tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1656273949573433485..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Mixte vs Mixte: What's the Difference?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57059838443790835722010-11-20T11:14:02.424-05:002010-11-20T11:14:02.424-05:00neighbourtease - You can also get it painted silve...neighbourtease - You can also get it painted silver (I believe there is silver powdercoat as well), which will be less expensive and less risky (quality-wise). Can't wait to see the colour you choose!<br /><br />SM & MT cyclists - From my limited experience with Japanese mixtes, it seems that more of them exist with relaxed and comfortable geometry in comparison to, say, French mixtes. But that still doesn't mean that <i>all</i> Japanese mixtes are relaxed and comfortable - it depends on the model.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-82520074711698541912010-11-19T23:35:22.680-05:002010-11-19T23:35:22.680-05:00Anonymous: Funny you should mention $40. That'...Anonymous: Funny you should mention $40. That's what I paid for a really nice double top tube Nishiki at a garage sale last summer. I shined/cleaned/fixed it up (new bottom bracket, freewheel, chain, cables, housing and a brass bell) and gave it to a friend as a surprise birthday present.<br />She was thrilled, and I had fun with an easy bike project.<br />The Nishiki's 27-inch wheels on a small frame make it look even more "compact" than Velouria's Royal H. Thanks for an excellent side-by-side comparison of two lovely mixtes of different pedigree.<br />Hmmm. Maybe my wife should have a Betty with drop bars for her go-fast bike.MT cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17451590809473759574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91836987520097157262010-11-19T10:39:22.480-05:002010-11-19T10:39:22.480-05:00Velouria, now you got my wheels turning. I haven&...Velouria, now you got my wheels turning. I haven't been able to get the Shogun mixte off my mind - it's in real good shape, a 10 speed. Seller said it belonged to his wife and that he estimates he purchased it in the 1980's. The bike will still need fenders, rack etc... He's willing to sell to me for $100.00, even though I offered slightly less from the original price of $125.00.<br />But here's my dilemma, I'm also scheduled to pick up a 1960's Raleight LTD-3 this w/e, which from the photos that I saw (craig's list) looks to be in pretty good shape except for one of the fenders, which is slightly bent (looks like it can be fixed). Other than that the owner says it's in very good shape. I'm <br />getting a super deal ($40.00). I plan to restore (using your recommendations from a previous <br />blog). Look like it still has the original sturmey <br />archer hub, so I'm curious to see how good a <br />shape it's in. Will let you know what I decide. <br />Your comments or recommendatios are <br />welcome.<br /><br />SMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26943118233179183552010-11-19T09:26:42.275-05:002010-11-19T09:26:42.275-05:00I could not resist the frame when it went on sale ...I could not resist the frame when it went on sale and I would be happy to send photos and review. I would like to hear what the other owner says, too!<br /><br />I knew I would not keep the frame the color it currently is, but now I am seriously considering having it chromed instead of powder-coated. My husband keeps reminding me this was supposed to be more of a beater than my Retrovelo but I probably can't be stopped I think I might be clinically incapable of "beater."neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83277680894847921422010-11-19T09:15:15.027-05:002010-11-19T09:15:15.027-05:00neighbourtease - Exciting! Please-please consider ...neighbourtease - Exciting! Please-please consider emailing me a review of your VO mixe with some pictures, once you have it. I've just received a review from another owner, and would like to post a compilation of reader reviews in leu of my own ability to test-ride this bike.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73843064640778803962010-11-19T09:00:26.857-05:002010-11-19T09:00:26.857-05:00I rode a couple of Japanese mixtes from Craigslist...I rode a couple of Japanese mixtes from Craigslist before deciding to buy a VO frame. I thought they were really comfortable, actually, way way more so than the Peugots I tried out. The ones I rode were in pretty bad condition and I wanted to build up my own bike rather than gradually replace faltering components. But I think they are a great and often super cute option. I had a red Univega mixte when I was 13 :)<br /><br />I think a lot of women's bikes, particularly those that are just a "ladies version" of a men's bike, are better suited to women with longer torsos.neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16113599209137112062010-11-19T05:47:29.183-05:002010-11-19T05:47:29.183-05:00Enjoyed reading your post. Find it very interestin...Enjoyed reading your post. Find it very interesting. Thanks for sharing it up. Great job.hectorhttp://www.rentbikeamsterdam.nlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21771181946430767152010-11-18T23:09:01.319-05:002010-11-18T23:09:01.319-05:00Yeah, I really see the major differences once you ...Yeah, I really see the major differences once you point them out. I love the big wheel-smaller frame look of your Royal H. I guess that is the classic French look you speak of. Gorgeous.Dottiehttp://letsgorideabike.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5381676637714364412010-11-18T23:02:40.298-05:002010-11-18T23:02:40.298-05:00SM - I have never ridden a Japanese mixte (Shogun,...SM - I have never ridden a Japanese mixte (Shogun, Nishiki, Miyata), but as I understand it they were more relaxed then the French ones as they were built as touring bikes. I propose you get it and tell us how it handles : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25857608054868117382010-11-18T22:18:32.115-05:002010-11-18T22:18:32.115-05:00I have to say I have a soft spot for the twin side...I have to say I have a soft spot for the twin side lateral Mixte frames. I recently rode a vintage Shogan lugged Mixte with the shifters near the head tube. It was the first time i ever rode a Mixte frame and it handled pretty well to my surprise. I'm still debating whether I should have purchased it. Love reading your reviews - thanks.<br /><br />SMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24940520591800829522010-11-18T19:41:09.743-05:002010-11-18T19:41:09.743-05:00MDI - Why would a relaxed bike flex too much?
I t...MDI - Why would a relaxed bike flex too much?<br /><br />I think the reason many vintage mixtes (from the 70s and early 80s) had steep angles, is because they were designed as female versions of road bikes, <i>not</i> as comfy touring or around town bikes. The fact that they came with drop bars and were matched to a male version of the same model pretty much makes that clear to me.<br /><br />Frits - Thanks for the link. Those are interesting, and a little strange-loking to me! The full chaincase that I am used to seeing on roadsters/ "Dutch" bikes looks a little out of place, and the angles do look very aggressive. The prices seem reasonable.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28338835998448881672010-11-18T19:14:58.409-05:002010-11-18T19:14:58.409-05:00Oddly, a lot of vintage mixtes I encounter have st...Oddly, a lot of vintage mixtes I encounter have steepish seat tube angles. I wonder if this is done partly because a relaxed bike would flex too much.MDIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810401918223629618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2509165692009671382010-11-18T17:26:48.670-05:002010-11-18T17:26:48.670-05:00Mixtes indeed are making a comeback. Just last wee...Mixtes indeed are making a comeback. Just last week there was some publicity about a new internet-only Dutch manufacturer, Tulpfietsen (www.tulpfietsen.nl), which assembles rather simple bikes in Maastricht and has them adjusted by local technicians at the buyers' address. One of the models is a mixte based on what they call a pre-war Amsterdam model, with twin top stays (welded, I'm afraid - only their loop frames are lugged). Not much choice but the price is very reasonable. <br />What is noticeable on the mixte is that its stance is rather aggressive. Details can be seen in the short video on the website, under "Over Tulpfietsen". It's all in Dutch but the pics and video are telling enough.Frits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12372315675498936822010-11-18T17:10:24.607-05:002010-11-18T17:10:24.607-05:00Alan -For me, because of the Albatross bars and ho...Alan -For me, because of the Albatross bars and how high they are typically set, this is not a problem on the Betty. I actually have a very short torso (you can see it in the pictures) and the amount of stretching-out feels just right. But again this is something that is entirely rooted in personal preference.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27381578607604703392010-11-18T17:06:34.490-05:002010-11-18T17:06:34.490-05:00Thanks Velouria and Peppy. Instinctively I was ac...Thanks Velouria and Peppy. Instinctively I was actually leaning more towards the bigger size and I may just go with it. I used to have an aversion to bikes that seem too large but since gaining a bit of cycling experience, my greater fear is feeling too cramped. This is the feeling I have on my (small sized) Pashley and I don't want to get it wrong again.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694245723276830057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-307420047259909622010-11-18T16:45:48.386-05:002010-11-18T16:45:48.386-05:00@Peppy
There is (virtual) top tube length to cons...@Peppy<br /><br />There is (virtual) top tube length to consider, though. Modern bikes such as the Betty Foy get proportionally longer front-to-back as they get taller. So while top tube clearance may not be an issue on an oversized mixte, the excessive length front-to-back may be, particularly for individuals with long-ish legs and short-ish torsos. Of course, bars such as the Albatross at least partially mitigate for this issue, as do short-reach stems.Alan@EcoVelohttp://www.ecovelo.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70573239755399247922010-11-18T16:21:27.435-05:002010-11-18T16:21:27.435-05:00Thank you Peppy! I was not sure how to explain thi...Thank you Peppy! I was not sure how to explain this without turning it into a page-long treatise.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87528456949847817002010-11-18T16:17:14.685-05:002010-11-18T16:17:14.685-05:00There is no _need_ to show "so many inches&qu...There is no _need_ to show "so many inches" of seat post, so long as you're not riding the seat tube itself. That's just nonsense, completely inapplicable to non-diamond-frames. I wish people would stop saying that.<br /><br />On diamond frames it's inevitable to show lots of seat post because if you can straddle the top tube, you'll need your saddle *much* higher because the pedal is higher than the ground. On loops/mixtes/step-throughs, there is no top tube, so you don't have to worry about this stuff and can pick a bigger/better fitting bike if you so desire. Don't ignore the ONE benefit of non-diamond-frames, which is no top-tube sizing conflicts! Meh!Peppy (the cat)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75623546598756223262010-11-18T15:51:14.376-05:002010-11-18T15:51:14.376-05:00Jennifer - with the 26" wheels you can get th...Jennifer - with the 26" wheels you can get the Schwalbe Delta Cruisers. They are not quite as fat as the Grand Bois (35mm vs 40mm), but they are very fast and very cushy! Also keep in mind that the Grand Bois would have made the already slightly too big bike even bigger - since they would raise it off the ground more. <br /><br />Vee - Speaking solely for myself, I like the "big" look. My Gazelle is enormous and I have the saddle shoved all the way down. For some reason I enjoy big bikes, but everyone is different.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9472465927588355442010-11-18T15:41:42.842-05:002010-11-18T15:41:42.842-05:00One of the reasons I have not taken the plunge wit...One of the reasons I have not taken the plunge with the Betty Foy is indecision about the sizing. I'm 5'2" with a PBH of 72cm and Rivendell advised that either the 47cm or the 52cm would be fine. I pressed a bit and Grant has helpfully advised that the 47cm would be best as the 52cm will leave hardly any seat post, which he thinks would look a bit strange. It's good to get some clarity but I really want the 650B tires so I can get the Grand Bois tires you and MDI love so much. I think they would be great for the kind of riding I have in mind. Thanks as always for all the great information.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694245723276830057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81050146565667422652010-11-18T15:28:58.573-05:002010-11-18T15:28:58.573-05:00Nice and helpful.
the more I hear the more I thin...Nice and helpful.<br /><br />the more I hear the more I think Betty is actually my girl. hearts and apples or not. and at 5 feet the 52cm def fit well but "looked" big.MamaVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519007680870604271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79344648067862941252010-11-18T14:59:13.931-05:002010-11-18T14:59:13.931-05:00Alan - It's interesting that both my pictures ...Alan - It's interesting that both my pictures and Dottie's (of LGRAB) pictures/videos of her Betty have elicited a few comments that the bike is too big. But I would have chosen this size even if there was an in between size. It feels "just right" and I don't like to mess with that feeling. But then again, I prefer to ride the largest frame I can get away with, whereas others may not. Also, if you are basing your impression of the sizing on how little seatpost is showing, I should say that I could have raised the saddle another inch, but was too lazy to adjust it.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17985072867587407452010-11-18T14:51:28.441-05:002010-11-18T14:51:28.441-05:00Nice article.
I'm wondering about the 58cm Be...Nice article.<br /><br />I'm wondering about the 58cm Betty. I may be mistaken, but in the photos it appears to me to be too large for you. I'm just curious how you went about choosing that size. I'm guessing you probably need the non-existent 55 and the 60 was the better of the two options?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Alanalan@ecovelohttp://www.ecovelo.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18381436898571236632010-11-18T11:05:13.981-05:002010-11-18T11:05:13.981-05:00Part of the reason the Betty Foy doesn't appea...Part of the reason the Betty Foy doesn't appeal to my bike aesthetic is that I want a mixte to "look" like a mixte, that is, with the twin lateral stays. I also prefer the look of a higher top tube. Nice breakdown of the functional differences between these frames.summernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55290840498422628852010-11-18T06:27:34.454-05:002010-11-18T06:27:34.454-05:00Thanks. I'd never really compared mixte design...Thanks. I'd never really compared mixte design like this before.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.com