Show us your mixte!

[sandra]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

[GLC1968]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

Those are exactly what I want to do with mine eventually (honey brooks and shellacked cork grips)!

I actually meant the guard on the front chain ring on Blossom. I do like the silver 'dork disc' look though. I noticed it on Ellen's bike and I think it's cool looking.

I did just find what I think I need on ebay for the front of mine though. Thanks!

[sandra]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

[GLC1968]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

I'm not sure. I picked out two and sent links to my husband who is working from home today to check. Basically, I was looking for one that fits a 52 tooth ring and that has 5 bolts. If there are other factors, I'm clueless!

I know that chainrings come in sizes based on the diameter of where the normal bolts are.... but these things don't look like they fit the same rules. See how the one on Blossom appears to be bolted on near the outside edge of the outer chain ring (and not in the main bolts)? My chain ring also has holes in those same spots, so I'm hoping that it will work in the same way. I'm basically just guessing though....

[xeney]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

[DebW]

Oxysback, that's a great find. Beautiful frame. The top head lug is rather odd, as if the framebuilder took a standard lug means for a horizontal top tube and made it fit a mixte angle by cutting and bending it. I imagine it's still strong enough, just looks like it has a big crack. You've got a steel cottered crankset there with a French bottom bracket. Could be replaced if you want, but challenging to find appropriate parts. Simplex plastic derailleurs - they wouldn't have lasted nearly this long if the bike had been ridden alot. Mafac brakes - they'll stop well but squeal like heck. The freewheel may be French threaded, so be very careful if you decide to replace it on the original hub. Things you really ought to do: replace the cables and housing, replace the brake pads, repack the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset with new grease. The grease in those parts is 30 years old and doesn't really resemble grease anymore, so put in fresh before you put too many miles on this bike if you want those parts to last.

[oxysback]

Oxysback, that's a great find. Beautiful frame. The top head lug is rather odd, as if the framebuilder took a standard lug means for a horizontal top tube and made it fit a mixte angle by cutting and bending it. I imagine it's still strong enough, just looks like it has a big crack. You've got a steel cottered crankset there with a French bottom bracket. Could be replaced if you want, but challenging to find appropriate parts. Simplex plastic derailleurs - they wouldn't have lasted nearly this long if the bike had been ridden alot. Mafac brakes - they'll stop well but squeal like heck. The freewheel may be French threaded, so be very careful if you decide to replace it on the original hub. Things you really ought to do: replace the cables and housing, replace the brake pads, repack the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset with new grease. The grease in those parts is 30 years old and doesn't really resemble grease anymore, so put in fresh before you put too many miles on this bike if you want those parts to last.

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Deb. Dh is going to replace the cables and housing and I'll be picking up brake pads (and tires and tubes and whatever else jumps off the shelf at me ) tonight at the LBS. I'll also make an appointment to leave it for repacking all the grease items.

[sandra]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

Somebody smarter than me should answer this, but yes, it makes them a pretty color and I guess it seals them up. They are very comfortable to me but I never rode them without the shellack.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

People also use shellac to seal cloth bar tape. Shellac helps seal the tape in position so it does not unravel or shift around. An old French cycling trick.
Also helps the tape repel rain and sweat. Also, if you prefer to wrap the tape ends with fine hemp twine instaed of ugly black plastic electrical tape, the shellac helps lock the twine into position too.
Here's an article about shellac and hemp twining your bars:
http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=428

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.

Lots of people still like using traditional downtube shifters on their road bikes. My husband has them on both his Rivendells. Once you get used to them they are kind of fun, and you feel more connected to the shifting process, sort of like how some people like driving stick shift.

[oxysback]

Lots of people still like using traditional downtube shifters on their road bikes. My husband has them on both his Rivendells. Once you get used to them they are kind of fun, and you feel more connected to the shifting process, sort of like how some people like driving stick shift.

I'm sure after a few rides I'll get the hang of it.

[oxysback]

People also use shellac to seal cloth bar tape. Shellac helps seal the tape in position so it does not unravel or shift around. An old French cycling trick.
Also helps the tape repel rain and sweat. Also, if you prefer to wrap the tape ends with fine hemp twine instaed of ugly black plastic electrical tape, the shellac helps lock the twine into position too.
Here's an article about shellac and hemp twining your bars:
http://www.outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=428

A quick question about shellac...

How permanent is it? If you ever at some point in the distant future want to change the color of your bar tape, can you get the shellaced stuff off?

I like the idea for my new mixte, but I just want to make doubley sure to pick a color I can live with for a long time.