Got this idea from Sandra's thread and a similar one was on bike forums. Some beautiful mixtes there! I'll post a pic of mine when I get home tonight.
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Got this idea from Sandra's thread and a similar one was on bike forums. Some beautiful mixtes there! I'll post a pic of mine when I get home tonight.
My new/old mixte fixie (with flip flop hub) :)
oh East Hill, where are you??
Mimitabby, you enabler, you!
Here's my 1980 Centurion LeMans:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...l/IMG_1549.jpg
1980's something or other Raleigh:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...l/IMG_1524.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...l/IMG_1510.jpg
1985? Nishiki Sport:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...l/IMG_1496.jpg
These are bikes I currently own...
East Hill
well, I just bought it, and technically, I don't have it yet, but she is MINE! I hope I did OK.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...av/f739_12.jpg
Here is the one I sold last weekend. A Bianchi. I loved it, but it was really uncomfortable to ride as it was huge on me. I sold it to a college student who I think loved it as much as I did. (But I put your Brooks on my road bike Lisa!)
East Hill: I've seen your posts on the "other" forum about mixtes...you are one of the reasons I've become so interested in them! Love seeing all of them together. Absolutely beautiful! Can you tell me what kind of bar tape you have on the centurion? It looks brown, and I can't find any brown for my "new" Nishiki other than cloth tape or the Brooks leather, which I'm considering.
Sandra...that's a mixte! I love it. Details? What kind and where did you find it?
Trek: The full pic with the cactus and flowers is great. That bike is simply gorgeous! Kind of nice seeing the result after reading all of your posts as you pulled it all together.
Yes, the Raleigh is actually too large for me as well...anyone need a nice red Raleigh mixte?
Edit: Thank you, uforgot! I do love my mixtes :D . I've had two others, another Nishiki Sport (a later year) and a beautiful blue Peugeot (which was given to a member of the 'other' forum). The Centurion does indeed have brown cloth tape. It's just brown cloth with a sticky back--not shellacked down even. It is original to the bike, too. When I went to purchase the bike (from a CL ad in Portland), the gentleman selling the bike had a matching men's version. I tried to entice my husband into wanting it, but no go. Too bad...if I'd known better I would have gotten it anyway. It was his size, AND it had bar cons. Live and learn!
East Hill
Ummmm.... this thread is dangerous. Now I want one! :p
I already wanted one. Must not go to LBS today... Need another week or two of saving.
Torrilin
Mixtes are not that easy to find. there is not a single one on Ebay nor is there one on Craigslist in my area.
and about the Brooks brown leather tape? I have it on my bike. it was expensive, but it is WONDERFUL!!!!
There ARE some on ebay, but you can't type in Mixte. Typically they are called women's or ladies bikes. I rarely find that someone calls it a mixte. Here are some on ebay right now.
Gitane
medalist
Fuji
I'm sort of liking that Fuji myself. I go to Road Bikes, complete bikes and frames and type in (wom*,lad*) All auctions that begin with wom (women,woman,women's) or lad (ladies) will come up. These three are just on the first page. I'm sure there are more. And I look at ALL bikes listed as women's and ladies on St. Louis craigslist. Mixtes come up quite often.
Oh my gosh. I hope I have not messed up. The one I got is a 53 cm. My road bike is a 52. Hubby's is a 54. I can ride both.
:eek: PANIC. I hope it is not too large.
whew. I feel better. That one is much more expensive than mine.
No they're not most places. I never even saw one growing up.Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
In Madison they're not super rare. If you head downtown, chances are good you'll spot one or two parked at a bike rack. Good luck trying to get one on Craigslist tho... they get snapped up fast unless they're priced like a new bike. If it's Japanese, it might get snapped up even then.
Well, I'll make you feel great. I paid $199 BIN for my Bianchi. Shipping extra.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
Huh? I don't understand? Maybe it's where you live, but I find them all the time on craigslist. The one I purchased last weekend ($40)had been on there since Sept. 19th. I just posted four that I found on ebay, and two nishikis that I was watching ended yesterday. Like I said, you can't search for mixte. These people with them in their garages have no idea WHAT they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Torrilin
Thank you. I'm catching my breath now. I made a snap decision on that bike. I loved it. I haven't even seen it yet, but I'm trying not to have buyers remorse. :)
I did. and the only one listed was the red one that I just bought. But, I loved it and it seemed perfect. This guy sells a lot of vintage bikes.Quote:
Like I said, you can't search for mixte.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BICYCLE-...QQcmdZViewItem
If you love it, and I do too since my favorite color is red, then that's all that matters! Know what I like about it? It's got the single tube instead of the split tube. I haven't yet seen a mixte in person like that. An unusual mixte, now THAT'S classic! I still think a black brooks would look really great...am I helping you spend enough money yet????-Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
Please explain. I don't know enough to know the difference.Quote:
It's got the single tube instead of the split tube.
My black Brooks B67 would have to come off of my road bike to go on here. hummm. I might just do it!
I guess what I meant was you won't get many hits if you only search for mixte. You have to dig, but they are always there...Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
The top tube, the part you step over, isn't split.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
From Sheldon once again:
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.
You have 3 sets of seat stays, back by the wheel, and THAT makes it a mixte. Some people think any step-through is a mixte, but it needs the three stays.
Welcome to the club, and ENJOY! I want to see pics when you get it. And you already have a black brooks...must have been meant to be!
A classic mixte style has twin toptubes. You can tell in a photo if it's the classic style because the tubes will be thinner.Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
If you look at the photos of my Raleigh you will easily see the twin tubes.
East Hill
where the top tube is in a std bike, on the mixte there are usually two skinny tubes. The one you bought only has one??Quote:
Originally Posted by sandra
I see! That is sort of weird that it's not split.
Ok, we need a NAME for my special girl. and yes, I'll get pics when it gets here.
LOL. I guess I didn't realize what I bought. I wonder WHY it is a single top tube and if that means it is older or newer, etc.
What about Lotus?
It is where I live *g*. Madison has a lot of women on bikes, and some of 'em are on mixtes. And there's got to be a fair number of people hunting for 'em, or the "women's bikes" with mixte frames wouldn't have the listings vanish so quickly (a few days ago there was a Japanese one listed in town for under $100... it lasted less than 8 hours). A listing for $250+ will stick around a bit. Regular step throughs tend to stick around longer. The Motobecane that's up now for $120 will probably stay up longer. French threading seems to scare Craigslist buyers around here.Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
Why do I feel like I'm just changing my feet in my mouth?
Oh, mine didn't fit. Hey, yours is a mixte with a single top tube!
I'm going to do some research. I've seen the single top tubes on ebay before and wondered if they were newer. Now I'm intrigued again, because it certainly IS a mixte. (3 rear stays remember). When you get it, see if you can find a serial number on it. Do a search on Lotus serial numbers and see if you can get a date on it. I didn't have any luck on my Bianchi, but I've had several bikes that I could even get the month they were manufactured and where!
I have a friend who's been looking for a mixte. What would it take for you to part with it? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by East Hill
Oh, and here's the Mercier that I want to fix up...
Dex, your Mercier looks great!
I already contacted East Hill about the Raleigh... :cool:
Madison Wisconsin? Are you close to Chicago? I've bid on a couple of "pick up only" mixtes there. $250???? Biking isn't as popular where I live, so I guess it's easier here. Guess there are trade-offs wherever you live. You have bikers, I have rednecks driving big trucks with shotguns.lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Torrilin
Mimitabby beat you to the draw! But if it's too big for her, you're next in line!Quote:
Originally Posted by dex
If it ends up going your way--it's free to a good home :) .
Your Mercier is quite lovely!
East Hill
I hope the Raleigh works out for you, Mimi. I know you've been wanting a mixte, and there's no doubt you would give it a great home. But, definitely, if it ends up being too big, let me know. :)
Everytime I start to think the Mercier is taking up too much room in my place (I live in a one-bedroom apartment, and it stays in the kitchen), I go look at it and can't stand the thought of not taking the prettiness out for a ride one day (when I have the extra money to put into working on it).
If you're ever looking for a good place to fix your mixte up - (you're up here on capitol hill right?) 20/20 Cycles over on East Union has the know how and probably the parts to fix it up and won't over charge you.
Some of you have already seen this bike...
I acquired it this summer from a friend to whom I pledged undying friendship for all eternity in return. Not quite like selling your soul to the Devil, but eternity is a long time. I sure hope she doesn't turn out to be a serial killer.
Anyway, it's a 1976 Bob Jackson, original paint and all. It's a wee tad small for me, so I recently had some Nitto Grand Randonneur bars put on to "stretch" me out a bit more. Those are Cane Creek levers in gum color. I think they look pretty good. The bike was a 7 speed but is now a 6 speed as I needed a lower gear to get up the hill coming home a little more...comfortably...and the other 7 speed cog I had didn't quite fit.
You can also see some other pictures of the bike "before" here on the aforementioned friend's Photobucket site.
I do have a basket, but I probably won't use it until next year. For now it's weatherproof panniers.
(Note: I know the reflectors are dorky, but when I leave for work in the AM it's pretty dark. 'Nuf said.)
Before:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...n/Bikes/BJ.jpg
After:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...s/NewBJ003.jpg
The Grand Randonneur bars and cane creek levers:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...s/NewBJ001.jpg
Thanks, Eden! Yep, I'm on Capitol Hill and I'm definitely going to make a note of 20/20. I still feel at a loss when it comes to finding a bike shop that I'm comfortable with around here.
You'll like 20/20 - very informal and relaxed (have a seat on the couch, read a book, sometimes have a cup of tea or even a beer). Alex specializes in bike re-use and loves old bikes, but won't put his nose up at my carbon racer either. If he doesn't have it, he'll know where to get it, and order it (whatever it might be).
Nishiki Olympic 12. This is it's before picture. As it is now. I like the brown cable housing and I was really surprised when I took off the yucky Cannondale nylon saddle bag and it revealed one of those holders that will hold up my Carradice Barley. (Like the ones on Rivendell website). I'm leaning towards the dark brown handlebar tape and saddle from Brooks. Needs new tires, cable and I have a bottle holder ordered.