Mixte Bikes
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Mixte Bikes
Are Mixte bikes specifically for women? Or do men ride them as well? The reason I ask is because I think this bike is fantastic, and I’d like to get one. I’m a man, if that wasn’t obvious. But I don’t know the history here. Or should I just ride what I like?
Linux Mixte 7i
Linux Mixte 7i
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,537
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
329 Posts
Short answer I mean not really but they sort of had that reputation but these days who cares and if you like it then ride it.
I think mixtes are cool as hell and I'd totally ride one if it came my way.
I think mixtes are cool as hell and I'd totally ride one if it came my way.
#3
Pennylane Splitter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,879
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1797 Post(s)
Liked 1,439 Times
in
989 Posts
They were marketed as a girls bicycle many years ago, but these days they're just a practical bicycle frame - good for a female wearing a skirt and wants a step-thru , or for anyone who can't get their leg over a top tube on a traditional frame. Soma Fabrications might still be selling them, check out their website if you're interested somafab.com . There's is (was?) a thread in the 'Classic & Vintage' forums which was nothing but mixte pictures if you're interested in searching it.
#4
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,509
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,478
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 965 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
1,045 Posts
I think history will show that Mixtes were marketed as a girls bike in the USA. When I was stationed overseas in Germany and Italy they were marketed as a Working Man's bike. To be sure the frame is very strong. They had beefy breaks and baskets front and rear with the rider more in an upright position. I never saw a Mixty over there with drop bars. As a matter of fact I never saw a Mixty over there that wasn't loaded to the hilt with someone huffing along or pushing it along in a walk.
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times
in
225 Posts
Rivendell has been building step through frames and marketing them to anyone who wants that style of bike. Typically it is hard to find a step through or mixte to fit someone who is 6 feet tall but at least with Riv you can buy a bike that fits. If you are shorter they have those also.
Likes For blakcloud:
#7
Le savonnier
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,422
Bikes: I can count 'em on one hand
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 729 Post(s)
Liked 602 Times
in
274 Posts
https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista
Plenty of guys ride mixtes, they are great bikes. Ride what you like, man!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,618
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1068 Post(s)
Liked 785 Times
in
504 Posts
That year, Schwinn brought back the Paramount as a super-custom bike – “anything you want” for the then outrageous sum of $3,000. These became known as the “Elite” Paramounts... "
^^^ above from
https://waterfordbikes.com/w/culture...ord-1980-1994/
#9
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,535
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3670 Post(s)
Liked 5,421 Times
in
2,756 Posts
Mixtes are cool for anyone. Would make a great commuter or city bike, IMO.
#10
Senior Member
Downsides of mixtes were how I finally convinced my wife to go to a standard frame for her latest bike:
- On hanging type automobile bike racks, often annoying and/or harder to hang with other bikes
- Harder or impossible to have two water bottle cages on top of down tube.
- Harder or impossible to use frame bag.
- You never wear a skirt riding, anyway.
- Men's sensitive parts are more a risk from a closer to horizonal part bar.
- Many if not most modern frames have "sloped-enough" top bars anyway.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Endicott, NY
Posts: 385
Bikes: Electra Loft 7i, Fuji Crosstown 2.5, Gravity Liberty FB, Schwinn Voyageur
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I gave up trying to find an old mixte frame that would work for me, and bought a large Public M8i a few years ago. I'm 6'2", and it works just fine for me. It's a fun bike to ride to work.
#12
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,186
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,307 Times
in
1,117 Posts
From what I gather, it is largely an American perception that they are women's bikes. I Europe I guess bicycle messengers and whatnot ride them as they are easier to mount and dismount with packages which makes sense.
But I too agree that they are attractive bikes. My wife wanted a vintage bike so I got her an '83 Bridgestone mixte to ride. She can't swing her leg over a top tube or saddle but the mixte was perfect for her. I wish she could ride drop handlebars because I have passed up two nice Univega mixtes I would have enjoyed working on.
But I too agree that they are attractive bikes. My wife wanted a vintage bike so I got her an '83 Bridgestone mixte to ride. She can't swing her leg over a top tube or saddle but the mixte was perfect for her. I wish she could ride drop handlebars because I have passed up two nice Univega mixtes I would have enjoyed working on.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Likes For Chuck M:
#13
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,695
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
916 Posts
Mixte means "universal" and they're all over Europe; it was insecure US men who dubbed them "girls'" bikes. They're great if you have a rear basket full of groceries, or a kid; you can get on the bike without kicking them in the head or flinging your groceries all over the street. And if you have flexibility issues or injuries, or particularly large huevos. Ride what you like. That Linus looks sweet.
#15
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,623
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 6,480 Times
in
3,206 Posts
All bikes are gender fluid.
#16
Member
I built up an 80's Schwinn mixte frame for my 70 year old father. He's not very flexible so he can't manage a horizontal or even sloping top tube. Use whatever works best for you. Who cares what people think.
#17
Live not by lies.
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,306
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 860 Post(s)
Liked 784 Times
in
582 Posts
If I commuted by bike I’d rock a mixte.
I think they’re cool. I’d like to start running more errands by bike. If a mixte came up for the right price...
I think they’re cool. I’d like to start running more errands by bike. If a mixte came up for the right price...
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
FIrst, always ride what you like. The step thru frame, of which mixte is just one design are getting popular as city and commuting, recreational bikes. Both Rivendell and VeloORANGE offer step-thru bikes. Personally, I really like the look of the mixte the most of the step thru variations, especially the older classic French and English designs. I have heard from the elves of the remote road, that a mixte with a checkerboard on the seat tube and drop bars is wonderful. But they are real vintage.
Of the Rivendell and VeloORANGE bikes, the VO offers disc brakes if that is your thing, the Rivendell does not. That Linus bike is a sharp looking bike, and appears to have the twin thin top tube design...
Of the Rivendell and VeloORANGE bikes, the VO offers disc brakes if that is your thing, the Rivendell does not. That Linus bike is a sharp looking bike, and appears to have the twin thin top tube design...