I need a cute mixte. Help?
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I need a cute mixte. Help?
So.
I've got the itch for a new bike, and I've decided I want a mixte. I'm planning to build it up using the RX100 group off the Specialized Allez I am planning to unload (BTW does anyone here want the frame? It's posted in the frame pass game). I have two possible wheelsets- one 27" and one 700c. Basically I've got everything but the frame, and so far that's been a bust.
For awhile I was considering trying to buy a Linus mixte frameset. Unfortunately I just discovered they don't have a rear derailleur hanger (which I guess should have been obvious- they all have internally geared hubs!). I could get a Soma Buena Vista, but I don't like the colors and don't want to blow that much money on a new frameset, only to pay even more to repaint it. So I think I'll be going vintage, but so far I'm not finding a ton of mixtes, and the few I have found are pretty low-quality. I know that mixtes are usually fairly low-end bikes, but are there any particular models I can look for that would be good for what I want? Basically I just want nice lugs and a rear derailleur hanger.
Or of course, if anyone here has one stashed away that they might be willing to part with, PM me!
I've got the itch for a new bike, and I've decided I want a mixte. I'm planning to build it up using the RX100 group off the Specialized Allez I am planning to unload (BTW does anyone here want the frame? It's posted in the frame pass game). I have two possible wheelsets- one 27" and one 700c. Basically I've got everything but the frame, and so far that's been a bust.
For awhile I was considering trying to buy a Linus mixte frameset. Unfortunately I just discovered they don't have a rear derailleur hanger (which I guess should have been obvious- they all have internally geared hubs!). I could get a Soma Buena Vista, but I don't like the colors and don't want to blow that much money on a new frameset, only to pay even more to repaint it. So I think I'll be going vintage, but so far I'm not finding a ton of mixtes, and the few I have found are pretty low-quality. I know that mixtes are usually fairly low-end bikes, but are there any particular models I can look for that would be good for what I want? Basically I just want nice lugs and a rear derailleur hanger.
Or of course, if anyone here has one stashed away that they might be willing to part with, PM me!
#2
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This cute enough for ya? https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Mixer-M.../dp/B004S0M5LK
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Rivendell (www.rivbike.com) makes beautiful steel mixtes, custom quality. I am prejudiced in favor of Rivendell, as I own probably 6-8 of their frames - - but check them out. The workmanship is fabulous.
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This cute enough for ya? https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Mixer-M.../dp/B004S0M5LK
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Look hard, really hard. Expect whatever you find to be relatively low end. Pounce when you find one. The Japanese models tend to use standard parts, so they are easier to build up. Be ready to buy a complete bike, even though you just want a frame.
Cast a wide net, look beyond your local CL. I have found half dozen mixes in the last couple of years, and I look all of the time.
Cast a wide net, look beyond your local CL. I have found half dozen mixes in the last couple of years, and I look all of the time.
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Rivendell (www.rivbike.com) makes beautiful steel mixtes, custom quality. I am prejudiced in favor of Rivendell, as I own probably 6-8 of their frames - - but check them out. The workmanship is fabulous.
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I think I am going to look into the Origin8 option a bit more, but again, if anyone here has one stashed, I'm still open.
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https://nihonmaru.blogspot.com/2011/0...-of-times.html
Interesting blog post about this frame. This guy's quest for a mixte sounds very similar to mine.
Interesting blog post about this frame. This guy's quest for a mixte sounds very similar to mine.
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The Origin 8 frame doesn't have lugs. Wasn't that a requirement? Shopgirl, what size are you looking for? I've got three flip candidate mixtes in my garage -- one is red and two are green.
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I've got a couple of mixtes I'd be willing to unload in the San Diego area, but you'd have to take the whole bike because otherwise I'm left with a bunch of parts and would have to find something to put them on. One Univega (sparkly silver) and one Nishiki (sparkly red).
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https://nihonmaru.blogspot.com/2011/0...-of-times.html
Interesting blog post about this frame. This guy's quest for a mixte sounds very similar to mine.
Interesting blog post about this frame. This guy's quest for a mixte sounds very similar to mine.
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He posts here, under the name Robatsu. Initially, I made a mistake and wrote that origin 8 frame off as a cheapo taking advantage of a fad. After reading the blog post and looking at the frame more closely, it does seem pretty impressive. To me the threadless headset isn't a bad thing at all, but it's worth noting if you expected to use a classic quill stem.
Anyhow, the Origin 8 mixte is promising. Rooting around for vintage mixtes is a whole lot less satisfying/fun than it is for diamond framed road/mtb.
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Honestly, I'm surprised that anyone got far enough in that post to find out that it was about the Origin 8 mixte. Usually my blog posts are fairly concise, I'd like to think, but that one was a rambler...
Anyhow, the Origin 8 mixte is promising. Rooting around for vintage mixtes is a whole lot less satisfying/fun than it is for diamond framed road/mtb.
Anyhow, the Origin 8 mixte is promising. Rooting around for vintage mixtes is a whole lot less satisfying/fun than it is for diamond framed road/mtb.
Sorry OP... I am way off topic.
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#17
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I should have known the guy who wrote that post hangs out here!
Blankcrows, yes you're right, I did want lugs, but it's not a requirement. Most of the lugged mixtes I've seen have been pretty heavy and the lugs aren't that pretty anyway. I'll take a quality non-lugged new framset before I'll suffer through a laborious, expensive, headache-inducing restoration on a lugged boat anchor. Maybe the C&V forum is not the best place to admit that.
mkeller234, the Origin8 may take a threadless headset, but now that Soma has come to the rescue with the Quillinator, I can convert a threadless setup... back to a threaded quill. (can you tell I think that's kind of a goofy product? Is there really a huge demand for something like it?) Anyway, I'm fine with threadless. I'm already dealing with two other bikes that have stuck stems, and that's two more than I ever want.
I shall look into this frame today. Thanks everyone! I'll update if I decide against it and need to find something else. Or, when I get one in my hot little hands and start building it.
Blankcrows, yes you're right, I did want lugs, but it's not a requirement. Most of the lugged mixtes I've seen have been pretty heavy and the lugs aren't that pretty anyway. I'll take a quality non-lugged new framset before I'll suffer through a laborious, expensive, headache-inducing restoration on a lugged boat anchor. Maybe the C&V forum is not the best place to admit that.
mkeller234, the Origin8 may take a threadless headset, but now that Soma has come to the rescue with the Quillinator, I can convert a threadless setup... back to a threaded quill. (can you tell I think that's kind of a goofy product? Is there really a huge demand for something like it?) Anyway, I'm fine with threadless. I'm already dealing with two other bikes that have stuck stems, and that's two more than I ever want.
I shall look into this frame today. Thanks everyone! I'll update if I decide against it and need to find something else. Or, when I get one in my hot little hands and start building it.
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I have a Univega Nuovo Sport, and have been unsuccessful at selling it whole. If you are interested, I could strip it down to the frame/fork.
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No,no, no...this is what you need. She's french,she's lugged, she's also has a touch of english DNA to make life interesting and in the right hands can look cute.
Ok ok she's a little on the heavy side, Shhh . Lets just call her big bone'd.
Ok ok she's a little on the heavy side, Shhh . Lets just call her big bone'd.
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If you do get that origin8 frame, be sure to let us know. I've been looking for a vintage mixte for my 6' tall wife for over a year (off and on) and have yet to come up with anything. The 58 cm frame that origin 8 has would probably work (if it's not too big) for my needs. Not ready to drop the cash on a full build yet, but if it turns out to be good, I'll have to look into it further.
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#21
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I just built up a new 58cm Soma mixte frame for my wife. It's designed for 700C but I built it up with 650B wheels. It is designed as a classical frame tobe used with derailleurs, so it has the RD hanger and downtube shifter bosses. It has a ton of braze-ons, a very versatile frame, and decent quality: Tange infinity DB chromoly.
Last edited by southpawboston; 05-18-11 at 02:56 PM.
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I have an old UO-18 mixte sitting here, doing nothing.
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#24
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Thanks everyone who's contributed! There's some beautiful frames posted up here. Interesting bell placement on your wife's Soma, Southpaw. Did you mount that on a DT shifter braze-on?
Well, I bit the bullet and ordered an Origin8 frame. There's a couple things I'm a little apprehensive about- I'm not sure how the brazing between the seat tube and the twin top tubes is going to look. It's hard to tell from the photos I can find, and the rep I talked to wasn't all that sure himself. The fork really does look weird to me, and I'm a little worried it's going to steer like a semi. But without wheels on it, I can't really tell, and the photo could be distorted anyway. The lower part of the seat tube is also sleeved for a 31.8 FD clamp, so I think I may need to find a different FD. But other than that, I'm set on parts- just need to get a headset, and pick out my handlebar setup. Which presents me with a new challenge:
I will be using bar-end shifters. I would like upright townie bars. I am open with clamp diameter- the bar can pick the stem in this case. What bars should I get?
Well, I bit the bullet and ordered an Origin8 frame. There's a couple things I'm a little apprehensive about- I'm not sure how the brazing between the seat tube and the twin top tubes is going to look. It's hard to tell from the photos I can find, and the rep I talked to wasn't all that sure himself. The fork really does look weird to me, and I'm a little worried it's going to steer like a semi. But without wheels on it, I can't really tell, and the photo could be distorted anyway. The lower part of the seat tube is also sleeved for a 31.8 FD clamp, so I think I may need to find a different FD. But other than that, I'm set on parts- just need to get a headset, and pick out my handlebar setup. Which presents me with a new challenge:
I will be using bar-end shifters. I would like upright townie bars. I am open with clamp diameter- the bar can pick the stem in this case. What bars should I get?
#25
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I bought a 59cm Origin8 CX frame and it was too small for me. I normally ride a 59-61, so it was a little disappointing. I'm not sure what they measured, but I had a lot of seatpost and a long stem on it, and it still felt too close in front. I saw the mixte frame, and thought it was unusual. Maybe it is sized a little more normally.,,,,BD
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