First (!) Mixte For Me
 

Couldn't resist this one:

https://i.imgur.com/YIe8Yd5.jpg

As bought. It's pretty grubby and grimy here.
Japan Made '89 Raleigh Vector Mixte.
It's the biggest mixte I've seen in person. The seat tube is 21-1/2" from center of cranks to the top of the seat tube.

https://i.imgur.com/5vr1HW2.jpg

After the first round of cleaning and adjustments. Those knobby folders have been replaced with Pro-tite Paselas. More pix later of the ride with new tires.

https://i.imgur.com/rci13do.jpg

Model name on the chain-stay. It appears on both sides.

https://i.imgur.com/TlgEUTT.jpg

Somewhat lugged seat post band with some thoughtful high-lighting with some silvery finish.

https://i.imgur.com/4iZw3Qq.jpg

Fork blade decal.

https://i.imgur.com/UCTKjq2.jpg

Origin decal at the bottom of the seat tube.

The lady that sold it to me included the original drop bars with it. The straight bars that are on it aren't bad at all. I think I'll go with them for a while yet. Destined to be primarily a grocery getter, and maybe a pleasure rider.
There's 3 bikes in here again, :rolleyes: and we really don't have room for that many. I think the Schwinn MTB will be leaving us soon.

As to the ride- I like it! Probably have more on this later with some (hopefully) better pictures.

-D.S.

Nice frame set. I made my first forage into a mixte bicycle last year. I like the ride, a lot. It took a bit of time to get use to the "loose" feeling of the handling due to the configuration of the top tube. The frame set is made for 27" wheels, but withe 700C, I can fit 38mm tires, actual width, maybe 40mm's. The slanted, double top tube makes for a good place for top tube bag and/or water bottle. It makes for a very nice, all day ride. It has been getting the most miles in 2025.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5ca5ce80db.jpg

I always wonder why the rear brakes on mixte frames are mounted in the traditional location…between the seat stays…with cable routing that necessitates a big loop in the cable, and the use of the reverse caliper. Why not mount the caliper between the two lateral ‘top tubes’ for more functional cable routing that eliminates the big loop in the cable, and use a regular caliper?

Dan

AustroDaimler Michelle mixte 1981 - mine has a 23" seattube. Works for me at 6'1", and with seat post all the way down for my daughter at 5'5". She likes the long wheelbase for stability when hauling a kid on rear rack seat. Almost time for me to reclaim it from her as her youngest is getting too big to be hauled.
Original equipment was a touring handlebar, but made a swap for more upright position. Rear brake location is optimal. Still running 27" wheels, but that will change when it comes back to me - allowing for a 40mm or greater tire width.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4025a33af.jpg

Yeah, the different frame geometry takes a bit of getting used to.
Did a quick 3 miler this a.m. just to see how it feels with real road tires on it, and it's a lot better ride now.
It's gonna hafta go into the LBS in the near future to get the stuck seat post out, and cleaned, or replaced. Not quite high enough for me.
I find the 170 mm cranks a little on the short side. Has anyone here made the switch to slightly longer cranks on a mixte?
High rpm cadences aren't really my thing, especially with cranks that short...
More later, with this a.m.'s photo's.

-D.S.

Think alike on this one. There is an extra brace back there. Whether it's meant for a brake caliper, or just a fender screw, I don't know. Curious as to if there's enough beef there to move the caliper to...

-D.S.

In the basic layout there's nothing there to mount it to. You have to add another bridge (like Wildwood's Daimler), or center pull lugs to the middle stays, for a fancy custom. Older bikes would also usually have center pulls which are a pain for this compared to side pulls. Compare a Rivendell Glourious to a Cheviot for an example. The latter is much improved.

V brakes made this a lot easier as you can flip the noodle and they don't need a center line cable stop. But they're mostly not contemporary with mixte frames.

I didn't know mixtes came sized that large. Something to keep an eye out for. I'm 6'-0", and by the way the bike feels as set up, I could probably get away with a simple minor (1", 1-1//2") seat post rise, after the LBS frees it up, of course. I'm not getting any over or under-reach for the bars, which is surprising.

-D.S.

Seeing the mixte photos lit a fire inside that has me wanting to once again build up my Wife's Custom Mixte Paramount that Marc Muller designed and built for her and a 2nd for a customer's wife. It's an Anything You Want “Elite” Paramount touring frame with a single top tube, Columbus SL tubing, Henry James lugs, Gold paint with Red pin striping plus her name.

The Michelle is hardly elite. Puch 2500 HiTen tubes, however the ride is balanced, handles well at low speeds, and carries loads. 108" wheelbase, :eek:. 27 pounds, :).
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e5b6a8b4.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/eYMScLm.jpg

After some more cleaning and a new set of Pro-tite Pasela wire bead tires.

https://i.imgur.com/uqhkzgz.jpg

Seat tube decals.

https://i.imgur.com/QswdmNf.jpg

Dia-Compe caliper on front.

https://i.imgur.com/Z3q3Ov4.jpg

Still more cleaning to do yet.
I like these cranks, despite being a bit on the short side for my preferences.

https://i.imgur.com/ZNGi57m.jpg
Castle nutted rear, which is a nice touch. Suntour r/d shifts just fine. I had to put cable end caps all over the bike- just a personal matter for me. They prevent the ends from fraying, which looks pretty poor on what should be a nice bike.

https://i.imgur.com/UY8eHkh.jpg

Replaced the Suzu q/r front skewer with this cheapy "security" rod set.

https://i.imgur.com/O6ujUzF.jpg

Suzu sealed bearing front hub. Have to get the rear clean enough to read the markings yet...

https://i.imgur.com/8z2rCZh.jpg

Pasela tire markings. Long stem Schrader valve is on a Kenda tube.

https://i.imgur.com/niMcyJw.jpg

View from the front. Brand decal on the head tube. Too bad they went with this. I like the older metal badging, but I guess I can't have everything I like.

-D.S.

https://i.imgur.com/Ki4vaFl.jpg

The Liv saddle is a lot more comfortable than outward looks. It ain't bad at all, and I did a 20 miler on it already. Perhaps the ladies are onto something here, and not talking about it much? ;)

https://i.imgur.com/vkNahcZ.jpg
Forgot to put this into the set above after I reached the ten photo limit.
Manufacturer's markings on the inside of the non-drive side crank arm.

-D.S.

Nice bike! Glad you're enjoying it.

Twice now I've played Mixte for me, so to speak, after my hip replacements. Bella and Blue Bella were both drop-bar bikes as originally built up, but I've converted Bella to upright bars recently.

I've always thought mixte frames look classy.

A nice bike! Interesting comparison to the Carbolite Peugeot I am building.

I haven't weighed it. It's about 3-4 lbs heavier than the larger frame moto I've been rocketing around on. That extra weight seems to be positioned over the rear wheel.
Haven't decided on the bar grips yet. The color really doesn't go with the bike. On what passes for pavement around here, their feel is slightly on the jarring side.
Come off the bike with numb hands on long rides. Not sure if it's the grips, or a reach problem. Lower back says it's not a reach problem yet. Can't do anything really fitment related until the LBS get's the stuck seat post out. I'm hoping they are not too busy in a couple of weeks, when I plan to take it in.

-D.S.

Same here. They have a look that is unique and classy.
I've had a half dozen of them off and on. Unfortunately, they were on the small side and uncomfortable to ride.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0392c22e11.jpg

Tell us more about this Moto. Looks like Strong-light cranks from here.
Nice looking Mixte!

-D.S.

Thanks Doc.
This one was a Moto Mirage, 1020 alloy tubes. Steel crank, Rims.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8d3d867f6.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9302cde8a0.jpg
Took a lot of cleaning and grease. Disassembled everything and polished it up.
The cranks were Sugino maxi (I think) I got them from a co-op back when they were selling allow cranks for 10 bucks.

The Moto in my avatar list has 1020 tubes which are seamless, and fairly light-weight. It is unfairly equated with gas-pipe and plain carbon steel around here. That blue Moto is the lightest bike I've owned in my life. Usual wheels for them were Rigida's in either 27", or 700-C in later versions. The Maillard hubs were incredibly well made. (which reminds me I have to get some oil into that free-wheel gear cluster).
Thanks for the I/D on the cranks. I'll have to buy the puller tool and start looking around for a set of 172.5's, or 175's. I'll make a measurement check first before deciding.

-D.S.

So, here's something I would imagine you don't see everyday. Stronglight 180mm crank/crankarms. I have them on my Windsor Carabella and they are
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a3c91adf0.jpg
very comfortable.

I'm going to have to measure for ground clearance on the mixte before I decide on length. The 170's that are on it make it feel like a little kids bike.
The Nervar's that came factory on the Moto are un-marked for length. They have to be at least 175's. So much to do yet. Oddly enough, my dept store mtb has 170's, and they feel normal to me until I'm spinning up.

-D.S.

Nice looking bike! Never ridden one, never seen one except in pics here. I do have a question, is what you carry in your bike bottle called a "mixte drink"?

Trying again with "flat" bars for the mixte.
I cut them down and inch and a half on each side for a 3" total removal.

https://i.imgur.com/E5DPS0p.jpg

Ended up with this, about 1/4 of the way into the job. Had to finish with a hacksaw. I'm going to pick up a new tubing cutter, and probably take a smidgen off on each side just for clean-up.

https://i.imgur.com/Aq1b4oT.jpg

Had this adjustable quill stem in my stash. It came off a garbage bin bike, and looked much different, covered in flat black rattle can.

https://i.imgur.com/mobG3e1.jpg

There's the end result. It's becoming quite the comfort ride. I want to replace those cushy cut-up grips for something a little firmer, and get some bar end caps.

-D.S.

No bottle cage yet. I'll have to find a clamp on style since there's no cage bosses anywhere on my mixte. It'll be the same old cold tap water for me... :p

-D.S.

Got a new tubing cutter, and some on sale grips. Took another 1/2" off each bar end for a total of 4" off the bars- 2" on each side. Grips are a lot firmer than the purple ones I had been trying to make work.

https://i.imgur.com/BFoTRKy.jpg

I'll give it a little time before I decide on these grips. If they end up being uncomfortable, I'll pull them off and just tape up to the brake levers.

-D.S.