hansmanos

Hi all,

You've been very helpful offering advice on the purchase and refurb of my first vintage bike (a PX-10). Now that my girlfriend has come around and doesn't think I'm crazy anymore, she wants a "vintage" bike of her own. This is a very good thing.

Any recs for a mixte/step-though touring bike from the 70s/early 80s? Doesn't have to be a heavy tourer, just something to throw a rack and panniers on. Oh, and she's about 5'1" (and I'm being generous with the 1"), 29" measured leg length (inseam). Motobecane seems like a decent choice. And price is definitely a factor, around $250 or under. Willing to work on the bike though!

HamboneSlim

hansmanos

Thanks! That might be a bit too vintage, and $370 for the frame (shipped) is a bit out of her price range.

jefnvk

I dunno about a touring bike specifically, but here is what the fiancee used on our tour, a Maruishi LadyAce we found at a local C&Vish bike shop. Cost $150:

Classtime 

Yep. Many of the same tools for your PX-10 will work on a Vintage Motobecane. If she is in a hurry, get a Japanese model while you wait/hunt for a Motobecane Grand Touring or Grande Jubile(e) which will look good next to your Peugeot.

hansmanos

Good looking bike! I'll add that too the list.

hansmanos

She's not in a hurry, and I've got my own bike to work on.

But yes, good advice. A french bike seems to make the most sense and would look good next to mine!

jefnvk

Just remember: it is HER bike. What she may want may not at all line up with what you want or find important. I was actually looking at a small framed Nishiki Cresta GT and a Schwinn World Sport for her when she found that, and there was no arguing with her after she saw it. My hesitations about a mixte (completely unfounded in the end, it worked well) were overridden by pink lettering and the potential for matching pink handlebars

That said, after riding it on tour, she has decided that friction shifting and old brakes aren't for her after all!

hansmanos

I definitely won't forget that. She's going to be the one paying for it, after all! I'm just the slave labor.

jefnvk

You and me both

Still trying to figure out why I had to replace perfectly serviceable cabling because she wanted pink ones. Love, or something like that, I guess! At least I got free perfectly serviceable, practically new black handlebar tape for my touring bike when her pink ones went on for my troubles!

hansmanos

She/we liked the bones of this one:

Motobecane 49CM Small Ladies Road Bike For Riders: 5'1"-5'4"

Any idea which model it is? The owner doesn't.

Classtime 

Nomade, Mirage or thereabouts. Wait.

oddjob2

Not a mixte, but a petite Moto Grand Record, Reynolds 531 available as a frame and fork



Chromoly Miyata too.

jefnvk

Looks suspiciously like a Huret Allvit derailleur. Not amused with the one of those I've had to tune. Wheels look steel, too.

fietsbob

2 thin top tube Mixties are more noodly than single round larger tube with mid pair of rear stays
connecting to the rear dropout..

Schwinn got some thru their Japan makers back then..

ApolloSoyuz1975

Pssst!

You know you want to…

hansmanos

Wow! That's factory paint? Most Impressive.

fietsbob

C Dale just used solid colors , someone later got artsy.

Cougrrcj

Either of these should do nicely!!




Miyata two-ten & six-ten bikes - $175 (Edmonds WA)







Miyata two-ten & six-ten bikes

hansmanos

^ I've inquired about those Miyatas!

Would you say Mixtes make poor touring bikes in general, or are there exceptions? I'd rather she got a small-frame regular bike, but she's worried about ripping jeans getting off the thing

36Oly_Rider

If you don't mind a road trip, came across this Univega Nuovo Mixte on CL...$50...It's in Ocean Shores though. Doesn't say much, but may be worth the inquiry...

Univega nuovo bicycle

jefnvk

I like my Six Ten very much! Just know if she is short statured (no clue, just going off the mixte sizing), climbing over those may or may not work for her, especially if the intended use is touring loaded with the bags.

EDIT: I missed the 5'1" before. She may struggle to step over either of those.

Cougrrcj

Good! That red one (210?) is a very small frame 19"/49cm or so -- Very hard to find a touring frame that small. The blue (610?) one looks to be a 21"/54cm or close to those sizes anyway. The 610 is the better bike, and even has cantilever brakes. But regardless, either one is a good deal! Get whichever one fits her!

They both look to be '84 or so. Miyata Bicycle Catalogs: Miyata Catalog 1984

Standalone 

1980's is the way to go -- just bought my wife a Raleigh Mixte to match my Raleigh Alyeska. Same paint, etc. Cute.

rhm

A few points:

1. 5' 1" is small. Nothing wrong with that, but face the fact, and just forget about 700c or 27" wheels; you cannot get the handlebar low enough. She needs a bike with 26" (559 mm) or possibly 650c or 24".

2. 650c has the advantage of good quality bikes, but only very narrow tires. Some people find a boy's bike with 24" wheels and put lightweight 26" wheels on it, which allows a pretty nice build, but it will be hard to find a high quality frame in that size.

3. A "lady's frame" or mixte is a great idea if she's riding to work on it, and she wears a skirt to work. But unless she wears a dress or skirt when touring, she doesn't need a girl's bike.