Show us your mixte!

[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.

[HillSlugger]

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

Proteus bikes is great! I highly recommend it.

[Jones]

Thanks MdHillSlug for the recommendation but not being familiar with the area and seller saying he would drop bike at a DC shop I kinda want to stick to bike shops with a DC address. I called Capital Hill Bikes and Revolution Cycles, Capital Hill said they would pack but not ship because they have been burned on the shipping rates before. It sounded like it was very difficult for her to say no. Revolution Cycles said they would pack and ship for $150. So now I just have to decide if the bike is worth the shipping costs.
I really like the color but I am leaning toward waiting and finding something closer to home.

[Jones]

So I decided to just feel the water and bid $80.00 but was immediately outbid. How do I know how much this bike is worth? If it is worth 100+150 shipping to me than it is worth that much? So I decided while typing this it's not worth that much to me so I think one of you east coast girls should grab it. It sure is a purrty color.

[uforgot]

So I decided to just feel the water and bid $80.00 but was immediately outbid. How do I know how much this bike is worth? If it is worth 100+150 shipping to me than it is worth that much? So I decided while typing this it's not worth that much to me so I think one of you east coast girls should grab it. It sure is a purrty color.

You know, I like to think I'm the queen of finding mixtes for people. After all, Sandra had THREE within a month. One of them she got from bigbossman on bikeforums.net. He flips mixtes all the time and he's located in California. If you pm me where you are located, I'll try to find one, or you can do it yourself on this site. I don't think that $150 is worth the shipping, and with your $80 initial bid, that puts it over $200. Too much. You may as well put that shipping money into your bike. My Nishiki cost me $40 initially. I've since put baskets on it and turned it into a single speed. I definitely think you can do better! Nishiki is always a good find, Xeney has a bunch and that's where I learned about them. I'm currently looking for a Bridgestone one, with the shifters on the downtube. Of course I'm not paying much for it. You can search Raleigh, Bianchi (I had one of these, they are beautiful!, Nishiki, Bridgestone and Fuji made some good ones) Be patient, it will appear!

[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.

[uforgot]

Here's one in SF bay.


Four of them in Los Angeles


This one is in Fresno

This one is a little expensive, but maybe they will come down?

There was one for $75 in Sacramento but the posting has expired.Darn!

Another one that is kind of high, but pretty!

This one isn't a mixte, but I love it!

[uforgot]

Did we already see this one?

Univega

Schwinn - probably weighs a ton

Raleigh

[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!)

[Jones]

Thanks for the great info amartha. I will definitely keep all this in mind while I shop for a mixte.

[Cataboo]

This is adorable:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/d...164591439.html