Building a fancy mixte/step through
02-21-17 | 12:17 PM
#26
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 343
Likes: 2
From: California
I started a similar project a little over a year ago. It is 90% done and I need to finish it. I bought a vintage Fuji frame and had Ed Litton modify it for an IGH with drum brakes and paint it. It turned out great, but the fat tires I wanted to use aren't working with the fenders. There is a little bit of rub.
02-22-17 | 02:11 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,142
Likes: 9,516
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
+1 on all of this, while I didn't involve my DW, I knocked it out of the park Christmas before last when I scored and outfitted this for her. She hadn't asked or even thought about such a thing, but was absolutely thrilled to get it. I love it when a plan comes together. 
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I'd like to build a nice step through for my significant other. She is not doing huge distances, but rides very regularly for short commutes and errands. Ideally I'd like to use a belt drive with IGH and nice mechanical disc brakes. This means having to mod an existing frame most likely.
Candidates:
Riv Clem Smith "L": https://www.rivbike.com/products/cle...style-frameset
Nicest looking, and lowest step through. But built to haul load, which could mean stiffer/heavier than needed. Also expensive.
Soma Buena Vista: Buena Vista Frame Set | SOMA Fabrications
This has light and supple Tange Prestige tubing, but the classic mixte style doesn't really do it for me.
New Albion Starling: Starling (Frame/Fork) ? New Albion Cycles
This could be a compromise. Not very expensive too, so the money can be spent on the frame mods.
Vintage Mixte: same as Buena Vista, but heavier.
Custom: this would really stretch the budget, and I'm not sure all the custom builders can achieve the curvy look on the main tubes that make the Riv look oh so swish.
Candidates:
Riv Clem Smith "L": https://www.rivbike.com/products/cle...style-frameset
Nicest looking, and lowest step through. But built to haul load, which could mean stiffer/heavier than needed. Also expensive.
Soma Buena Vista: Buena Vista Frame Set | SOMA Fabrications
This has light and supple Tange Prestige tubing, but the classic mixte style doesn't really do it for me.
New Albion Starling: Starling (Frame/Fork) ? New Albion Cycles
This could be a compromise. Not very expensive too, so the money can be spent on the frame mods.
Vintage Mixte: same as Buena Vista, but heavier.
Custom: this would really stretch the budget, and I'm not sure all the custom builders can achieve the curvy look on the main tubes that make the Riv look oh so swish.
02-23-17 | 02:24 AM
#28
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I started a similar project a little over a year ago. It is 90% done and I need to finish it. I bought a vintage Fuji frame and had Ed Litton modify it for an IGH with drum brakes and paint it. It turned out great, but the fat tires I wanted to use aren't working with the fenders. There is a little bit of rub.
02-23-17 | 04:37 AM
#29
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Just found out about Detroit Bikes and their B-Type. Detroit Bikes B-Type | The second edition with a glossy white finish step-through frame. »
This looks even better than the starling, with lower step through, and no intermediate rear stay.
Hope they will be able to ship a frame to E.U. Don't want to pay import duty for parts.
This looks even better than the starling, with lower step through, and no intermediate rear stay.
Hope they will be able to ship a frame to E.U. Don't want to pay import duty for parts.
02-23-17 | 05:49 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Uhm, you are not going to be able to do a belt drive retrofit. It's literally going to be impossible, especially on a mixte. Frames/tubes have to be designed for it. If you have a traditional rear triangle, I guess you could have a frame builder take it off and replace it with one that would work, but at that price you're better having something custom made to begin with.
02-23-17 | 10:29 AM
#32
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Maybe Temple Cycles can do the belt drive. They have an interesting step through and are offering custom models as well. Just as I was pretty much committed to the Starling all the new options come up ...
Classic Step-Through Frameset ? Temple Cycles
Classic Step-Through Frameset ? Temple Cycles
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