Roadsters for shorties, Linus Bikes and other options.
06-18-14, 01:27 PM
#27
covered in cat fur
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Willkes-Barre, PA
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Bikes: Papillionaire Sommer, '85 Schwinn World Tourist, 2014 Windsor Kensington 8, SixThreeZero SS Cruiser
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Do you know if this frame is proportioned for women? Mixte is unisex, but so were loop frames. Pretty much every loop/stepthrough I see is more woman proportioned, where the "cockpit" is smaller. My fiance's Fuji is like this, as was her Schwinn. That mixte might very well be a good way for me to have a "classic style" cargo bike inexpensively to serve me while I figure out how I can get my hands on that Roadster 26 (hey, N+1, right?). My other current candidate for "alternative" bike is a Dahon folder, which might also be able to do cargo. Have you tried any baskets on the front or anything like that?
Regarding the "All Steel Bicycle" advertisement - what on earth else would it be made of at the time? Alu was quite expensive. Straight iron?
M.
Regarding the "All Steel Bicycle" advertisement - what on earth else would it be made of at the time? Alu was quite expensive. Straight iron?
M.
Loop frames were unisex? These?
My understanding was that these were made after they made diamond frames. It was to allow the heavy long skirts that women wore at the time to stay 'modest'. Not saying I don't love them... I want to add one to my stable for long skirt days! Anyways.
I think the mixte is actually unisex. I just pulled out my seamstress tape measure and measured my two bikes. The first is a women's bike, with women's sizing, step through frame (but not a loop frame, LOL) Schwinn World Tourist. The seat tube is 17 inches from top of the painted part to center of the BB. From the edge of the seat tube to the edge of the steering tube (where the handle bars go) is 20 inches. That bike is very comfy for me. I think I have typical women's proportions.
The mixte Windsor Kensington in the small frame measures 17 inches seat tube to center of BB. From the edge of the seat tube to the steering tube is 22 inches. I feel a bit more stretched out.
I have it set up as an upright but I think it would be very easy to make it a bit more 'aggressive', if I understand the term right. I may do this after I get my loop frame bike. N+1 forever!
Hope that is helpful. Being short has it's advantages... but in bike shopping it can be a PITA.
I think I read somewhere that they used to make bikes out of wood? Or, at least parts of them out of wood. There are some interesting threads over in the C&V forum.
06-18-14, 05:14 PM
#28
DancesWithSUVs
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Brompton uses cast iron for their hinge plates,and they're def not cheap.
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C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
06-18-14, 05:22 PM
#29
Banned
EA3 rim wheel ..26-1-3/8 is smaller than a 28 (27"/700c) so your classic english 3 speed can be done in smaller sizes
24" wheels smaller again..
NB: Cast BB shells and Lugs are used on Custom Frames .. lost wax investment casting, is still casting ..
24" wheels smaller again..
NB: Cast BB shells and Lugs are used on Custom Frames .. lost wax investment casting, is still casting ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-18-14 at 05:27 PM.
06-18-14, 06:42 PM
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the data on the Windsor mixte. I'm considering grabbing it since it is rather inexpensive for an 8 speed hub gear bike...could always serve as a backup when I get a Pashley. Maybe. They don't have it in black, which is a bummer! Green I suppose is the runner up...
M.
M.
06-18-14, 07:18 PM
#32
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Green was a color on old 3 speeds besides black.
The new Shimano Nexus hubs have a greater range and work better than the old 3 speed hubs did.
That and cro-moly frames are much lighter than the old all-steel bicycle was back in the day.
The new Shimano Nexus hubs have a greater range and work better than the old 3 speed hubs did.
That and cro-moly frames are much lighter than the old all-steel bicycle was back in the day.
06-18-14, 10:15 PM
#33
covered in cat fur
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Willkes-Barre, PA
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Bikes: Papillionaire Sommer, '85 Schwinn World Tourist, 2014 Windsor Kensington 8, SixThreeZero SS Cruiser
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Thanks for the data on the Windsor mixte. I'm considering grabbing it since it is rather inexpensive for an 8 speed hub gear bike...could always serve as a backup when I get a Pashley. Maybe. They don't have it in black, which is a bummer! Green I suppose is the runner up...
M.
M.
I told a bike shop employee what I paid for it and was told to ride it like I stole it because I basically did.
I'd say get the bike, it's a good bike. I wanted a black one too but I really like the gray one I bought.
Mmmmm.... Pashley..... Mmmmmmmm I'd love one but damn, they ain't cheap.
06-19-14, 07:50 AM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah, I think I'll get that one. Can always get a nicer one later on! Wanted black since it's easier to match things to it, but that looks like a green I can get spraypaint in the color of (to match chain case I have to order from Dutch Bike Bits). Have you tried front loading it at all? Over at Lovely Bike Velouria mentions them being more like road bikes but a visual comparison doesn't make it seem like the geometry is particularly different from the Men's - a "sports roadster" style.
The Pashley is relatively inexpensive. As you can see above, I was looking at something like the Secret Service. I'm going to have to do a serious cross-compare tonight when I get some time, as off hand they seem like very similar bikes but one is nearly 1,000 more. Compared to the Linus, I'm nearly 300 bucks cheaper just on the stock bike (hello upgrades), and I have a larger gear range at my disposal. You said you've carried loads on it, and that's exactly what I need - something that can do bigger grocery runs. My Trek simply does not handle loads well. If it front loads relatively well (basket or something like a porteur rack) then I've got what I need hands down.
Now, as my "ideal" is a 48cm frame (according to some website) I wonder if the 46cm or 49cm would be a better choice...that really isn't a huge difference in seat tube length, but I wonder about the rest of it. Inclined to think 49 would slightly reduce toeverlap though.
M.
The Pashley is relatively inexpensive. As you can see above, I was looking at something like the Secret Service. I'm going to have to do a serious cross-compare tonight when I get some time, as off hand they seem like very similar bikes but one is nearly 1,000 more. Compared to the Linus, I'm nearly 300 bucks cheaper just on the stock bike (hello upgrades), and I have a larger gear range at my disposal. You said you've carried loads on it, and that's exactly what I need - something that can do bigger grocery runs. My Trek simply does not handle loads well. If it front loads relatively well (basket or something like a porteur rack) then I've got what I need hands down.
Now, as my "ideal" is a 48cm frame (according to some website) I wonder if the 46cm or 49cm would be a better choice...that really isn't a huge difference in seat tube length, but I wonder about the rest of it. Inclined to think 49 would slightly reduce toeverlap though.
M.
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