What to do with Mixte handlebars?

[teigyr]

We recently got a Takara mixte, its picture is in the "bikes" thread. DH has been taking it apart and says it is in incredible shape though the cables and brakes need to be replaced. Structurally, it is fantastic.

He asked me if I wanted to swap out the handlebar. The one on the bike is more of a flat style, I think it is more traditional on a mixte. I have to admit that when I test rode the bike, it was awkward! It was raining out, I am not used to having my feet not be stuck to the pedals (I kept trying to pull up as I kicked off), and my hands seemed so far out to each side. I was so wobbly!

I've seen mixtes with drop bars and I've seen them without. I can get used to riding it as it is, all it takes is practice. The bike won't be used for great distance but I could see it going up to 30 miles at times.

For those people riding mixtes, what have you done and what would you recommend? I have a lovely road bike and am not trying to turn this into that. This bike has fenders and will make a fantastic bad weather or "around town" bike.

Am so undecided! Anything we do can be undone, of course. I just hate to make DH go through extra work just to have me change it back.

[Trek420]

I have to admit that when I test rode the bike, it was awkward! It was raining out, I am not used to having my feet not be stuck to the pedals (I kept trying to pull up as I kicked off), and my hands seemed so far out to each side. I was so wobbly!

I loooove my albatros bars. Yes, it's further out but plenty of options and hand positions to pick from.

The real surprise is the BMX pedals. Other than that I can't pull up I feels very solid, secure and "attached" to the bike.

I didn't pick any of this, it was all decided by the shop. But works great.

[sandra]

I'm going to put a Nitto Technomic stem and Albatross bars on my new Lotus. I love the way they look.

[KnottedYet]

I loooove my albatros bars. Yes, it's further out but plenty of options and hand positions to pick from.

The real surprise is the BMX pedals. Other than that I can't pull up I feels very solid, secure and "attached" to the bike.

I didn't pick any of this, it was all decided by the shop. But works great.

No, dear, you have moustache bars.

And they are FABULOUS!!

(love the BMX pedals, too. What a nice coincidence that those are the same kind of pedal I put on my Surly! )

Nice bike there, Teigyr! MORE PICTURES, PLEASE!

[Trek420]

No, dear, you have moustache bars.

And they are FABULOUS!!

I stand corrected, dear. It's not just the bars it's the brakes, I loove the upside down TT brakes. They fit my hands well and look sooooooo cool.

[teigyr]

Knot, the bike is starting to be disassembled and it is (ahem) in the basement. You are more than welcome to come view Takara carnage I am open to any and all suggestions as far as what to do with it.

I rode looking at the computer for so many years, I am looking forward to this bike being done. I've begrudgingly accepted myself in lycra and spiffy colors but to ride in normal shoes and semi-normal clothes just seems so...dunno...cool! It'll be riding a bike to ride a bike instead of "going to ride 30 miles because this is a cycling day". It's kind of liberating to think that way.

Sandra, it IS kind of pretty! I am not an orange kind of person but I seem to have inherited orange kind of bikes. I guess I should look at the positives! Oddly enough, when I used to restore vintage MG's, my first was an orange MGB. I always used to think "if only it was British racing green instead of orange..." because you can't really change colors if you're doing a pure restoration. I guess orange follows me

Thanks Trek! Regardless of what you have on your bike, I don't know terminology and I only care about what works.

Lisa, thanks for the link! I have decided against drop bars though the bars that are on it are kind of rusty. We will start looking at ones to replace it with. I have drop bars in stock but nothing else so it is good to know where to go to purchase.

[divingbiker]

If you're going to put albatross bars on a mixte, make sure you have a long enough stem or it may get a bit cramped in the cockpit. Albatross bars sweep back pretty far. Another option is North Road bars, which are what came on my mixte from the mid-80s.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He asked me if I wanted to swap out the handlebar. The one on the bike is more of a flat style, I think it is more traditional on a mixte....
I've seen mixtes with drop bars and I've seen them without.

For those people riding mixtes, what have you done and what would you recommend? I have a lovely road bike and am not trying to turn this into that. This bike has fenders and will make a fantastic bad weather or "around town" bike.

Am so undecided! Anything we do can be undone, of course. I just hate to make DH go through extra work just to have me change it back.

Flat bars are not traditional on old mixtes. Old mixtes from the 1950's era had bars more like the albatross style:
http://www.teamkarim.com/bikes/used/.../071006-14.jpg

I would put flat wide MKS Touring pedals on an old mixte if you are looking for a traditional look:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html
Or pick up some cheap vintage ones with reflectors on them from Ebay!

I personally would not put drop bars on an old mixte because the frame geometry and saddle were designed for a more upright posture. Sitting on it in a road bike psoture might put a lot of pressure on your intimate parts. Not to say some people don't do it and feel fine anyway.

[teigyr]

Hmmm. These are all things to think about. I did realize the bike was meant to be ridden more upright and my obvious balance flaws need to be resolved

Not to duplicate the other thread but this is it before it was taken apart. We're thinking of moving the shifters and while I've seen drop bars on Mixtes, I'm not completely sure I should do it.

Mmmmm, project bike. DH is loving it because he loves working on bikes and I'm happy because the bike has personality

[sandra]

I love that bike!