Show us your mixte!

[mariondotdash]

basically I'm trying to help my mum put a new bike together, however she's 6 foot and set on having a mixte... I'm not too sure how mixtes size up, or whether they even exist in that size? would i be looking at about a 21" frame or something smaller? thanks for any help. x

[Zen]

Illinois Ebay mixte

[mayanorange]

basically I'm trying to help my mum put a new bike together, however she's 6 foot and set on having a mixte... I'm not too sure how mixtes size up, or whether they even exist in that size? would i be looking at about a 21" frame or something smaller? thanks for any help. x

I would think she'd be more comfortable on a 23/23.5, at least on most 70s/80s mixtes. DH is 5'10" and I'm 5'7" and we both ride 21.5 Raleigh Supercourses. His is normal, mine's mixte. The seat tube lengths are similar- the difference in geometries is the reach on the mixte is less. The reach on these guys are both rather long relative to most new bikes, so depends if she's all leg- then I'd do a 21.5. Hope that helps.

[LeicaLad]

Greetings,

I’ve just spent some hours going through this entire thread, just to ogle the beautiful mixte frames. Sadly, many of the early photo links are dead, but there are still many wonderful bikes in here.

I have a new acquisition to show off, and to ask questions about. I’ve learned some from the other mixte thread, which I’ll reflect in my questions.

I’ve just acquired this Brand New (NOS) Nishiki mixte. It was advertised as a 70’s bike, and I misread the serial #s chart to think it was from 1974, but it turns out to be an ‘84 model. Still, it IS new-old-stock.



I think it is now clear that I paid (way) too much, but it was an impulse buy. I should have known better to impulse buy ANY old bike.., but it was soooo pretty.

Now, the questions. I have a wife and 12 yr-old daughter, both the same size, neither of whom can really ride a bicycle, but each has expressed the desire to learn. The bike is the right size, as they’re both about 5’2”.

I’m guessing to make this a rider for them, I’ll need to swap the handle-bars to something more upright, as well as add fenders. Others have said not to rush the changes, but see if they like it in this configuration. Another suggestion, obvious but a good one, is that I must also check out all the bearings to see if they’re dried out.



Years ago, I was a bike person. Then I went overseas, got married, stayed overseas, now have 6 grandkids in addition to the (oops!) 12 yr-old left at home, and now we have moved back to the US. I’m Rip Van Winkle in terms of all things bicycles. It may be why a NOS bike from my vintage (or what I thought was my vintage) became an instant impulse buy...



I wonder if anyone knows this model of the Nishiki? It is a Riviera, but the only other Riviera’s I’ve seen are those “half-mixte” frames of a single top bar and clearly lower quality tubing and equipment. I cannot find reference to any other Nishiki Riviera that looks like this. Anybody know more?

I’m also open to suggestions as to what modifications make the most sense – IF any.



What would this bike “really” be worth in today’s market? (If I were to sell it, what would be the upper end I might hope to get? I’m certain to be losing money, regardless, if I do try to sell it.)

Thank you for the advice.

Details of the bike provided by the seller:

Handcrafted by Kawamura
Make: Nishiki
Model: Riviera
Year: the 1970’s
Made in Japan
Color: Pearl Red
Serial #: KD11 766
Speed: 12
Frame size: 19' or 48cm
Frame: Tange 900 Double Butted
Frame type: Lugged
Handlebar: WIN-alloy
Handlebar stem: Alloy
Brake levers: Dia Compe-alloy
Brakeset: Dia Compe size pulled-alloy
Shifters: Suntour Power-alloy
Derailleurs: Suntour RV-alloy
Crankset: Sugino VT-alloy
Pedals: MKS AR-2 Japan-alloy
Pedals Clips: Nishiki
Hubs: Sansin-alloy
Rims: Araya 27" X 1 1/4"-alloy
Tires: Cyclepro 27" X 1 1/4"
Quick releases: Front & Rear
Seatpost: SPK-alloy
Saddle: Nishiki by Vetta
Kickstand: Greenfield-alloy





All advice, comments and suggestions eagerly welcomed.

[Cataboo]

I would just leave it as it is and see how they like it- it's a beautiful bike. I love red.

If you wanted to post pictures of them on it, we could say whether it needs to be more upright - but it doesn't look like it's got a very long virtual top tube - and to some extent it's going to end up being what position they like to be in.

If you want them more upright (or they do), I wouldn't change the stem, I'd look into changing the handlebars to something like mustache handlebars - that swing back towards the rider and I'd probably have them flipped to they add height. If you go to the for sale section on here, Zen's got a ton of pictures of her mariposa that's for sale and her restoration on it - Check out the handlebars she has on it (she mentions the name & brand). Maybe the soma sparrows or the nitto mustache bars would be appropriate. You can probably reuse the same brakes, and some nice leather grips would be great.

You might want to put a nice black leather brooks saddle on it and maybe a basket in the front, but otherwise... If they're not going to be riding in the rain or in mud on the C&O canal towpath, it doesn't need fenders. I would totally get the hammered honjo fenders for it if you were going to, just 'cause I love how those look.

As for price... Look around the washington dc craigslist. I frequently see mixtes selling for about $250. But every so often you see old unrestored ones for $100. And price is basically dependent on whether you find a seller that appreciates mixtes and steel bikes.

[Zen]

on here, Zen's got a ton of pictures of her mariposa that's for sale

Sold!
I'll try to remember to post those photos here later

[LeicaLad]

Thank you so very much for the sound advice. Particularly the names & brands of bars and fenders. I’ve just located a nice used Blackburn rear rack for $10, so that will be a nice utility addition. The bar choices are a good idea. I will wait, but I suspect my wife will be much happier with upright bars. I’ll not push, but watch and ask.

The saddle question is always huge. Brooks were never cheap, but they now look to be more expensive than good frames!! I’ll need to see the condition of this one first, and then I’ll read the various threads here on saddles (before asking more stupid questions).

I was almost ready to buy a local CL mixte bike when this popped up in front of me. Impulse! But most CL frames are going to be work, and we currently live in a small urban apartment with no work space to do the usual clean-up and rebuilding. Actually, even storing these bikes when not in use is going to present a substantial, shall we say, issue?

I think I saw photos of Zen’s bike earlier in the thread, but new/repeat photos are always welcome. This thread has been a great inspiration. Now I’m actually dreaming of a 58cm mixte frame (which is an easy dream, as finding one outside of custom prices will be near impossible!).

Once again, many thanks. I hope lots more mixte frames are posted here.

[skinimini]

The red is beautiful! I have a very similar bicycle (only mine is silver--I wish I had red) that I am fixing up for an errand bike. I decided to go with upright handlebars because at 5'3", the reach with the dropped bars was too long for me. I also have a 19". I hope to have it finished soon and will post pics.