The better bicycle companies, that are driven by the needs of their customers (rather than a race-inspired marketing agenda) are already increasing production of step-thru frames, noting increasing sales to both men and women. When I bought my Rivendell Clem Smith Jr, I got it on clearance, because (per per phone call with their GM) "nobody was buying the H (high top tube) version. Their newer fillet brazed Hillibike line have all been low top tube from the beginning. Grant Petersen has published the breakdown of Riv Mixte sales by men versus women. I forget the number, but it's something like 70/30 (men being the smaller number). Velo Orange just introduced a step through version of their Polyvalent frame which is on pre-order. So this isn't just a quirk of Rivendell. The truth is, gender specific frames are a relic from when dresses were the only acceptable garb for women. If you want the best combination of low weight versus strength, sure a high top tube makes sense regardless of frame material. But if you like to carry stuff, or just be comfortable, low top tube makes so much sense. For every day use, I'm liking the idea of a step through, and kind of wish I went for the Clem "L" (to be fair, it was out of stock when I bought the "H").
And if anyone is worried about perception, I say this: If someone is insecure enough about his masculinity to have feelings about what another man rides, well that's his problem. Should anyone care what someone like that thinks anyway? Then again, when I rode motorbikes, I had a Sportster for 16 years. It's what I had cash for at the time, and satisfied my requirements. Some of those Harley types aren't shy about giving a stranger a ribbing about his "girls bike". So I've already had time to work that out.
.
