We'll cheer you on!Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
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We'll cheer you on!Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
help TE friends! what do you all think this mixte is worth? thanks!
http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/618221929.html
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.
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...
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!
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.
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!)
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.
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.
It also looks like maybe someone painted it red by hand with a brush.Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
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
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
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.
Cool, I didn't know that!
I humbly stand corrected, hat in hand and head bowed.
:D
All hail the all wise and knowing Sheldon Brown. May he rest in peace. :o
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
Oh, baby..... :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by CA_in_NC
That's my gal. :) Doing all she can to strengthen our economy :DQuote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
Talk about DROOL!!
gorgeous mixte on ebay
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.
Whoot woo that's one sweet bike!Quote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
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.
whats up with that fake carbon finish? i think it would look better all red-- just my 2 cents.Quote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
I will. I have 'appointments' to see both bikes tonight! I'm so excited!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
I wondered about that, too. I think it would have been nicer if it were just plain black in those areas!Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
I suspect that it's covering a seriously messed up finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beane
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/ga...4_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....
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.
Great score GLC1968! Congratulations!
GLC1968
That is so niiiiice! :cool:
Welcome to the mixte crowd! :D
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.
I think all of our mixtes needed a little bit of love, if not a lot. Can't wait to see the pictures!
This mixte needs some love.
Like Geo and Sandra, I will sell for what I paid - $100 plus shipping.
C'mon, show the bike love.
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)
Knotted"Too Tall" Yet-
TT 20"
Seat tube 17"
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)
ummmm, I don't think it would be....Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
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....
I don't need another mixte...repeat it again, I don't need another mixte.
But this one has generator lights and fenders and what look like moustache bars! But it's not red, so maybe I can resist.
oooo, that IS nice.
I think my Raleigh (the one I'm trying to sell, tell your friends) would do well with moostache bars.