Show us your mixte!

[malkin]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

[oxysback]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

ooOOOooooo, that's nice!

[pardes]

Thanks for the reply!

What I want is a bike that I can mount and dismount easier. It doesn't appear that a true mixte accomplishes that which is why I choose the Vanilla photo that I did.

I still struggle with the Trek 7.6 FX ..... getting my leg to swing off the bike when I'm tired or stiff...especially when my panniers are fully which seems to be always. I predict that in another few years when I'm 65+ I'll want a frame that makes it easier.

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

[uforgot]

Thanks for the reply!

What I want is a bike that I can mount and dismount easier. It doesn't appear that a true mixte accomplishes that which is why I choose the Vanilla photo that I did.

I still struggle with the Trek 7.6 FX ..... getting my leg to swing off the bike when I'm tired or stiff...especially when my panniers are fully which seems to be always. I predict that in another few years when I'm 65+ I'll want a frame that makes it easier.

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

Not sure what you mean by a mixte not fitting the bill, as it also has the
low step thru part. The mixte part is the third seat stay. Anyway, here is one by velo-orange that looks really nice. They have another one that's a little higher in price also.

Oh, just another thought. Have you ever tried Yoga? Keeps you strong and flexible no matter your age.

[Blueberry]

SOMA is getting ready to make a Mixte. Won't be custom, but might work for you.

pardes-

Another option for you would be a Bike Friday - if you search on here, you'll see some issues I had when I got mine. But, the company has (at least so far) stood behind the product and I've talked to enough people to believe that my issues weren't typical. Due to their design, they are much easier to get your leg over. My bike is the Crusoe, set up with a generator hub and 28c tires. DH does fast club rides with his, but it's capable of loaded touring as well. Others have the Pocket Rocket/Pro - they're designed more as true road bikes. Most of their models are custom.

CA

[emily_in_nc]

Pardes,

Have you looked at the women's "lifestyle" collection by Giant? Go to this link, then click on Lifestyle. LOTS of choices that might suit your needs:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/women/

I also agree with CA that a Bike Friday would suit you for the step-over ability; however, if you don't need a folding bike, there are obviously many other options.

Emily

[Tuckervill]

I think the more you ride the easier it will be to get on the bike, not harder. Especially if you add a little hip specific stretching to your post-ride routine (do them while you're warmed up).

Also, if you're stiff in the knees, too (I constantly fight this), a step-through frame can offer it's own challenges. You can always lean the bike way down to get your leg over.

Karen

[uforgot]

From Sheldon Brown

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]

The Vanilla mixte is this one:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

You know, in studying (read: drooling over) that Vanilla Mixte...it really isn't a mixte, either. It does have the sloping twin top tubes, but there's no seat stay that goes from the area where the seat tube goes into the frame.

I still think it's cool, though. Looks kind of like a thug bike!

[xeney]

It's a mixte. It's the top tube that makes it a mixte. The lack of a seat stay is weird, but it's still a mixte.

[jdubble]

You know, in studying (read: drooling over) that Vanilla Mixte...it really isn't a mixte, either. It does have the sloping twin top tubes, but there's no seat stay that goes from the area where the seat tube goes into the frame.

I still think it's cool, though. Looks kind of like a thug bike!

i know the vanilla discussion was awhile ago, but i feel compelled to point out that this bike was built by sacha for his 8 year old daughter, which is why the geometry on it looks a bit different. lucky girl, no?

i'm glad i found this forum and this thread in particular. i'm in the process of having a Sweetpea mixte made and it's giving me lots of ideas

[malkin]

That's a sweeeet Moto!

[sgtiger]

i know the vanilla discussion was awhile ago, but i feel compelled to point out that this bike was built by sacha for his 8 year old daughter, which is why the geometry on it looks a bit different. lucky girl, no?

i'm glad i found this forum and this thread in particular. i'm in the process of having a Sweetpea mixte made and it's giving me lots of ideas

Welcome, jdubble! Yes, that is a very lucky girl. So is his wife - I believe the blue step-through commuter bike on his site is his wife's. Congrats on your Sweetpea too. We want pics when it's ready, pretty please.

[sgtiger]

Uforget, nice score! I'm a little envious but mostly happy for you too.

[jdubble]

Welcome, jdubble! Yes, that is a very lucky girl. So is his wife - I believe the blue step-through commuter bike on his site is his wife's. Congrats on your Sweetpea too. We want pics when it's ready, pretty please.

Thanks for the welcome!

And yup, the blue step-thru is his wife's, though I see him on it as often as not. It's a beautiful bike.

And definitely I will post pics of the Sweetpea, one of these days. I put in my deposit at the Oregon Handmade Bike show last November, and have been patiently waiting (and breaking in a Brooks B-68s for it) ever since. But Natalie said we're getting close to fabrication, so hopefully by spring, I'll be tooling around town on my new ride. I've been seeing more and more mixtes around lately and it's driving me crazy with jealousy. But delayed gratification will only make me love mine that much more, right?

jj