New brake levers for Puch mixte?
 

Hi all,

I've been a lurker for awhile, and have found this forum to be so helpful! But the time has come for me to ask my first question...

I've acquired a Puch mixte of unknown age and ancestry (see photo below), and I would like to make it suitable for my mother to ride. It's in almost perfect condition, has been tuned up by the local LBS, and apart from changing out the brake pads for Kool Stops, I've not had to do anything to it. I would, however, like to change out the drop handlebars for North Road-type bars. As I am quite a newbie at this, I would appreciate some advice on brake levers.

The brakes are the stock side-pull caliper brakes. Would something like this be suitable for new levers (although I see they are out of stock!)? I would like something long, simple, and elegant to go on the new bars, and most modern MTB levers I've seen don't quite seem right. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

I'm in the UK, and would prefer to buy from UK online retailers if possible.

Also, as an aside, if anyone has any information on this particular bike, I would really appreciate it. It looks like someone attempted to remove a decal that appears to say 'Princess' on one of the top tubes. (I never thought I'd own a bike called 'Princess'!!) Other than that, it has pretty standard-looking Puch decals, one of which was unfortunately damaged by the LBS :( but that's another matter entirely...

Sorry for the poor camera-phone photo...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g5HvbD_7zt...D%3F%3D-779012

Thanks in advance!

Here's a couple of better-quality images, but poorly-focused (macro wouldn't focus on the shiny metal??)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2624/...562f5d2e1f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/...a99c3f6af0.jpg
This is the headbadge decal that the LBS damaged after this photo was taken :(

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/...3f503314c2.jpg

Hello we used to do this quite a bit in the shop back in the early '90. while those levers will work I would recomend something else (also those levers are out of stock). one of these two lever area bit better IMHO because you can adjust how far your Mother has to reach for the lever to apply it.

http://www.freemanscycles.co.uk/prod...&pname=RKL-463 Brake lever 2 finger type

http://www.freemanscycles.co.uk/prod...4&pname=RKL400 Touring lever

fabulous looking mixtie

Thanks, Bianchigirl. The touring levers look like they will probably suit my purpose. Thanks!

I will post photos of the bike when I'm finished with it on the mixte thread. I've been loving looking at other peoples' mixtes for inspiration. They really are elegant bikes! I might have to occasionally give my commuter bike a rest and ride the Puch instead!

Now, I'm going to try to apply some of my professional knowledge to fixing the damaged head badge (I am a book and paper conservator, and fix tears and scrapes all day long). This sort of thing is falls far more in my comfort zone than changing out brake levers!