since6

I expect to build another three first bicycles for grand daughters in the coming half dozen or so years. The first a Fuji Absolute Mixte was a great success and so I am looking for Mixte frames with a lugged double butted higher quality tube set. In my looking so far it seems there are the, $1,000.00++ and rare, Mixte frames in very top end tubing (under 24lb), and a mass of 1020/Hi-tensile tube sets (30 lb +) and then fewer Mixtes of double or better butted lugged frames in the 24-26 lb range.

So to help me in my search if you know of a make/model that falls in this middle of a Mixte with double butted or better lugged frame please share as it will help me focus my search efforts and expand them to include brands I might not think of or over look.

My Thanks.

Velo Mule

We have a Panasonic DX-1000 mixte with double butted tubing. It is also a nice grape color (that is what Panasonic called it). It has some nice, components on it. Not great, but good solid stuff.

As you can see in the picture, it is a work in progress.

squirtdad

WTB (want to buy) in the for sale section often brings in some really nice items

3alarmer 

...this topic has some other threads you should read through.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rale...w=1048&bih=787

This one is relatively recent and has some information that might help you.

High end mixte?

These bikes are surprisingly uncommon. Of all the mixte frames I saw move through the co-op here over a 6 year period, only one was a butted Reynolds 531 frame. It was a Raleigh product. Good luck.

since6

As always great advice from all. Panasonic a brand I would have missed and not considered, and WoW I love the purple and I know grand daughters would too. Then the Forums own buy/sell site, I will keep a watch there too. And finally, prior threads to mine with a wealth of advice.

And yes 3alarmer finding Reynolds 531, Tange 1 or even better double butted chrome moly tubing is patient needle in haystack work, but I've got time and now many more resources to aid in the search,

Velo Mule what year is your Panasonic DX-1000, do you know if it was offered in other years?

Much appreciated.

non-fixie 

I wouldn't worry too much about tubing. The weight difference is not that big, and for your audience look & feel are much more important, IME.

A couple of data points:

Super Vitus Devos, 21 lbs:



Hi-ten Mercier, 24 lbs:

since6

Thanks non-fixie have added both of these to the list to keep an eye out for.

I agree that fit is what it's all about, but I started riding at six with a bike that weighed the same as I did 48 lbs. and that initial moment of will it roll or fall over still comes to mind. So every bit of weight I can keep under 30 lbs. and 25 lbs would be better.

They might even start with a bike they out weigh!

cdmurphy

Univega (Miyata built) offered a double butted mixte Grand Turismo in 82 or 83. I think Centurion had a LeMans or Super LeMans mixte at about the same time with at least double butted crmo main tubes. (Earlier LeMans mixtes were butted Hi-Ten)

oddjob2

fietsbob

I found a 531 miss Mercian mixte to be quite noodly .. As I changed the fit and added select collectible parts & passed it on to an X - GF ..
She had a lesser one and that was not so noodly..(not even as nice as the silver Mercier)

so step thru like the white one may ride better..

Velo Mule

The Panasonic pictured above is actually a Sport 1000. I believe it is a 1985 based on looking it up in the catalog and the color is Grape Dust.

The Tubing is Tange Chrome Moly Double Butted.

Here is the link to the Panasonic catalog. https://www.panasonicbikemuseum.info...ycles-catalog/

I happened to get lucky and find this one. I (or my wife) would have been just as happy if it was straight guage steel. My wife would be more impressed by the color and condition than the frame tubing. She is probably smarter than me about what is important.

bertinjim 

since6 -

How about a Peugeot PR 65 with 531 tubing? Here: https://restoringvintagebicycles.com...s-from-france/

dedhed

1984 Trek 420 mixte was Tange Mangaloy DB tubing

CliffordK

Mom has a Motobecane Grand Jubile with quality Vitus tubing. I think there is also a Grand Touring with similar construction just one step lower overall quality.



Look for the Motobecanes that have a single top tube that splits just in front of the seat tube.

A few people have posted "finds" with Campagnolo lugs and parts. Italian?

eeuuugh

Raleigh Olympian and 80's Schwinn World Sport and Le Tour. I've also seen some late 80s/early 90s mountain bikes with a dropped top tube and nice tubing, I think from Peugeot's "Express" line.

oddjob2

A Huffy era Raleigh Olympian IMHO is not light and not fun to ride. The Schwinns unfortunately come with steel rims.

r0ckh0und 

The Schwinn Travelers were Chromoly and Univega made a Nuovo Sport triple butted with braze on DT shifters

since6

Again thanks to all, I have been adding your suggestions to my "Grand Daughter Mixte" file. I think I will save this as a project for when I can again sit up at the computer after my spinal surgery in the middle of March. A project to look forward to, taking all your suggestions and then organizing a master list of Mixtes to aid me in the years ahead.

CliffordK

So, how deep of pockets does Gramps have? Wouldn't want the grand daughters to be scarred for life by forcing them to ride a high-ten bicycle.

Keep in mind, the step-through bikes are a nice "vintage" style, but if they are wearing pants or shorts, no reason they can't have horizontal top tubes.

Here is a cute Terry-style Bianchi.

Here is a sweet Merckx frame. Cantis. Doesn't specify the wheel size. How much are your granddaughters worth?

Schwinn Traveler, Lugged 4130 Mixte Frame

Schwinn World Sport, Lugged True Temper

She Devil... new chromoly step-through. At least one granddaughter needs a "She Devil"... right?

Dancelli Step-through with cantis

Telaio corsa donna acciaio Villata vintage steel road women frame Columbus SL Ohhh... SWEET!!!!

Hugo Rickert Damen Rennrad / 51cm / light blue / Reynolds 531 Frame Fork Vintage

I think there may be some Step-Through Colnago Super and related bikes out there... somewhere. Not a lot, but a few.

merziac

Not that it really matters for your intended purpose, but here's another example that really hits the mark.

1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, Vitus tubing, shifters have been moved to the stem, Zefal pump, water bottle and holder added.

This was a Christmas gift for my wife 3 years ago that she didn't know she wanted, it was an absolute home run, she loves it and is thrilled with it.

Welcome to C+V Dear.

since6

CliffordK, for right now it's about giving them the gift of competence and freedom, which a Mixte frame with adult sized 700c wheels does. The stability of a 700c wheel yet with the step over height of a Mixte/Loop frame. My West Coast Flyer required a great deal of lean to get my leg over the top tube and real commitment when I pushed up while jumping on the pedal to get things to spin and move forward. These bikes are to be the first step.

When it is time for a staight top tube my collection of vintage bikes will be there for them to choose from. Be interesting to see which one goes to whom, but that's at least a decade away.

CliffordK

If your granddaughters fall into the typical, say 5'4 to 5'8, or so, then you could be building them their "forever bikes", or getting a frame that could be upgraded in the future.

The Motobecane Grand Jubilee photo above was done while my niece was visiting at about age 9 or 10 (thus, a rather low seat). She'll now be turning 15 in a week, and the seat has been raised several times when she visits during the summer.

Unfortunately, I fear she could hit 6', and she could outgrow typical women's bikes.

Of course, when dealing with kids, there is always the risk of damage or loss of bikes, or losing interest in them over time.

John Nolan 

Miyata 100M and 112M, from 1985 to 87 are triple butted CroMo main frames. 88 Miyata Valley Runner is triple-butted. By 1989 the Runner series all are STB (i.e. splined triple-butted) with varying qualities of fork.

It's interesting how often Mixte's are undervalued. Look at this listing:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cruiser-comm...ationFlag=true

That's a STB frame with a CRoMo fork for $70 CDN.

PugRider

I refurbished this beauty last year for my wife's friend. One of the nicer bikes I've had the pleasure of working on. Double-butted, was very light and felt that way. Shimano 600 "Arabesque" drivetrain that you don't usually see on a mixte, either, including a six speed cassette! Univega didn't make a bad bike, in my opinion, and they made a ton of mixtes. Can't go wrong.


Univega Sportour Mixte by Eat More Plants1, on Flickr

since6

Funny that you mention "forever bike". Later after riding her grandpa bike when her mom explained to my oldest grand daughter that her grandpa bike was an adult sized bike she too proclaimed that it was her "forever bike". Priceless.