Classic & Vintage - mixte frame

I am going to build a mixte up for my wife. No real timetable, I have had a discussion with Easthill and she is going to be gracious to keep a heads up for a frame and fork or complete rebuildable bike in not basket case condition. I need to educate myself in the world of mixte frames as I don't know squat about them. What are some things to look out for? What are some of the better builders and brands and what kind of value is usually put on them? Are they more pricey due to the lack of them or are they a bit less desireable than the norm. I'm getting some nice ideas on this build so far. I don't care about the color as it will be powdercoated in a green that she showed me which hopefully someone can replicate. She does however like my elkhide bar cover from Velo Orange so thats going to go on this bike. Are these bikes normally drop bars or something else like a comfort bike. I need all the info I can get thanks. Oh and EH you rock I know my wife is gonna love this bike and if not I'll ride the thing myself :)

Several manufacturers made mixtes...

The same plusses and minuses as standard frames.

French may be nice, but weird threads. Schwinns have strange stem sizes...

Chromoly is better than hiten steel. The number available in chromoly seems to be low, but not exceptionally rare.

From what I have seen, they were available with both drop bars and upright.

Otherwise, I have never heard of a mixte that isn't worth redoing/riding unless you have an aversion to the heavier tubing of the non-chromoly bikes.

The thing I personally look for in mixtes is the tubing juncture of the two slender long tubes and the seat tube. Some will simply be TIG wleded while others have more favorable unique lugs of their own.
Here was a nice one that just went for higher than I expected http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330217201535

The thing I personally look for in mixtes is the tubing juncture of the two slender long tubes and the seat tube. Some will simply be TIG wleded while others have more favorable unique lugs of their own.
Here was a nice one that just went for higher than I expected http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330217201535

Yeah, that one was nice, but the price got a bit insane, IMO. Says it comes with the original French cups, but you're still on your own to build up a French BB. And if the original cups are the thin ones, that just makes it harder.

I've been selling complete, clean mixtes for less than that - maybe I should just strip them and sell the framesets on eBay. :D

I used a Raleigh Super Course Mixte MK II (531 main tubes) converted to a Nexus 7 speed w/ coaster brake (her request) for my wife's ride. She likes it very much. Fenders, rack & handle bars came from a trash picked Peugeot mixte. The wheels are 700c w/ 32mm tires. I removed the basket since this shot was taken.
When we talked about getting a bike for her, she was adamant that she did not want a multi-geared bike as they were to hard to operate in her opinion. The Nexus was a nice compromise as it is east to shift, you can shift when stopped and have enough low gears for the hills around these parts.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/BriansPictures.jpg

That Super Course mixte is very cool. I used a mid-80s Raleigh Marathon frame for my wife's mixte, powdercoated purple with 6-speed transmission, Planet Bike fenders, 700c wheels, chainguard, Albatross and front WALD basket.

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/TABMixte.jpg

Neal

I'm building up a Centurion Le Mans mixte intro a 650B bike equipped with a Nexus 8 speed and a Sturmey Archer front drum brake. Going to get the frame powder coated at Sycip soon
The Centurion mixtes I've found are relatively easy to find, Tange cro-moly and some nice lugs

Well, if any of you in the Bay Area have any mixtes that are too beat up to sell readily, let stringbreaker know. I'm going to be down there at the end of March, and I'll be driving. It wouldn't be too difficult to throw in another bike as I will be bringin only the Sachs.

East Hill

Well, if any of you in the Bay Area have any mixtes that are too beat up to sell readily, let stringbreaker know. I'm going to be down there at the end of March, and I'll be driving. It wouldn't be too difficult to throw in another bike as I will be bringin only the Sachs.

East Hill

I've got a Univega Nuovo Sport frameset, with a chrome fork. Paint's a bit ratty, but the frame is straight and sound. Needs everything but a headset .... :D

I've got a Univega Nuovo Sport frameset, with a chrome fork. Paint's a bit ratty, but the frame is straight and sound. Needs everything but a headset .... :D

Stringbreaker, how does that sound?

East Hill

The thing I personally look for in mixtes is the tubing juncture of the two slender long tubes and the seat tube. Some will simply be TIG wleded while others have more favorable unique lugs of their own.The Bianchi mixtes all seem to have that seat lug-- or at least the hybrids do. However, instead of the two lateral tubes, they have a single lateral tube joined at the seat by a lug, and then two lateral tubes welded to the lug continuing back to the dropout.

http://members.aol.com/midorihatch/bianchi4.jpg


Every other mixte I've seen has had the lateral tubes welded to the seat tube.

I've got a Univega Nuovo Sport frameset, with a chrome fork. Paint's a bit ratty, but the frame is straight and sound. Needs everything but a headset .... :DThat should be high quality-- cromo, right? And probably double or triple butted cromo at that.

The Bianchi mixtes all seem to have that seat lug-- or at least the hybrids do. However, instead of the two lateral tubes, they have a single lateral tube joined at the seat by a lug, and then two lateral tubes welded to the lug continuing back to the dropout.

Every other mixte I've seen has had the lateral tubes welded to the seat tube.

I’ve seen some old Schwinn Le Tour III’s that were set up with the Mixte stays (extra set of seat tube stays) and just a single drop tube; all welded to the seat tube. I was reading in another thread and a person referred to these bikes as “Near Mixtes”… I kind of like that name…:)

I have a circa 1985 Fuji Mixte made with the VALlite tubing… It has the narrow twin drop tubes with a dedicated lug for the seat tube/drop tubes joint. Not a top end frame, but seems pretty well built to me.

I’ve seen some old Schwinn Le Tour III’s that were set up with the Mixte stays (extra set of seat tube stays) and just a single drop tube; all welded to the seat tube. I was reading in another thread and a person referred to these bikes as “Near Mixtes”… I kind of like that name…:)Motobecane made those single tube mixtes as well. I've got a Grand Touring in that configuration, and I've seen a Super Touring set up like that too.


I have a circa 1985 Fuji Mixte made with the VALlite tubing… It has the narrow twin drop tubes with a dedicated lug for the seat tube/drop tubes joint. Not a top end frame, but seems pretty well built to me.I've got a valite Fuji mixte as well. It has a lug at the top of the seat tube, where the seat stays attach. Is that what you're referring to, or do you mean another lug, where the twin lateral tubes are attached to the seat tube?

Are these bikes normally drop bars or something else like a comfort bike.

The beauty of a mixte is that you can have drop bars (which is how mine are set up), or upright bars. Either way is perfectly acceptable--although Dr. D will tell you it is heresy to have drops.

But I find drops more comfortable, so drops it is for me.

East Hill

Speaking of Centurion mixtes (http://cgi.ebay.com/Centurion-Le-Mans-Mixte-Rivendell-Bridgestone-wanabee_W0QQitemZ220210682324QQihZ012QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)...

bigbossman what size is the frame? My wife is diminutive in stature 5' 2" so its gotta be pretty small probably not bigger than a 47cm or 48cm max. EH what size do you ride? I think Mrs Stringbreaker is a bit taller than you

This Schwinn (http://cgi.ebay.com/49-cm-Schwinn-Traveler-Road-Bike-Frame-Lugged-Mixte_W0QQitemZ310030297539QQihZ021QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), on the other hand, is not a mixte (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_m.html#mixte).

Blue order I saw that one its too large. Sure is nice though. What might something like that end up going for?

My wife is diminutive in stature 5' 2" so its gotta be pretty small probably not bigger than a 47cm or 48cm max. After searching high and low for the 5'1" Ms. Blue Order, I can say they're hard to find. The Bianchi hybrid mixtes are 47 cm, and maybe some of the Japanese frames, such as East Hill's Centurion, and some Nishikis will be in the range you're looking for.

bigbossman what size is the frame? My wife is diminutive in stature 5' 2" so its gotta be pretty small probably not bigger than a 47cm or 48cm max. EH what size do you ride? I think Mrs Stringbreaker is a bit taller than you

If I can ride it, so can Mrs. Stringbreaker. I'm 5'0'' , so there's not a lot of difference in our heights.

East Hill

Blue order I saw that one its too large. Sure is nice though. What might something like that end up going for?My guess is $200- $250, including shipping. East Hill has a Centurion Le Mans in a smaller frame size, I don't remember what she paid for hers, but she can probably tell you.

Mine was $125 for the Centurion, but I only paid $25 for the beautiful blue Peugeot which got re-homed with Blue Order.

So, big variation. I would guess around $125 would be a reasonable amount for an entire bike.

East Hill

Just saw a nice looking (well the pictures arn't too good) on e-bay I had to look under womens on complete bikes and frames. Check it out see what ya think http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-MIYATA-WOMENS-ROAD-CRUISER-BIKE-49CM_W0QQitemZ220209800376QQihZ012QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohos ting

Looks like it might be hi-ten (I can't quite make out the tubing stickers, but it looks like "1024"?). You can still build up a nice ride for Mrs. Stringbreaker with that bike, but you can also find a higher quality ride if you're patient. There was a nice Motobecane Grand Jubile (http://cgi.ebay.com/50cm-Motobecane-Nervex-Huret-Cr-Mo-Mixte-Frame-Set_W0QQitemZ330217201535QQihZ014QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) mixte frameset on eBay recently, but it wasn't cheap.

I suggest that you look for frame that has the rear brake mounted on the middle par of stays instead of on the seat stays. Otherwise you have to use a special "upside down" rear brake like on Neals bike above or end up with some wierd brake cable routing like on my mixte.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/558351622LHIONO

I'm curious about the lug that bionicycle mentioned. Mine has no such lug and I haven't seen on that has.
I've never seen one with the twin tubes welded directly to the seat tube either. There is normally a reinforcing plate there. If the tubes were welded directly to the seat tube, there would be no room between them for fenders and possibly for tires.

From what I've seen, Nishiki offered mixte frames in small sizes.

No telling what size it is, or what frame material, but here's a sweet Nishiki mixte (http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/600815998.html).

And for a very small mixte (East Hill? :D ): Nishiki child's 10 speed (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/bik/600839122.html)

I suggest that you look for frame that has the rear brake mounted on the middle par of stays instead of on the seat stays. Otherwise you have to use a special "upside down" rear brake like on Neals bike above or end up with some wierd brake cable routing like on my mixte.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/558351622LHIONO

I'm curious about the lug that bionicycle mentioned. Mine has no such lug and I haven't seen on that has.
I've never seen one with the twin tubes welded directly to the seat tube either. There is normally a reinforcing plate there. If the tubes were welded directly to the seat tube, there would be no room between them for fenders and possibly for tires.

Yea.. I think I was wrong in calling it a lug, in the normal sence. It is much more of a "reinforcing plate" as you call it. The way my Fuji is made though, I would not be able to mount a brake on it; as I have seen on other Mixte frames.

I do remeber seeing a picture of a mixte type frame once, that had the two down tubes just spot welded, or brazed to the seat tube, it had a little cross tube brace in front of the seat tube, and one up closer to the head tube. But after the seat tube the twin down tubes just flared out to the dropouts. But, seeing as how I can't remeber where I saw it, or what name brand it was... feel free to discount it as bunk for now.:o It may have been some kind of custom frame... I looked at soo many pictures of Mixtes there for a while, trying to get some ideas for mine. Lord only knows where I may have seen it.

I wish I had read here sooner. I just sold an almost mint Raleigh Marathon mixte because it was too small for me. Would have been perfect for your wife.

bigbossman what size is the frame? My wife is diminutive in stature 5' 2" so its gotta be pretty small probably not bigger than a 47cm or 48cm max. EH what size do you ride? I think Mrs Stringbreaker is a bit taller than you

Just measured it - 19-1/2" from center of crank to top of seatpost. That about 49.5cm. I don't see too many smaller than that, but I'll keep my eye out.

48 cm Austro-Daimler mixte (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/593863354.html)

Raleigh Olympian mixte (http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/597848235.html)

48 cm Austro-Daimler mixte (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/593863354.html)

That's one you don't see every day. I'd hate to see it get powder-coated, though.

That's one you don't see every day. I'd hate to see it get powder-coated, though.Yeah, even though it's hi-ten, it has that rarity appeal. That paint looks so good, it would be a shame to re-paint it.

I have a complete Raleigh Marathon mixte in very nice shape that I have been storing to flip this Spring I could part with.

I also have a Bridgestone 200 mixte frameset/headset that hangs in my rafters. The paint is rough, but otherwise the frame is straight.

I made my girlfriend a beautiful townie out of another Bridgestone mixte frame: I converted it to 26" wheels and a Nexus 7spd hub. Super cool.

jim

I sold this little Raleigh Super Course frame for $35.

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/5018/2217736880068014369S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2217736880068014369VNpklt)

Has the OP read the Mixte Thread? (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=227038)

And here's my wife's mixte LINKY From start to finish. (http://gallery.mac.com/bbattle#100013&bgcolor=black&view=grid)
If you wish, PM me for a parts list.

A Miyata i built up for my wife a couple of years ago. I took off all the steel bits, but on alloy, upgraded to 6 speed, blumel fenders. She loves this bike.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff301/terrors2/DSCN1405Large.jpg

Yea.. I think I was wrong in calling it a lug, in the normal sence. It is much more of a "reinforcing plate" as you call it. The way my Fuji is made though, I would not be able to mount a brake on it; as I have seen on other Mixte frames.

I do remeber seeing a picture of a mixte type frame once, that had the two down tubes just spot welded, or brazed to the seat tube, it had a little cross tube brace in front of the seat tube, and one up closer to the head tube. But after the seat tube the twin down tubes just flared out to the dropouts. But, seeing as how I can't remeber where I saw it, or what name brand it was... feel free to discount it as bunk for now.:o It may have been some kind of custom frame... I looked at soo many pictures of Mixtes there for a while, trying to get some ideas for mine. Lord only knows where I may have seen it.

All my uploaded photos are from the wrong angle, but if you look at this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/2290358283_756698a958_o.jpg

You can just see that the white frame has a lug that surrounds the seat tube and half of the top tubes.

The pink frame has the top tubes bent in and spot welded to the ST. This does have the effect of making fender fitment difficult, I had to trim them with a dremel to fit the smaller gap.

Both of these frames are lacking cable stops for centrepull brakes in the middle stays sadly. White is running a drum and pink a sidepull.

White: Australian built 'Master Sports' gaspipe
Pink: Japanese (?) built Shogun, same top tube arrangment as this Univega, which is commented as a Miyata: http://flickr.com/photos/jhvu/363727277/ but this is triple butted Cr-Mo with DT mounted shifters as compared to my 'Tangaloy' with stem shifters

I have a complete Raleigh Marathon mixte in very nice shape that I have been storing to flip this Spring I could part with.

I also have a Bridgestone 200 mixte frameset/headset that hangs in my rafters. The paint is rough, but otherwise the frame is straight.

I made my girlfriend a beautiful townie out of another Bridgestone mixte frame: I converted it to 26" wheels and a Nexus 7spd hub. Super cool.

jim

Can you send me some photos and other pertinent info via PM price etc shipping size of frame. Thanks

Raleigh Super Course mixte frameset (http://cgi.ebay.com/Raleigh-Super-Course-MKII-Mixte-Frame-Fork-Carlton-531_W0QQitemZ150224987807QQihZ005QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)


http://i16.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/e0/eb/db30_12.JPG

I'm buying a nice Univega frame from Bigbossman he tells me and I have no reason to doubt him that its nice and straight. I mailed off the money order this morning and EH will pick it up when she gets down that way at the end of the month. This will be a perfect frame for powder coat as its straight with not so good paint. I think I'm more pumped up than the wife. Now I thought she didn't want any pink on this bike but she said a little bit was ok but no pink paint so there you have it. Will keep you all posted on the progress. BBM let me take this opportunity to publicly thank you for the great frame and the more than fair deal. I'm sure Mrs Stringbreaker will get a lot of joy from riding this bike.

I'm buying a nice Univega frame from Bigbossman ...... BBM let me take this opportunity to publicly thank you for the great frame and the more than fair deal.....

Now I'm on the spot. :eek: :) You might want to wait until you see it, before thanking me. :D

Its apprears to be exactly what I was looking for. What year is the frame? I'm trying to find break calipers and stuff like that and did it come with 27" rims?