We bought it off this nice old couple who did a century on it every birthday but sold it because the wife could no longer get her leg over the admittedly very high crossbar.
https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/1e5sfoa/it_would_seem_ive_been_dadpacking_unawares_for/
Few-Technology1568@reddit
I got a step through and I keep getting on and off like a step over lol it’s habit but it’s so much easier to get on and off especially with a heavier frame — id say that if there is little to no price difference get the step through
rshetts1@reddit
Im am 100% a step through guy. I have no desire to have a nut crusher bar to contend with. I have zero issues with stability with my step through, it's the most stable bike I have ever owned. I don't need a center bar to lean the bike. I can stand on the ground and support the bike just fine. Last but not least if you ever have to bail off the bike for whatever reason you'll be glad to not have that bar to contend with.
lee1026@reddit
The step-over offers a better geometry, so you will save a few pounds of weight to achieve the same stiffness (the bike generally won't fall apart either way).
Whether a few pounds of stiffness is worthwhile to let you dismount from the front (usually for stuff or passengers in the back that you don't want to kick) is up to you.
Maxrdt@reddit
Remember that if you're putting saddle-bags or baskets on the back then you'll have to kick over those too if you don't have a step-through. And if you have a pet carrier or child seat you'll need to be extra careful lol.
EarlHarmon@reddit
If you have a vagina, you are very short, or you are elderly, then get a step through. Otherwise, get a step over.
yarn_slinger@reddit
What’s the vagina got to do with it? I rode a “men’s” bike for decades before my hip started to go. My vagina works as designed.
OP, it sounds like you’ll be better off with a step through. The other consideration is if you are planning to carry anything on the rear rack, it’s harder to get your leg over a trunk bag or milk crate than to just step through the frame.
EarlHarmon@reddit
Lol, I was just joking. Girls bikes tend to be step through. While mens bikes tend to be step over. So I always associate step through with women's bikes.
stormdelta@reddit
Jokes have punchlines. I hate it when people say something stupid/shitty then act like it was a "joke" afterwards
EarlHarmon@reddit
Dang, I was joking, soooo much hate! I love it! Thanks all, you made my day!
Dude_9@reddit
https://i.redd.it/glp8r3rz2dzg1.gif
KostyaFedot@reddit
Check Yuba, Tern ebikes to get over caveman syndrome.
NightKnown405@reddit
I can think of a few occasions where it would have been better to have a step through in the past.
squashed377@reddit
The old saying is step over for boys , step through for girls.
Nowadays with the many new genders, who the hell knows.
stormdelta@reddit
It was stupid when people said it back then and it's still stupid now. They have pros/cons depending on application and preference. Step-over is lighter and more stable, but can be an issue for people with hip/knee/mobility issues and is less convenient if you're frequently getting on/off the bike e.g. urban riding.
Stop watching right-wing outrage news, it's rotting your brain
jboarei@reddit
You really thought you had a funny joke there didn’t you.
Nothing about this topic has anything to do with gender.
LopsidedGiraffe@reddit
This is the exact outdated reason why my dad spent $5k last year on a road style e bike that doesnt look like an e bike. He hasn't ridden it for 5 months due to hip pain. Now he is having a hip replacement and is shopping for a step through bike, which is ideal for someone with weak legs , poor stability and/poor hip flexibility.
stormdelta@reddit
For ease of use for transit/commuting especially if you plan to carry cargo and such, I would prefer step-through if I had a choice. Sure, it's slightly heavier and less ideal frame geometry, but it's more convenient for that application.
For other applications like rougher terrain you'd want a step-over.
Otherwise kind of down to personal preference - I would suggest test-riding both locally.
hellogichy@reddit
I own a step-through Aventon Sinch2 and have found that the ability to be able to stand in the step thru space allows me to maneuver the bike more easily through tight spaces like the side-door of my garage where I store it. But mainly, the ability to easily mount your bike especially when the rear rack is loaded with gear or groceries is a huge advantage.
Tight-War-8013@reddit
Do u wanna race the bike do downhill biking, or take turns at speed? Step over.
You just want to cruise and sit up straight the whole ride? Step thru.
Boring-Kangaroo-6222@reddit
I like both but it does depend on use case. With a kid and groceries, step thru all the way so that I can get off the bike without roundhouse kicking my son or a bag of apples.
OddIndustry9@reddit
I had a step through for a while (ride1up 700), and the thing that I didn't anticipate was how awkward it was to lift without a top tube. Little things like going up a few stairs or lifting it in to a vehicle was much more straining than with a step over.
Additional_Tank4385@reddit
I have to carry my ebike down a flight of stairs and I’d have no idea how I’d get it up in the morning without a top tube. Thank you!
LopsidedGiraffe@reddit
My e bike has a handle just above the cranks. Its too heavy for me to carry though. I think top tube e bikes are lighter?
OddIndustry9@reddit
Some of it was weight (the 700 was definitely not light, maybe 65 pounds IIRC) but I think it was more about the balance and distribution of the weight.
Grabbing the head tube and the seat post just doesn’t have the intrinsic balance that grabbing the top tube can provide.
HurinGray@reddit
when I was a kid, step through was a "girl bike."
In my 50's a step through is a life saver. Ease of use. Convenience. Comfort.
SamTheShamIAm@reddit
Yes, I assumed the step through was a girl bike.
Zentransit@reddit
If you're old and out of shape a step thru is crucial.
SwvellyBents@reddit
I just brought home my first ebike this afternoon, a mid drive step through and I'm a little disappointed in the step through. Maybe it's just that the bottle cage is right at the bottom of the V and trips me up every time. Also, standing with feet on the ground puts the display right in my fat gut, but hopefully that problem will be self fixing.
Next ride I'm going to start swinging my leg over the saddle and see if I can still do it old school. The problem is I like the saddle high and it's a big fat daddy so fingers crossed..
Roy_F_Kent@reddit
I love my step thru, I can even pass my leg thru and dismount as I come to a stop.
LopsidedGiraffe@reddit
Ive recently got a step through (which I love) and yes I do miss leaning my bike top tube against my leg. On the whole, a step through is the best choice if you do have hip flexibility difficulty or one of your legs is a bit weak (like a dodgy knee). The step through bike reduces the time spent on one leg, when mounting and dismounting. So if youve got balance issues, a step through is a better choice.
mr_coffee_nerd@reddit
Honestly, I’d go step-through. If you’re buying for any sort of convenience—ease of riding, errands, etc. I bought the step-over version of a Gazelle 380+ because I thought I needed a “real bike” and I regret it. I also bought it used in great condition, so beggars can’t be choosers…
Additional_Tank4385@reddit
Man so many valid and fair arguments here this will be a nightmare to decide tomorrow getting an ebike but I’m glad I saw this thread. Thanks for sharing your opinion. 🙌
Abi1i@reddit
I have a step-over but my panniers get in the way when I attach them to my bike for a grocery store run. If I could go back in time, I’d choose a step-through. But I also understand the reasons for a step-over bike.
AimlessArcher@reddit
Age and athletic ability is a BIG deciding factor. My knees say step through is the only option. I also think my Aventon level 2 (step through) looks fantastic and have had many compliments when I tootle around town on it.
KostyaFedot@reddit
Wait until you get paniers at both sides...
CavalierPumpkin@reddit
This. I have a step-through but I end up mounting it by swinging my leg over the saddle like a step-over anyway (force of habit) except when I have panniers mounted, and in those moments, I definitely appreciate having a way to get on the bike that doesn't require me to roundhouse kick over all my groceries for the week.
Zestyclose-Dig-5791@reddit
I have a step over and rarely use it because to mount it I practically have to lay it down. (Arthritis) Plan on getting a step through to replace it.
Repulsive_Aside_4122@reddit
While step-through is easier to get on/off of, I have found that step-over frames provide more stability (less wobbly) on the road.
shakenbake74@reddit
i prefer step through. my bike is 80lbs and it’s just easier to manage.
BoringBob84@reddit
Step-over is stronger, lighter, and less wobbly. You can use the top tube to hold the bike up with your thighs and to secure it to a bike rack on your car. You can also put a triangle bag for cargo storage or an ebike battery between the down tube and the top tube.
Yes, it is less convenient to swing your leg over, but if you can do it, then I recommend a step-over.
tedy4444@reddit
my wife and i got step-throughs. it felt like an easy decision.
Relative-Display-676@reddit
do you wear dresses or have passenger on the back tire?
Bananab0yyo@reddit (OP)
Nope i am a male with no passengers.
Relative-Display-676@reddit
then you should be fine with step over frame.