shopgirl

If their geometry charts are accurate, sizing on this guy should be fine. I ordered the 50cm, which is about my usual size, maybe even a little bigger for me. What did you think of the quality of the frame you got? Was it about what you expected?

Dec1st

Drool.

Grand Bois

This is the "cute mixte" that I want:

[

shopgirl

Another beauty! I seem to recall seeing one somewhere in the Catch of the Day thread. I don't remember who, but someone mentioned scoring one of those awhile back for a ridiculous price.
I remember seeing a customer ride in one day on a beautiful Univega mixte in this awesome smoked chrome/mirrored gray finish. I complimented her on her bike, and she brushed it off, referring to it as a "garage sale bike" and complaining about all the things she thought were wrong with it. She didn't have a clue what she had.
I still kick myself for not offering to buy it from her right then and there.

mkeller234

About the Orgin 8 fork. Could it be at an odd angle because there is no headset installed?

dex

I use Soma Sparrows with bar-end shifters on my city bike. I couldn't be happier with them.

Grand Bois

Here's my take on this:

I experimented with a few upright bars on my Gitane and I found that bar end shifters look rather odd on bars that have ends that point to the sides like North Roads or these Cinelli Priests:



I went looking for a 7/8" bar with ends that point nearly straight back that will accept bar ends and found that the Nitto Albatross is the only choice:



The big drawback of the Albatross is the high price, supposedly due to the heat treatment.

noglider 

Shopgrl, I just picked up a Motobecane Mirage (I think) mixte from about 1976, which was a golden year for that model. I don't have pictures yet.

3speed

Definitely let us know about that Orgin8 and post pics. I'm redoing a Peugeot mixte from ~1970 for my girlfriend and it's just not quite working out how I want it to with Everything on it being funny French threading/sizes and 5lb steel cottered cranks. I think it's going back to stock and getting sold to a local college girl and I'm either going to save up for something new or try to find something out of Japan with standard sizes and threads. The Orgin8 is a possibility if it's a decent frame so I'd love to know what you think of it and see some pictures.

top506

I have a Puch Mixte hanging up out in the barn surplus to need.
PM if interested.

Top

southpawboston

I had bar-cons on Albatross bars and liked them as far as hand placement and use were concerned, but my only complaint was that my knee kept bumping into them. The A-bars sweep back pretty far, and even with a long top-tube and stem, those bar-cons were intruding into my space, man.

clubman 

This one is for sale across the pond and it's absolute art. Worth every penny to me

noglider 

I think shopgrl (the original poster) has disappeared.

shopgirl

Sorry, I haven't disappeared! I started a new thread when I got the frame- wasn't sure if I should keep this one going or if it was a different enough topic to start a new one. Anyway, here's the thread with the most recent info on the Origin8 and some really bad pics. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-Mixte-is-here...

himespau 

thanks for the follow up.

ihwang

Hi guys, I know that this thread has languished for a bit but I am also thinking of getting an Origin8 Mixer built up. Question is, I'd prefer smaller wheels (I'm very short and I feel most comfortable on 26"-ish, my 1989 Miyata 110's wheels make me feel very unstable), but the frame is built for 700c wheels. I found one LBS in online (that is not local for me, just the only shop online advertising a complete Mixer build) that said they were willing to fit 650b wheels, but unfortunately I'm not in Oregon and my LBS said they didn't think it is doable. What do you guys think? If you do think a 650b conversion is doable, do you have any long-reach brake or component suggestions that I might bring up with my LBS? Thanks so much!

shopgirl

I was surprised to see this thread come back up. I think the smallest frame size, which I believe is a 42cm, takes 26" wheels. I don't see why you couldn't convert the 700c frame to a 650b though. The frame has plenty of clearance for wide tires, and there's long reach Tektro brakes out there that should work. Maybe your LBS is just lazy and doesn't want to dig through catalogs piecing together a build.

Sigurdd50

+1 on the 650B approach. Slightly smaller than 700C wheels, a scoche bigger than 26". Some AWESOME low PSI tire choices with a variety of widths. Some of these older Mixtes do have plenty of clearance for them. Plus I think the mixtes look better with upright town bars.

This Link has some important geometry and measurement info for assessing whether your bike can take 650B wheels and tires.
Will my bike take 650B Wheels?

Tektro R556 brakes are long reach. I have sets on my two conversions. If the bike was a 27" wheel originally, it might be a long reach to work.

My wife is 4'10" so we know about 'this bike is too big' in our house. The actual frame size is probably more important, but the smaller wheels do help.
(my current conversion of a KHS John Howard Turbo... the 'Turbo Dog 650')

Sigurdd50

Gads that place has some beautiful bikes

ihwang

Thanks a gazillion for the tips guys. Now for the awkward part, how do I tell my LBS (who is super nice, so I'd hate to think that she's being lazy or disagreeable) that I've er consulted other opinions who have suggestions? I don't know enough about bicycles myself, nor do I have the frame in hand to say that I did all the measurements suggested in the 650b conversion article and have concluded that brakes like the Tektro R556 would be perfect...

Origin8 said only that the frame is built for 700c wheels (ergh, no further details on the 42cm frame). Also, Hilary Stone indeed has beautiful bicycles...however, the prices are less so! If I had that money I'd go for a Soma build or a complete Handsome Cycle or Betty Foy :|