I may be showing my ignorance, but

[BarbaraAlys]

What is a "mixte"?

Barbara

[jobob]

Check out this thread

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=mixte

[kat_h]

Check out the pics in the thread that jobob linked to. Notice that instead of one thick top tube they all have two thin tubes that go to either side of the seatpost. I think that was done to add strength since the sloping top tube of the old ladies bikes caused the frame to be weaker.

[Geonz]

(hidden nuance: 'mixte' isn't as denigrating as ... "old ladies bike" )

[SouthernBelle]

(hidden nuance: 'mixte' isn't as denigrating as ... "old ladies bike" )

Hopefully it's the bikes that were old...

[Zen]

Don't men ride mixtes as well?

Anybody wanna buy one?

[kat_h]

Hopefully it's the bikes that were old...

That's what I meant. Now women's bikes have a level top bar just like the men's bikes. When I said old I meant the style of women's bikes where the top bar slanted down.

Things like that are why I don't like trying to speak English.

[Zen]

Oh, you mean old-school women's bike.
That outta clear things up. Maybe.

[kat_h]

I'm sorry. I was just trying to explain. I didn't mean to cause any offence.

[SouthernBelle]

I'm sorry. I was just trying to explain. I didn't mean to cause any offence.

Nobody was offended. We were just raggin' ya a little.

[roadfix]

Mixtes make nice single speed or fixed gear conversions. As a guy, I would even ride one as a fixed gear for putzing around town.

[xeney]

Yeah, my husband rode my latest single speed mixte conversion to work yesterday. I don't see anything particularly girly about this bike:

[bean fidhleir]

I think it's only in the US, "Home of Male Sexual Insecurity" (tm), that mixtes are considered girly.

[Ninabike]

That is one beautiful bike!!

[Geonz]

I was pokin' fun at the male insecurity... not even the "old ladies" part Some of my best friends ride mixtes