Rosa7

I've been looking for a small mixte from the 80's with a chromoly frame that would make a good touring bike for a height-challenged individual. Finding a good, affordable (for me) bike that can work with my inseam can be difficult, I would like to get something that I can keep and switch to better components if I want to in the future. In that case, if I have a choice between an early model Miyata 210 that is straight gauge or a Miyata 110 or a Univega Nuovo Sport or other Japanese bike of the era that is triple butted, and probably from the later 80s (all chromoly, in good condition, with alloy components of about the same quality: cotterless, suntour, dia-compe), does anyone have suggestions? What would you pay for such a bike if it were really the only thing that seems to work for your height limitations?

Thank you.

ftwelder

Getting a good fit and compatibility with the components you wish to use should be a priority in your situation. Things like quality dropouts, frame weight and modern standards are the things to look for once the basics are met.

On a mixte frame only the down tube would be triple butted. The seat tube is going to be straight gauge and it doesn't have a top tube at all. Just weigh it and look for fit and features.

wrk101

Really there are a lot more bikes out there that could work for you imho. First is the Trek 400T Elance triple, came as small as an 18 inch frame (I had a 1986 version). Secondly, there are a myriad of Terry style bikes out there. For example, Miyata made a 610 (nice bike!) in a Terry style. And of course, Terry made a lot of different models. Third, there are the various mtb conversions, I have set up a couple for my wife. On newer models, REI made an XS ladies Randonee (I had one of those too, mid 1990s). It was a fine bike!

Mixtes in general enjoy a premium on price, and tend to be low end. Higher end mixtes are quite rare, and enjoy an even larger premium. Most mixtes were 19 inch frame size.

Rosa7

Thank you ftwelder and wrk101. I should be more specific about my height. I'm 4'8"! Finding a good road bike that could be used for touring with folk on 700c is proving quite a challenge within my budget perameters. The 43cm Pavea with 650c wheels has a standover of 27.5" that is still a lean and stretch situation for me. Mixtes are not much better, but they have larger wheels. That's why I was looking for a Chromoly, butted, Japanese framed mixte, like the Miyata two ten. Unless the 610 comes in a mixtie or a 43cm diamond frame in a Terry style or with 650 tires, it won't work. So far, I haven't even been able to find an old Terry Despatch or Symmetry in a 43cm, but that would work with a standover of 26.5"!

Maybe a mountain bike conversion would work, but when I have looked for good, older steel mountain bike frames such as the Stump Jumper, they are not cheap, and they are diamond frames that may still be too big. By the time I had someone build it up for me, I'm afraid it would be pretty pricey. Do you have a recommendation for a good mountain bike frame that might have a standover that would work for me with either 700c or 650b wheels?

Thanks again.

bikemig 

A vintage MTB, as others have pointed out, is your best bet for a bike that can work as a touring bike and fit your budget. You'll probably need to swap out tires but you don't need to spend a bomb on them. As with any vintage bike, you should also change out all the cables. But they are available and they are relatively inexpensive. You will have to hunt around for one that fits you though. It is possible to retrofit them with drops.

I'm uncertain why you want to try to add 700c or 650b wheels to a mtb bike. That will simply worsen the problem you have with stand over and isn't likely to work well given that the bikes were designed for 26 inch wheels. Stick to 26 inch wheels; they are widely available as are tires.

Edit: here's an example of a modern 26 inch wheel bike that has the standover you are looking for: https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...&cat_grp=fem_1

BruceHankins

Aren't 650b wheels closer to 25" than 26"? Have you looked into something like the Fuji Ace? It's consider a kids/teens road bike but has good components and comes in smaller sizes with 650 wheels. I don't know what your budget is though.

3speed

650s are slightly larger than 26s.

GentlemanGeorge

[h=2]Xtra rare, Xtra small Georgina Terry, womens road bike 43CM - $400 (cleveland)[/h]


https://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/3815729197.html

I would imagine the price is inflated by many bf'ers standards but considering your height it may be an option.

Gravity Aided

I love how the 27 or 700c rear wheel is taller than the top tube. I see a couple of Terrys in my town . Really nice designs.

wrk101

Novara Randonne, 1996: Note very small womens sizes

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...model=Randonne


In 1997, they made a womens small, and a womens XS. I had a 1997 XS women's Randonee, long gone now. It was the smallest touring bike I have ever seen. Now finding one could be pretty difficult. MTB sized wheels.

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...donee+%2801%29


This is the one I had, much smaller than any mixte for sure. The next smallest bike I ever had was a Giant Cypress hybrid, in an XS size as well. As I recall, it had 700c wheels:







Giant Cypress:






15 inch Schwinn Paramount Series 70 I set up for my wife, started as a frameset off ebay. The challenge with building one up is unless you have the time/tools/aptitude to do it yourself, or a good friend that can do it for you, it can be cost prohibitive. This is the smallest size this model came in:





OK, to round out the choices, here's a poor picture of a Terry Despatch I have right now, Tange 1 frameset (better than the Infinity version above). I've got a second Terry in the project queue right now (I forget the model):




And a 1984 Centurion Lemans 12 (cromoly frame, 700c wheels) mixte:




I need to get a side by side comparison of the Terry vs the mixte

bill

kyselad

+1 to all the mountain bike recommendations. I don't see the mixte offering much except standover, but that's a poor dimension to be fitting. 26" wheels are fine and arguably even preferable considering the abundant and affordable tire and wheel options. Keep in mind, though, that a mountain frame may leave you reaching a bit on top tube length, so you may want to consider flat or even swept bars rather than the drops you might be hoping for on a tourer.

And speaking of 26" wheels, have you considered a Long Haul Trucker? They make a 42 cm (only for 26" wheels) that might fit you. If you're going budget, it would be hard to beat a used mountain bike from the 90's. But if you're serious about touring, I would say it's well worth saving up for a really well thought out bike/frame.

Rosa7

Thank you for this wealth of information and possibilities. I like the Shcwinn mountain bike arrangement. When I was starting this search and found a Super Course on ebay, the guy selling it was a member of this forum. He advised me against his Super Course because of its size and suggested a mountain bike conversion as a possibility. I think he mentioned that he had a Paramount 70 that he could do something with. I might see if I can find him again and learn if he still has it.

After having done a lot of online-searching for a small Terry Despatch, or even better, a Symmetry, I think your Despatch is probably at least a 44.5cm/17" model, with a standover of 27.5" to 28". In fact, the bike I have been giving most consideration is exactly that. It's lovely and only $325 + shipping. I've come to the conclusion that a compromise in standover might be the best I can do with a 25" inseam unless I can work out an mtb conversion, and I'm still not sure which is best. So for now, I've been holding out to see if I might find a used 40.6cm/16" Terry Symmetry (early years) or Despatch. They had a standover height of 26.5, which seems about the best I can do. If you happen to have one of those tucked away in the garage, please let me know! In fact, would it work to put a 26" wheel on the rear of either of your Terry bikes, or would that be too expensive. I was thinking that might work with higher swept-back handle bars or cruiser bars without screwing up the geometry too bad. Also, I checked on the Terry websit, and there is very little difference between the 40.5cm and the 44.5cm other than the height of the seat post.

I also found a girl's junior Echelon online. It's a 36cm with a 24" step-through and twelve speeds.
I believe it is a low-end bike by Cheribum. The woman who has it was Asian and said that it is a bike from Japan with a chromoly frame, but it only has lugging on the seatpost area, not in front, and the brake cables look like they are attached with something like tie-wraps rather than braze-ons. I'm curious, so I might start a thread on that bike if I can upload a picture.

I love the Novara Randonee you had. Sure wish you still had it for sale. I looked online and found one, but it was also long gone. It's interesting that you included a picture of the XS Grand Cypress. When I started this odyssey, I thought maybe that is the bike I should get, and there was one for sale for $300 just a few miles away. I just loved the mixtes and thought they would be a better option for weekend rides and eventual longer tours with friends. It seemed more of a commuter/city bike. Do you think that would be a better option than a Terry with a 28" standover or a mountain bike conversion? Thank you again, and please let me know if you have a 16" Terry in the barn or if you think a larger Terry with a 26" back wheel would be viable. I don't know how much it would actually help me with standover. Perhaps not enough to be worth the trouble, and I don't think I'm afraid to ride a bike with a too-high standover.

Rosa7

Thank you, I'm glad to know of specific models of MTBs that might work for me.

Rosa7

Hmmm, I would love to have a LHT or a Soma Buena Vista if I could afford one, and I have been keeping my eye out for used ones, but it seems everyone is quite happy to keep the ones they have. Someone suggested that I might consider a Windsor Tourist at DirectBikes.com as a cheaper alternative, but that option would still be about twice the cost of a used Terry bike, and the standover is the same as the medium Terry Symmetry: about 27.5", so I don't know if it would be worth it.

Rosa7

Thank you GentlemanGeorge for this great lead. I'm going to wait to see if I can find a 40cm Symmetry or Despatch in the next few days or week or so, but it this bike is still available and they will work with me through PayPal and BikeFlights, this could end up my solution.

kyselad

Just make sure you're sizing these bikes correctly, particularly if you're not buying in person. Standover is not a critical measurement, and it could lead you to a poorly fitting bike.

GentlemanGeorge

I can facilitate if need be. Or at the very least give you the names of some shops that offer packing and shipping options.

eschlwc

op, you wrote that you might have someone else "build it up for [you]." but if you really want to save cash (and take your ownership to another level), do it yourself. most of the tools you'll need to completely overhaul a bike will cost less than the labor charge of that one overhaul. and then you'll have the tools to do it again! and again! and again!

wrk101

The other bike I set up for my wife is even smaller, its a 14.5 inch 1994 Trek 950. Once again, I bought the frameset off ebay, and built it up myself. This is the smallest frameset from that year/model. I need to weigh this bike, its really light, and probably 5 pounds LIGHTER than my 1992 Trek 950.

Ignore the seat post height, that was for me on a test ride (I raised it up quite a bit).

Cougrrcj

[h=2]Extremely nice womans mixte frame Shogun 400Road bike 19" frame frame - $275[/h]


https://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/3790407047.html

.

kyselad

I'm pretty sure that's going to be way too big.

Darth Lefty 

There are 24" and 26" road bikes out there, new. Is this out of the question? Not high spec, but not thirty years old either, index shifters, and no less odd than something with two wheel sizes, and probably more easily upgradeable than something ancient.

curbtender

What area is the OP in?

Rosa7

Thank you, and yes it is nice. It was my second choice for a mixte after the Miyata 210 in the title of this thread, but now I think the advice and education I've received here have probably turned me away from a mixte because of my size. They are my preference, no less, and may always some kind of mixtie or cruiser for commuting to work a few kilometers away and maybe eventually for winter biking. I have an old, low-end steel mixte for just that purpose down in the basement. It would be unkind to such things to such a nice bike as in the picture.

Rosa7

In the northeast, but I have been looking across the country in case I find "just the thing" and can arrange a payment through paypal and shipment through BikeFlights.