Show us your mixte!

[GLC1968]

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!)

[sandra]

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.

[KnottedYet]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

From what I can see of the red bike on Craigs, it's not a mixte.

It also looks like maybe someone painted it red by hand with a brush.

[GLC1968]

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!

[GLC1968]

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.

[uforgot]

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.

[oxysback]

I've been reading this thread and kinda-sorta playing with the idea of looking for a mixte I can use for commuting to work so I wouldn't have to keep taking the rack on and off my road bike when I want to do long rides.

I was looking on Craigslist yesterday and saw a few that could be promising, then I came across one that had been posted some time ago. The guy was selling a mixte and a regular older road bike. The quality of the picture wasn't good, and the bikes were too far away to see any details. I decided to take a chance and called him to go take a look and this is what I found...



















"Sold!!", I told him and the bike came home with me. This bike was in almost pristine condition. I didn't even do any clean-up on it before I took these pictures! I guess it's been sitting in his garage forever and his wife only rode it a few times. He's the original owner. I had planned to look at a few others before I made my decision, but I just couldn't turn this one down. Of course there are a few things that need to be replaced before I start riding it, but over-all I'm VERY happy with the paint and general condition. First on the list are new tires...possibly wheels, a saddle (a honey colored brooks, perhaps?) and I'm debating on whether to get drop bars or moustache ones. DH can replace all the brake and gear cables. I also like the idea of leather bar tape and shiny silver fenders.

As I was driving to this guys house, I was kind of sweating about the test ride. I had worn jeans, and the house was at the top of a massive hill in a VERY impressive neighborhood! Thank goodness there was a flat-ish road up on top to ride on. I joked with him about getting it for free if I made it down and back up the hill! I also felt like a fool swerving around trying to change gears. They're in an awkward position when you're used to the ones on a road bike.

So, any other ideas with this bike? Throw 'em out there! I know some of you have a better 'eye' than I do for this stuff.

[sandra]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!

[oxysback]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!

I think that's what I meant. The ones that curve around and look kind of like an "m" is what I was thinking of. I'll have to go back and look at yours!

[GLC1968]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

[oxysback]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

I am rather proud of myself. Even DH was impressed!

So how's life in Hillsboro? A TE friend and I ride a few Saturdays a month and you're welcome to join us if you want. We're slow, but we're training for an upcoming century. Or maybe we can have a 'mixte ride' when they're all fixed up!