Gentleman wants to be a lady - Extra large ladies step through bikes for conversion

[Tawse57]

Hi folks,

I am a 6 foot tall, 12.5 stone bloke who has been riding a 2007 Specialised Globe ladies step-through bike, with a rear rack for my pannier bags, as a shopping biker for several years. It is 49cm / 19 inches but I really could do with it being a good inch or two bigger in the seat tube and higher at the front. I have come to really enjoy the ability to step through the frame rather than lifting my leg over the bike when getting on / off.

It is knackered now as I use it every day and needs new front and rear cogs, chain, the works. I had considered upgrading all the parts but, because it is too small really, I have been looking for a replacement for about a year. There isn't one really. Most of the ladies bikes in the UK only go up to 19 inches. Cube sells a 54cm frame hybrid which I thought would be ideal but the Germans at Cube seem to have made them out of old panzer parts - they weigh a tonne!

I found a Focus Arriba which seems ideal. It comes in a 55 cm frame and is under 11Kgs on skinny tyres. But the tyres are probably too narrow for an ebike conversion, the bike is expensive at nearly £600 - goes against a cheap ebike conversion - and I can't find anyone who sells them in the UK. They seem to only be sold on mainland Europe. So that is going nowhere.

So I am looking for any advice for such a step-through bike in a 21 or 22 inch frame to be able to convert? I would like hydro discs I think for a conversion. Am I asking the impossible? Would the two sloping bars - downtube and toptube - be too close together to fit a battery between them? I suspect so. I don't want a rear rack battery as that would be where I would have my shopping. Too much weight on the back wheel.

I can get a Giant Escape Mens hybrid for £350 with hydraulic brakes. Not the step-through I want but maybe this is going to be the way to go.

I am thinking of using a Bafang mid-motor as the conversion. I live in Swansea and I have some really long steep hills and some really, really steep short sections in many of the hills on my route. I also cycle the sea-front which, in winter, is often a very strong headwind, lots of rain, puddles and lots and lots... and lots of sand blown onto the sea-front cycle path. I am concerned that a 250w Bafang mid motor will not cope with the Swansea hills, having noted that there are quite a few Swansea folk on here who talk about their 500w and 750w Bafang motors. (I am a tad concerned by the water also. ).But then anything more than 250w is illegal.

So I have been considering buying a Bosch but they are expensive in the LBS's and I long ago gave up going to them for my non-ebike bikes as I have never been happy with the service offered. I don't really want to hand over a shedload of cash to them and thus be dependent upon them to sort out an expensive Bosch. Plus, I like the idea of converting a bike. Seems more fun. Or maybe my circumstances mean that maybe a Bosch or Yamaha would make more sense in the longterm?

Sorry, I only came on here to ask if anyone knew of a step-through ladies bike that came in an XL size but have gone off on a rant.

Here's the Arriba in Germany. Too expensive and probably not right anyhow.

Focus ARRIBA 3.8 Lady | Women's Fitness Bike Shop

Buy ARRIBA 3.8 Lady at BEST PRICE ✓ Order Focus Women's Fitness Bike at Bike-Discount now! ➤ Focus Online Shop

www.bike-discount.de

Thanks for reading my rant - well, it is Friday night. If anyone has any advice to offer I would be grateful.



T.

 

[Benjahmin]

Have a look at the Woosh Santana. It's their spec for the larger person, they say up to 6'.

The Santana CD | Chain Drive Electric Bikes from Woosh | electric bike sales & hire

The Santana CD: chain drive step through electric bikes from Woosh with advanced 15AH or 17AH battery. Massive power.

wooshbikes.co.uk

 

[sjpt]

I thought Santana or Big Bear, but they are both only 44cm (17"). I quite like having a smallish frame but the OP says we was finding 19" too small.

 

[sjpt]

Warwick mentioned the Ortler Wien in another thread. https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/commuter-bike-ideas.35679/?view=date#post-520221

That has a 55cm (21.6") option on the step through, and looks good value at £1500. https://www.bikester.co.uk/ortler-wien-e-trekking-bike-wave-black-901080.html

Or if you are still thinking of conversion, the similar non electric one for £380 also has 55cm option.

Ortler deGoya Women black matte | Bikester.co.uk

Buy the Ortler deGoya Women black matte today at Bikester.co.uk ✓ Quick dispatch and delivery with free returns ✓ Find what you need with Bikester.co.uk

www.bikester.co.uk

 

[Woosh]

Or if you are still thinking of conversion, the similar non electric one for £380 also has 55cm option.

Nice bike, good price, very well equipped, straight tubes, would be suitable for a 48V TSDZ2 kit.

 

[HMG13]

Hi folks,

I am a 6 foot tall, 12.5 stone bloke who has been riding a 2007 Specialised Globe ladies step-through bike, with a rear rack for my pannier bags, as a shopping biker for several years. It is 49cm / 19 inches but I really could do with it being a good inch or two bigger in the seat tube and higher at the front. I have come to really enjoy the ability to step through the frame rather than lifting my leg over the bike when getting on / off.

It is knackered now as I use it every day and needs new front and rear cogs, chain, the works. I had considered upgrading all the parts but, because it is too small really, I have been looking for a replacement for about a year. There isn't one really. Most of the ladies bikes in the UK only go up to 19 inches. Cube sells a 54cm frame hybrid which I thought would be ideal but the Germans at Cube seem to have made them out of old panzer parts - they weigh a tonne!

I found a Focus Arriba which seems ideal. It comes in a 55 cm frame and is under 11Kgs on skinny tyres. But the tyres are probably too narrow for an ebike conversion, the bike is expensive at nearly £600 - goes against a cheap ebike conversion - and I can't find anyone who sells them in the UK. They seem to only be sold on mainland Europe. So that is going nowhere.

So I am looking for any advice for such a step-through bike in a 21 or 22 inch frame to be able to convert? I would like hydro discs I think for a conversion. Am I asking the impossible? Would the two sloping bars - downtube and toptube - be too close together to fit a battery between them? I suspect so. I don't want a rear rack battery as that would be where I would have my shopping. Too much weight on the back wheel.

I can get a Giant Escape Mens hybrid for £350 with hydraulic brakes. Not the step-through I want but maybe this is going to be the way to go.

I am thinking of using a Bafang mid-motor as the conversion. I live in Swansea and I have some really long steep hills and some really, really steep short sections in many of the hills on my route. I also cycle the sea-front which, in winter, is often a very strong headwind, lots of rain, puddles and lots and lots... and lots of sand blown onto the sea-front cycle path. I am concerned that a 250w Bafang mid motor will not cope with the Swansea hills, having noted that there are quite a few Swansea folk on here who talk about their 500w and 750w Bafang motors. (I am a tad concerned by the water also. ).But then anything more than 250w is illegal.

So I have been considering buying a Bosch but they are expensive in the LBS's and I long ago gave up going to them for my non-ebike bikes as I have never been happy with the service offered. I don't really want to hand over a shedload of cash to them and thus be dependent upon them to sort out an expensive Bosch. Plus, I like the idea of converting a bike. Seems more fun. Or maybe my circumstances mean that maybe a Bosch or Yamaha would make more sense in the longterm?

Sorry, I only came on here to ask if anyone knew of a step-through ladies bike that came in an XL size but have gone off on a rant.

Here's the Arriba in Germany. Too expensive and probably not right anyhow.

Focus ARRIBA 3.8 Lady | Women's Fitness Bike Shop

Buy ARRIBA 3.8 Lady at BEST PRICE ✓ Order Focus Women's Fitness Bike at Bike-Discount now! ➤ Focus Online Shop

www.bike-discount.de

Thanks for reading my rant - well, it is Friday night. If anyone has any advice to offer I would be grateful.



T.

That ARRIBA is gorgeous! Shame it's so heavy.
Might be worth considering front suspension though even if just for commuting. Due to the extra weight of the motor and battery I've found I'm always glad of it and opt to lock it in because the shocks feel more noticeable on bumpy roads/curbs/bumps etc - I have a hybrid/commuter too. That being said I'm sure plenty people don't find it an issue. Just thought I'd chip in my experience

 

[Tawse57]

That ARRIBA is gorgeous! Shame it's so heavy.
Might be worth considering front suspension though even if just for commuting. Due to the extra weight of the motor and battery I've found I'm always glad of it and opt to lock it in because the shocks feel more noticeable on bumpy roads/curbs/bumps etc - I have a hybrid/commuter too. That being said I'm sure plenty people don't find it an issue. Just thought I'd chip in my experience

It is gorgeous isn't it? I am surprised that you think it is heavy. It is just under 12 kilos which seems light for a hybrid. There is a video on youtube of a woman unboxing one - looks fabulous. But there is only the one etailer who will send it to the UK and they do not get good trustpilot reviews.

I was just about to post a new thread question about suspension. I was intending to get a rigid fork but do wonder whether a cheap suspension has benefits for an ebike? I see that most of the branded ready made ebikes come with suspension and not rigid forks.

 

[HMG13]

It is gorgeous isn't it? I am surprised that you think it is heavy. It is just under 12 kilos which seems light for a hybrid. There is a video on youtube of a woman unboxing one - looks fabulous. But there is only the one etailer who will send it to the UK and they do not get good trustpilot reviews.

I was just about to post a new thread question about suspension. I was intending to get a rigid fork but do wonder whether a cheap suspension has benefits for an ebike? I see that most of the branded ready made ebikes come with suspension and not rigid forks.

Oh, no you're right that isn't heavy at all - my mistake! I think I got my webpages mixed up. My hybrid is 13kg, under 12kg is definitely good.

Yeah I guess suspension and space for your battery in the frame are the main things to consider with a step through hybrid.
I have 35c tyres on my hybrid and they are very good. I don't think I'd want to go thinner though, just for peace of mind - and flexibility if I want to go off road. If you're like me, once you have a motor you'll be inclined to go everywhere and anywhere on it!
With regards to what motor to go for - I live in Bristol where it is also super hilly, and the 750w bafang is MORE than enough power to get me up hills. I still find it hard but that's due to health issues - I use it as a mobility aid at casual speeds, rather than for going fast but I was amazed at the torque and power it has, having never been on an ebike before this one.
A healthy person will find this an absolute breeze, no sweat.
I think if you're going to the trouble of doing a conversion - (which you're right btw - it is a lot of fun) it's worth making your effort worth your while and going for something you can't just buy in store so easily like a 250w.
500W could be perfect compromise - 36v battery instead of 48v is smaller and lighter. More discrete on the bike and might have a better chance fitting into a step through frame. Will get you up the hills much better than a 250w, it will be more fun - but not as illegal as the 750w. I mean, they both are but you know what I mean haha.