I am considering a mixte for around town errands. I have some artritis in my hips so getting on and off of my df is painful. What brands and models should I be looking for in cromo or better frame?
Thanks for your help
You never said how tall you are, or what type of body type you have… so that factors into what size frame of a Mixte you need, or could get by with.
I can relate to what you are saying… I not only have had degenerative arthritis in both hips; I have had my left hip replaced already. A Mixte frame makes mounting and dismounting easier, but not as easy as a step through frame… I own and ride a Fuji Sagres Mixte with a 19 1/2 inch frame size from crank center to seat tube top. My Mixte is right on the minimum of what I would consider size wise for myself. I’m 6 feet tall, with about a 31 inch inseam. I don’ t really feel cramped, but I have changed the seating position from drop bars to a set of North Road bars, for a more upright seating position…
Of course the Mixtes with drop bars will make you stretch out farther, so they will feel like the effective top tube length is longer. It’s difficult to find Mixtes with the larger frame sizes… there have been quite a few men post on this forum saying that they would love to have a Mixte; if only they could find one in their size.
The only thing I can tell you is test ride as many Mixtes you can find, and see if one feels good to you. From what I have read, heard, and experienced personally; Mixtes have strange frame geometry that seemed to vary from manufacture to manufacturer. One companies 20 inch framed Mixte, may not feel anything like another’s 20 inch Mixte.
Well, good luck in your quest to find a Mixte…
I really like mine, but if your mobility is severely limited, you may be better off getting a step through frame of some kind, like a mono tube U-frame; I have one of those I ride also.