Motobecane mixties
 

Here's a couple Motobecane Grand Jubile mixties that have been around here recently. The silver and black one I recently sold and kept the red and black one because it's smaller and fits my wife better. I had or have matching men's versions of each bikeAttachment 541388

Attachment 541389

The fork on the red one was bent and I sent it to Gugie to straighten out. He did a very good job of fixing it.

I would say, the upper level types of Mixtes, French mainly, made of Reynolds 531 tubing and Vitus and Columbus are probably collectable or close to it (meaning on however you define collectable). There was a Jeunet I think in Dallas not that long ago and though, it had some definite signs of age and wear, was selling for $450. I posted it in the Craig's List thread, it was 531 Reynolds tubing. The Jubilees above might fit that bill; there are not that many around.

"In demand" might be an adequate description for your mid-level Motobecane and Peugeots, high tensile steel. I know Raleigh is a fine company but I don't think they are as sought after. Univega might make some decent Mixtes and there are all of the Japanese brands. Some people, mainly women, really do adore their Motobecane or Peugeot Mixtes even if they aren't the top models made by those companies.

Here is a truly exquisite Astra (Motobecane) Mixte; the color makes it, I've seen it in a lime green color, it doesn't seem nearly as nice. Scott V?s 1974 Astra Mixte | Old Ten Speed Gallery <---- Not sure if this is the one where the owner or former owner comes to this forum.

A lot of nice Mixtes and even regular women's step through bikes: Forum Tonton Vélo ? Voir le forum - Vélos de ville et tourisme femme de 1945 à 1980

IF a man is looking for one, be careful, most Mixtes are small but...

There are companies making modern ones as one forum-member posted what looks like a modern one on page 1.

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A few months ago, I believe someone posted a thread about the Schwinn big box store types of Mixtes.

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Best tip I'd say is explore, Schwinn made Mixtes, whose to say one might not appreciate it.

Appropriately and deliberately so. :) :)

I like the bike. My eye really wants to see the straight section centerline of the fork blades in parallel with the head tube. Not a typical tweak but appears a wee bit off.

Fortunately it's pretty easy to eyeball the size. They run from XS to M. (I don't have this thought through in centimeters and that might not matter anyhow because there's no standover to worry about.)

XS have a rear triangle that's about isosceles with the small angle at the back.

S have a triangle with uneven sides.

M have a rear triangle that's about isosceles with the small angle at the top, and the top of the seat tube nearly level with the head tube.

Scalene?

That was my grand idea for my bike. :)

Here in the Bay I think they are moderately popular. They sell for more than similar vintage bikes. And they seem to attract a bit more commentary. I am on #teammixte.

That may be right

There are a few tall mixtes out there

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...CJHp3tPl_bjoNA
https://goo.gl/photos/AHpbA1tCfewLxzZh7

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/axh2vz7zt0k...44.15.jpg?dl=0

It does. Mine has a dyno front hub now with a Nuvinci rear on a Soma Buena Vista Frame.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...p/IMG_0305.JPG

Faux Vintage but awesome none the less.

Marc

I decided to build up a vintage Mixte for touring and local riding. The bike is used by my daughter for when she visits from out-of-town. I found a 1978ish Nishiki Olympic in good condition. the bike had clearly been idle for many years. It was not ready to ride and I decided to convert almost every component to improve its overall performance.

The heavy 27 inch steel rimmed wheels were replaced with 700c touring wheels from a Miyata 615. The replacement wheels include 36 spokes on the front and 40 spokes at the rear. The Belgium made Elesa alloy rims are 23mm wide and the Japanese Sansin hubs are ideal for touring. I installed 700x32 Continental Contact Plus. The bike could accept a larger tire, including most 700x35 and some 700x38.

The Dia-Compe center pull brakes were replaced with new Tektro long reach caliper brakes. The drop bars were replaced with Trekking bars and the bar-end shifters were replaced by New Shimano 3x7 speed ST-EF65 Shifter brake levers. I sourced the 4 finger version of the ST-EF65 which can be used on both V-brakes and road bike brakes. New Shimano Altus front and rear derailleurs were installed.

The standard double crank was replaced with a Shimano Deore LX triple crankset with 46, 36 and 24 chainrings. The 5 speed cogset was replaced with a 13-28 seven speed cogset.

I've since added a Brooks Saddle and removed the rear wheel reflector.


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psmpxqwnf1.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psyvh57o7h.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps70lmdrsq.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psnfqmbqlt.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps85tdjdcd.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psatheoaxi.jpg

Edit: I was fortunate to be able to fit a seven speed 13-28 freewheel on this frame. With most Mixte frames, the long top-tube that runs diagonal from the rear drop-out to the top of the headtube interferes with the chain on the smaller cogs when 6 or more cogs are used. This bike has a curved top-tube, just ahead of the drop-out, that provides just enough space (about 2mm) for a seven speed 13-28 freewheel on a 126mm wide rear hub.

Fitting a 130mm hub with an 8 speed 11-32 cassette might work and adding a spacer to the drive side might be needed.

Not all Mixties have the geometry near the rear dropout to allow wider cogsets.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...pstwgpxixz.jpg

I would absolutely snag a mixte in my size. Brought back an old Univega for my wife; it's a nice bike. It's a shame mixtes got stuck with the "girl's bike" reputation, but it makes sense. And as a woman's bike, they offer an elegant approach to the "stepthrough" design that further illustrates how god-awful ugly the dropped top tube design of traditional women's bikes are. There's just so much style, so much going on there.

Bike Loop Frames though I think are very nice too; case by case basis.

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...28236464cd.jpg

I have butterfly bars/treking bars on the bike, they are extraordinarily comfortable and functional; I'm too lazy to put them on most all of the bikes but they are fine. I covered mine with cotton bar tape (or hockey stick tape for all intents and purposes). Room for a mirror, big basket to hang off the front, very practical as well. I could get one of those Velo Orange front porter racks, the co-op carries them; but for practical purposes, the basket works well.

That Benotto is pretty much perfection to me. Proportions are spot on. Picture saved to my desktop! :)

Love that Benotto Non-Fixie. Here's a garage find of his and hers Peugeots. They have the original Ventolux pumps and French tool kits with the tools still wrapped in the paper. Didn't have any single pictures of the mixte.

http://www.pacelinebikes.com/wp-cont...-left-side.jpg

I've refurbished a couple of mixte bikes for my daughter. The first was a Suteki (made for Sears by Panasonic). The second is a Schwinn Letour.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1233848346

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/DSCF6010.JPG

Freespirit MTB
 

freespirit mtb circa 1985

Not a mixte, but a drop bar bike.

One of the regulars here bought a beauty of an Italian one early in the year for his wife. Pretty much nos and campy. Surprised it has not surfaced.

I think these look fantastic as a SS or fixed, makes the style of the frame really pop. I just have not found the right color/size combo. The frame reminds me a of a steel girder, so much could be built around with the right hard lined bars, stem, crank etc.

Here are a couple Mixtes I have refreshed. Currently I am working on a 70's Safety Yellow Peugeot. The first 2 were painted with Rustoleum enamel. The current one has almost perfect paint. I am just touching it up with Krylon safety yellow lacquer and then will coat everything with a coat of Rustoleum clear lacquer.

I hate drop bars. Every bike gets 2" riser bars and Friction thumbies. Makes for a sweet ride and easy shifting.

I understand the draw to easier mounting but they just don't do anything for me aesthetically, especially with drop bars.

It's quite difficult to build a good-looking mixte IMO, especially with drop bars. It's a fine line between 'just right' and 'just wrong'. It doesn't help that most riders want to sit upright and have a shopping basket in front either ...

did this one for my daughter a few years ago

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psurqrwnzs.jpg[/URL]

I like the tan. It's similar to my Nishiki Olympic Royale

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8wZ6uvorb...692-716773.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3vRkr2bOX...ge1-718267.JPG