U-FRAME BICYCLES
This page specializes in the step-through or u-frame bicycle. Commonly referred to as a "ladies bike" or "ladies frame". But the u-frame is a much easier bike to ride and safer too, especially for older men. I am hoping to identify models on the market that have frame geometries suitable for male riding which many times require a longer top tube dimension for comfort. I am aware of the fact that many ladies frames are suitable for men whose height is i am guessing under 5ft 10in. I am talking about riding comfortably. I realize most men can ride almost anything even if the frame geometry is not the optimum or the ideal. Some companies are making frames with at least a 22" to 23" virtual top tube length at a virtual stand-over height of about 31-5/8in (i hope). In my opinion this would be the minimum for many average height men. I personally use a frame that goes from 22 to 23½ inches virtual top tube length with 31-5/8in standover height. I am 5ft 11-1/2in tall. Virtual top tube is defined as follows: "The effective or virtual top tube length is the distance from the center of the head tube - to the center of the seat tube, along an imaginary level horizontal line. This is the measurement that means something from a fit perspective, since it's the one that determines "cockpit length". see here
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DAY 6 BICYCLES
This seems like a relatively new bike company featuring an exclusive comfort design. Not built for racing but for easy riding. Easy to mount step-through frame and has a very large comfortable looking seat. If the seat is too big for you they sell hardware to accommodate a normal bicycle saddle. They sell two models a 21 speed and a 7 speed.
- SPECIALIZED GLOBE CARMEL 1 700CC
Specialized has a line of bikes that may work for use by men. This particular model comes in a large frame size. And it has 700cc wheels, actually it is a hybrid/cross bike.
- BREEZER'S UPTOWN 8
Large size U-frame is available on this Uptown 8.
- BREEZER'S VILLAGER Large U-frame size is available on this Villager model.
- BIRIA CRUISER
This cruiser frame equipped with 26in wheels.
- BIRIA 700c Wheel Biria sells several models equipped with a 700c wheel.
- SUN STREAMWAY Sun Bicycles sells a singlespeed, 3 speed and 7 speed model of this 26 in. wheel frame style.
Go to: Cycles > Comfort > Streamway. I bought one of these bikes (the 7 speed model). I am almost 6 ft tall and i can ride the bike comfortably. In my opinion it is a very good bike for a man up to 6 ft 2 in tall. I have made changes to the bike to suit my abilities. The 7 speed bike comes with a 44T chainring and i have replaced that with a 32T X 104mm BCD to give me the lower gear range i need. Probably 44T is too big for most people. I really like the bike. Easy on and off and safer also. I purchased a Wald rack for the rear and Wald baskets. I paid $400.00 for the bike plus sales tax. 7 speeds are all you need. This bike could also be used with the Xtracycle frame.
