Show us your mixte!

[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.

[xeney]

But this one isn't missing the middle one; it's missing the top one. It's a weird bike, but it still has the definitive top tube that becomes an extra stay.

[uforgot]

You're right. I know the mixtes are considered to be stronger than the regular women's step through, wonder how the strength on this compares. Do you need the tube from the seat? hmmm

[oxysback]

Maybe that's why the seat tube isn't as high as normal bikes...to compensate for not having the other pair of seat stays. It's just a mixed up mixte!

[malkin]

Maybe we should call the mixed up mixtes something else...

mickstey?
mixtey?
miksti?
hmixti?


With the vagueries of English spelling there are plenty of options.

[xeney]

Heh. My husband says that is absolutely not a mixte and now we are having an argument. I give in! It's not a mixte! It's neat, though.

[uforgot]

Heh. My husband says that is absolutely not a mixte and now we are having an argument. I give in! It's not a mixte! It's neat, though.

Cannondale calls this a mixte.

[malkin]

If you're speaking French and you say 'mixte' (that is meeeeekst with only the tiniest bit of a k) then as long as you are talking about bicycles, it just means unisex and not that complicated Sheldon Brown definition. If you are talking about salade then it means something else.

[elk]

Cannondale calls this a mixte.

whatever you call it...it's DAMN cute!!!!!

[extra-vert]

Btw,

is it pronounced mix-tee, (with a pronounced 'e' on the end)???
I always pronounced it without the e on the end, but when I was buying mine, the guy called it a mix-tee.

[extra-vert]

Also, I want to get a front rack for groceries, anyone know where I can find one that will fit the era of the bike? I would like for it too look more or less original. I can trade for the back double rack that came with the bike, but those back racks make the ride really wobbly.

[oxysback]

Zee mixte...she is finis!

:::said in worst fake French accent:::

My 1974 Peugeot UO-18 Mixte before...



...and AFTER!!! Introducing Bonnie!





















Here's Jess taking her for a spin!



Frankie the Pug doesn't look very enthused.





This was truely a labor. Of love? Maybe...depends on who you ask. If you ask me, then definately yes...but DH? Not so much. I did the parts shopping and he did the wrenching. There were only a few parts that went on with no issues. I think the bar tape and kickstand are the only two I can recall!

Stem: Nitto DirtDrop (and 2 hours of sanding!!!)
Handlebars: Nitto Moustache Bars (tan cork tape with amber shelac)
Brakes: Sheesh...I forgot, but the first pair I bought didn't work.
Saddle: Brooks B12 Ladies (hella comfy, btw!)
Pedals: MKS Touring Shorts (from Rivendell)
Rear Derailer: Simplex S001 Short Cage
Front Derailer:Simplex 102 Front FDF102
Shifters: Silver Shifters (from Rivendell...LOVE them!!)
Brakes: Dia-Compe Mod 750
Wheels, freewheel and chain: I don't know what brand, but City Bikes in Portland hooked me up. Neat shop, btw!
Tires: Bontrager, but I might get some knobier Shwalbe ones later.

She rides real nice and smooth. It's so nice to be able to get on a bike once in a while without having to 'dress up.' I've been commuting to work on her for the past few weeks (when it hasn't been raining!) and she's really fun to ride!

Hope you enjoyed the pics!