Show us your mixte!

[Jones]

Thanks Zen, have you ever used any of these shops?

[mayanorange]

Jones, that Peugeot is great! And she's all geared up and ready to go!

The Raleigh Olympian is okay- she's not and English made Raleigh (mid 80s model) and I agree that he sounds a bit bizarre. Not sure she's really worth the 100 plus possibly 100 in shipping that might not even get her there well.

[Zen]

Thanks Zen, have you ever used any of these shops?

Sorry but no, I can't help you there. I'm slightly outside of DC.

[creativadiva]

>>Creativa- Gorgeous! What year is that?

Sorry for the delayed response, mayanorange, I haven't had a chance to check in here for a while.

I'm not sure what year the Bottechia is, I'm guessing early 80's (maybe late 70s?). I love the 1-piece handlebar/stem combo, don't think I've seen that before. I'm debating whether or not to put the money into really fixing it up or just selling it and starting from scratch. Tough decision, it's just so cute-I'm really torn.

[mayanorange]

>>Creativa- Gorgeous! What year is that?

Sorry for the delayed response, mayanorange, I haven't had a chance to check in here for a while.

I'm not sure what year the Bottechia is, I'm guessing early 80's (maybe late 70s?). I love the 1-piece handlebar/stem combo, don't think I've seen that before. I'm debating whether or not to put the money into really fixing it up or just selling it and starting from scratch. Tough decision, it's just so cute-I'm really torn.

If it fits, I'd fix her up! She's adorable and really unique.

[Jones]

uforgot, thank you so much for the help. Part of my problem is that my desire to own a mixte is strong but I own 4 bikes currently and really don't need anymore so I am trying to patiently wait for the perfect bike in the perfect color for the perfect price to show up. The problem with this theory is I don't know what the perfect bike is and every time I see a different mixte that one could become the perfect bike. I think I might bid on the bike in Carlsbad, Ca. it is almost the perfect bike, shipping is $22 but I think the stem is kinda funky. I'm sure my life would be completely enhanced if I could just make a decision.

[amartha]

Hi Mixte Lovers,

Mixtes came in graduated sizes -- 17", 19", 21" and 23". The frames were mostly lower grade steel; however, upper end Raleighs used Reynolds 531 which was the best double butted cro-moly steel in the 80's.

A good vintage mixte has a lugged 531 frame and it will range in price from $150 to $300 depending upon the condition of its paint and its components. Good mixtes have original decals and the original paint is beautiful. The better the mixte, the better the frame and components. Great European mixtes used Campagnolo 980 or Record components. Other mixtes had cheaper cottered cranks and cheaper components. The best Raleigh mixtes were made between 1983 and 1985 when Raleigh tried to sell quality to discerning women who did not wish (or who were too small) to ride a man's diamond frame. The irony in mixtes being sold to women and not sold as a unisex frame comes out in name of the model I have -- Clubman Lady.

New mixtes will be made from welded aluminum. Examine the welds, because smaller beading in the frame commands a higher price.

A few mixtes were built by small custom manufacturers: Harry Havnoonian and Steve Bilenky in Philadelphia still make mixtes in Columbus steel for special orders. These bikes will top $4,000 because they're custom built.

The smallest size (17") is hardest to find, but it also will have the poorest grade in tubing and in components. !9" mixte frames are also hard to find (comparable to a 49 cm diamond frame); most mixtes were 21" frames.

By today's standards for bike geometry, the mixte is a long bike. The reach to the brakes will stretch most women. The steel mixtes by today's standards are very sluggish and heavy. Some will be too twitchy and very demanding to handle in long riding events. Raleighs from the 1980's had goofy velvet saddles. These were very uncomfortable (and who needs saddle discomfort) and the velvet wore off and blackened the back side of any garment except black cycling shorts -- LOL.

So, if you are debating the value of an old Peugeot or Raleigh or Motobecane or Gitane or Puch or Nishiki that you found on e-Bay or Craig's List, look up the vintage, the specifications of the components and find out the frame material.

[uforgot]

Great post amartha! How on earth do you know all of that! Thanks for the terrific information. I've picked up bits and pieces here and there, but nothing as comprehensive as this. I think that most people here are using these as ride around town bikes. I have a Nishiki and I certainly wouldn't want to take it on a 50 mile ride! (But I love running around on it, baskets and all!)

[amartha]

Craig's List for Philadelphia this month lists this clean Peugeot 10 speed for $125.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1162516442.html

It's a 21" frame (standard). Looks like it's from the late '70's.

I noticed that 2 members of this thread live within easy driving distance of Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Craig's List always seems to have a mixte for sale -- mostly bikes stored in houses and not ridden anymore.

[amartha]

Craig's List for Philadelphia has an amazing selection -- 6 mixtes including a rare collector's item in need of TLC -- the Anquetil.


1. Peugeot -- tourquoise beauty
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1166053893.html


2. Motobecane -- NE Philly (near me) -- looks like it needs work

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1165101608.html


3, a fabulous Bottechia 5 speed

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1164948149.html


4. an orange Peugeot -- sort of overpriced
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1164746738.html

5. a white Jacques Anquetil touring bike -- about 50 years old!

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1163711208.html

6. Nishiki in South Philly

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1159615250.html

These were posted to Craig's List for Philadelphia this week.

[amartha]

I looked too fast -- the Nishiki is not truly a mixte.

[mayanorange]

On UK ebay, there's a great find- a Dawes Galaxy Mixte

Lots of pics here

I got to see one of these in person last week and it's astonishingly beautiful. Split top tube, then it stops at the seat post. Hand painting and subtle colors here and there. They even painted the rack to match on this one.

[mayanorange]

Looky what I happened to find on craigslist:

She's a 1971/1972 Raleigh SuperCourse and is completely original except for the seat post bolt. The raleigh tires, the bar tape, Brooks B15, everything is original and barely a scratch on her! I was lucky enough that my Raleigh loving friend was willing to go retrieve her since I was crazy busy with work, but it was such a crazy deal, one of us had to get it! Once he picked her up, he was sure I'd love her and commented that she could be a museum piece. Now I'm hesitant to touch her, but I think she needs to be ridden for once in her life (the tires look brand new).

I'm pondering albatross or velo orange's montmarte bars, but I'll see how the original bars and I get along. Need to clean her up, true wheels, get some new tires (and put the Raleigh ones aside), swap out for my B72... Ideas?

[Tuckervill]

It's lovely just the way it is.

I saw the first mixte for sale ever in my area. A Peugot, with a matching men's 10-speed Are the Peugot's Italian? And that's why I don't want to rebuild one, right? They're both white, but with lots of rust peaking out under the paint. I didn't like the rear der that was that matte kind of aluminum instead of chrome. The bike just didn't turn me on. Probably because it will probably be overpriced (at the "junk-tique" shop) and I just don't need another project of any kind right now.

Karen

[mudmucker]

Mmmm. So chocolately. And it came with the Brooks too? Nice catch.