Show us your mixte!

[oxysback]

I've been reading this thread and kinda-sorta playing with the idea of looking for a mixte I can use for commuting to work so I wouldn't have to keep taking the rack on and off my road bike when I want to do long rides.

I was looking on Craigslist yesterday and saw a few that could be promising, then I came across one that had been posted some time ago. The guy was selling a mixte and a regular older road bike. The quality of the picture wasn't good, and the bikes were too far away to see any details. I decided to take a chance and called him to go take a look and this is what I found...



















"Sold!!", I told him and the bike came home with me. This bike was in almost pristine condition. I didn't even do any clean-up on it before I took these pictures! I guess it's been sitting in his garage forever and his wife only rode it a few times. He's the original owner. I had planned to look at a few others before I made my decision, but I just couldn't turn this one down. Of course there are a few things that need to be replaced before I start riding it, but over-all I'm VERY happy with the paint and general condition. First on the list are new tires...possibly wheels, a saddle (a honey colored brooks, perhaps?) and I'm debating on whether to get drop bars or moustache ones. DH can replace all the brake and gear cables. I also like the idea of leather bar tape and shiny silver fenders.

As I was driving to this guys house, I was kind of sweating about the test ride. I had worn jeans, and the house was at the top of a massive hill in a VERY impressive neighborhood! Thank goodness there was a flat-ish road up on top to ride on. I joked with him about getting it for free if I made it down and back up the hill! I also felt like a fool swerving around trying to change gears. They're in an awkward position when you're used to the ones on a road bike.

So, any other ideas with this bike? Throw 'em out there! I know some of you have a better 'eye' than I do for this stuff.

[sandra]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!

[GLC1968]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

[oxysback]

You got a great bike there! I Albatross bars. That's what I put on mine and I love them. Tried a pair of mustache but, I like Albatross better. It's absolutely an individual decision. That bike is a beauty!

I think that's what I meant. The ones that curve around and look kind of like an "m" is what I was thinking of. I'll have to go back and look at yours!

[oxysback]

It's BEAUTIFUL, Ellen!!

I'm super jealous of your chain ring guard (I've been looking for something like that) and the details on the frame are very impressive. Good find!!

I am rather proud of myself. Even DH was impressed!

So how's life in Hillsboro? A TE friend and I ride a few Saturdays a month and you're welcome to join us if you want. We're slow, but we're training for an upcoming century. Or maybe we can have a 'mixte ride' when they're all fixed up!

[sandra]

never fear. I love posting pictures of Blossom.

[GLC1968]

So how's life in Hillsboro? A TE friend and I ride a few Saturdays a month and you're welcome to join us if you want. We're slow, but we're training for an upcoming century. Or maybe we can have a 'mixte ride' when they're all fixed up!

So far so good! We have been looking for a home to buy, and we saw a few that were on your side of Bald Peak that we liked. A little bit out of our price range, though.

I would love to ride with you guys! I'm definitely slow these days...I haven't ridden in months (except for my short commute). DH and I just signed up to do the Crater Lake Century in August, so I'm going to need all the saddle time I can get between now and then!


Sandra - Blossom is so pretty!! Did you add the chain ring guard, or did she come with it?

[oxysback]

never fear. I love posting pictures of Blossom.

Yep...those are the ones I was thinking of. Blossom is gorgeous, especially with the honey brooks and matching grips!

[oxysback]

So far so good! We have been looking for a home to buy, and we saw a few that were on your side of Bald Peak that we liked. A little bit out of our price range, though.

I would love to ride with you guys! I'm definitely slow these days...I haven't ridden in months (except for my short commute). DH and I just signed up to do the Crater Lake Century in August, so I'm going to need all the saddle time I can get between now and then!

Some of the houses up there are VERY impressive! Good luck in your hunt! I'll let you know the next time we ride.

[sandra]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

[GLC1968]

Those are just cork grips that I shellacked.

Those are exactly what I want to do with mine eventually (honey brooks and shellacked cork grips)!

I actually meant the guard on the front chain ring on Blossom. I do like the silver 'dork disc' look though. I noticed it on Ellen's bike and I think it's cool looking.

I did just find what I think I need on ebay for the front of mine though. Thanks!

[sandra]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

[GLC1968]

ohhh. yeah, I see what you were talking about "chain ring". I want one for my other bike too!!!

edited to add: now how do I know if it will fit if I find one?

I'm not sure. I picked out two and sent links to my husband who is working from home today to check. Basically, I was looking for one that fits a 52 tooth ring and that has 5 bolts. If there are other factors, I'm clueless!

I know that chainrings come in sizes based on the diameter of where the normal bolts are.... but these things don't look like they fit the same rules. See how the one on Blossom appears to be bolted on near the outside edge of the outer chain ring (and not in the main bolts)? My chain ring also has holes in those same spots, so I'm hoping that it will work in the same way. I'm basically just guessing though....

[xeney]

What does the shellacking do for the cork (other than make it a prettier color)? I've been wondering about that -- I love my cork grips, but it seems like the shellack would make them slick and less comfortable? How does it work?

[DebW]

Oxysback, that's a great find. Beautiful frame. The top head lug is rather odd, as if the framebuilder took a standard lug means for a horizontal top tube and made it fit a mixte angle by cutting and bending it. I imagine it's still strong enough, just looks like it has a big crack. You've got a steel cottered crankset there with a French bottom bracket. Could be replaced if you want, but challenging to find appropriate parts. Simplex plastic derailleurs - they wouldn't have lasted nearly this long if the bike had been ridden alot. Mafac brakes - they'll stop well but squeal like heck. The freewheel may be French threaded, so be very careful if you decide to replace it on the original hub. Things you really ought to do: replace the cables and housing, replace the brake pads, repack the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset with new grease. The grease in those parts is 30 years old and doesn't really resemble grease anymore, so put in fresh before you put too many miles on this bike if you want those parts to last.