Show us your mixte!

[HillSlugger]

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?

You should probably also look at the tooth wear on the chainrings and cogs. Are the derailleurs well adjusted?

[F8th637]

You should probably also look at the tooth wear on the chainrings and cogs. Are the derailleurs well adjusted?

From what I can see on the teeth they aren't shark-finned shape or anything like that. Should I be looking for something else on them? Your question about the derailleurs is a good one. I have no idea. What should I look for? I am a hands-on type of gal so I don't mind trying to figure out the problem myself but I just don't know what I'm looking for so I'll ask tons of questions.

[HillSlugger]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

[F8th637]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

[HillSlugger]

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

[DebW]

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

F8th, you've probably got a worn drivetrain. A tune-up wouldn't catch this unless the mechanic took it for a test ride on a hill. The chain is actually skipping over a tooth on the rear cog. Can you make it skip like that on any cog, or only one? Often one or two freewheel cogs that get used the most will get worn and produce skipping. Simplest solution is to replace both the chain and the freewheel. But if the chain shows no indication of having lengthened, as you say, I'd try replacing just the freewheel first and see if the problem goes away.

[F8th637]

Thanks, Deb. I actually brought it to my favorite nearby LBS yesterday after installing uforgot's Brooks saddle and told them of the problem I was having. He is going to replace the chain and the cassette since those are probably original to the bike and at least 20 years old.

He loves my Lotus and my Brooks saddle so I told him of my plans to change it to be it more upright. He pulled a handlebar from out back and I was sold. He told me to pick some grips and I didn't like any of the ones out there. I told him I wanted something that would match the saddle like the Brooks bar tape and he goes, "Ahhh, someone's been going to Rivendell's website." Haa, guilty as charged! So we went through some catalogs and found a cheaper pair of leather or leather-looking grips. He's also going to take care of that wayward cabling problem I seem to have. My transformed mixte should be ready on Friday.

I wasn't planning on spending the money for that right away but I am so excited to take her out for a spin. I also noticed they had lots of baskets and that they seem to carry Basil but I didn't see any of the panniers. I'm going to put the rack and fenders on her and will post pics when she's all done. Can't wait!

[furryblue]

I am planning to commission a small production run of USA hand-made mixtes, here is a picture of one that is built up and another that is about to be built up.

I am most interested in comments, please see my blog and google group for my information.

Thanks,

Michael

http://furrybluecycles.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/furrybluecycles

[bikerHen]

After months of haunting the local craigslist and a couple of misses, I finally got one!

It's a 12-speed Univega with Suntour components. The seller said it has no more than 50 miles on it. I can almost believe it cause the tires still have a few hairs. All orginial and stored indoors so everything is in good shape. Even the tires! Just needs LOTS of cleaning and TLC. The saddle is super comfy. I took it off tonight to clean it and OMG it weighs a ton. I guess that's the price of comfort.

It's a real kick to ride. The down tube shifters are interesting and are going to take some getting use to. I can't wait to take it out for a real ride.

Here is the first picture. It looks black but it's either a dark red or brown. I haven't really figured it out. Maybe if we ever get some sunshine I can tell.

[KnottedYet]

Bikerhen - what a beauty! Those double tubes are gorgeous. Congratulations!

[mimitabby]

I am planning to commission a small production run of USA hand-made mixtes, here is a picture of one that is built up and another that is about to be built up.

I am most interested in comments, please see my blog and google group for my information.

Thanks,

Michael

http://furrybluecycles.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/furrybluecycles

Hi Michael, I must confess part of the delight a lot of us have in our Mixtes is that since they are predominantly women's bikes, bike collectors (who are predominantly men) tend to ignore them. Thus, they are an excellent value and are not appreciating in value at near the rate of equivalent "men's" bikes.
I am enjoying your blog, however, and am glad that someone is building a few mixte's.

[furryblue]

Hi Claudia (uforgot),

Here's in brief the story of my mixte. I have problems from time to time with wrist pain, so the mixte story starts with my search for the perfect handlebars.

I put the Albatross bars on my road bike and overall liked them, but the position was a bit too upright for me without switching stems and so I started thinking about a custom frame that might have a slightly longer top tube so I wouldn't need a really long stem.

Also somewhat relatedly, because of the position I like (semi-upright), and my proportions/height, I am kind of on the border for a properly designed 700C frame for drop bars - I like to be positioned a bit behind the pedals and with my desired reach to the bars a "normal" road bike will have more toe overlap than I like. Having a custom frame with a slightly longer top tube for the swept bars yet enough standover clearance for me seemed like the way to go.

Another idea I had was to explore commissioning a small run of hand made "versatile road bikes" (not a hybrid, not a touring bike, but able to take on medium width tires say 25 - 35 mm) because I felt the bike makers weren't making what I wanted. When I met with my favorite local bikeshop, the owner said he would like to see someone make a nice road mixte.

So, the idea of a bike designed for swept back bars and with a little extra standover clearance got merged with the local bikeshop's idea for a mixte.

With perhaps a few exceptions that differ from my mixte in various details,the mixte has disappeared as a model from current bikes and I thought it would be fun to bring it back in a "new/old" version.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers,

Michael

[furryblue]

Hi Michael, I must confess part of the delight a lot of us have in our Mixtes is that since they are predominantly women's bikes, bike collectors (who are predominantly men) tend to ignore them. Thus, they are an excellent value and are not appreciating in value at near the rate of equivalent "men's" bikes.
I am enjoying your blog, however, and am glad that someone is building a few mixte's.

Hi Mimi,

I hadn't thought of that, so you're saying part of the appeal/interest in a mixte is the "I scored a good deal" aspect. Thanks, that is a very interesting comment!!

As I attempted to explain in a previous post, my personal interest in a mixte started out as just wanting a little more standover clearance and less toe overlap with medium width 700C tires, and certainly a "compact" or "semi-compact" frame design could work. Growing up, I had a fairly macho uncle who rode a mixte, and I like the sort of retro-look and didn't think of it as a "women's bike" and thought it looks more elegant than a bike with a really long seatpost.

Cheers,

Michael

[HillSlugger]

Interesting placement of "bar ends"!

[furryblue]

Interesting placement of "bar ends"!

Right - that was actually a supposed benefit of the Albatross bars, that there is a possibility of multiple hand positions. Previously I had the entire bar taped with cork, and now find I like having the little stubs to support my hand a bit in the curved forward portion. It works well.