Show us your mixte!

[Chris Pringle]

Lovely! Tell us about the seat bag and basket.

Thank you EVERYONE for all of your compliments on the red Nishiki mixte. I've spent several months working on it... a labour of love.

The saddlebag I got it off Ebay. For it small size, it’s more than what I wanted to pay. Brooks also makes them, but expect to pay about $100 for one. I like the classic look it adds to the bike.

In regard to the basket/pannier, I was having a difficult time finding a pannier to go with this project. I found some gorgeous panniers out of France, England and Japan made with excellent weather-proof materials. However, their costs are also prohibitive. I was looking for something simple to carry a few things (books, netbook & lock) to the coffee shop and/or produce from the famers market on a nice day. I found this handmade basket made out of natural materials (palm.) It had to go through a number of changes to adapt it to the rack, including reinforcing the back with leather (I definitely want it to last.) The final result is this casual but elegant pannier that easily mounts/dismounts from the bike rack.

It's funny... I get almost as many compliments on the basket as I get on the bike. It makes me wonder if there's a market for these things.