Men’s bikes
…are bikes “with a bar”
You reached this page because you searched for “men’s bikes”. Many use “men’s bike” as a synonym for bikes “with a bar—more precisely, a top tube. Modern terms like high-step or stepover better describe the frame style. These labels focus on the actual distinction: It’s all about how you mount the bike and what you prefer aesthetically. Whatever you call them, we’re here to help you find the perfect bike for your needs.
Almost our entire range of bikes comes in multiple frame styles. Our newest e-bikes can flexibly transform from stepover to lowstep and back. Those bkes turn the «bar» into a multifunctional modular accessory bar to carry some of your stuff.
Why do «men’s bikes» have a «bar»?
To clarify: This «bar» is not a bar, but the top tube. Its original purpose was stability.Vorneweg: Diese «Stange» ist keine Stange, sondern das Oberrohr. Together with the down tube and seat tube, the top tube creates a triangular structure—the most stable geometric form. At identical weight, triangular frames are stiffer and more robust, and at identical stability, they are lighter than other frame style.
Things have changed in the past 130 years. While modern lowstep and midstep frames from Diamant are just as stable as our stepover frames, they are only up to 200g heavier, thanks to advanced engineering. Today, only two reasons merit the existence of a top tube: Some people prefer the classic look, and some people appreciate a top tube to attach some accessories.
What are the differences between stepover, midstep, and lowstep bikes?
If you ride a stepover bike, you can attach accessories to it. Some bikes come with dedicated mounting bolts pre-installed. On midstep bikes, you might lose mounting points at the seat tube. Lowstep riders tend to not carry anything in their (virtual) frame triangle since that would obstruct the comfortable step-through space.
Regardless of frame style, Diamant uses consistent unisex geometry. If it’s a bike in size L, you’ll be sitting as upright or stretched and you’ll be riding as sportive or dynamic, be it a stepover or a lowstep.
These differences used to be larger. (Unfortunately, some manufacturers still design inconsistent geometries.) Lowstep bikes used to have longer headtubes. Sometimes, manufacturers would even recommend different weight limits. On modern premium bikes, that’s a thing of the past.
Some subtle differences remain. Some top tubes slope generously, i.e. they intersect the headtube at a much higher position than the seat tube. Then, the seat tube needs to resist more force. Additional material compensates for the increased load. On lowstep bikes, these forces move to the bottom bracket. While lowstep bikes used to feel a little bit soft, we now have mastered this engineering challenge. A little more material at the right location creates the same stability – that weight penalty never exceeds 200g.
Are stepover bikes lighter, faster, or more robust?
Yes, stepover bikes tend to save some weight. Depending on the bike, the difference might be 50g or 200g. In any case, that’s less than 1% of the total weight of a bike.
Yes and no, stepover bikes may be a bit faster, but it might also be the other way around. While ride dynamics and rolling resistance do not change, aerodynamic properties inevitably do change. We are not aware of any systematic review to quantify direction and magnitude of this effect.
No, at normal use, all frames are identically robust. We design all our bikes for the same maximum weight limit across all frame styles.
Do men and women need different frame styles?
This is a crystal-clear statement: no. Arguably there are anatomical differences between men and women. However, there are just as many differences between men and other men. Modern bikes, including ours, feature unisex geometry and adjustable components with ergonomic options to fit more than just some body, but every body.
Are their lowstep bikes specifically for men?
Diamant does not offer such bikes. We understand the possibilities of ergonomically adjustable components. Some manufacturers do offer frames tailored to women that come pre-installed with saddle for female anatomy and lighter suspension forks congruent with lower body weights. That can make sense in performance-oriented bikes. We follow a unisex strategy across our entire lineup.
What are the wheel sizes for men’s bikes?
Historically, «women’s bikes» featured 26” wheels, while «men’s bikes» came with 28” wheels. This distinction no longer applies. We would only equip 26” wheels on very small frame sizes for very short riders. Instead, we use 27.5” rims on all our e-bikes and even on some of our bikes without a motor. On these bikes, we use wider and voluminous tires.
We learned from mountainbikes: wide, high-volume tires need less tire pressure, but offer additional comfort, traction, and safety, especially on e-bikes. They are more widespread on e-bikes because they are heavier. When you ride your bike without a motor into rough terrain, they might still offer benefits to riders. Our newest platforms offer additional clearance to make a conscious choice.
Did Diamant invent the Diamond frame?
Originally, stepover frames were also known as «diamond frames» in some languages, as the traditional frame, made up of two triangles, had a geometric form resembling a diamond. Later, “men’s bikes” became the more popular label, as manufacturers tried to advertise the freshly invented lowstep bikes as the preferred choice for women (wearing skirts). The “diamond” frame never disappeared entirely though. In any case, the “diamond frame» predates the Diamant bike brand. In fact, our name derives from a steel alloy, not the frame style. The similar label is pure coincidence.
Every Diamant bike is and is not a men’s bike
«Men’s bike» is a wrong term. Historically, it might have had some significance, but it is outdates. Our bikes are unisex. Sure: We do observe more interest in colorful designs in our bikes with midstep and lowstep, and we do offer additional options in response. Nonetheless, these bikes are simply bikes with a more comfortable stepthrough.
People are different. Small adjustments can make a world of difference if a bike doesn’t fit properly on the first test ride. Visit your local Diamant dealer to ensure your bike is perfectly tuned to your very personal needs.