Step-Thru vs. Traditional Frame E-Bikes: Which is Right for You?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | March 2, 2025 | Time to read 3 min
Stepping through the bike or swinging your leg over the frame— how do you want to hop on your electric bike? And there are a few more things to consider, too.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Types of bike frames
Step thru frames
Step over frames
Mid-step frames
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Step-through vs. traditional frames
There are several advantages that could help you choose a step through e-Bike. They are easier to mount because you don’t have to lift your leg as high or swing it over the saddle. The low crossbar makes it comfortable to dismount or straddle the bike when making frequent stops in traffic or supporting a bike loaded with cargo.
Traditional or step-over models are great as long as you have the mobility to comfortably lift your leg high enough. The closed frame also allows performance bikes to achieve the exact riding characteristics desired, including efficiency and durability. The frame shape may also offer more places to lock up the frame or attach it to a standard trunk bike rack for transport.
Step-thru bike myths
- Step-thru frames are only for women: The step-thru design was popularized in the late 1800s because it allowed women to comfortably ride bikes in long dresses, but that origin story is irrelevant for today’s bikes. I think all bikes are unisex (and most brands agree) and step-thru frames can be a great choice for any rider, from beach cruisers to step-thru commuters and cargo bikes.
- Step-thru frames are less stiff: Some cyclists may claim that step-thru frames are less stiff or feel more “flexy”— after all, there’s no top tube to strengthen the main frame triangle. That may have been the case with the first step-thru bikes that were made from weaker metals and less advanced tube shapes (a long time ago), but you won’t notice a difference on modern frames.
Key Takeaways
- Step-through frames deliver accessibility and convenience: They are easier to mount and dismount, making them ideal for riders with mobility concerns, frequent stop-and-go riding, or carrying cargo.
- Step-over (traditional) frames offer performance and durability: The closed-triangle design enhances structural integrity, making them better suited for high-performance riding, such as road and mountain biking.
- Step-through bikes are for everyone: While historically associated with women’s bikes, step-through frames are unisex and just as sturdy as step-over models, thanks to advancements in materials and engineering.
