tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post6417501273717714761..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Buying a Vintage Mixte: What to Look ForVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63098721610560571512016-10-16T19:02:47.958-04:002016-10-16T19:02:47.958-04:00Well I acquired my sister's bordeaux red Puch ...Well I acquired my sister's bordeaux red Puch Austro Daimler Pathfinder AD as a birthday present and I am working on it. She had run into it with her car in the garage so the seatstays were bent but I trued them (mallet and 2X4). Then 6 hours of derusting components - wore out 3 metal brushes and six toothbrushes. Saddle - old Selle - probably original - was not salvageable after car-mashing. Looked at Brooks and got $cared off, even on CL. Trying some random vintage looking thing from ebay til I can figure it out. Suntour components mainly, but can't tell if good til I get a saddle. Stll fun. Thans for info. Aggrieved Persons Everywherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09868275879324689935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71370361377443031532016-01-23T22:48:57.494-05:002016-01-23T22:48:57.494-05:00Great ongoing thread. Found 1976 yellow Peugeot i...Great ongoing thread. Found 1976 yellow Peugeot in the trash on the side of the road. Took it home and rebuilt for my wife. Used 27" Avaya aluminum rims, flat bar, twist shifters, 3x6 Shimano drivetrains. Since I have a source of loose square bottom bracket axles, combining these with new caged bearings and the original French thread cups solved compatibility problems. Center pull brakes cleaned up nicely. Bike is a comfortable Sunday rider (we also ride Catrike tadpole trikes, as well as upright MTB and touring bikes.) In the winter it gets used on a training stand, much more comfortable to ride than a stationary bike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42557607237902034652015-11-30T00:02:49.564-05:002015-11-30T00:02:49.564-05:00This story was from 2010, it's now late 2015 a...This story was from 2010, it's now late 2015 and the notion of picking and choosing or shopping around for a vintage Mixte today is quaint. Nowadays in my parts they're on CL for a day and then they're gone. Now it's more like buy it fast or it's gone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26955834600694767092015-04-15T14:52:27.487-04:002015-04-15T14:52:27.487-04:00Great piece! I've read this blog for years and...Great piece! I've read this blog for years and it's so great to see someone documenting so articulately the phases one goes through as a cyclist; the "Ever-Changing You," as you said in your most recent article. I've been riding fairly aggressive road bikes and track/fixies since about 2003, but have been transitioning into touring/rando in my advancing age. You blog has proven very helpful in this.<br /><br />I came back to this particular piece (and your other mixte pieces) because I'm in the middle of rebuilding a circa '73 Peugeot mixte for my better half. It was found at a flea market fully intact and barely ridden. I can't wait to finish it!<br /><br />I want to point out that, while frame geometry indeed cannot be altered, there is something of a remedy for toe-strike, which is swapping out the fork for one with more rake. It does nothing for the head tube angle, yes, but can at least reduce the tendency for toe-strike. It also lengthens the wheelbase a tad, and more fork rake means more stable handling.<br /><br />Just wanted to add that tidbit and thank you for your years of valuable service to the cause!<br /><br />-DustinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12376573646140116282014-04-19T15:30:58.781-04:002014-04-19T15:30:58.781-04:00A couple months back I saw a CL ad : girls bike $6...A couple months back I saw a CL ad : girls bike $60<br />It was a large frame '83 Univega Sportour mixte with<br />top-of -the-line custom components in mint<br />condition. I was on my way home with it one hour<br />after it was posted.<br />Squirrely? You bet, but what a ride. Today you can't<br />buy a new bike this good with $600. I'm a tall guy, so<br />it took some mods to tailor to fit. Anyone who thinks<br />these bike are just for girls missed the boat.<br />The dbl. butted chromo frame is light yet very strong,<br />and it flexes ever so slightly in a fast turn or over a<br />bump. Ben Lawee's slogun was "Ride it your way".<br />(some hamburger exec jumped on that one)<br />I've had a number standard type road bikes, but none<br />that performed the way this 30+ yr. old 'vega doesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17824754745649420812013-02-06T07:00:46.219-05:002013-02-06T07:00:46.219-05:00Velouria -I was digging about lookng for info on m...Velouria -I was digging about lookng for info on mixtes when I found your postings. I recently purchased back from a friend a 1982 Austro-Daimler Puch Michelle mixte - looks like this - http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/82/Michelle%20Alpina.jpg <br /><br />The specs were not listed as completely as I'd have liked, but the previous year's Michelle had a good spec range listed in teh ad - here - http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/81/Alpina%20Michelle.bmp<br /><br />I'm looking forward to riding this old girl - I don't think my friend rode it much - nubs are still on the tires and the handlebar wrap was never changed. <br /><br />I was considering albatross bars, but I think I may wind up with Soma Oxford bars - similar bar, less money, a bit more parallel, I think.<br /><br />Thanks for the great info in your posts - it's been really helpful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-92153567078247117062012-06-26T16:57:01.350-04:002012-06-26T16:57:01.350-04:00Great post! Thanks for providing such useful infor...Great post! Thanks for providing such useful information.santinj@https://www.blogger.com/profile/10130263877410085300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72406510713530232182012-04-02T23:28:04.811-04:002012-04-02T23:28:04.811-04:00Just as I was perusing craigslist for vintage bike...Just as I was perusing craigslist for vintage bikes, POW! This came up in my quick Google search. Thank you for being so thorough. I'm feeling infinitely more confident as I head into my potential transactions.Senaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05067924426359213302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42799382726983470792012-02-27T09:51:12.627-05:002012-02-27T09:51:12.627-05:00What exactly are the benefits of converting to 700...What exactly are the benefits of converting to 700c wheels?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91862559396438565092011-08-10T16:33:49.561-04:002011-08-10T16:33:49.561-04:00This is a great post. I love steel lugged mixte f...This is a great post. I love steel lugged mixte frames. Just thought that I would share what I did to convert a bike from 27" wheels to 700c wheels. For the bike in question, it was actually quite easy. I was able to find a guy selling NOS Dura Ace center pull brakes that had a little bit longer reach. I just installed the brakes and that's all there was to it.<br /><br />Another option to resolve braking issues when converting to smaller sized wheels is to use drum brake hubs. This is obviously quite costly because you have to have a new wheelset built, but an option nonetheless. Using drum brakes might even give you the option of using wheels, like 26" or 650b, with fatter tires. You would just have to make sure that the bottom bracket isn't lowered too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3184391311504210582011-07-19T16:10:54.405-04:002011-07-19T16:10:54.405-04:00Just found your post and already selected my mixte...Just found your post and already selected my mixte which is in transit : Peugeot 1986 mixte with upright handle bars and a wide eat, chrome fenders. I hope I hope I got the right bike. I had been used to riding a 1984 super challenge (men's) converted to upright handle bars. Somewhere along the way someone really messed up my bike replacing parts as mentioned above by another Gitane owner.Could probably have made my Gitane last longer if I had taken better care and been more knowledgeable about parts.Cathie Joy Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05522633790317689028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73256266316117150762011-06-25T19:43:42.469-04:002011-06-25T19:43:42.469-04:00As cute as mixtes are I have never seen one that w...As cute as mixtes are I have never seen one that was anywhere near tall enough for me to ride it.MelissatheRagamuffinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25944496918596073752010-11-26T12:23:43.302-05:002010-11-26T12:23:43.302-05:00Thanks for all your advice and insight on this blo...Thanks for all your advice and insight on this blog. This inspired me to do up a vintage mixte for my girlfriend as her cheap modern Raleigh was a dog to ride and ugly as sin... I'm nearly done with the conversion but here she is so far - http://www.flickr.com/photos/myblackboxrocks/5209514074/myblackboxrockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428406975053090144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41039145358310274142010-10-21T02:56:27.162-04:002010-10-21T02:56:27.162-04:00Amazing to come to this now. I consulted your site...Amazing to come to this now. I consulted your site several times when planning and building my wife's bike, which is a vintage-ised 80s Bianchi mixte. As you have said, it's actually quite roady, and as I rebuilt everything from scratch, the cranks/gearing/wheels/etc are all pretty roady too. However, with a nice set of swept-back bars (plus cork grips), it's very comfortable as well as zippy. <br /><br />I put side pull brakes on, and as mentioned above this did create a slightly tricky rear cabling situation, mostly solved with a cable tie around the seat tube (though if the bars get twisted too far, it can put some strain on the housing). <br /><br />Re 700c wheels: Remember that you will almost certainly have to change the brakes if you change the wheel diameter, since the old ones most likely will not reach. If you're completely replacing the brakes anyway, this may not matter. However, also beware that in some cases even the longest size brake arms may not reach the rims of 700c wheels in a frame meant for 27". <br /><br />Re metric: Most modern bike parts use metric, so if you're replacing with modern parts, it's less of an issue. I do believe though that French bikes tend to have all kinds of non-standard parts (cranksets, etc as mentioned above) which can make them difficult to work with.<br /><br />One potential issue with getting a "roady" mixte is that the gearing could be intended for speed, not easy hill climbing. Replacing one or both chain rings at the front or the whole rear cluster could provide more comfortable riding. <br /><br />As for fixing one up yourself, many cities have bicycle coops (or similar organisations), with rent-by-the-hour shop space/tools, as well as extensive used parts bins.Kieranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14385673876363854687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58698901610213302872010-09-02T00:27:09.230-04:002010-09-02T00:27:09.230-04:00There's more to mixte's than meets the eye...There's more to mixte's than meets the eye. And they were generally designed as road bikes. the split bar design was a way to build a strong fast frame but still allow for dresses or for people to get on the bike easier etc.. Mixtes were typically ridden by men as well. I mistakenly bought a gitane last year from a local guy that sells old bikes he 'fixes' up. I should have just taken the bike home on the spot and fixed it myself but he insisted he would repair it for me(it is his business after all right?) and I thought he knew what he was doing. He did not. Being a french bike the gitane needs a french bottom bracket or specific cottered crank. He put any old cottered crank on the bike, stuck some random chain ring and cranks on, took off the simplex rear derailleur and put something weird on etc. <br />The was able to ride the bike a short distance and it was definitely a twitchy racehorse of a bike which I wanted....but I haven't had the money to put into repairing the bike. The biggest problem is that I do not know which french bottom bracket size to get because I do not know what crank size the bike needs.<br />So, definitely make sure you get an older bike that is in good working order.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56336817285846715832010-08-16T22:32:10.107-04:002010-08-16T22:32:10.107-04:00I have 4 Mixtes:
Motobecane (drop bars), Nishiki (...I have 4 Mixtes:<br />Motobecane (drop bars), Nishiki (North bars, Fuji (drop bars) Raleigh (North bars). And I'm a guy. Just love the frames and easy to justify as my loaner bikes when my female friend want to ride. Novice riders even like the drops. One warning, you will end up personalizing a Mixte. ie: Brooks saddle, fenders, bells, racks, baskets. Panaracer Pasela Tire looks good with gum walls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67578562844271948042010-07-25T17:42:41.435-04:002010-07-25T17:42:41.435-04:00my parents just gave me a peugot mixte (thanks to ...my parents just gave me a peugot mixte (thanks to this post and my obsessive reading of your blog the last few days i can now properly classify it) a couple months ago. i have LOVED loved loved adding a basket and riding it around town, but...my bike lust was ignited riding in copenhagen. on a dutch style city bike. of course with my retro girly sensibilities the mixte isn't going to quite cut it. i think i've been having dreams about the retrovelos...unfortunately...i probably don't ride quite enough to rationalize a $2k bike. :(<br /><br />(also, i'm not far from boston! it's fun to see someone in new england as obsessed with beautiful european bikes as me. or actually, maybe moreso, huh?)g.c.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14202903406033584093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34203130729105055332010-06-29T00:40:32.253-04:002010-06-29T00:40:32.253-04:00Great post! And perfect timing as I'm consider...Great post! And perfect timing as I'm considering adding a sporty mixte to my fleet. :-)E Ahttp://www.bikecommuters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6094478149135932202010-06-24T07:56:43.999-04:002010-06-24T07:56:43.999-04:00Hi Velouria,
After a year enjoying your blog, it&...Hi Velouria,<br /><br />After a year enjoying your blog, it's time for me to stop lurking! ;)<br /><br />I found your website about the same time I discovered mixtes, so I've been watching your progress with your two with great interest. I had no idea what to look out for but went ahead and bought one myself a month ago. AND THEN you posted this brilliant set of tips! Luckily, however, my Puch Princess fits me and suits me and we're having a ball. She's just come out of the bike shop from having a little facelist - here's a few pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10938860@N03/sets/72157624128246558/<br /><br />BTW, I really enjoyed reading about your first ride on a track bike. I tried one out for the first time a few weeks ago... and, well, "Lorelei" may end up a singlespeed in the not-so-distant future!<br /><br />Keep the great posts coming!<br /><br />RebeccaRebeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36125364080525359862010-06-21T10:55:47.020-04:002010-06-21T10:55:47.020-04:00Electra has a really nice line of mixte bikes call...Electra has a really nice line of mixte bikes called Ticino. They're really classy looking and fast. The 8D comes in a pretty wintermint color with hammered fenders. I have a friend that bought one and she loves it. Unfortunately they're aluminum though...Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02843284280678264725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19082763002655516022010-06-15T01:03:40.226-04:002010-06-15T01:03:40.226-04:00Your advice was most timely. I purchased this on S...Your advice was most timely. I purchased this on Saturday. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2-2aY07bZeA/TBcHZBJZPZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/FiHV00xcH-U/s144/P1000668.JPG Rode it yesterday & I couldn't be happier. I've already ordered new stem, bars & a bell.Nouveauwesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950425846684106382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39441593912383241132010-06-10T01:57:41.615-04:002010-06-10T01:57:41.615-04:00I like my 83' Univega Alpina Uno the best - lo...I like my 83' Univega Alpina Uno the best - long wheel base, chromeplated and then painted chromoly frame - I set it up for cargo hauling, including a trailer hitch and a triple Sugino crankset. I am putting it's 4th set of wheels on soon - Electric Red Velocity Aeroheats' on 36 hole White industry hubs (8 speed cassette), reusing the hubs from the second wheel set. Have a V.O. touring saddle on it, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires (will upgrade to Marathon Plus Tour with the new wheels) - and my favorite feature: microratcheting Suntour thumb shifters - nobody makes anything this good anymore. My very most favorite thing about this bike - I carry my personal stereo (for daily use, only 7 lbs) as well as a very loud P.A. when on big rides (i.e. Chicago Critical Mass, etc... - 22 lbs). I turn heads - Nobody has my ride except for me!spacemodularhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17321400696456232442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90950387849900846322010-06-10T01:02:12.928-04:002010-06-10T01:02:12.928-04:00Curiously, my wife and I just bought the sister to...Curiously, my wife and I just bought the sister to your Mercier mixte - where yours is cream colored, hers is light green. The mixte is lighter weight than I expected, and somehow it looks tiny even though it really isn't. It's a nice nimble bike, without feeling unstable at all. I'll try to post some pictures for you to see sometime this weekend.<br />-Ericewmyershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14367709445419514394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42344507879516909892010-06-09T22:51:20.411-04:002010-06-09T22:51:20.411-04:00Decent-quality mixtes were made by many manufactur...Decent-quality mixtes were made by many manufacturers, many of them not French -- Nishiki, Univega, Centurion, Raleigh are all English threaded (read: easy to replace components). The lightest ones, of course, were the ones with Reynolds 531 tubesets, most often by Motobécane, Peugeot and Raleigh, and a few small/custom makers (Bob Jackson, Jack Taylor); and those are not so easy to come by nowadays. Most of the ones I see on eBay or CraigsList (I'm looking too, and choosy!) are in a very similar size range, about right for a medium-height female, as has been pointed out above. And very few of the mass-production mixtes are really “racing” geometry frames -- I don't think that's really such an issue to worry about. Like buying any older bike, there's great personal appeal to them, but you have to be willing to live with them awhile and put time and money into them, if you really love them. Not for everyone, obviously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56488059202697929472010-06-09T20:55:11.990-04:002010-06-09T20:55:11.990-04:00Thanks for the post! I got a 78 Univega mixte over...Thanks for the post! I got a 78 Univega mixte over Memorial Day weekend and I'm in the process of upgrading/restoring it. I wished I had known all I've learned now thanks your post. However, I will run the tests your recommend. lol!SPACE RIDER GAL ~**~ LA CHICA DE LA SPACE RIDERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14902187094625981762noreply@blogger.com