Show us your mixte!

[sgtiger]

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

There are high quality bikes similar to that Vanilla but none of the ones that come to mind are particularly light.

Imported Dutch bikes. This one is an internally geared 8-speed. Very fun to ride! Alas, even the smallest frame was just a bit to big for me. Even with the seat all the way down my feet didn't completely stay in contact with the pedal on the bottom stroke (but I have really short legs so YMMV). Boohoo! Maybe I just need to do what the European women do and ride in heels.
http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/html/bikes/oma.html

Electra has several models from which to chose so I'd recommend playing on their site. I've never had a chance to ride any, but they seem to be well loved by their owners. Here a just a couple of models that they have available and the Townie is available in anything from a single speed to a 21 speed depending on the gearing you want:
http://www.electrabike.com/townie/
http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/

Giant - Wow, I didn't realize until now how affordable they are!
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/women/

Darn! I saw one carried on the back of someone's car, that I just couldn't stop admiring every time it came into view, when I was driving down here for my move. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer though. I'm going senile already.

[malkin]

Ooo Oxy!

<font = wolf whistle> wrrrrit wreeeoooow!

[oxysback]

oxysback, votre velo est magnifique!

Thanks! I think she's great, too.

oxy that is a beaut!

Fantastic job on the restoration. How does it ride? Looks comfy to me.

I recently got one of these Suede from Giant. I wanted a cruiser or a cross bike just to kick around on and so I wouldn't have to get geared up to ride my road bike. I fell in love with the feel of this little gem, never thought I would like anything but my Serotta, he,hee. Surprise, surprise!

The ride is really solid and comfy. I like that Suede. I think it's a great thing to have a bike that you can just get on and ride.

Wow, Oxy, nice job! She's lovely!

Thanks!

Ooo Oxy!

<font = wolf whistle> wrrrrit wreeeoooow!

[ASammy1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/PEUGEOT-LADIES-C...QQcmdZViewItem

[uforgot]

I saw that one. I was drooling over this one. I'm glad it sold. It sure was tempting. I love how that stepover tube swoops! Sandra has a mixte just like it.

[ASammy1]

OMG!!! Gorgeous... I'm glad I missed that one b/c I would have had the credit card in hand.

[ASammy1]

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/819995630.html

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oxy- why do you have that zip-tie pulling your brake cables together?

[oxysback]

Oxy- why do you have that zip-tie pulling your brake cables together?

It was a simple fix to a headache of a problem. The straddle wire would pop out of the little notch after a few pulls of the brake lever because of the angle the brake is at. We tried mounting the brake upside down so gravity wouldn't be working against us, but the brake didn't work that way. I know it's ugly, but after the hassle we went through to get the darn brakes working I was willing to do almost anything!

If anyone has any other suggestions that are better, I'm all ears!

[malkin]

How about a blue zip tie?

[oxysback]

How about a blue zip tie?

Ha!! I'll have to check those out!

[uforgot]

I was coming home from St. Louis and I thought I would stop in at my local flea market. Tucked back in the corner was this mixte. Grand Touring Motobecane. I did a little research, dated the components and it's one of Motobecane's 1978 mid to upper range touring bikes. It's in great shape, just needs cleaning, and I'll probably grease the hubs and bottom bracket. I don't think it's been ridden much. No visible scratches. It had a black seat, but I put the brown brooks on to see how I liked it. I like brown and blue together, but I'm not sure about this. Otherwise I haven't touched it yet. I really like how the top tube is one tube and then divides to make the third seat stay. Not sure if it was really worth the $12 I spent on it! No, I'm not divulging the whereabouts of my flea market. Giant bike for $18, this one for $12, Raleigh Gran Sport with Campy components last year for $10. I think I'm in the middle of a gold mine.

[oxysback]

Oh, that's nice, Claudia! I have some spare downtube cable stops if you're going to move your shifters. That Brooks looks great!

[badgercat]

uforgot, I haven't even been around here for that long and I saw your post and was instantly like "she found ANOTHER amazing deal?!?!"

What's your secret? Care to share it with any of us who have thousands of dollars of student loan debt? Wait, does your bargain-radar work on finding... apartments? Or insurance plans? Maybe I should concentrate on that sort of thing instead.

anyway. To keep this more topical, I also think the brown saddle looks lovely.

[uforgot]

It's probably location. There aren't a lot of people cycling around here, and no one, even my lbs is interested in classic bikes. They are dusty when I find them and the only name that means anything around here is "Schwinn". Oh, wait, and Trek. When I had my Trek Navigator several years ago I got all kinds of comments on my "fancy" bike. Now I have a Surly Cross Check and the name means nothing.lol I have, however, found more deals and fixed them up and given them to a few of my students. One is now at Brigham Young university, another (a $5 Schwinn) turned one of my senior students into an avid cyclist (he just took the parts, the bike and a book and restored it himself!) and I hope to finish another today which will go to a former student at UMR. I enjoy it and I tell them that they have to give the bike away to someone who will use it when they are finished. Hopefully cycling will become more popular around here in my corner of Missouri.

I definitely don't make money on my "deals", the bikes are all well used and loved. Maybe that's part of it? Although that Motobecane is MINE!