OK, I want to talk about my NEW BIKE!!!

Right or wrong, I bought this. :eek: Honest opinions please. Tell me what you think and what I may need to upgrade. The seat? OUCH! I'm guessing the bike is from the 80's. How can I find out for sure?

Description:

AN EXCELLENT LOTUS 12 SPEED MIXTE EXCELLE. THIS BIKE IS IN FULL RIDING SHAPE IT IS A SIZE 53CM AND THE STANDOVER=31 INCHES. THE RIMS ARE STRAIGHT AND TRUE. HERE ARE THE SPECS AS FOLLOWS: HEADSET=SHIMANO, HANDLE BARS=SR ROAD CHAMP, BRAKE LEVERS=C-STAR, BRAKE CALIPERS=SHIMANO 500 AND TOURNEY, FRONT WHEEL=27 1 1/4 UKAI, REAR WHEEL=SAME, HUBS ARE SHIMANO VIA, SHIFTERS= SHIMANO 600 ALONG WITH BOTH DERAILERS, PEDALS=MK THE FRAME HAS NO CRACKS OR BREAKS.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/f739_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b.../fc8d_12-1.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/f8f6_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/ffe7_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/fe1c_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/fac6_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/0448_12.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/02be_12.jpg

Oh my gosh. Have I seriously messed up? My Trek 1000 is a 52 cm. My hubby's Trek Pilot is a 54. I can ride either. This is a 52. Were they sized the same back then?

Looking at the links on the other thread for the bikes on ebay, I'm wondering if I have made a mistake.

it depends! even with modern bikes, they are often measured differently..

keeping my fingers crossed. :eek:

How can the standover be 31 on a 53 cm bike that has a sloped tube like that!

It's hard to tell fit based on the info they gave you... BUT, what is the standover on your current bike, and how much clearance do you have? Measure the height of the top of the top tube from the floor.

The bike looks really cool for an errand bike! How much was it? Did you get it on ebay?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

How can the standover be 31 on a 53 cm bike that has a sloped tube like that!

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Oh yeah, you're right! Weird... Maybe they are giving a "virtual" standover or something... See if you can get more measurements from the seller!

My Trek 1000 has a straight bar and the standover height is 30. I have an inch and a half clearance. I just don't understand how a sloped bar can have a 31" standover.

Yes, I found it on ebay. $129. Did I get ripped?

nah, 100 bucks for a bike that works is a fine deal!

I think $129 is really cheap and worth the risk... They must be wrong about the 31. Look at it this way, if the wheel diameter is 27+1/4, it looks in the picture like the seat tube ends about 4 inches higher. So they must mean that from the floor to the top of the *seat tube* is 31 inches. If there *was* a top tube, it would theoretically be 31 inches off the ground or so. So, that must be what they mean.

Again, just consider the wheel diameter and look at the picture. I don't think it's too big...

yes, but PLUS shipping. :o that did not include shipping. $60 more bucks. The guy said via email that the bike was in really nice shape.

I really don't think it is too big either. I think it will be fine. And for what I want to use it for, short rides around the neighborhood, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit....


DOES IT? :D

I like it! I wouldn't change the seat unless you don't like it. The seat that came on my mixte is very comfortable. Did you find it on craigslist? If so, if you go see it and find it doesn't fit well, don't get it. It's like classifieds. A black brooks would be pretty cool though! I find that they usually need new tires and chains. The rest is a learning curve. I've learned to change bar tape, fix brakes, change cables, and change handlebars. It's been a relatively inexpensive way to learn about basic bike mechanics.

I find that I can ride a wider range of sizes on the mixtes, so hopefully you are okay. The Bianchi was about 6 cm bigger than my normal size, so I didn't mean to make you panic. I was just in bike lust with it's looks!

Edit: Oops! Saw you got it on ebay. Ignore my craigslist advice...

Calm down, take a deep breath, and relax.

The good thing about a mixte frame is that it lets the builder do a lighter frame than a traditional step through, while still getting a lot of the advantages of a step through. So "standover" is something of a misnomer. Unless you're trying to stand with your pelvis hitting the handlebar, it shouldn't be an issue. It's a really neat piece of engineering :). I hadn't realized just how neat til I rode one, but it is *spiffy*.

The Classic and Vintage forum over at bikeforums.net is really handy, even if you just lurk and use google to dig up old threads. Do not let the prices people there cite faze you. A lot of the regulars there are like DebW, and have been working on bikes all their lives, so they know the good stuff and have an eye for a deal. It's like going to a thrift shop with an older woman who sews and has worked in fashion for years... she'll pick out lovely things much easier than a younger woman would. Mixtes tended to be higher end frames, and most men won't ride them. Most vintage bike collectors are... men.

Also search a bit around here. You probably won't find anything about your exact bike, but it's pretty handy getting a female viewpoint about what works and what doesn't when fixing up a vintage bike. Collectors tend to get focused on things that don't matter as much for actually *riding* the bike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

I really don't think it is too big either. I think it will be fine. And for what I want to use it for, short rides around the neighborhood, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit....


DOES IT? :D

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It doesn't need to be perfect. It does need to not hurt :). Not hurt should be very doable.

Quote:

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IT IS A SIZE 53CM AND THE STANDOVER=31 INCHES

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I got the info. He says that is from the seat post. So it should be just fine.

Happy dance!

Just as I estimated from the pic! Hooray! :p

Sandra,
I would keep the down tube shifters.....nice touch, and nice levers.
Lose the hideous plastic puffy saddle. :cool: Yuk.
I would put some beautiful Albatross handlebars on that bike- with a nice Nitto Technomic stem to go with them. Then it would look a bit like this:
http://www.rivbike.com/images/produc...E_SIDEVIEW.jpg

Here is the stem and bars I mentioned:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...stems_and_tape
They sell the baskets too.

Nice bike, I hope it fits! Nice cherry color!

This is what they say about their mixte on Rivendell Bicycle Works:

Since there isn't a top tube, the bikes are easy to straddle, which means you can ride a bigger size than you think. We haven't worked out the sizing perfectly, but my sense is that if you're under 5-3, get a 50. Five-four to five-eight, the 56. Taller than that, order the 60.

So, hopefully, since I'm 5' 5" the 53 should be just right.

Now I'm lusting after the stem and handlebars Lisa. How would I know if they would fit? I'm planning to pimp this bike out. :D Have I mentioned how excited I am? I think I'm more excited about this bike than I was my Trek 1000 road bike!

She Needs A Fabulous Name!!!!!

I already have this basket. Is it a no?

http://www.youngsbicycleshop.com/shop/wicker.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

I already have this basket. Is it a no?

http://www.youngsbicycleshop.com/shop/wicker.html

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There is no "yes" or "no"- it should just be what you like! :p
Here are some other baskets to look at and decide if they suit your needs and taste:
http://www.velo-orange.com/bapaandba.html
http://backbaybicycles.com/itemlist....ductSearch.y=0
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n...%3AWald&page=1

Googling will find many more styles. But if you like the one you have, use that! You can always change it if you want later. :)

Looking at the picture, I can't wait to scrub those filthy tires! :p

Sandra, I love your basket! I was thinking it needs a wicker basket! What about a rack for the back and panniers?

You did good! Congratulations!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

Looking at the picture, I can't wait to scrub those filthy tires! :p

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You may need new tires if those are worn or really old. You will most likely need new tubes anyway if the bike has not been ridden in years.
The sidewalls are TAN, not white....so they may not be as filthy as you think! ;)

Sandra, I love your wicker basket. It'll look fabulous on your mixte. :D :D :D

Truth be told I have a basket similar to yours that I hope to find a bike for one of these days. I imagine a bottle of wine, a baguette and some greens trailing out of it. One day....:rolleyes: :D ;)

Mine is going to be a bottle of wine, a loaf of French bread and some flowers. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

Mine is going to be a bottle of wine, a loaf of French bread and some flowers. :D

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Don't forget the chocolate. An a small French concertina.

you guys are sure having fun!

I'm so excited I can hardly sleep at night. I'm thinking of changing my handlebars and seat and all of the things I'm going to do.:cool:

You could fix it up just like DivingBiker's beautiful Rivendell Glorius:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-103
Albatross bars, Brooks saddle, cork tape and cork handgrips....but a basket in front.
How about a banana saddlebag in back for your tools and other junk?:
http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...a%20Bike%20Bag
Here's how it looks on a bike:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...7_1967_7983550

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

You could fix it up just like DivingBiker's beautiful Rivendell Glorius:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-103
Albatross bars, Brooks saddle, cork tape and cork handgrips....but a basket in front.
How about a banana saddlebag in back for your tools and other junk?:
http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...7;20Bike%20Bag
Here's how it looks on a bike:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...7_1967_7983550

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Too late Lisa, she saw the Glorius last night. Thought the honey brooks and leather grips would look good on her red one, too and I have to agree.

One thing I learned about the back, I had those wire baskets on the back of my Bianchi, and I really didn't care for them. It was better when I got a Timbuk2 tote and it fit the basket perfectly. Otherwise the baskets were heavy and stuff just fell out of them. I like the wicker basket idea in front though. I have wanted one of those banana bags FOREVER. Those look great. If you wanted more carrying space, you could use the Little Joe or Carradice Barley. I have the Barley and Lisa has a pic of the little Joe somewhere, because I asked her about it on a thread. It would look great on the red mixte also. Maybe I can find the pic.

ramble,ramble ramble and I seem to be talking in circles...you have to excuse me. I am spending hours and hours on curriculum and taking a break to check the forums. It's so great to talk about bikes instead of functions and derivatives!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uforgot

ramble,ramble ramble and I seem to be talking in circles...you have to excuse me. I am spending hours and hours on curriculum and taking a break to check the forums. It's so great to talk about bikes instead of functions and derivatives!

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Well hey....I could talk about Little Joes, Barleys, Banana bags, cork tape, Brooks saddles, cork grips, twined bars, touring stuff......like forever! :p :p ;) :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

I really don't think it is too big either. I think it will be fine. And for what I want to use it for, short rides around the neighborhood, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit....


DOES IT? :D

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It will be fine. The standover is a non-issue. Sometimes people who sell bikes don't know much about them, or they use a standard description and didn't take out the standover thing.

I haven't read the whole thread, but the Classic & Vintage folks at bikeforums.net will have lots of input.

I love steel. :)

Karen

Should I confess my high hopes for this bike? :o I ordered the honey Brooks and cork grips today.

The only thing keeping me from ordering Albatross bars and a stem is that I don't have any idea what size to order!

Can't wait to do before and after pics.

My DH needs a saddle, so if I decide not to use it, he can always use it on his bike.

I just realized that fixing up this bike may be like fixing up a house. One thing calls for ten more. Honey saddle, cork grips, and the brake cables are black! :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandra

My DH needs a saddle, so if I decide not to use it, he can always use it on his bike.

I just realized that fixing up this bike may be like fixing up a house. One thing calls for ten more. Honey saddle, cork grips, and the brake cables are black! :eek:

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And you got a great price on the saddle! Are you going to make these changes yourself? I also changed my cables on my first mixte. The others were pretty shot anyway. It's pretty easy, and fairly inexpensive. The whole process is really a great learning experience! You may want to wait on those handlbars. To my surprise, I found that I didn't want to sit too upright, and there are a zillion kinds of handlebars to choose from! Has the seller said when it would ship?

Yes, it was a great price. Thanks to you for pointing it out. I'm not going to buy anything more until I get the bike and check it out. If worst comes to worst, the only think I might be out is the cork grips. I bet someone here could use them.

I'd love to try to do it myself. Maybe YOU can talk me through it. :D

I bought it Friday morning. The guy said it would ship by Monday. Of course it does have to come all the was across the US. It could be early the next week before I get it. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is this week.

What other recommendations do you have for handlebars?

When I was looking around I found there were handlebars that came all the way to your sides and every variation in between. I have an lbs in Jefferson City that has a lot of retro bike stuff and I just went in and looked and compared to ones they had on their bikes. The ones on my Bianchi came out of a used bin. $5. Could be something to do while you wait! Check out the different bars people have. On this mixte, I'm keeping the drops. I find them the most comfortable now.

To walk you through everything, I find that DebW is invaluable. You just have to post on the bike maintenance forum. I also purchased bicycling magazine's book Bicycle Maintenance and Repair by Todd Downs . The Blue Book (by Park Tool) is suppose to be good also. Both available at Amazon and you can look at reviews. You don't want ME talking you through it. I know just enough to be dangerous now.:eek:

(But I can internet shop with the best of them!)