A thread for uncommon and above average mixtes and step throughs!
03-15-20, 02:02 AM
#26
verktyg
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Step Throughs vs Mixtes
Most of the bikes pictured above are various styles of "step through" frames not "Mixtes".
We were told by a reliable source back in the 70's that Mixte frames were developed for the French army BITD because one size fit most and they could carry a lot of weight. Never saw a confirmation of this.
Not a Mixte but a French Army Machine Gun Bike:
We sold Gitanes and Bertins in the 70's. Most French mixtes frames were made in 50cm, 54cm, and 57cm sizes. The 57cm frames had what was the equivalent of very long top tubes at least 60cm.
Oddly enough, most of the Mixtes we sold were purchased by older men who couldn't swing their legs over a diamond frame.
We were located a few blocks from a university campus. Most of the young women that needed a smaller frame size like that afforded by a Mixte were highly insulted when we showed them a bike that they could actually ride because they were blinded by the then developing women's movement ideology. They wanted a "boy's" bike, not a "girls" bike!
I put this flicker album together a number of years ago for an online discussion about mixtes:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57624757110832
In the mid 70's we had Andre Bertin build us 48cm frames with a low standover height that took sewups or 700x20c wheels for just customers who required smaller sized frames. Unlike most small frames that handled like wheelbarrows, these rode and handled like larger sized bikes.
verktyg
We were told by a reliable source back in the 70's that Mixte frames were developed for the French army BITD because one size fit most and they could carry a lot of weight. Never saw a confirmation of this.
Not a Mixte but a French Army Machine Gun Bike:
We sold Gitanes and Bertins in the 70's. Most French mixtes frames were made in 50cm, 54cm, and 57cm sizes. The 57cm frames had what was the equivalent of very long top tubes at least 60cm.
Oddly enough, most of the Mixtes we sold were purchased by older men who couldn't swing their legs over a diamond frame.
We were located a few blocks from a university campus. Most of the young women that needed a smaller frame size like that afforded by a Mixte were highly insulted when we showed them a bike that they could actually ride because they were blinded by the then developing women's movement ideology. They wanted a "boy's" bike, not a "girls" bike!
I put this flicker album together a number of years ago for an online discussion about mixtes:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57624757110832
In the mid 70's we had Andre Bertin build us 48cm frames with a low standover height that took sewups or 700x20c wheels for just customers who required smaller sized frames. Unlike most small frames that handled like wheelbarrows, these rode and handled like larger sized bikes.
verktyg
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Last edited by verktyg; 03-15-20 at 02:16 AM.
03-15-20, 06:09 AM
#27
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In a similar vein, mrs non-fixie's Blouson. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and made by Bridgestone. Some more details here. Not a lightweight by any measure, but mrs non-fixie has successfully 'glided' to work on it a couple of times.
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03-15-20, 10:02 AM
#28
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i will respect the ThreadStarter.
but this 81/82 AustroDaimler Michelle is a lowly HiTen frame.
it has been misplaced, underwanted and orphaned. I am in the midst of trying to find it a place in the family’s group (the wife has preliminarily rejected it).
Pictured saddle height would be mine. Unsure of stem/bars, but here is an upright position with Nitto’s tall&short stem and Origin 8 Tiki bar.
Never really had an upright bike as an adult, so uncharted territory for me. Has floppy handling at slow speed given large wheelbase.
I have a silver rear rack that could go on it, black fenders, too. This is a bike for 27" wheels. I won't invest in wide 700c tires.
edit: i should mention this bike, less a few bits came to me thru a Forum member west of Chicago -- thanks, trying to do it justice.
and a schmidgen of little box lining on the seat tube. Lipstick for a pretty lady. Puch2500 f&f.
very clean, garage queen.
edit: all metal Simplex RD
but this 81/82 AustroDaimler Michelle is a lowly HiTen frame.
it has been misplaced, underwanted and orphaned. I am in the midst of trying to find it a place in the family’s group (the wife has preliminarily rejected it).
Pictured saddle height would be mine. Unsure of stem/bars, but here is an upright position with Nitto’s tall&short stem and Origin 8 Tiki bar.
Never really had an upright bike as an adult, so uncharted territory for me. Has floppy handling at slow speed given large wheelbase.
I have a silver rear rack that could go on it, black fenders, too. This is a bike for 27" wheels. I won't invest in wide 700c tires.
edit: i should mention this bike, less a few bits came to me thru a Forum member west of Chicago -- thanks, trying to do it justice.
and a schmidgen of little box lining on the seat tube. Lipstick for a pretty lady. Puch2500 f&f.
very clean, garage queen.
edit: all metal Simplex RD
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-15-20 at 07:03 PM.
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03-15-20, 12:21 PM
#29
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Wife's Bob Jackson 'Lady Mixte' c early 80s, nearing completion. The frame came from Miami Jim here and I built it up for my wife's birthday, though it wasn't actually done for some time. Somehow she was nonplussed when I showed her the bare frame!
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03-15-20, 12:30 PM
#30
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2017 Brian Chapman
02 Chapman by iabisdb, on Flickr
I never got around to restoring, I sold it to a friend to help finance the Chapman, 1938 Gloria.
Gloria01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
02 Chapman by iabisdb, on FlickrI never got around to restoring, I sold it to a friend to help finance the Chapman, 1938 Gloria.
Gloria01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
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03-15-20, 12:40 PM
#31
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Duchess, A Centurian Sport DLX I restored a couple years ago.
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03-15-20, 06:31 PM
#33
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Most of the bikes pictured above are various styles of "step through" frames not "Mixtes".
We were told by a reliable source back in the 70's that Mixte frames were developed for the French army BITD because one size fit most and they could carry a lot of weight. Never saw a confirmation of this.
Not a Mixte but a French Army Machine Gun Bike:
We sold Gitanes and Bertins in the 70's. Most French mixtes frames were made in 50cm, 54cm, and 57cm sizes. The 57cm frames had what was the equivalent of very long top tubes at least 60cm.
Oddly enough, most of the Mixtes we sold were purchased by older men who couldn't swing their legs over a diamond frame.
We were located a few blocks from a university campus. Most of the young women that needed a smaller frame size like that afforded by a Mixte were highly insulted when we showed them a bike that they could actually ride because they were blinded by the then developing women's movement ideology. They wanted a "boy's" bike, not a "girls" bike!
I put this flicker album together a number of years ago for an online discussion about mixtes:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57624757110832
In the mid 70's we had Andre Bertin build us 48cm frames with a low standover height that took sewups or 700x20c wheels for just customers who required smaller sized frames. Unlike most small frames that handled like wheelbarrows, these rode and handled like larger sized bikes.
verktyg
We were told by a reliable source back in the 70's that Mixte frames were developed for the French army BITD because one size fit most and they could carry a lot of weight. Never saw a confirmation of this.
Not a Mixte but a French Army Machine Gun Bike:
We sold Gitanes and Bertins in the 70's. Most French mixtes frames were made in 50cm, 54cm, and 57cm sizes. The 57cm frames had what was the equivalent of very long top tubes at least 60cm.
Oddly enough, most of the Mixtes we sold were purchased by older men who couldn't swing their legs over a diamond frame.
We were located a few blocks from a university campus. Most of the young women that needed a smaller frame size like that afforded by a Mixte were highly insulted when we showed them a bike that they could actually ride because they were blinded by the then developing women's movement ideology. They wanted a "boy's" bike, not a "girls" bike!
I put this flicker album together a number of years ago for an online discussion about mixtes:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/282672...57624757110832
In the mid 70's we had Andre Bertin build us 48cm frames with a low standover height that took sewups or 700x20c wheels for just customers who required smaller sized frames. Unlike most small frames that handled like wheelbarrows, these rode and handled like larger sized bikes.
verktyg
True that, here's a guide to suss it out, the OP did ask for step thru's as well.
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03-15-20, 06:48 PM
#34
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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03-16-20, 07:03 AM
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(in another attempt to get her back on 2 wheels ). But having failed in the past, this effort had to have an alternative plan -- for me! 
So, presto chango = old man's mixte. But new to upright riding, so having component/positioning debate. edit: i mentioned my desires in this Forum last summer, and a Chicago area member had such a bike with a few things missing.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 03-16-20 at 07:20 AM.
03-16-20, 04:02 PM
#36
Senior Member
Simon French berceau style bicycle
@thumpism encouraged me to post pictures of my junk shop bike project here, so I am. The make is Simon, based in Troyes in France. The date appears to be around 1984.
I am a complete novice but I loved the shape and the attention to detail. Even the original dynamo lights still work.
Enjoy
Gill
Wingnuts
Front brakes.
Gears to be repaired
I am a complete novice but I loved the shape and the attention to detail. Even the original dynamo lights still work.
Enjoy
Gill
Wingnuts
Front brakes.
Gears to be repaired
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03-16-20, 04:44 PM
#37
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Is that a bike, or a Mobius strip with a derailleur attached?
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
03-16-20, 04:46 PM
#38
Shifting is fun!
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Probably the nicest frame in mrs non-fixie's stable. Early eighties DeVos, built with Super Vitus tubing. Light and stiff and well-liked by its owner. Got a good workout last year too.
Prepped for the RetroRonde and Eroica Limburg, with 30mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires for the cobbles in Belgium and the rough stuff in Limburg:
With 28mm Paselas and fenders for a touring vacation in Tuscany:
Prepped for the RetroRonde and Eroica Limburg, with 30mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires for the cobbles in Belgium and the rough stuff in Limburg:
With 28mm Paselas and fenders for a touring vacation in Tuscany:
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03-16-20, 05:23 PM
#39
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03-16-20, 06:25 PM
#40
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Great old Motobecane Mixte that I took out of a summer home basement...not ridden for so many years...my family rode the crap out of this bike...one day I noticed that the paint just started to fleck off and a beautiful chrome frame was emerging...we never hurried the inevitable along...I may at some time...
A great riding old bike...
A great riding old bike...
03-17-20, 03:31 AM
#41
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These 2 are my wife's. The Motobecane is a low level Nomade Sprint, but in a unique color. I believe a 1974. I upgraded with alloy rims, 12-speed gearing and new derailleurs. Rides very well. The Centurion is a 1984, one of the few mixtes made with downtube shifters. Cleaned up and serviced, its s great bike. Down the road I will probably add new brake hoods to both and maybe alloy bars/stem for the Moto.
Last edited by kross57; 03-17-20 at 04:00 AM.
03-17-20, 06:28 PM
#43
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I'm kind of proud of the one I made for my wife.
Mongoose Dynametric 325
Mongoose Dynametric 325
03-18-20, 03:50 PM
#44
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03-20-20, 04:08 AM
#45
Member
07-17-20, 01:36 AM
#46
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Late to the Party
My custom mixte is about to be one year old! And this thread is a great one to share it in. You can check out the thread here.
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07-17-20, 01:47 AM
#47
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I suppose I should update this thread I started with the final product of the bike I initially mentioned in the OP. I put these photos in a few other threads but since this one popped back up...
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07-17-20, 02:54 AM
#48
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Nice to see this thread back on page one!
I guess this would fit here as well. Not a step-through in the strictest sense, but designed for people who wanted the riding qualities of a double diamond frame as well as a lower stand-over height. With those same people in mind the frame was also made a little shorter than the average double diamond frame.
Designed in the seventies by the then twenty-something Francis Quillon for Albert Metayer's Méral brand and patented, so it couldn't be copied by other manufacturers.
I guess this would fit here as well. Not a step-through in the strictest sense, but designed for people who wanted the riding qualities of a double diamond frame as well as a lower stand-over height. With those same people in mind the frame was also made a little shorter than the average double diamond frame.
Designed in the seventies by the then twenty-something Francis Quillon for Albert Metayer's Méral brand and patented, so it couldn't be copied by other manufacturers.
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07-17-20, 09:34 AM
#49
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@orcas island has a beautiful Follis Berceau. Last I knew it was for sale; but if he still has it perhaps he could post a couple of photos here.
Brent
Brent
07-17-20, 11:17 AM
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Keep meaning to take and post a pic of Mrs. Doc’s Trek 420 mixte. Lovely lug work and I think pretty rare, only made in 84-85.
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