Show us your mixte!

[sandra]

No, I have two very small terrible bike shops. One is very willing to help but the girl that is the main mechanic is very young and inexperienced. She told me I had an unusual stem size when in fact I had the standard 1". The other bike shop owner/mechanic is excellent, but I don't care for his personality. It feels like "what are you doing in my store :mad:?" when I walk in. I went there looking for a seatpost and he wanted to sell me just what he had and told me "I was not going to have a lot of choice!". (Well, of course I don't in town, but I have lots of choices on the internet". He's very gruff.

Most of what I've done with the one mixte (or other bikes), I ordered from Rivendell (Nitto stem and albatross bars.)

The one I need to work on now does not fit me well. I want an upright position and can pretty well figure out the stem and handlebars, but I need a longer seatpost for sure with the most setback I can find since the bike is a tad small.

[sandra]

I want this Kalloy UNO 374 - notable for it's generous setback (http://www.wallbike.com/components.html)but I need a 26.4 and it is ALWAYS sold out.

[xeney]

Is it this one (http://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID=49&action=details&sku=ST6227)? I think Harris will order that for you. My LBS is really good about ordering these kind of parts for me but I have also found that Harris will generally do it. I would contact them.

[KnottedYet]

Sandra, I'm so sorry you have cr@ppy LBS selection near you!

[sandra]

Xeney, that could be the same one. It's hard to tell because the number is different. I can call and talk to them though. Thank you.

Knotted you are sweet. It is disappointing, but it doesn't slow me down. It just makes it more of a challenge. Check out our selection of bikes on Craigslist (http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/bik/)here. You can see why I shop ebay!

[KnottedYet]

My my, what an extensive selection you have there! :eek:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'll be getting a Thomson seatpost with additional setback on my custom bike. Not quite sure sure which one yet, but one of these:
http://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID=49&action=model&Category=185&Brand=425&type=T

Sandra- why don't you just sell the bike that is a bit too small for you rather than spending more money on it trying to make it fit? :confused:

[divingbiker]

I am so pathetic when it comes to red bikes, especially mixtes. Today I saw this bike on Craigslist for $100--the headline said "sparkly red", and that was what set me off--and e-mailed the seller about it. I don't really need another mixte, and the timing probably won't work out because I'm leaving town tomorrow and he needs to drum up rent money, but it looks so sweet! Oh well, we'll see if it's still available next Thursday when I get back to town...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/bike%20photos/redmixtecraigslist.jpg

Well, I'm happy to report that there are limits to my lust for red bikes. I went to check this one out today, and it is hardly in the "very good" condition as advertised. Lots of paint was scraped off and there were rust spots. And it wasn't a pretty red--more like brownish red.

So no go. Whew!

[sandra]

Sandra- why don't you just sell the bike that is a bit too small for you rather than spending more money on it trying to make it fit? :confused:

Several reasons:
It's hard to sell bikes locally. There's not much market.
It's beautiful and in mint condition.
It rides the smoothest and the best of all my mixtes.
Mostly just because I love it.

But, I will probably put it on ebay or sell it here. You are right. I shouldn't put more money into it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Do you have any nieces or friends that are smaller than you who might love it?

Or try selling it for cash on Craigslist near you so you won't have to ship it?

Donate it to a worthy cause?

[sandra]

My only niece is bigger than I am. ;) and she does not care one bit about bikes. I don't know of anyone that rides that would LOVE the bike. The bike deserves a wonderful home and rider. It is not just any ole bike. Not everyone would appreciate a vintage bike in mint condition.

I'd rather ship it than just donate it to any ole person, if that makes any sense.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My only niece is bigger than I am. ;) and she does not care one bit about bikes. I don't know of anyone that rides that would LOVE the bike. The bike deserves a wonderful home and rider. It is not just any ole bike. Not everyone would appreciate a vintage bike in mint condition.

I'd rather ship it than just donate it to any ole person, if that makes any sense.

I see what you mean. Did you hopefully save a shipping box and packing materials from one of your bike purchases?
Well one good thing is that if you go to sell it, you can specify the height limit of the person who buys it. If I were looking to buy a mixte, I'd really like knowing a factoid like that.

[Xrayted]

Lisa - I put a Thompson Elite on my road bike this year. I had to get one with zero setback because I have short femurs and I wasn't able to get the best stroke on the pedals. Thompson makes zero setback posts for a good price, so I bought it. Anyway... I like the post overall but I did have a hard time adjusting it when I first got it. I felt like I needed another hand to keep everything where I wanted it while I was tightening things up. Mine is like this (http://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID=49&action=details&sku=ST7386) in black. It has bolts in the front and back, not the sides. So when you tighten one down, it tips the seat that way and when you tighten the other one down, it tips the other way. It's like a seesaw until you get it tight enough where it will stay where you want it. Of course, you have to watch and make sure it doesn't wander front or back too at the same time. With my old post, I could hold the seat with one hand and tighten it down with the other and go zoom. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't. If you can go play with one at your LBS before you buy it, that would be my suggestion. :)
A friend at work has a Bontrager X Lite and it's sweet. One bolt straight out the side, very easy and fast to adjust. It's carbon but I don't remember if you are getting a steel bike or what this time.

Sandra - so you say you have a smaller mixte you may want to sell? I have a 29" inseam. I'm just sayin'... :rolleyes: :D

[sandra]

I do have a box and I've had enough bikes shipped to me that I think I now know how to pack them myself.

Yes, sigh...I'm 5' 5" and I have a mixte that is just a little bit small. I think I could make it work, but since I also have two more (ahem), I probably shouldn't put more money into it. It is beautiful and rides smooth. How tall are you Xrayted?

[sandra]

Doesn't it look like I need to sell one? :eek:

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/IMG_0396.jpg

[Xrayted]

Shoot! I'm 5'6" overall. Longer torso, shorter legs. :( I say post it here and see what happens. It costs nothing to advertise here and you know we all love bikes. :D

[sandra]

It would probably work for you. My inseam is at least 30" but I just can't sell it YET. I love it. Maybe this spring.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Doesn't it look like I need to sell one? :eek:


No....because isn't one of those in the photo your husband's anyway?? :rolleyes:

X- thanks for that seatpost tip. I will pass it on to my DH who is a whizz at comparing bike parts- he's my bike guru. This info is very good to know. I will check around for more info on that.
Yes I have long femurs and so I do need a further back seat than usual. My new bike will also be steel (TIG welded, not lugged), with a carbon fork- but I don't want a carbon seatpost fer shur....way too scary for me on those rocky roads I ride! :eek:

Interesting comparing inseams....
X is 5'6" with a 29" inseam.
Sandra is 5'5" with a 30" or so inseam.
I am 5'5 1/2" with a 32" inseam.
So...even though X is a half inch taller than me, my legs are 3" longer! :eek:
No wonder women have so much trouble getting bikes that fit well! ;)


P.S. Sandra....don't ever change your avatar- I still crack up every time I see it. It's too much! :-D

[sandra]

P.S. Sandra....don't ever change your avatar- I still crack up every time I see it. It's too much! :-D

<------ :eek: Ok, but I may have a better one sometime.

yes, one mixte, the gold Legnano, is DH's. He loves it. I'm thinking of putting the mustache bars on it for him that Knotted talks about in the other thread. They are only $20 right now at Nashbar!!! He looked at them and likes them.

So, that only leaves 2 mixtes for me. :) :cool:

I need to measure my inseam. It is 30 or 31. I'm not really sure.

[Xrayted]

I think the moooostache bars are cool. However, I like the ones on xeney's bike better. Depending on the reach, I'd go for those in a heartbeat.
Sandra - is it the one green one with the drop bars in the back row? ooooh, purrrty! (don't tell Kit I'm still looking at mixtes, k? :o :p)

[sandra]

yep, the teal Raleigh with the drop bars. It still has the original foam grip. It is a beauty.

[KnottedYet]

x- you could put a set of Bullhorn bars on it like Xeney's.... mmmmm!

[xeney]

Sandra, two mixtes is NOT too many. (I have four, but two will eventually be given away, I swear.) You need one for going fast(ish) and one for running errands. One with upright bars and one with drop bars or similar. Maybe one with gears, one without? Although now we're talking crazy talk.

My husband said I should warn you if you use a Brooks saddle that a women's Brooks with that Kalloy post still winds up with almost no adjustability, because the clamp is almost as big as the usable part of the rails. And a men's Brooks isn't much better.

[sandra]

I have the men's B17 on there right now with no problem. Xeney, those are just my mixtes. I also have a road bike. :rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My husband said I should warn you if you use a Brooks saddle that a women's Brooks with that Kalloy post still winds up with almost no adjustability, because the clamp is almost as big as the usable part of the rails. And a men's Brooks isn't much better.

I've had both, and I would venture to say that the women's Brooks (S models) have only about an inch of fore/aft leeway on the clamp, whereas the men's versions (looking at my B68 and DH's B17) have about 2 1/2" of front/back adjustability. To me that's a lot more. It got my saddle back a whole 'nother inch and a half.

[KnottedYet]

the clamp on my Ritchey post is pretty dainty (on my Waterford). I wonder if it would give you more adjustability than the Kalloy clamp, just because of its size? It has a pretty nice set-back, too. I don't know what model it is, but I know it gives me a lot more room on the B67 rails than the seatpost (dunno what kind it is) on my Surly.

[xeney]

Yeah, it's the Brooks plus the Kalloy clamp specifically that is the problem. The women's is pretty much locked in place -- the size of the clamp is about the same as the amount of adjustment you get on the saddle. The men's (we have a B72 and a Team Pro) just have a tiny bit of wiggle room.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

DH and I both have Nitto Crystal seatposts i believe. Here is a photo of one with a typical men's Brooks B17 on it- you can see there is some substancial adjustment room:
http://www.pbase.com/rjnbiker/image/72020280

[KnottedYet]

That Nitto Crystal looks a lot like my Ritchey. Lots of wiggle room! :D

[xeney]

Beautiful post. Won't work on most of these bikes, though, because of the diameter.

[sandra]

Two mixte's on ebay with no bids!

A Schwinn (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180202691830&ssPageName=ADME:B:DBS:US:1123) and a Raleigh. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320202492806&ssPageName=ADME:B:DBS:US:1123)

I have that same Raleigh in mint condition that I may have to sell because it is too small. I don't believe they will ever get that much for it though.

[sandra]

Mixte alert. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110212630468&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mixte alert. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110212630468&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) :D

I'm not familiar with the bike and it might be quite nice for all I know, but....

I rode on a gigantic foam saddle just like that last summer when I borrowed a friend's bike for a two hour ride with them. She told me "Oh you're going to LOVE this saddle, it's like riding on a pillow!"
After 30 minutes my butt and hip joints were hurting. After an hour I was in big pain everywhere. After an hour and a half my pain was excruciating and i had to try to stand up for the rest of the ride. When i got back I could hardly walk from the pain and my entire rear was tingly and going numb. :eek: Never again! :(

[sandra]

Lisa, I know! Our old Giant hybrids that we got at the bike shop had similar saddles. At the time, the bike shop convinced us to swap out the saddles for those big, padded things. I never did like it, but didn't know any better until I joined this forum.

Brooks babe!

[HillSlugger]

Check out this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ASTRA-BELLE-DE-PARIS-FRANCE-WOMENS-ROAD-BIKE_W0QQitemZ230210007871QQihZ013QQcategoryZ98084QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)! I've never seen one quite like it.

[sandra]

I saw that one the other day. Very interesting, but I'd be scared of it because of the French threading.

[HillSlugger]

I saw that one the other day. Very interesting, but I'd be scared of it because of the French threading.

It caught my eye because it's not the classic mixte design, but I don't really like its lines. I love the classic mixte lines!

[Stronglight99]

Lisa DH, mixte fit deserves some discussion. I'm an old fossil that got my first mixte touring bike over 30 years ago, so I have a few opinions! Any mixte will fit you if you're a little too big for the bike (slide the seat back, use a different stem). However, short folks can be fit-challenged on mixtes. In particular, many old european mixtes are just plain dangerous for most women...they were made with long equivalent top-tubes, long-reach stems and long-reach drop bars. "Suicide levers" were added to brake on the tops because women could not reach the brake levers on the drop bars. Owners of these bikes should replace the stem, bars and brake levers with woman-sized parts as a safety improvement.

I have *very* long legs for my height (5'2", 32" of leg) so I have a significant fit problem. Back in the mid-70s, I bought a Japanese 19" mixte with a 20.5" equivalent top tube, and a very long head-tube. The bike shop installed a 5mm reach SR stem. With this setup I can barely reach the drops, but it fit me well enough for twenty years of happy bike touring. About ten years ago the bike died of old age, and I had a long search to find its replacement. I learned a lot about mixte bike fit in the process. I abandoned drop bars, and instead use a nitto B-601 or porteur bars and it solves the reach problem. I still need a long headtube to get the handlebars high enough to match the long legs. I use a men's B-17 and a long seat-stem for the long legs.
Women shouldn't worry about toe-clip overlap on a mixte. That was a big deal in the old days when guys used large-size toe clips over clown shoes, and 27" wheels with fenders.

By the way, use centerpull or cantilever brakes on these bikes, never use sidepulls unless you have a death wish. On a mixte, the rear centerpull is properly placed underneath the mixte stays behind the seat-tube, and the cable routes between the mixte stays. If you can afford it, put cantis on the front. This together with replacement of the original drops/stems/levers will make a radical improvement in most old mixtes.

[ol'Gimpy]

Wow, OK, this is pretty cool........

Tomorrow I am going to trade a couple of road bikes(Bridgestone and Miyata) and some parts for a real nice Centurion Mixte that has been single speedified. So I was Googlin' to see if I could find what other people have been doing with Mixte frames. I came across an entire thread of actual women interested in actual cool old bikes!!!! Wow!!! I am impressed. Here where I live it's rare to find anyone interested in cool old bikes, much less smart cool women buying and fixing up old mixte bikes!

Very cool. Now if ladies like you only lived in my town...... Houston Tx is a lonely place for a cyclist who doesn't do spandex, and is not impressed by robot welded, aluminum framed, new fangled Star Trek Taiwan junkers at the shops.

I have an old lugged steel, Japan built Peugeot ATB in a smaller size and tomorrow I will have the Centurion mixte in the hopes of meeting a lady who will ride them, and uh, put up with me at least long enough for the ride......haha.....

Anyway, considering the status quo here in H-Town, it is quite refreshing to find this post. Keep it up ladies!! You are definitely the exception!

[Zen]

actual women interested in actual cool old bikes!!!! Wow!!! I am impressed. Here where I live it's rare to find anyone interested in cool old bikes, much less smart cool women buying and fixing up old mixte bikes!



actual women.
imagine that.

[mimitabby]

teehee

[Trek420]

teehee

As opposed to fake women? Real Women ride mixtes ;)

[sandra]

I'm busted.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm busted.

And your arms are long, too. ;)

[ol'Gimpy]

I got it. The bike is really nice. Very nicely handbuilt Japanese frameset. This frame must be one of the nicest mixte frames ever available. It is fairly well appointed as is, but I will be making some changes to get it where I want it. It's getting a quick realease seatpost bolt so that I can ride it most of the time, and then lower the seat for visitors.

I'll post a pic or two pretty soon.

I'm thinking that I will set it up as follows:

rear rack with nice pretty wicker basket from the thrift store, nice matching wicker handlebar basket, springer seat, semi-flat bars with nice old cold forged dirt drop type stem(or Nitto Dove bars if I decide to spend more money on this bike), BMX platform pedals, leave it as a single speed.

Basically a very nice picnic or grocery bike. Either that or I could leave it as a totally stripped down single speed.

So what do you ladies think? Yes I will post a pic soon......

Oh yeah, that's exactly what I meant.....actual ladies as opposed to fake ladies. I live in the land of silicone and cadillacs...well Escalades anyway. Actual vs. fake is real here. There actually[U[/U] lots of cool people here, but still not many doing the old bike thing, and yes especially not ladies. AMybe I can change that one person/bike at a time. Been trying for years. I gave away two great old bikes last week.

[Trek420]

Hmmm, mustache bars, Nitto stem, BMX pedals, single speed .... like this?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19096

olGimpy, sounds like it'll be a great bike. We want pictures, and the ride report.

[ol'Gimpy]

Very similar idea. Believe it or not, I think this Centurion is even a little nicer frame that that nice Motobecane! I really like the way the moustache bars look on that bike, but I dont' think I will use them. I will probably go with a dirt drop stem and an oldschool semi-flat ATB bar, or even with a fully upright bar like the Nitto Dove. But yeah, that bike is very similar to what I will prolly do. I'm really happy about this one. Such an unusual bike. I rode it just a little today and it's real nice. The randoneur bars that are on it kinda make it a little sketchy though. Those come off this week. I'll prolly get it finished this week, with the exception of the rear rack and basket.

This must be my 100th build by now, but I think it will be one of the coolest.

[sandra]

Ok, well, let's see a picture of it already!

[Trek420]

Believe it or not, I think this Centurion is even a little nicer frame that that nice Motobecane!

Well. The Motobecane is not a terrific frame nor made of the best steel. But it's a sweet ride and a very puhrty bike.

Let's see the Centurion already :cool:

[ol'Gimpy]

Sorry no pic yet. I'm almost done with the bike, and bought a digicam online last night. The kid broke the other camera.

The bike is sweet. It is a permanent part of the stable.

What other cool old bikes have you ladies got? I have:

4 lugged Splined Triple Butted Miyata Forerunners, 1 built as a killer cyclocross, the other 3 frames in the closet waiting......

1 lugged STB Team Miyata road frame, was my uncle's prior to his passing
1 lugged STBTeam Miyata Mountain bike, ditto
1 lugged Peugeot Canyon Express ATB with all high end 1985 parts
1 lugged Peugeot City Express ATB in a small size, soon to be finished
1 fully tricked out BMX/ATB/Road rigged lugged TREK 870 from 1988. So rad that it's unreal. I'm so good!!! hahaha
1 Super sweet large Centurion Mixte single speed set up for grocery getting and cruising
1 Robinson Pro BMX 20" that my little boy rides
1 Specialized BMX that my older boy rides
1 more Robinson in the garage

I give away bikes alot to get people/friends riding, trade some, sell some on craigslist, donate some to our local bike co-op youth program. Bikes are beautiful. This is the whole list now, after closing down my home based side job bike shop after getting my stuff back together post divorce. I had up to 40 at one time when I needed a second income source. She and I get along OK, now,.... She didn't like bikes, skateboarding, concerts, art museums, good restaurants, my gourmet cooking, uh, or anything else about me...hehehe, oh well, I like me.

[Trek420]

Today I dropped by the LBS to have Chris take a look at the new/old Giant. Chris said to watch this space in the next couple'a months (yeah, this is way early). He's rebuilding a mixte for a customer. He says it's a Schwinn Paramount, repainted all original logos but in buttercup yellow, with red pinstripes.

Chris if your client is lurking here Show us your mixte!

[mkidd]

On craig's list. I'm still looking for a road bike, but saw this green schwinn that was tempting after reading and seeing pics of your mixtes:

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bik/596620210.html

It's a little too far for me to get it or check it out, but looks like it's in good shape.

[uforgot]

On craig's list. I'm still looking for a road bike, but saw this green schwinn that was tempting after reading and seeing pics of your mixtes:

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bik/596620210.html

It's a little too far for me to get it or check it out, but looks like it's in good shape.

Cute bike, but this one isn't a mixte. Mixtes have 3 stays in the back. I had a Schwinn Suburban and while it wasn't a mixte, it certainly was fun. Biggest drawback to these Schwinns is that they are really really heavy! If you want a mixte keep looking. They are out there and most of the time they aren't called mixtes. I found a Nishiki for $40 and love it. Took awhile, but I finally found her. Good luck on your search!

[Zen]

Kidd here's Sheldon's(R.I.P) explanation/definition of a mixte-
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_m.html#mixte

[HillSlugger]

Here's a three speed (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/596565879.html) out in Virginia. $30!

[uforgot]

Kidd here's Sheldon's(R.I.P) explanation/definition of a mixte-
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_m.html#mixte

And when are we going to see a picture of YOUR new mixte zen???

[Zen]

When I take it out of the box :D
It just got here this AM (but you've seen it before ;))


Here's a three speed (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/596565879.html) out in Virginia. $30!
And it's hardy ridden

[forestra]

I have a question that has been bothering me, and I apologize if I am sounding a little ignorant,..but...how is "Mixte" pronounced? Is it just "mix" or
"Mix-tay" or "Mix-tee" or..?

I didn't even know there was such bike until this forum and now I'm seeing them all over the place!!



Thanks!
Forestra

[KnottedYet]

In the proper French, the "e" isn't pronounced. (it's kinda like "meeekst")

In the improper English, I usually hear it as "miksteee."

I say "mikstee." (but then I also say "pan-yer" for pannier)

[Wahine]

Wow Zen. That's very exciting.

I shouldn't come to this thread. I already have 3 bikes.

[Zen]

and I'm in a spot of bother. i can't get the stem (with handlebars and cables all attached) high enough over the headset to drop it in. It won't angle in either, at least not the way I'm doing it.

What am I doing wrong?

[VeloVT]

Forgive me, I've only read the last page of this thread, so I might be missing something...

But I'm assuming it's a quill stem...

Can you just unbolt the handlebar from the stem (I can't remember what the handlebar/stem attachment looks like on quills), get the stem all settled in and cozy (with the handlebars hanging down on the cables and maybe resting on the front wheel), then reattach the handlebars???

yeah I just googled quill stems. it looks like the usual steel ones have a bolt underneath the bar you can loosen to remove the bar.

[Zen]

Now how do I lock it at the desired height?

Oh Google, you've done it again
http://www.ehow.com/how_14189_install-quill-stem.html

[VeloVT]

I think there should be a bolt on the very top of the stem (where the "leg" of the 7 meets the "arm"). I'll let Sheldon take it from here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html

(you have to scroll down a little but not much)...

I've never worked on quill stems but I've been doing a lot of installing and removing handlebars with threadless setups lately. Same idea...

Removing brifters is a pain!!!!

[sandra]

Because we didn't remove the brakes, it was a little close and tight. We had the same issue taking the stem out, but IT CAN BE DONE. :) I'm guessing you got it all figured out while I was sleeping. She's a beauty, isn't she!!!

[sandra]

Liza, that link is great. I did NOT realize you could get a stem TOO low. Of course I never have had a problem wanting them lower. Only higher.

[uforgot]

Here's a mixte (http://cgi.ebay.com/Centurion-Le-Mans-Mixte-Rivendell-Bridgestone-wanabee_W0QQitemZ220210682324QQihZ012QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on ebay. Already has a basket and a Brooks saddle. Only $50 shipping.

[sandra]

drool....that is a beautiful bike. But wait, I already have two beautiful mixtes and just sold the third. I don't need another one.

It will be interesting to see what that one ends up going for.

[uforgot]

drool....that is a beautiful bike. But wait, I already have two beautiful mixtes and just sold the third. I don't need another one.

It will be interesting to see what that one ends up going for.

I like it too! Wonder if the bride would want to ride it to the reception? Better yet, you and Billy ride mixtes to the reception. If she doesn't want me to choreograph a wedding dance, then you can embarrass her this way!

[Beane]

Here's a mixte (http://cgi.ebay.com/Centurion-Le-Mans-Mixte-Rivendell-Bridgestone-wanabee_W0QQitemZ220210682324QQihZ012QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) on ebay. Already has a basket and a Brooks saddle. Only $50 shipping.

OOOOOOH! So nice, and I wouldnt even have to pay shipping! It's almost too nice-- there wouldn't be any restoring/parts swapping out to do.

I'm almost positive that the guy selling it is a mechanic at one of our LBSs and also races cross.

[uforgot]

OOOOOOH! So nice, and I wouldnt even have to pay shipping! It's almost too nice-- there wouldn't be any restoring/parts swapping out to do.

I'm almost positive that the guy selling it is a mechanic at one of our LBSs and also races cross.

We'll cheer you on!

[Beane]

help TE friends! what do you all think this mixte is worth? thanks!

http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/618221929.html

[sandra]

It all depends on how scarce mixtes are in your area. If it is in excellent shape, it may be worth that, especially if you can pick it up with no shipping involved. I'd probably offer $100 just to see though.

[jellybiscuit]

This is an earlier Record Ace and is a pretty low-end bike. I'd say no more than $100 - but it really depends on availability and how you feel about the bike.

The later Record Ace was a high-end bike, but this isn't one of those...

[GLC1968]

Hey Mixte lovers!

I've always drooled over the mixte frames, but never had good reason to buy one. Well, now I need a short distance commuter/around town bike that I can leave in the rain (for short periods if necessary). I was going to convert my 1986 Miyata diamond frame, but the costs were going up (apparently, I have expensive tastes!).

I just found this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/618237274.html

I emailed the seller and it's a girl whom I'm guessing is in college. From our email exchange, it's obvious that she has NO idea about bikes at all. Is this a steal, or can you even tell from what little information is here? She did say that the bike is rideable in it's current condition, so that's a start, right?

I'm going over to see it tomorrow night, but I wanted a better idea of what I should look for from the more informed TE women. :) I guess for $30, it really shouldn't matter what shape it's in, right?

My goal is a somewhat upright 'around town' bike with fenders, a rack, a front basket and fairly 'rain proof' features (saddle, grips, etc). Gearing is unimportant as the area I'll be riding it in is quite flat and I have other bikes to accomodate longer, hillyer rides. I don't want to spend much as I won't be using the bike much except in the next 6 months (before we move to the boonies).

Thanks!

[sandra]

Might be a great deal, I'd go check it out. But, are you really short? That bike looks really tiny. It may be the angle of the photo too.

[GLC1968]

Sandra - I'm 5'4", but my inseam is just under 29...so yes, I'm pretty short!

(It does look tiny, doesn't it? Hopefully, it's not *that* small!)

[sandra]

I'd email and ask her to give you the measurement from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube. That will give you an idea.

[KnottedYet]

From what I can see of the red bike on Craigs, it's not a mixte.

A mixte has two "top" tubes that go from the head tube to the back wheel. From what I could see in the pics, that Craigs bike has only one.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

From what I can see of the red bike on Craigs, it's not a mixte.

It also looks like maybe someone painted it red by hand with a brush.

[GLC1968]

Knot - I read at Harris Cyclery that any bike with 3 rear stays would be considered a mixte. Apparently, there were some models that used a solid top tube.

It's likely that if I keep this bike long term, I'll have the frame stripped and repainted/powder-coated if it looks crappy, so I'm not too worried about the paint job. I just hope the frame is in decent shape. There does appear to be some corrosion on the shifters and stem, so who knows.

I wish she was around for me to see it TONIGHT! I'm so impatient! :p

[GLC1968]

Ok, found another possiblity that is local. There are SO many bicycle postings on Craigslist every day here that I had to comb through a lot of posts to see one from just a few days ago!

This one looks to be nicer and at least I know the maker:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/616086655.html

Of course, it's more expensive, but I bet I can talk her down a bit. I'm going to try and see this one tonight. :D

[uforgot]

Have to throw in my 2 cents here. I had a Schwinn and was it ever heavy! Heaviest bike I have ever owned to date. The red one is $30??? Definitely worth that. And it is a mixte. We have had this discussion before. It's the seat stays, not the top tube that determines whether or not it's a mixte.

From Sheldon Brown himself:

Mixte
A style of lady's frame in which the "top tube" consists of a pair of small diameter tubes running more-or-less straight from the upper head lug, past the seat tube, and on to the rear fork ends. A mixte frame thus has 3 sets of rear stays, instead of the usual two. A variant on the mixte uses a single, full sized top tube running from the upper head tube to the seat tube, but retains the middle set of stays. A lady's type bike that lacks the middle pair of stays is not a mixte.

[KnottedYet]

Cool, I didn't know that!

I humbly stand corrected, hat in hand and head bowed.
:D

[Trek420]

All hail the all wise and knowing Sheldon Brown. May he rest in peace. :o

[uforgot]

Yup, I have learned so much from Sheldon. He will be missed.

On the other hand, I have also learned a lot from Knotted. Her reviews are dead on and more than once have been pretty costly to me!:D

[Blueberry]

Drool....

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/617575004.html

[KnottedYet]

Drool....

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/617575004.html

Oh, baby..... :eek:

[Trek420]

Yup, I have learned so much from Sheldon. He will be missed.

On the other hand, I have also learned a lot from Knotted. Her reviews are dead on and more than once have been pretty costly to me!:D

That's my gal. :) Doing all she can to strengthen our economy :D

[DebW]

Have to throw in my 2 cents here. I had a Schwinn and was it ever heavy! Heaviest bike I have ever owned to date.

When I sold Raleighs in the 1970s, we had a joke that when a customer would come in the shop and ask if we carried Schwinns, we'd reply "No, we don't carry Schwinns. They're too heavy to carry." Apologies offered to Schwinn owners everywhere.

[GLC1968]

Talk about DROOL!!

gorgeous mixte on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/49cm-Vintage-MIXTE-12-Speed-Road-Bike-Carbon-Ruby_W0QQitemZ160221661239QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It's way more than I want to spend...and it's way too nice for what I want it for, but man, it's purty! :)


I'm going to see both bikes tonight. I'm not too worried about weight of the Schwinn as this bike is just going to be for 'around town' AND if a heavier bike gives me a bit more of a workout, all the better! :p I am going to try to see the red bike first though, and if it's functioning, I might just stick with it.

[Tri Girl]

Talk about DROOL!!

It's way more than I want to spend...and it's way too nice for what I want it for, but man, it's purty! :)


Whoot woo that's one sweet bike!


Good luck with the bikes. You have to let us know which one you decide on (which I know you will). I love my mixte so much. I find that I make up errands just to go ride my bike around town. I hope you fall in love with one and bring it home tonight.

[Beane]

Talk about DROOL!!

gorgeous mixte on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/49cm-Vintage-MIXTE-12-Speed-Road-Bike-Carbon-Ruby_W0QQitemZ160221661239QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It's way more than I want to spend...and it's way too nice for what I want it for, but man, it's purty! :)



whats up with that fake carbon finish? i think it would look better all red-- just my 2 cents.

[GLC1968]

You have to let us know which one you decide on (which I know you will).

I will. I have 'appointments' to see both bikes tonight! I'm so excited!


whats up with that fake carbon finish? i think it would look better all red-- just my 2 cents.

I wondered about that, too. I think it would have been nicer if it were just plain black in those areas!

[HillSlugger]

whats up with that fake carbon finish? i think it would look better all red-- just my 2 cents.

I suspect that it's covering a seriously messed up finish.

[GLC1968]

Ok, I bought a mixte!

I saw the red bike first. It was definitely a mixte, but man, it was SMALL! It was in pretty bad shape, but would have been rideable had there been no other options. It was definitely originally red, but it looked like someone put red spray paint over the head badge and over any other identifying marks. Weird! It was just too small, though (first time I've met a bike that was too small for me!).

The same girl was also selling a Schwinn 3-speed. I looked at that, and it was exactly what I wanted except that it weighed about 50 lbs. With only 3 gears and that kind of weight, I was afraid that I'd not be able to use it past the next 6-months while my commute was flat. Neat looking bike though.

I then went to see the other blue Schwinn (the mixte). Nice bike. Fit was good (except that the saddle was too high) and everything was in decent shape. It's no heavier than my classic, so that's nice. 12 speeds, so that'll cover just about anything I'll be riding locally. I got it for $80 and I'm very excited about it. I'll be putting on the fenders today and I'm shopping for a basket for the front. :D

Here she is as I bought her:
http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4-IMG_0007_736664_original.jpg

Consider this the 'before' and I'll post a pic once I get everything set up the way I want it. I'm thinking cork grips, a honey colored Brooks and a silver basket on the front to match the silver fenders I have....

[Tri Girl]

WOW- it's even prettier than the picture on craigslist. Really, really nice!!! :D
I'm so happy that you found one that you love. It was meant to be! I can't wait to see it after you personalize it.

[sandra]

Great score GLC1968! Congratulations!

[sgtiger]

GLC1968

That is so niiiiice! :cool:

[uforgot]

Welcome to the mixte crowd! :D

[Jayme Lynn]

Can't wait to post pictures of my new girl. She's an old Nishiki that my boyfriend bought for me. She needs a little bit of love, but she's great. She also earned the name Sushi. Why not, right? She's a breeze to ride too.

[uforgot]

I think all of our mixtes needed a little bit of love, if not a lot. Can't wait to see the pictures!

[Zen]

This mixte (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19697) needs some love.

Like Geo and Sandra, I will sell for what I paid - $100 plus shipping.

C'mon, show the bike love.

[KnottedYet]

Me! Me! Me!

But i gotta know the size, first. (virtual top-tube length, virtual standover, tell me! I gotta know!)

Knot-has-an-addiction-and-isn't-ashamed-to-admit-it

(I have a scary feeling it will be way too small for me, but I wait with bated breath for the measurements)

[Zen]

Knotted"Too Tall" Yet-

TT 20"

Seat tube 17"

[KnottedYet]

WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek::(:eek::(

I'm too tall for it!

Oh, the despair! The tragedy! The misery!

That is one GORGEOUS bike.

Now, I *could* buy it for my sweetie.... she needs a bike here in the PNW.
(I'll ask her. Betcha she says "no", cuz it'd be too big for her)

[Zen]

Betcha she says "no", cuz it'd be too big for her)

ummmm, I don't think it would be....

[Blueberry]

Zen-

How tall are you? Did it fit? I'm not sure how to measure a mixte:confused::confused::confused: But I do really like it....

[divingbiker]

I don't need another mixte...repeat it again, I don't need another mixte.

But this one (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/633930109.html) has generator lights and fenders and what look like moustache bars! But it's not red, so maybe I can resist.

[Zen]

oooo, that IS nice.

I think my Raleigh (the one I'm trying to sell, tell your friends) would do well with moostache bars.

[oxysback]

I've been reading this thread and kinda-sorta playing with the idea of looking for a mixte I can use for commuting to work so I wouldn't have to keep taking the rack on and off my road bike when I want to do long rides.

I was looking on Craigslist yesterday and saw a few that could be promising, then I came across one that had been posted some time ago. The guy was selling a mixte and a regular older road bike. The quality of the picture wasn't good, and the bikes were too far away to see any details. I decided to take a chance and called him to go take a look and this is what I found...

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte01.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte02.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte03.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte04.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte05.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte06.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte07.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte08.jpg

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte09.jpg

"Sold!!", I told him and the bike came home with me. This bike was in almost pristine condition. I didn't even do any clean-up on it before I took these pictures! I guess it's been sitting in his garage forever and his wife only rode it a few times. He's the original owner. I had planned to look at a few others before I made my decision, but I just couldn't turn this one down. Of course there are a few things that need to be replaced before I start riding it, but over-all I'm VERY happy with the paint and general condition. First on the list are new tires...possibly wheels, a saddle (a honey colored brooks, perhaps?) and I'm debating on whether to get drop bars or moustache ones. DH can replace all the brake and gear cables. I also like the idea of leather bar tape and shiny silver fenders.

As I was driving to this guys house, I was kind of sweating about the test ride. I had worn jeans, and the house was at the top of a massive hill in a VERY impressive neighborhood! Thank goodness there was a flat-ish road up on top to ride on. I joked with him about getting it for free if I made it down and back up the hill! I also felt like a fool swerving around trying to change gears. They're in an awkward position when you're used to the ones on a road bike.

So, any other ideas with this bike? Throw 'em out there! I know some of you have a better 'eye' than I do for this stuff.

[sandra]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!

[GLC1968]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

[oxysback]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!


I think that's what I meant. The ones that curve around and look kind of like an "m" is what I was thinking of. I'll have to go back and look at yours!

[oxysback]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

I am rather proud of myself. Even DH was impressed!

So how's life in Hillsboro? A TE friend and I ride a few Saturdays a month and you're welcome to join us if you want. We're slow, but we're training for an upcoming century. Or maybe we can have a 'mixte ride' when they're all fixed up!

[sandra]

never fear. I love posting pictures of Blossom.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/IMG_0368.jpg

[GLC1968]

So how's life in Hillsboro? A TE friend and I ride a few Saturdays a month and you're welcome to join us if you want. We're slow, but we're training for an upcoming century. Or maybe we can have a 'mixte ride' when they're all fixed up!

So far so good! We have been looking for a home to buy, and we saw a few that were on your side of Bald Peak that we liked. :) A little bit out of our price range, though. :(

I would love to ride with you guys! I'm definitely slow these days...I haven't ridden in months (except for my short commute). DH and I just signed up to do the Crater Lake Century in August, so I'm going to need all the saddle time I can get between now and then!


Sandra - Blossom is so pretty!! Did you add the chain ring guard, or did she come with it?

[oxysback]

never fear. I love posting pictures of Blossom.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/IMG_0368.jpg

Yep...those are the ones I was thinking of. Blossom is gorgeous, especially with the honey brooks and matching grips!

[oxysback]

So far so good! We have been looking for a home to buy, and we saw a few that were on your side of Bald Peak that we liked. :) A little bit out of our price range, though. :(

I would love to ride with you guys! I'm definitely slow these days...I haven't ridden in months (except for my short commute). DH and I just signed up to do the Crater Lake Century in August, so I'm going to need all the saddle time I can get between now and then!

Some of the houses up there are VERY impressive! Good luck in your hunt! I'll let you know the next time we ride.

[sandra]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

[GLC1968]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

Those are exactly what I want to do with mine eventually (honey brooks and shellacked cork grips)!

I actually meant the guard on the front chain ring on Blossom. I do like the silver 'dork disc' look though. I noticed it on Ellen's bike and I think it's cool looking.

I did just find what I think I need on ebay for the front of mine though. Thanks!

[sandra]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

[GLC1968]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

I'm not sure. I picked out two and sent links to my husband who is working from home today to check. Basically, I was looking for one that fits a 52 tooth ring and that has 5 bolts. If there are other factors, I'm clueless!

I know that chainrings come in sizes based on the diameter of where the normal bolts are.... but these things don't look like they fit the same rules. See how the one on Blossom appears to be bolted on near the outside edge of the outer chain ring (and not in the main bolts)? My chain ring also has holes in those same spots, so I'm hoping that it will work in the same way. I'm basically just guessing though....

[xeney]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

[DebW]

Oxysback, that's a great find. Beautiful frame. The top head lug is rather odd, as if the framebuilder took a standard lug means for a horizontal top tube and made it fit a mixte angle by cutting and bending it. I imagine it's still strong enough, just looks like it has a big crack. You've got a steel cottered crankset there with a French bottom bracket. Could be replaced if you want, but challenging to find appropriate parts. Simplex plastic derailleurs - they wouldn't have lasted nearly this long if the bike had been ridden alot. Mafac brakes - they'll stop well but squeal like heck. The freewheel may be French threaded, so be very careful if you decide to replace it on the original hub. Things you really ought to do: replace the cables and housing, replace the brake pads, repack the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset with new grease. The grease in those parts is 30 years old and doesn't really resemble grease anymore, so put in fresh before you put too many miles on this bike if you want those parts to last.

[oxysback]

Oxysback, that's a great find. Beautiful frame. The top head lug is rather odd, as if the framebuilder took a standard lug means for a horizontal top tube and made it fit a mixte angle by cutting and bending it. I imagine it's still strong enough, just looks like it has a big crack. You've got a steel cottered crankset there with a French bottom bracket. Could be replaced if you want, but challenging to find appropriate parts. Simplex plastic derailleurs - they wouldn't have lasted nearly this long if the bike had been ridden alot. Mafac brakes - they'll stop well but squeal like heck. The freewheel may be French threaded, so be very careful if you decide to replace it on the original hub. Things you really ought to do: replace the cables and housing, replace the brake pads, repack the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset with new grease. The grease in those parts is 30 years old and doesn't really resemble grease anymore, so put in fresh before you put too many miles on this bike if you want those parts to last.

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Deb. Dh is going to replace the cables and housing and I'll be picking up brake pads (and tires and tubes and whatever else jumps off the shelf at me :eek:) tonight at the LBS. I'll also make an appointment to leave it for repacking all the grease items.

[DebW]

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Deb. Dh is going to replace the cables and housing and I'll be picking up brake pads (and tires and tubes and whatever else jumps off the shelf at me :eek:) tonight at the LBS. I'll also make an appointment to leave it for repacking all the grease items.

I'm just marveling at the pristine condition of that bike. It's like it was in a time capsule for 30 years with lots of silica gel packets. Those are the kind of bikes I sold and worked on in a bike shop in 1973-74. By rights that bike should have rusty steel rims and spokes that don't turn and stuck cotter pins. But just looking at it, I'm imagining that everything works as smoothly as the day it left the shop. Be sure you put some oil on the derailleurs, shifters, brake caliper pivot bolts. For the front derailleur, shift it to the large chainring and put a couple drops of oil on the shaft the cage is attached to. I can tell you how to adjust that front derailleur if it's not obvious - it only has one stop screw, and it will probably need an adjustment after the bottom bracket is repacked.

[HillSlugger]

A Bianchi mixte (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/632472293.html)! :eek: He wants $250 for it. :(

[Zen]

He wants $250 for it. :(
He'll trade for an amp :p

[sandra]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?
Somebody smarter than me should answer this, but yes, it makes them a pretty color and I guess it seals them up. They are very comfortable to me but I never rode them without the shellack.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

People also use shellac to seal cloth bar tape. Shellac helps seal the tape in position so it does not unravel or shift around. An old French cycling trick.
Also helps the tape repel rain and sweat. Also, if you prefer to wrap the tape ends with fine hemp twine instaed of ugly black plastic electrical tape, the shellac helps lock the twine into position too.
Here's an article about shellac and hemp twining your bars:
http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=428


I also felt like a fool swerving around trying to change gears. They're in an awkward position when you're used to the ones on a road bike.

Lots of people still like using traditional downtube shifters on their road bikes. My husband has them on both his Rivendells. Once you get used to them they are kind of fun, and you feel more connected to the shifting process, sort of like how some people like driving stick shift. ;)

[7rider]

I'm just marveling at the pristine condition of that bike. It's like it was in a time capsule for 30 years with lots of silica gel packets. Those are the kind of bikes I sold and worked on in a bike shop in 1973-74. By rights that bike should have rusty steel rims and spokes that don't turn and stuck cotter pins. But just looking at it, I'm imagining that everything works as smoothly as the day it left the shop.

Given this, would it be wrong to customize it with albatross bars and a Brookes saddle? Wouldn't it be like putting a CD player in a '55 Chevy??
I don't know the "value" of such bikes, but I think there's something to be said...from a collector's point of view...for original equipment. Hold onto those parts, at any rate.....

[oxysback]

Lots of people still like using traditional downtube shifters on their road bikes. My husband has them on both his Rivendells. Once you get used to them they are kind of fun, and you feel more connected to the shifting process, sort of like how some people like driving stick shift. ;)

I'm sure after a few rides I'll get the hang of it. :D

[oxysback]

I'm just marveling at the pristine condition of that bike. It's like it was in a time capsule for 30 years with lots of silica gel packets. Those are the kind of bikes I sold and worked on in a bike shop in 1973-74. By rights that bike should have rusty steel rims and spokes that don't turn and stuck cotter pins. But just looking at it, I'm imagining that everything works as smoothly as the day it left the shop. Be sure you put some oil on the derailleurs, shifters, brake caliper pivot bolts. For the front derailleur, shift it to the large chainring and put a couple drops of oil on the shaft the cage is attached to. I can tell you how to adjust that front derailleur if it's not obvious - it only has one stop screw, and it will probably need an adjustment after the bottom bracket is repacked.

After a quick trip with it to my LBS (they're not so into the 'retro' thing, but he said the exact same words you did about it being straight from a time capsule!) I've come to the realization that this is going to be a bigger project than I imagined. I got new tires and tubes, a new seatpost (there was a wierd shim-thing that was taken out so a seatpost could actually FIT in the opening), and brake pads. The LBS couldn't get the bolt loose to get the stem out. There's some wierd rise where the bolt is that the rachet couldn't get around. I don't plan on saving the stem, so I guess it doesn't matter if it's dinged up a bit. The rims have this cool pattern on them, but if I want to upgrade the cassette I'll have to either have them re-spoked with a new hub, or get new wheels alltogether. I found some that might work at Sheldon Brown's website, I just need to verify the rear hub spacing. It'd be way cheaper to get the new wheels (only $100 for the pair!!!) versus respoking at $100 per wheel plus whatever the hubs will cost, but I really like the rim pattern on the old rims. I have definately decided on the albatross handlebars from the Rivendell website, though.

Hmm, maybe it'll be ready for commuting by next year! :rolleyes:

[oxysback]

Given this, would it be wrong to customize it with albatross bars and a Brookes saddle? Wouldn't it be like putting a CD player in a '55 Chevy??
I don't know the "value" of such bikes, but I think there's something to be said...from a collector's point of view...for original equipment. Hold onto those parts, at any rate.....

You know, it's funny...my ex husband was into the whole custom car show thing, so I've been to quite a few of them. There are a few people that choose to restore their car as close to stock as possible, but the majority of them make the car look stock on the outside but have all the bells and whistles on the inside.

The problem is parts. They just don't make replacement parts anymore for a French bike built in 1974. What do you do when they wear out? I'd rather upgrade to parts that work well and are safe and comfortable.

Is it wrong to make something cool and unique out of an old style bike, but not quite to the original specifications? I don't think so. To me, I'm just giving a tender loving home and a much needed makeover to an great old bike.

As for keeping the parts...most of them aren't able to be used anymore. The bike is probably only worth the $125 I paid for it...maybe a bit more due to it's general good condition.

I guess there's always opinions from both camps, though! :p

[oxysback]

People also use shellac to seal cloth bar tape. Shellac helps seal the tape in position so it does not unravel or shift around. An old French cycling trick.
Also helps the tape repel rain and sweat. Also, if you prefer to wrap the tape ends with fine hemp twine instaed of ugly black plastic electrical tape, the shellac helps lock the twine into position too.
Here's an article about shellac and hemp twining your bars:
http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=428

A quick question about shellac...

How permanent is it? If you ever at some point in the distant future want to change the color of your bar tape, can you get the shellaced stuff off?

I like the idea for my new mixte, but I just want to make doubley sure to pick a color I can live with for a long time.

[DebW]

The LBS couldn't get the bolt loose to get the stem out. There's some wierd rise where the bolt is that the rachet couldn't get around. I don't plan on saving the stem, so I guess it doesn't matter if it's dinged up a bit. The rims have this cool pattern on them, but if I want to upgrade the cassette I'll have to either have them re-spoked with a new hub, or get new wheels alltogether. I found some that might work at Sheldon Brown's website, I just need to verify the rear hub spacing. It'd be way cheaper to get the new wheels (only $100 for the pair!!!) versus respoking at $100 per wheel plus whatever the hubs will cost, but I really like the rim pattern on the old rims.


The rear spacing is 120 mm. It won't take a hub that fits a cassette. You'll have to use 5 or 6 speed freewheels. But you can take a 126 mm spaced rear freewheel hub and change the axle spacing to get 120 mm. Those rims are steel and heavy. If you want to ride this bike lots of miles, I'd suggest replacement wheels with lighter alloy rims. It has 27" wheels - it might possibly take 700c depending on the reach of the brakes. Before you do much else, I'd make sure that the cotter pins will come out and the bottom bracket isn't frozen. What does the freewheel sound like? Take off the wheel and drip some oil into it. If the freewheel is OK, there's no need to replace the hub.

[7rider]

The problem is parts. They just don't make replacement parts anymore for a French bike built in 1974. What do you do when they wear out?

Yeah...I can see that.
Besides..you want to ride it, not look at it...right? :D

[HillSlugger]

A quick question about shellac...

How permanent is it? If you ever at some point in the distant future want to change the color of your bar tape, can you get the shellaced stuff off?

I like the idea for my new mixte, but I just want to make doubley sure to pick a color I can live with for a long time.

You can probably soften up the shellac with alcohol. At the very least you can cut the tape off.

[oxysback]

The rear spacing is 120 mm. It won't take a hub that fits a cassette. You'll have to use 5 or 6 speed freewheels. But you can take a 126 mm spaced rear freewheel hub and change the axle spacing to get 120 mm. Those rims are steel and heavy. If you want to ride this bike lots of miles, I'd suggest replacement wheels with lighter alloy rims. It has 27" wheels - it might possibly take 700c depending on the reach of the brakes. Before you do much else, I'd make sure that the cotter pins will come out and the bottom bracket isn't frozen. What does the freewheel sound like? Take off the wheel and drip some oil into it. If the freewheel is OK, there's no need to replace the hub.

Ok...the freewheel sounds normal. Just a nice clicking sound when you spin it backwards. Is there a special technique to get it off the hub? We have a park tool, but dh says that won't work. I'd really like to get the freewheel de-gunked!

So, my choices are:
1. Re-spacing the frame...or do I need to permanently re-space it? Will it spring out a bit to fit the new hub? This (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html) is the wheelset I'm looking at (WE277 27 inch wheels w/ the 126mm hub and then a new 5 speed freewheel).

2. Taking the freewheel off the hub (and praying that I can do it without damaging anything!!), cleaning it and making sure the hub is still good, then getting a new rim and have it re-spoked. Edited to add that assuming the hub is still ok, I can keep the cool spoke protector, which I really like!

I think choice 2 is the safest way to go. If that doesn't work I guess choice 1 will be my 'plan b'!

[DebW]

Ok...the freewheel sounds normal. Just a nice clicking sound when you spin it backwards. Is there a special technique to get it off the hub? We have a park tool, but dh says that won't work. I'd really like to get the freewheel de-gunked!

In 1974, there was no standard on freewheel removers. Every company had their own design, or 2 or 3 designs. So you need to know the brand (Atom, Malliard, Regina, ...) of freewheel to get the right remover. There are splines, 2-prong, and 4-prong versions of removers. The standard Shimano remover will not work. If the freewheel sounds and works normally, you can simply drip some oil in without removing it. But to repack the hub, you have to get the freewheel off.



So, my choices are:
1. Re-spacing the frame...or do I need to permanently re-space it? Will it spring out a bit to fit the new hub? This (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html) is the wheelset I'm looking at (WE277 27 inch wheels w/ the 126mm hub and then a new 5 speed freewheel).

I wouldn't try to respace the frame. If you buy that wheelset from Harris, ask if they can respace the rear hub to 120 mm. It involves replacing spacers on the axle, shortening the axle, and redishing (they'd probably charge for redishing). Or I could do that for you (I live near Harris).



2. Taking the freewheel off the hub (and praying that I can do it without damaging anything!!), cleaning it and making sure the hub is still good, then getting a new rim and have it re-spoked. Edited to add that assuming the hub is still ok, I can keep the cool spoke protector, which I really like!

I think choice 2 is the safest way to go. If that doesn't work I guess choice 1 will be my 'plan b'!

The biggest issue here is whether you can really get the freewheel off. They can become really stuck when they've been on many years. And standard factory practice in those days didn't involve greasing the threads before screwing on the freewheel. Use a bench vise if you have one. If spokes start breaking before the freewheel comes off, you're screwed. If the previous owner never rode hard or mashed up hills and there's minimal corrosion, it may come off OK.

[Beane]

Hi all you mixte fanatics, I need some help. There is a beautiful mixte here for sale and I'm really interested in it. I test rode it and it felt a bit too small-- I would have wanted the seatpost up an inch and a half or 2, but the seatpost was already at its max. How difficult is it to make a mixte bigger? The stem that is on it now seems a little short too, so I could probably get a taller one.

I'm 5'7" with a 31.5" inseam. Here's the bike:

http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/649355029.html

I really want it and am just looking for some reassurance that it's not a bad idea! ;) :D

[HillSlugger]

Wow, she's pretty!

[Tri Girl]

It's really, really pretty!
I'd think it wouldn't be a problem to just get a longer seat post, but I'm no expert here. Unless you're planning to ride it for 20+ miles at a time, if it's a little small I can't see it being a huge issue. Just my thoughts.

I say go for it- it's beautiful!!!

[Blueberry]

Hmmm.....

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/653152680.html

*should* be a good fit (though not as pretty as Zen's).

Thoughts? (other than that the seatpost is backwards.).

[Trek420]

But I already have a mixte

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/653532623.html

[Blueberry]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250244754589&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us754589QQihZ015QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm sorely tempted. And it would fit. Thoughts??

CA

[uforgot]

I came "this" close to hitting the buy it now button on that very auction this morning. If you go to Sheldon Brown, there are some resources for the Bridgestone 300s. There is also a Bridgestone 100 on ebay, but a lot heavier. The 300 is a better bike. It's beautiful isn't it?

Edit: I think this (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1987/pages/bridgestone-1987-25.htm) is it! 1987. 27 pounds.

[Beane]

Here's my recently refurbished and singleated Takara. All she needs now is a honey Brooks!

[Beane]

p.s. She is much prettier in real life... I still haven't learned how to take good bike pics.

[HillSlugger]

p.s. She is much prettier in real life... I still haven't learned how to take good bike pics.

She's pretty in pictures, too!

[Blueberry]

She is pretty:)

What kind of bars are those?

[Beane]

She is pretty:)

What kind of bars are those?

Thanks! According to the ebay seller, they are the Nitto "all rounder" bar. However if you google nitto all rounder, you get something totally different. (the bars do say nitto on them). So i'm not really sure... Soma makes some that are pretty similar, though these have a nice rise which I like.

ETA: they say Nitto B483

[Blueberry]

Cool! I think that's the kind of thing we're going to put on the rear of the tandem. If we extend the rear stem, the reach will be way too short. So...something like that would give me rise...but I would have liked to keep the drop bars...

[Beane]

um, wouldn't drop bars put your face right in the captain's butt? :p (or, if my DH were the captain, :eek: )

[Blueberry]

It's not as bad as it sounds. It's also a nice wind block when it's cold:D:D Built in hand warmer. I would do the regular rear tandem bars, but the flat bar part would still be low for me to be comfy.

[F8th637]

I don't know why but I just realized I have a mixte at home this whole time and didn't even know it! And to think I was going to sell her! I need to get a new saddle though for it and probably a new chain and maybe a new rear rack and bottle cage since I cannibalized it for my new bike. :D

Ok, here is a pic I took when I first got her. I definitely think she needs a new saddle. What do you ladies think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/f8th637/IMG_5362.jpg

[mimitabby]

I think Mixte's are one of the few bargains in the bike world. Guys don't care about them, so they are not as expensive.!!

:D:D

[F8th637]

I think Mixte's are one of the few bargains in the bike world. Guys don't care about them, so they are not as expensive.!!

:D:D

:p Pfft! Their loss, right?

[sandra]

A Lotus! Girl, you better not sell it. I love my Lotus!!

[F8th637]

A Lotus! Girl, you better not sell it. I love my Lotus!!

They do seem to have a cult following I've noticed. Now that I know what I have, I won't sell it, I promise!

ETA: So the question is. . what shall I do to her? How do I make her REALLY drool-worthy?

[Zen]

ETA: So the question is. . what shall I do to her? How do I make her REALLY drool-worthy?

Put a Zen on her :D

[sandra]

ETA: So the question is. . what shall I do to her? How do I make her REALLY drool-worthy?

That's a matter of personal opinion and preference, but I'd definitely put a Brooks saddle on her. I would change out the stem and bars to Albatross bars, but that's just me. I love them.

[dingster1]

+1 for a Brooks. Leave that funky tape on too!!!

[uforgot]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250244754589&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us754589QQihZ015QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm sorely tempted. And it would fit. Thoughts??

CA

I see this finally sold. Anyone here buy it?

[Beane]

+1 for a Brooks. Leave that funky tape on too!!!

Yeah, I agree, that tape is awesome.

What you should do to it will depends on what you want to use it for. The albatross bars make it MUCH more upright, so make sure you want that before making the switch. (I did because this mine is going to be my "bar bike"/going out for an ice cream bike AND didn't really fit me with drop bars... )

[Blueberry]

I see this finally sold. Anyone here buy it?

Wasn't me...I got the fun of working from 7:30 yesterday morning until 10:30 - so...didn't have time to think about it more. *sigh*

[GLC1968]

I love the color of that Lotus! So unique!!

Here's an updated pic of my mixte set up the way I ride her. I'd still like to get albatross bars & a chain ring guard, but this works for now. I added the fenders, the basket, the bottle cage, and the new tubes & tires. I also changed out the seat post to a more modern one and added my own saddle.

They are hard to see, but those little white patches on the frame are reflective pinwheel stickers covering up the worst of the rust spots! :p

http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4-mixte.jpg

I apologize for the poor photo - my camera isn't working so this was taken with my cell phone in low light. :o

[Tri Girl]

GLC- is that the bike you'll commute on now that you live 20 miles from work? :eek: :p

[GLC1968]

Absolutely not! Can you imagine? :eek:

I was actually thinking that I'm going to have to sell this little girl. :( There's not much near our new home that would make this bike of any use. And it's just too cute to sit in the garage for the duration of it's life!

[F8th637]

Ladies, I am so excited! I think I'm going to take this on as a project. I probably don't need another bike with drops especially if it's just going to be an around-the-town and back-up bike. I'm checking out all the different possibilities on-line and they are certainly drool-worthy. Sandra, my Lotus is like the same color as yours. The honey is nice! Now to read the whole thread to get some good information from you ladies. :D

[Zen]

http://www.velo-orange.com/vomamifr.html

[F8th637]

http://www.velo-orange.com/vomamifr.html

Very nice, Zen, thanks! DH said I should sell the bike. I plan on keeping it. :D

[Zen]

DH said I should sell the bike.
Tell DH I said...well, nevermind :D

[xeney]

I keep seeing this Schwinn Pixie (http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/684204299.html) for sale, or maybe they are different ones I'm seeing, and I am so tempted to buy one for my daughter. I have never seen a little girl's mixte other than this one, but it is super cute and eventually she'll need a two-wheeler, right?

[malkin]

The Pixie is a cutie!

Buying a bike for her to grow in to is a fine idea...not nearly as silly as weaving sheets for a Hope Chest.


"Add to Cart" made me snicker.

[VeloVT]

I don't know why but I just realized I have a mixte at home this whole time and didn't even know it! And to think I was going to sell her! I need to get a new saddle though for it and probably a new chain and maybe a new rear rack and bottle cage since I cannibalized it for my new bike. :D

Ok, here is a pic I took when I first got her. I definitely think she needs a new saddle. What do you ladies think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/f8th637/IMG_5362.jpg

Mmmm, love that color. Wants white tape. And a new saddle, partly for looks but partly 'cause that one looks darned uncomfortable.

Very pretty though.

Also, the reflectors should go. They're ugly on that pretty vintage bike and if you're really riding in the dark, you need lights anyway. And is it me, or is that a wildly excessive amount of cable (especially on the right there -- rear brake cable)?

[Tuckervill]

Every '70s and '80s bike I rode back then had reflectors on them, so I don't see why I would take them off now. :)

Karen

[F8th637]

Haa haa, yeah, I agree the cabling is pretty ridiculous.

[Cheryl SF]

I've been visiting this thread for a while and am exited to finally have something to post! I got my dream bike (well, one of them ;)) about 3 weeks ago... a Rivendell Glorius. They had one left in my size (52cm), in a gorgeous metallic blue. Good thing I went in when I did, because now there's a one year wait for another 52!

It has Nitto albatross bars, honey Brooks B68, and a Nigel Smythe "Big Loafer" bag.

[uforgot]

Oh, that is just beautiful! I'll have to add it to my "dream bike" list.

[divingbiker]

I've been visiting this thread for a while and am exited to finally have something to post! I got my dream bike (well, one of them ;)) about 3 weeks ago... a Rivendell Glorius. They had one left in my size (52cm), in a gorgeous metallic blue. Good thing I went in when I did, because now there's a one year wait for another 52!

It has Nitto albatross bars, honey Brooks B68, and a Nigel Smythe "Big Loafer" bag.

Yay, another Glorius owner! I know you'll love yours as much as I love mine.

[xeney]

(Nice bike!)

There is a mixte on the front page of cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/27/lifestyle.change.irpt/index.html) right now! That made me very happy.

[F8th637]

(Nice bike!)

There is a mixte on the front page of cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/27/lifestyle.change.irpt/index.html) right now! That made me very happy.

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?

[HillSlugger]

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?

You should probably also look at the tooth wear on the chainrings and cogs. Are the derailleurs well adjusted?

[F8th637]

You should probably also look at the tooth wear on the chainrings and cogs. Are the derailleurs well adjusted?

From what I can see on the teeth they aren't shark-finned shape or anything like that. Should I be looking for something else on them? Your question about the derailleurs is a good one. I have no idea. What should I look for? I am a hands-on type of gal so I don't mind trying to figure out the problem myself but I just don't know what I'm looking for so I'll ask tons of questions. :p

[HillSlugger]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

[F8th637]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

[HillSlugger]

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

[Cheryl SF]

Yay, another Glorius owner! I know you'll love yours as much as I love mine.

I am loving it! Sometimes I wish it was a little flatter around here, but so far I'm getting up the hills in my neighborhood no problem. I want to take it outside of the City, though, since this bike screams for a nice country lane.

[furryblue]

I am planning to commission a small production run of USA hand-made mixtes, here is a picture of one that is built up and another that is about to be built up.

I am most interested in comments, please see my blog and google group for my information.

Thanks,

Michael

http://furrybluecycles.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/furrybluecycles

[bikerHen]

After months of haunting the local craigslist and a couple of misses, I finally got one! :D

It's a 12-speed Univega with Suntour components. The seller said it has no more than 50 miles on it. I can almost believe it cause the tires still have a few hairs. All orginial and stored indoors so everything is in good shape. Even the tires! Just needs LOTS of cleaning and TLC. The saddle is super comfy. I took it off tonight to clean it and OMG it weighs a ton. :eek: I guess that's the price of comfort.

It's a real kick to ride. The down tube shifters are interesting and are going to take some getting use to. I can't wait to take it out for a real ride. :p

Here is the first picture. It looks black but it's either a dark red or brown. I haven't really figured it out. Maybe if we ever get some sunshine I can tell.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/bikerHen/DSCF0983.jpg

[KnottedYet]

Bikerhen - what a beauty! Those double tubes are gorgeous. Congratulations!

[DebW]

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?


Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?


It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

F8th, you've probably got a worn drivetrain. A tune-up wouldn't catch this unless the mechanic took it for a test ride on a hill. The chain is actually skipping over a tooth on the rear cog. Can you make it skip like that on any cog, or only one? Often one or two freewheel cogs that get used the most will get worn and produce skipping. Simplest solution is to replace both the chain and the freewheel. But if the chain shows no indication of having lengthened, as you say, I'd try replacing just the freewheel first and see if the problem goes away.

[F8th637]

Thanks, Deb. I actually brought it to my favorite nearby LBS yesterday after installing uforgot's Brooks saddle and told them of the problem I was having. He is going to replace the chain and the cassette since those are probably original to the bike and at least 20 years old.

He loves my Lotus and my Brooks saddle so I told him of my plans to change it to be it more upright. He pulled a handlebar from out back and I was sold. He told me to pick some grips and I didn't like any of the ones out there. I told him I wanted something that would match the saddle like the Brooks bar tape and he goes, "Ahhh, someone's been going to Rivendell's website." Haa, guilty as charged! So we went through some catalogs and found a cheaper pair of leather or leather-looking grips. He's also going to take care of that wayward cabling problem I seem to have. :D My transformed mixte should be ready on Friday.

I wasn't planning on spending the money for that right away but I am so excited to take her out for a spin. I also noticed they had lots of baskets and that they seem to carry Basil but I didn't see any of the panniers. I'm going to put the rack and fenders on her and will post pics when she's all done. Can't wait!

[furryblue]

My new mixte, went for my first ride this past weekend.

[uforgot]

Very nice! How about a little background on it? The stories are almost as much fun as the pics for me!

[mimitabby]

I am planning to commission a small production run of USA hand-made mixtes, here is a picture of one that is built up and another that is about to be built up.

I am most interested in comments, please see my blog and google group for my information.

Thanks,

Michael

http://furrybluecycles.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/furrybluecycles

Hi Michael, I must confess part of the delight a lot of us have in our Mixtes is that since they are predominantly women's bikes, bike collectors (who are predominantly men) tend to ignore them. Thus, they are an excellent value and are not appreciating in value at near the rate of equivalent "men's" bikes.
I am enjoying your blog, however, and am glad that someone is building a few mixte's.

[furryblue]

Hi Claudia (uforgot),

Here's in brief the story of my mixte. I have problems from time to time with wrist pain, so the mixte story starts with my search for the perfect handlebars.

I put the Albatross bars on my road bike and overall liked them, but the position was a bit too upright for me without switching stems and so I started thinking about a custom frame that might have a slightly longer top tube so I wouldn't need a really long stem.

Also somewhat relatedly, because of the position I like (semi-upright), and my proportions/height, I am kind of on the border for a properly designed 700C frame for drop bars - I like to be positioned a bit behind the pedals and with my desired reach to the bars a "normal" road bike will have more toe overlap than I like. Having a custom frame with a slightly longer top tube for the swept bars yet enough standover clearance for me seemed like the way to go.

Another idea I had was to explore commissioning a small run of hand made "versatile road bikes" (not a hybrid, not a touring bike, but able to take on medium width tires say 25 - 35 mm) because I felt the bike makers weren't making what I wanted. When I met with my favorite local bikeshop, the owner said he would like to see someone make a nice road mixte.

So, the idea of a bike designed for swept back bars and with a little extra standover clearance got merged with the local bikeshop's idea for a mixte.

With perhaps a few exceptions that differ from my mixte in various details,the mixte has disappeared as a model from current bikes and I thought it would be fun to bring it back in a "new/old" version.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,

Michael

[furryblue]

Hi Michael, I must confess part of the delight a lot of us have in our Mixtes is that since they are predominantly women's bikes, bike collectors (who are predominantly men) tend to ignore them. Thus, they are an excellent value and are not appreciating in value at near the rate of equivalent "men's" bikes.
I am enjoying your blog, however, and am glad that someone is building a few mixte's.

Hi Mimi,

I hadn't thought of that, so you're saying part of the appeal/interest in a mixte is the "I scored a good deal" aspect. Thanks, that is a very interesting comment!!

As I attempted to explain in a previous post, my personal interest in a mixte started out as just wanting a little more standover clearance and less toe overlap with medium width 700C tires, and certainly a "compact" or "semi-compact" frame design could work. Growing up, I had a fairly macho uncle who rode a mixte, and I like the sort of retro-look and didn't think of it as a "women's bike" and thought it looks more elegant than a bike with a really long seatpost.

Cheers,

Michael

[HillSlugger]

Interesting placement of "bar ends"! ;)

[furryblue]

Interesting placement of "bar ends"! ;)

Right - that was actually a supposed benefit of the Albatross bars, that there is a possibility of multiple hand positions. Previously I had the entire bar taped with cork, and now find I like having the little stubs to support my hand a bit in the curved forward portion. It works well.

[mtbdarby]

How about this folding bianchi on my local craigslist?

http://wausau.craigslist.org/bik/734843874.html

[mimitabby]

How about this folding bianchi on my local craigslist?

http://wausau.craigslist.org/bik/734843874.html

it's not a mixte. but it's cute.

[HillSlugger]

As I attempted to explain in a previous post, my personal interest in a mixte started out as just wanting a little more standover clearance and less toe overlap with medium width 700C tires, and certainly a "compact" or "semi-compact" frame design could work. Growing up, I had a fairly macho uncle who rode a mixte, and I like the sort of retro-look and didn't think of it as a "women's bike" and thought it looks more elegant than a bike with a really long seatpost.

Cheers,

Michael
Mike,

What made you decide to go with a single downtube? For me, mixtes are all about aesthetics, and IMHO the double tube has it all over the single tube for looks.

[uforgot]

Mike,

What made you decide to go with a single downtube? For me, mixtes are all about aesthetics, and IMHO the double tube has it all over the single tube for looks.

Oh, I like the single tube! I especially like how the seat stay meets the tube. Every time I see a mixte with a single tube I want it, because they are so rare!

Thanks for your story Michael. It was interesting how you really thought through everything and I enjoyed the blog too. I also didn't like the upright position on my Bianchi Mixte so I put on Moustache Bars and "voila". It was perfect, although my current one is a little on the heavy side since it's old and has 27" tires. It is nice to see that you have blended the old/new look on a nice road bike.

[madscot13]

How about this folding bianchi on my local craigslist?

http://wausau.craigslist.org/bik/734843874.html

is it really $20 for it? i really like it. super cute.

[Trek420]

is it really $20 for it? i really like it. super cute.

Next we need a "show us your folder" thread :cool: :D

[Tri Girl]

Saw this today on Craigslist. I'm not going to buy it because I already have the mixte that I fixed up that I want to sell (I don't ride it like I thought I would :(). I just had to share the beauty with you all.
It's so tempting tho... only $10. Must refuse or huband WILL kill me for owning another bike that I don't ride...

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bik/737014643.html



Speaking of which... anyone want to buy my mixte???? ;) (shameless plug)

[furryblue]

Mike,

What made you decide to go with a single downtube? For me, mixtes are all about aesthetics, and IMHO the double tube has it all over the single tube for looks.

Hi MDHillSlug,

I agree, there is a nice aesthetic to the lateral twin tubes running from the rear wheel to the head tube. The builders I talked to felt strongly that they would prefer not to build the frame with the twin tubes - they said the single downtube makes a stronger and less flexy frame (I think they used words like torsional or lateral stiffness...).

Cheers,

Michael

[furryblue]

Oh, I like the single tube! I especially like how the seat stay meets the tube. Every time I see a mixte with a single tube I want it, because they are so rare!

I'm glad you like the single tube, I also think it looks really nice.



It is nice to see that you have blended the old/new look on a nice road bike.

I'm pleased with how the mixte turned out. Thanks Claudia for your comments and for reading my blog.

[xeney]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/742210667.html

That is a really nice Univega. Maybe not worth $185 and a trip to Galt, but it's one of the better ones I've seen: it's big (a lot of the used ones I've found are very tiny), it has downtube shifters instead of stem shifters, and it's in nice shape. I can't tell if it's got the bent chain stay, though.

I don't need any more mixtes but I thought somebody might be interested.

[madscot13]

How about this folding bianchi on my local craigslist?

http://wausau.craigslist.org/bik/734843874.html

so I contacted the seller of the folding bianchi mixed. He refused to ship it at any price. But for $20 gas money he would drive to where he was already going and then charge you again for the Bianchi. He was not willing to step out of his way and actually earn the $20 for gas that he was charging you. I was a bit confused on that point and I called him out on it. But no matter because this morning conveniently enough he ran over it.

[sgtiger]

... this morning conveniently enough he ran over it.

Oops!

[Aggie_Ama]

I saw a beautiful Mixte being walked through a crosswalk the other day. I wanted to photo it since it was so lovely but I might have looked a bit creepy doing that. It was a beautiful metallic green (bright like green grass) with matching fenders and a lovely little wire basket. The lady didn't seem completely comfortable riding through the intersection so she was pushing it.

[GLC1968]

Anyone want to buy this one? I guess it would have to be someone local since it would cost an arm and a leg to ship it. Just thought I'd post it here before I let her go for good.

http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4-mixte1.JPG

[dsa]

Anyone want to buy this one? I guess it would have to be someone local since it would cost an arm and a leg to ship it. Just thought I'd post it here before I let her go for good.

http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4-mixte1.JPG

I wish I could have her. She's too cute! If only I had more space. :(

[elk]

hey I;m in Portland and have been thinking of selling my specialized Globe and getting a vintage lugged bike...tell me about that blue mixte?
----------
edit...i really should wait until i sell t'other one though....

[hermitclub]

I've been visiting this thread since it started and love all of these beautiful mixtes. Thank you for sharing, and for giving me another obsession. I'll keep looking on Craigslist and local tag sales to join the ranks of the mixte owners. Hopefully one day I'll have a photo to post.

Back to drooling over all of your gorgeous mixtes!

[malkin]

Got this cutie today for my 19-year-old daughter!
http://www.ksl.com/emedia/slc/632/63254/6325431.JPG?filter=ksl/gallery1

[extra-vert]

Finally got my first mixte this saturday! I bought it on craigslist. I was looking for a new commuter that would be more upright and comfortable. Of course that meant I had to sell my cannondale stat! My brother would have freaked at me if I brought another bike home without the intention of getting rid of one, (as I already have 2 others in addition). You understand - different bikes for different biking tasks! Mnt, road, - now mixte commuter. I sold the cannondale on craigslist in under 2 hours! The exchange between the Peugeot, (mixte) and the cannondale put $100 in my pocket! The mixte is ready to roll and I have already put a good 5 miles on it or so. I'll get a pic of it later on! So excited. The only bummer is that I always kinda wanted a metallic blue or a white:) mix, but this red is nice too, until I can swap with someone later!

[KnottedYet]

Or you can get the one you have powdercoated. Several folks have gotten frames powdercoated for less than $200.

[extra-vert]

Hope this worked. If it did, here's my new mixte! I just love it! Thinking of finding some fenders for it and a back rack. It actually came with those double back rack basket thing a ma jigs, but they really made for a squirrelly ride!

[extra-vert]

:)

okay - here it is!

[HillSlugger]

Beautiful! Looks like it's in great condition.

[uforgot]

Love it! I like the red too.

[Beane]

red = awesome

[oxysback]

:)

okay - here it is!

I have the 'older sister' to your peugeot. Here's a pic...

http://www.footeco.com/Ellen/Bike/Mixte02.jpg

I'm almost done with the 'renovations' and I'll post new pictures soon!

[malkin]

I love the checkered graphics on Peugeots.

[extra-vert]

Oxysback - your blue one is the one I always wanted it - love it! ohh and here's the "little brother" to your avater guy: 6879

[pardes]

What a lot of pages to read about mixtes! My head is spinning.

Is it possible to find a new mixte that is high quality and lightweight that has a frame somewhat like this Vanilla (http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/2/)?

None of the photos in this thread have a frame like that. Is there a reason? Is it less sturdy or what?

[oxysback]

What a lot of pages to read about mixtes! My head is spinning.

Is it possible to find a new mixte that is high quality and lightweight that has a frame somewhat like this Vanilla (http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/2/)?

None of the photos in this thread have a frame like that. Is there a reason? Is it less sturdy or what?

Although that's a beautiful bike, it's technically not a mixte. Mixtes have the sloping top tube come all the way through to connect to the rear seat stay. That probably didn't make sense...here's a link to check out...http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_m.html#mixte.

[malkin]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

[oxysback]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

ooOOOooooo, that's nice!

[pardes]

Thanks for the reply!

What I want is a bike that I can mount and dismount easier. It doesn't appear that a true mixte accomplishes that which is why I choose the Vanilla photo that I did.

I still struggle with the Trek 7.6 FX ..... getting my leg to swing off the bike when I'm tired or stiff...especially when my panniers are fully which seems to be always. I predict that in another few years when I'm 65+ I'll want a frame that makes it easier.

Any suggestions for the kind of frame I need where the bike is lightweight and high quality?

[uforgot]

Thanks for the reply!

What I want is a bike that I can mount and dismount easier. It doesn't appear that a true mixte accomplishes that which is why I choose the Vanilla photo that I did.

I still struggle with the Trek 7.6 FX ..... getting my leg to swing off the bike when I'm tired or stiff...especially when my panniers are fully which seems to be always. I predict that in another few years when I'm 65+ I'll want a frame that makes it easier.

Any suggestions for the kind of frame I need where the bike is lightweight and high quality?

Not sure what you mean by a mixte not fitting the bill, as it also has the
low step thru part. The mixte part is the third seat stay. Anyway, here is one by velo-orange (http://www.velo-orange.com/vomamifr.html) that looks really nice. They have another one that's a little higher in price also.

Oh, just another thought. Have you ever tried Yoga? Keeps you strong and flexible no matter your age.

[Blueberry]

SOMA is getting ready to make a Mixte. Won't be custom, but might work for you.

pardes-

Another option for you would be a Bike Friday - if you search on here, you'll see some issues I had when I got mine. But, the company has (at least so far) stood behind the product and I've talked to enough people to believe that my issues weren't typical. Due to their design, they are much easier to get your leg over. My bike is the Crusoe, set up with a generator hub and 28c tires. DH does fast club rides with his, but it's capable of loaded touring as well. Others have the Pocket Rocket/Pro - they're designed more as true road bikes. Most of their models are custom.

CA

[emily_in_nc]

Pardes,

Have you looked at the women's "lifestyle" collection by Giant? Go to this link, then click on Lifestyle. LOTS of choices that might suit your needs:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/women/

I also agree with CA that a Bike Friday would suit you for the step-over ability; however, if you don't need a folding bike, there are obviously many other options.

Emily

[Tuckervill]

I think the more you ride the easier it will be to get on the bike, not harder. Especially if you add a little hip specific stretching to your post-ride routine (do them while you're warmed up).

Also, if you're stiff in the knees, too (I constantly fight this), a step-through frame can offer it's own challenges. You can always lean the bike way down to get your leg over.

Karen

[oxysback]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

You know, in studying (read: drooling over) that Vanilla Mixte...it really isn't a mixte, either. It does have the sloping twin top tubes, but there's no seat stay that goes from the area where the seat tube goes into the frame.

I still think it's cool, though. Looks kind of like a thug bike!

[xeney]

It's a mixte. It's the top tube that makes it a mixte. The lack of a seat stay is weird, but it's still a mixte.

[uforgot]

From Sheldon Brown

A style of lady's frame in which the "top tube" consists of a pair of small diameter tubes running more-or-less straight from the upper head lug, past the seat tube, and on to the rear fork ends. A mixte frame thus has 3 sets of rear stays, instead of the usual two. A variant on the mixte uses a single, full sized top tube running from the upper head tube to the seat tube, but retains the middle set of stays. A lady's type bike that lacks the middle pair of stays is not a mixte.

[xeney]

But this one isn't missing the middle one; it's missing the top one. It's a weird bike, but it still has the definitive top tube that becomes an extra stay.

[uforgot]

You're right. I know the mixtes are considered to be stronger than the regular women's step through, wonder how the strength on this compares. Do you need the tube from the seat? hmmm

[oxysback]

Maybe that's why the seat tube isn't as high as normal bikes...to compensate for not having the other pair of seat stays. It's just a mixed up mixte! ;)

[malkin]

Maybe we should call the mixed up mixtes something else...

mickstey?
mixtey?
miksti?
hmixti?


With the vagueries of English spelling there are plenty of options.

[xeney]

Heh. My husband says that is absolutely not a mixte and now we are having an argument. I give in! It's not a mixte! It's neat, though.

[uforgot]

Heh. My husband says that is absolutely not a mixte and now we are having an argument. I give in! It's not a mixte! It's neat, though.

Cannondale calls this (http://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/08/ce/model-8VS.html) a mixte.

[malkin]

If you're speaking French and you say 'mixte' (that is meeeeekst with only the tiniest bit of a k) then as long as you are talking about bicycles, it just means unisex and not that complicated Sheldon Brown definition. If you are talking about salade then it means something else.

[malkin]

Mc Stay