Show us your mixte!

[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 on ebay. Already has a basket and a Brooks saddle. Only $50 shipping.

[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!