qclabrat

not yet winter yet, but already planning my project when it gets too chilly to ride outdoors (Jan-Feb). Thinking of some for the Mrs. this time, at least that's the story I'm sticking to. Therefore the step through frames seems a logical match, I like the mixte design most so will be on the look out for one soon. I considered newer frames from velo orange and soma, but decided instead to go the vintage route. And more specifically Japanese framesets, with will be easier to contemporize with what I have in my parts bin. Also plan to update with 700c wheels and meatier CX tires. To get an idea of the direction I'm headed, a few local bikes which are interesting to me are: Univega Nuovo Sport, Centurion LeMans, and Nishiki Custom Sport. All are in the 80's time frame. Any thoughts on these?

Can someone provide some details on Japanese Mixte frames?, there does not appear to be many in the higher performance class, and most are equipped with mid to low range parts. When were Japanese Mixte frames fazed out? not counting the recent resurgence due to the retro fad marketing we are currently experiencing.

Show us your mixte, especially the ones which have been modernized a bit.

oddjob2

There are 1100 entries below.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-place-45.html

Mixtes are a favorite of mine, but not on a limestone and gravel MUP path. I don't have a Mrs., but Hockey Mom, whom I've known a little over a month, seems to take to biking, at least on our initial two outings. She asked me to sell her Target BSO Schwinn Jaguar, as it was uncomfortable, which I promptly did. So yesterday after hour ten mile outing, remember she's noob, she seemed exhilarated enough, though she complained a bit about hand numbness at the end of the ride. She says it makes her feel like a teenager. Anyway, I gave her the mid 1990's Cannondale Hybrid she was riding when we got to her house. It looks just about new, fits her well, and is in her favorite color, navy.

I told her too, she could trade it towards something else that may catch her fancy, including one of the many vintage mixtes in my garage.

She did comment on my pink bartape on my parakeet green Miyata Terra Runner, saying if she didn't know me, that my sexuality would be in question. Wait till Hocky Mom sees my pink and white Schwinn Prelude!

qclabrat

Thanks, not sure how I missed that.
Are most road mixte frames designed for 27" wheels? I'm hoping the 27" wheelsize will add clearance to fit +32mm CX tires with 700c wheels.
Also brakes, are the 80's mixte typically either center or side pull? Which bikes had cantis? I'm guessing touring models

non-fixie 

Here's one I'm currently putting together for a lady friend, who's new to riding. Based on my experiences with mrs non-fixie over the past five years I've made sure it's comfortable, fool-proof and has easy to use controls. It's a '92 Koga-Miyata CityLiner frame, with mostly Deore LX stuff. (The saddle is very high because I did a first test ride.) I'll probably replace the cantis with V-brakes for better stopping power.

oddjob2

Tire size depends on the age, the make, and the model. Common mixtes with high tensile frames from the 1970s with steel rims are almost all 27". Chromoly frames with alloy wheelsets beginning in the 1980's are all 700c.

CX tires have their purpose, but look out of place on a mixte IMHO. Also, as depending on the weight of the rider. you may find 32mm tires to be unnecessary and 28cm adequate. I always advocate whitewalls and Northroads type handlebars on a mixte. Also, stem shifters or thumbies are preferred to DT and barcons. Fenders too!

Brakes are mostly center pull IIRC.

As far as frames that you mentioned above, the Nishiki and Centurion are "meh" to me, heavy and dull riding. No experience with the Univega. I like the 1980's Peugeot and Motobecane (cotterless crankset) frames, Raleigh GP or Super Course MK 11, Fuji Royale, and last but not least, Miyata (very rare) the Lotus Challenger and other frames.

Velocivixen

I have a 1985 Nishiki Riviera 21" seat tube (rare in the US - most are 19"), which was stock with drop bars & 27" wheels. The bike looks like it was never ridden. I installed a Brooks B17, VO Porteur bars with Tektro inverse levers, and "upgraded" the friction stem shifters to ratcheted friction stem shifters. The wheels have no wear on the braking surfaces & races are pristine, so kept those. Running Panaracer Pasela tires.






I found the following article on Mixtes helpful:

https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/...-look-for.html

I also have a 1987 Miyata One Twelve mixte with brazed on down tube shifters! Still getting used to those. Someone changed the stock drop bars to upright bars & Miyata labeled rubber grips. It also has 27" wheels, great shape so kept those. It's also a 21" seat tube. Put on a Brooks B17 saddle, rear rack. I also changed it from a double in front to a triple, put larger range freewheel on the back and changed the derailleurs to "mountain" type to handle the new setup (I had mountain bike parts from a 1987 Miyata Valley Runner where the frame was trashed). Love the improved gearing.

Bledfor Days

This is a 1974 Roadking Villager sold by by the Eatons company in Canada. Shimano Positron II derailleur works perfectly. The rootbeer paint is nice too.

redscampi

I bought this really nice Nishiki Olympic Mixte last year at a swap meet in driving rain for $40. It's going to be torn down for parts unless my wife convinces me otherwise.

hairnet

For the lady.






I did have to drill the frame to mount a bottle cage. I may change the rear derailleur soon because that one doesn't perform all that well and she rides enough to notice.

qclabrat

we ride a number of gravel roads, so the need a tire with more bite, 28mm can get a bit squirrelly in gravel and grass. I like the look of the Northroads as well, and is high on my list of potential upgrades. I have not seen a Lotus Challenger, but there is a Lotus Excelle for sale locally, but a bit high in price at over $300.

likebike23

This is my wife's Sterling (Univega) mixte I got from a friend in trade, it's a 21" frame which is pretty much the largest you'll find. I like the 21" with northroad bars because it allows for raising the bars pretty easily and has enough length to not feel cramped. All of the low end steel components were removed. It's got 27" alloy wheels with a 130mm OLD which slid into the 126mm stamped dropouts with little effort. It's got a Shimano triple, 7 speed freewheel, Sram ESP3.0 shifters/rear derailleur, and grip shifters. It rides nice and my wife thinks it's comfortable.

non-fixie 

Mrs non-fixie is slowly becoming interested in the C&V thing, and currently rides this. DT shifters are still a bridge too far.

ofgit

All of these bikes look so...well done!

Only have two out of five completed here and no good pics.

Here is a shot of a bought new '85 Nishiki Citisport that I set up for a friend as a 6 speed with high handlebars. Has a chromoly frame and 26"/559 wheels. Just out of storage for a sprucing up after many years.





Found a pic of the '84 LeMans mixte before making the changes.



Here's a pic (sorta) of it in storage. The pinkish one with gray PB fenders/35c tires, honey B17 and Northroad style bar. There are 2 Univega mixtes (red/AT2 bar/home built wheels, Periwinkle/6spd/GripShift) to the left.

Velocivixen

@hairnet - gorgeous bike. Very nice. Are those cranks vintage or newer reproductions?
@ofgit - love the 26" wheels! How common is that wheel size on a mixte? I've seen some for sale on CL that are more "mountain bike-ish" with a solid "top tube" that bifurcates rear of the seat tube. Would you have the opportunity to take some close up pictures of the top tube, etc. I'd love to see them. Thanks.

Forgot to mention both mine have Dia Compe N500 side pull brakes.

hairnet

The crank is original. We added the tires and rack while the previous owner added the handlebar setup.

qclabrat

this fell on my lap today looks to be in good shape and under 50 beans, will be checking it out on Friday
any info on the Peugeot Iseran? only know it has the 103 Carbolite tubing like the one I had as a kid, guess it to be mid 80s

qclabrat

Correction to above, HLE tubing not 103, are they the same, both Manganese alloy?

Roger M

That's a nice looking bike, non-fixie. What crankset is that?

I have a couple of mixte projects that have been hanging in the garage for a few years. I bought this Bridgestone 200 for $25 about four years ago. It was meant to be a build for my daughter and I to tackle. Here it is as purchased.



It's been in this form for a long time now..



This bike was given to me by a local metal recycler. It's a big frame, maybe 58cm?

cycle_maven

Here's my wife's Raleigh Supercourse Mk II. It fits 35mm tires (barely) on 700c wheels. I have the diamond-frame twin, and we ride the decomposed granite paths around here.

RaleighSport

I am definitely going to need to take a pic of my ugly beat mixte for this thread

qclabrat

[QUOTE=Roger M;17218617]That's a nice looking bike, non-fixie. What crankset is that?

Looks to be a Nervar 2020, your Bridgestone is sweet, great color and the price was hard to not jump on
BTW: interesting repair stand,

Roger M

[QUOTE=qclabrat;17218774]Thanks qclabrat, I built that stand a few years back. I recycled some old copper pipe and fittings from a plumbing/heating remodel that I did.

qclabrat

what does the base look like? a good way to recycle some of my pipes as well

Roger M

I have since bought a Park Tool stand, but this still gets used a lot for maintenance, adjustments, and cleaning. One day I'll solder a union on it so I can break it down for storage. Zero dollars invested, and a couple hours of labor.

non-fixie 

Assuming you're refering to the Benotto: Shimano 600 arabesque. One of my favorites (but you knew that )