Thread: Mixte help
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Old 07-15-10 | 07:58 AM
  #34  
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UnsafeAlpine
Domestic Domestique
 
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Michigan

Bikes: Brand New Old Catamount! Schwinn Homegrown, Specialized FSR, Salsa Vaya, Salsa Chile Con Crosso

Originally Posted by fischtank
Sorry to drag an old thread up but the problem was so similar I couldn't resist!

My girlfriend is 5'10" and I wanted to build her a mixte for faster and longer beach riding than her cruiser provides.

I saw an craigslist ad and bought the Nishiki Sport mixte (1985 apparently) below to fix for my girlfriend, thinking I'd beautify it with a nice saddle and upright bars and eventually flashy paint (the original is in good condition but a very drab grey).

I jumped on the purchase because the frame is nice with cro-mo main tubes, the components al worked smooth with minimal rust, and it has good lugs including a beautiful lug at the top/seat tube connection which many japanese mixtes don't have.

The frame was advertised at 22" but when I got it home I realized the size was incorrect and is not ideal: 20.75" seat tube (c-t), 21.5 effective top tube. A longer head tube would be nice. I have seen all the mixtes on the forums with huge amounts of stem showing and would prefer not to do that, I'd rather get a 22 inch frame. I've seen forum members help others out with this and thought I'd give it a shot in case anyone is interested in a trade/sale.

Or if folks can convince me to keep the bike, throw a longer stem and seatpost with some setback or whatever on, I'm open to that too. I know there aren't many 56cm mixtes out there. I am not open to getting a shorter girlfriend, thanks, though.

Attachment 159752
As it turns out, larger mixtes are surprisingly affordable. Keep your eyes peeled and if you find something, take a tape measure. Good luck in your quest. I hope you can find something that will work for her.
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