Classic & Vintage - C with a Touch of V: Custom Mixte by Royal H. Cycles

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I am starting this thread to shamelessly show off my custom mixte. The frame was built by Royal H. Cycles in Somerville, MA using both new and NOS lugs and tubing. I have a very detailed review of this bicycle here (http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/10/one-and-only-constance-masterpiece-by.html) if you are interested, but I will add a few more tidbits of info to go with the pictures.

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The bicycle was inspired by early Rene Herse mixtes, and I played an active role in what the frame looks like. The builder's studio is close to where I live and he is a very nice guy, so I was able to go there and have a look at all the lugs and tubing and braze-ons as they were being selected and put together - it was fantastic.

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Some of the lugs and tubing were NOS. For instance, the mixte headtube lugs are no longer made, so we were lucky to find vintage ones.

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One very unusual thing the framebuilder did is shown here. As far as we know, no other mixte with this construction exists. Can you tell?

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The framebuilder also suggested the "bullet" style capped stays, which I find oddly fitting with the overall feel of the bike.

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Custom color liquid paint by Circle A in Providence, RI. The frame colour is like a dusty seafoam green. The lug outlining and insignia are a coppery-gold. And yes, the cable housing is gold (Jagwire "Gold Medal").

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Everything interacts beautifully.

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Braze-ons for everything imaginable, as well as routing for the headlight on the inside of the fork.

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I have the build description here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle/sets/72157625035984997/), and let's just say it's VO-heavy - except for the crankset, which is Sugino Alpina.

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But okay, I better stop now! I am only allowed 10 images in a post apparently. What do you think, is it C&V enough? I did not want to make it overly "vintagey", so it does have quite a few modern touches. But overall, people still mistake it for a vintage constructeur at first glance!

May I be the first to say "wow"

Scott

that is absolutely beautiful. I think you just raised the bar for Mixtes on the forum

Sweet. I'm not usually one much for mixtes but that, that my friend, it a very nice machine.

I drooled all over it in the mixte thread , but I'll continue here. Stunning.

Very pretty bike. Almost too nice to ride..

Kudos to the builder

That's gorgeous! Happy riding, Veloria.

Neal

Almost too nice to ride..
Nah. It's too comfortable not to ride. Though I will hang her up for the winter once the snow and sleet start.

For anyone interested I've also just posted a side by side comparison (http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/11/mixte-vs-mixte-whats-difference.html) between this bike and the Rivendell Betty Foy. I am often asked how the two are different, since the Rivendell is one of the few modern lugged mixtes people can use as a point of reference. I wish there was a way to try a VO mixte as well, but short of buying one just for the heck of it I have no opportunity.

I just can't get enough! I followed the building of it in your blog but had not seen the final results. Just an amazingly beautiful bike! Hope it gives you many decades of great riding. That bike is for sure an instant family heirloom.

I love the dropout lug work.

Chris - Your panniers! Wow.

I also followed the building of this bike in your blog. It is simply fabulous.

The frame-maker should get better headline status for this work. It is simply outstanding work.

Thanks again for yet more photos.

This bike is so wonderful!

Wow!

*falls over*

The frame-maker should get better headline status for this work. It is simply outstanding work.
Bryan Hollingsworth is a young builder for Seven Cycles (see here (http://www.sevencycles.com/people/bryan_hollingsworth.php)) working on (of all things!) carbon fiber frames. He had been making lugged steel frames on the side for his own amusement, but only began officially doing it as a business just about a year and a half ago. Since that time he has picked up business rapidly and I hope we continue to see great things from him in future.

Are you the same person who complained that I had taunted you with a picture of someone else's BSA chainguard?

Bloody hell, that's a beautiful bike, V.

Only mixte I've seen that I want, though I'm not a huge sea-foam green gal (once lived next to a hospital painted that exact color for four years. Just too much :)). I'd sacrifice myself and ride that bike though!

Very beautiful. You really outdid yourself, and that's saying a lot, as you've got some pretty dang sweet bikes already.

I came back to this thread to ogle the bike further. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is the sticker on the rim. You couldn't press me to come up with anything else on the bike I don't love though.

There's so many details that are thought of. The cable ends have gold crimps :) Some snazzy valve stem caps would be cool.

I like the super modern RD as well. Its very minimal and doesn't distract too much attention from that gorgeous lugwork at the tail end. mmmmmm!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5079915927_c44110832d_o.jpg

absolutely beautiful...........

Very, very nice. It's bikes like these that really inspire the work I do with mine. Although the RD is nice, I don't think it necessarily suits the build.

folks, i've seen this bike first-hand, and it's every bit as nice as in these photos. if it were even *close* to my size, i'd have to deal with some seriously unlawful thoughts running loose in my head, especially knowing it "lives" practically around the corner from me ;). thankfully it's way too small :).

i think the RD is just fine; personally i think a nice polished aluminum shimano 105 or ultegra with the logo buffed off would fit the look better, but neither of those RDs can deal with the 34T cog.

I came back to this thread to ogle the bike further. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is the sticker on the rim. You couldn't press me to come up with anything else on the bike I don't love though.

There's so many details that are thought of. The cable ends have gold crimps :) Some snazzy valve stem caps would be cool.

I like the super modern RD as well. Its very minimal and doesn't distract too much attention from that gorgeous lugwork at the tail end. mmmmmm!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5079915927_c44110832d_o.jpg

Yeah I agree. Normally modern Rear derailleurs look sorta funny on classic Mixte bikes, but all those intersecting angles near the drop out and that X shape on the rear derailleur looks cool.

Yeah I agree. Normally modern Rear derailleurs look sorta funny on classic Mixte bikes, but all those intersecting angles near the drop out and that X shape on the rear derailleur looks cool.

When I saw that DR I immediately thought of this Art Deco hood ornament!

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Bike%20Forums/hood-ornament.jpg

Your whole bike is truly an outstanding build, Veloria. Very tastefully done!

Beautiful in every way ;)

Thanks for sharing,
Chris

Simply Beautiful! Something like this should stay in your family, passed down from generation to generation.

Great attention to detail, is what makes the difference in a quality build. Beautiful Bike.

For anyone interested I've also just posted a side by side comparison (http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/11/mixte-vs-mixte-whats-difference.html) between this bike and the Rivendell Betty Foy. I am often asked how the two are different, since the Rivendell is one of the few modern lugged mixtes people can use as a point of reference. I wish there was a way to try a VO mixte as well, but short of buying one just for the heck of it I have no opportunity.

I'd think the folks at VO would do well to send you a complete loaner, just to promote their frame a little bit. Personally, I think the VO mixte frame is kind of a dud for the price, and it's the primary reason why i sought out a vintage mixte for my wife's new bike (which is very close to completion; just need to build the wheels and run some cables.).

I'd already seen your bike on your blog, veloria, and it sure is beautiful. I think i'd commented about it there, too, but it'd feel weird to respond to this thread without mentioning it. Very nicely done. Kudos to you, and to the builder.

-rob

edit: just checked VO's website; they liste their mixte as "out of stock", and had reduced the price to $300. Perhaps it's dead?

My bike has a crush on your bike.

I agree with Andrew; that's an heirloom bicycle. I want to have a bike like that.

I like the modern equipment. The whole bike is beautiful and I think the modern equipment also makes it look highly functional. The way the RD hangs is so cool in my opinion.

Hey Veloria, how about posting some pictures of the frame being built? I realize that you have some in your blog but it may be nice to post some here too.

Very nicely done!

I'd think the folks at VO would do well to send you a complete loaner, just to promote their frame a little bit. Personally, I think the VO mixte frame is kind of a dud for the price, and it's the primary reason why i sought out a vintage mixte for my wife's new bike (which is very close to completion; just need to build the wheels and run some cables.).

edit: just checked VO's website; they liste their mixte as "out of stock", and had reduced the price to $300. Perhaps it's dead?
I doubt VO would have the resources to just send me a complete bike to borrow, though it would be nice. Maybe at some point Harris Cyclery will build up a floor model.

Why do you think the frame is a dud for $550? It is fully lugged, with twin lateral stays, braze-ons for racks and fenders, and reasonably wide tire clearance. From the pictures, I kind of love it, except for the colour. I really believe the colour was a mistake, and that sort of thing is important - particularly for women.

The mixte frames are out of stock because they sold out. For a while they had remaining ones in the smallest size, and those are the ones that went on clearance for $300. If one of the 54cm frames had gone on clearance, I think I may have bought one just for the heck of it. But anyway, they are just restocking; the mixte is not dead. While they are at it, I think they should change the colour. But who am I.

A "Lovely Bicycle" reader emailed me a review of her VO mixte and she was fairly positive about it, with the exception of the bike feeling a little slow (which surprised me) and the tire clearances not being quite as wide as she understood from the specs. But I still would like to try the bike myself.

What kind of mixte did you get for your wife?

Hey Veloria, how about posting some pictures of the frame being built? I realize that you have some in your blog but it may be nice to post some here too.
with pleasure : )

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/4045466602_123b454d41_o.jpg

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It is a little strange to feel as if "I knew this bike before it was born"!

Yum.

Not my cup o' cappucino, but gorgeous nonetheless.

That bike makes me want to cash out my retirement account. I will try to control myself by silently repeating "Blech! It's seafoam green!" But you could paint that bike baby-poo brown with a rattle can and I would almost give you my first and only born for it. Almost. I, too, would put up with the seafoam. I'd even wear a shiny polyester seafoam bridesmaid dress that matched it and smile for the camera.

Somebody has to say it: it's a NEW bike, get it outta here!
Joking.
It is truly a Lovely Bicycle!

This is really quite spectacular! You've got one beautiful bike :thumb:

Somebody has to say it: it's a NEW bike, get it outta here!
Joking.
It is truly a Lovely Bicycle!

I know you are joking, but I'm going to reply anyway. The forum is "Classic and Vintage. This bike and my soon to arrive Retrovelo Paula certainly count as classics, right?

I know you are joking, but I'm going to reply anyway. The forum is "Classic and Vintage. This bike and my soon to arrive Retrovelo Paula certainly count as classics, right?

Sure, they are "keepers of the flame"

Sure, they are "keepers of the flame"

<waving BIC in the air>

A bike that is truly vintage is a badge of honour, like grey hair on a wisened head. It's the real deal with some history. If it has a few scars and there's a good story related to that, so much the better.

Bikes that are classic (albeit, new) are validation that what was continues to have real merit and value.

Taken together, C&V bikes show that what is currently favored should not be considered the be-all and end-all.

I'll now get off my soap box.

What a beautiful bike.

So, turns out the "keepers of the flame" as far as buying new classics, are WOMEN.
How about that bike-weenies?

So, turns out the "keepers of the flame" as far as buying new classics, are WOMEN.
How about that bike-weenies?

I also have a late 70s Raleigh Sport (brown, step-through) that is waiting for some new wheels and cables. And an 83 Raleigh mixte frame that I plan to 650Bify.

<whistles>. Just as I was looking for something to get over the "modified" (read: severely drewed) mixte, this shows up. Made my day!

I doubt VO would have the resources to just send me a complete bike to borrow, though it would be nice. Maybe at some point Harris Cyclery will build up a floor model.

Why do you think the frame is a dud for $550? It is fully lugged, with twin lateral stays, braze-ons for racks and fenders, and reasonably wide tire clearance. From the pictures, I kind of love it, except for the colour. I really believe the colour was a mistake, and that sort of thing is important - particularly for women.

The mixte frames are out of stock because they sold out. For a while they had remaining ones in the smallest size, and those are the ones that went on clearance for $300. If one of the 54cm frames had gone on clearance, I think I may have bought one just for the heck of it. But anyway, they are just restocking; the mixte is not dead. While they are at it, I think they should change the colour. But who am I.

A "Lovely Bicycle" reader emailed me a review of her VO mixte and she was fairly positive about it, with the exception of the bike feeling a little slow (which surprised me) and the tire clearances not being quite as wide as she understood from the specs. But I still would like to try the bike myself.

What kind of mixte did you get for your wife?

The VO mixte frame isn't a total dud; it just has a few minor details that i feel were mistakes (canti-posts, the ever-popular but seldom-needed compromise rear spacing) and it's over-priced. When i think "generic chromoly steel frameset from taiwan", i think of the various cheapies at bikeisland.com/bikesdirect. To be fair, the VO is lugged, so it more specifically makes me think of this: http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1876 . Given a few extra bones for extra braze-ons and twin toptubes/stays, i think the VO is at least $200 overpriced.

The colour is fine with me. My wife liked the colour, but she hated the price; surprisingly, she opted to have her frame powdercoated a very basic pink colour. My problem with the VO's finish is more to do with the decals; VO is another example of a weird middleman-style vendor that sells cheap stuff at a premium, relying on an effective marketing strategy. Personally, i feel that the VO hype is rather fake marketing. The practice of taking sweatshop-produced products from the far east and selling them by making believe they are French is akin to the Hot Topic stores that plagued our shopping malls around the turn of the century.

I guess it makes sense that to sell off the less popular sizes of a frame, but only if you're going to change the colour. If they sold off all the smallest size in blue, only to reorder another run of sizes in blue, well... that'd make no sense whatsoever.

I got my wife a very ratty Fuji Gran Tourer from the late 70s/early 80s. $50 on CL. A little overpriced, but the larger sized mixtes are hard to find, and she's 5'7" or so. Tore it down, refinished it, built it back up with mostly new components. It'll be a 3 speed, with drum brakes. We talked about all the things she has liked and hated about her past bikes, and figured out a build that she'd likely enjoy. I hope we hit the mark...

-rob

PS- if VO doesn't have the resources to build up their frame, send it to you, have you write a review, and then sell the same bike as "lightly used" at a few hundred bucks over cost, with links to your review in their ad... Well, if that were the case, the "resources" they lack don't have anything to do with money. Maybe you could ask em?

Edit: oops. i guess those aren't canti-posts, but rather just little braze-ons for a high-mount front rack? They're not on the back, so... Maybe one design flaw, and overpriced= dud @$550

Somebody has to say it: it's a NEW bike, get it outta here!
Joking.
It is truly a Lovely Bicycle!
but... but... some of the tubing and lugs are NOS vintage!
doesn't that count?

True dat!

Plus, the carbon and iron in the steel tubing has been around since the Earth was formed. Now THAT is what I call vintage.

rob - Oh boy, what a can of worms!

I will forgo formulating a well-phrased debate and just say that I agree with you on some points, not on others. I will also say that at least one reason I do not think a $550 lugged steel mixte frame is overpriced, is that the lugs alone are a "treasure" nowadays, since they are no longer produced. VO must have either had them specially made, or found the one remaining factory that was still secretly making them. Not sure how they did it, but Bravo! Oh and the fact that your wife got her mixte frame powdercoated not-royal-blue when given a choice, only confirms that the colour is not really appealing IMO.

Inspired by you, I did contact VO. They were unexpectedly receptive, but there is a problem. I need to get confirmation that I can say what the problem is, but I won't be testing the mixte, to my great sadness.

Wow! Nice!

How much was the paint job? How long did it take?

Wow! Nice!

How much was the paint job? How long did it take?
Paint job was included in the frame price (which was in itself a good deal as I got to the framebuilder when he was just starting out!). I think Circle A's pricing for a liquid paint job is about $300 to start, but please don't quote me on that.

The frame took a few months, because it was sort of an unusual project. I had a lot of input and we discussed the design a lot, taking breaks to ruminate at various stages. All in all, including paint, I said "go" in September and had the finished frame in my hands in February. Then my husband and I (well, okay - mostly him and I helped) built it up in August, with components most of which I selected before the frame was built (meaning that the frame was built with specific components/set-ups in mind).