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  #1  
Old 03-27-2020, 08:19 AM
polyhistoric polyhistoric is online now
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Let's talk modern mixte (special snowflake build)

I have been tasked with building up a Mixte/stepthru city bike with a child seat on a back rack. Upright position, swept-back bars.

I do not want to resto-mod an older frame (we have one currently) - many reasons, including most of the older Raleigh, Peugeot, etc. are not built to take the weight of the rack/child on back. Do not want a modern hybrid. Also trying to avoid the Dutch City Bike style as they are generally heavy, lower quality parts, not as customizable. Finally, not in a place to drop $1600+ on a full-custom frame, but there are some great builders out there who would do a step-thru.

I have identified the Soma Buena Vista and Handsome She-Devil as available off-the-rack frames and builds. It looks like Horse cycles used to offer something, but not currently and... I do not know if the Linus and Public options are worthwhile. Anyone with experience or input on these as build options. Budnitz is out of the price range.

Anything I am missing? Anyone holding something looking for a new home?

(Kicking myself for not jumping on that used Sycip a couple years ago).
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  #2  
Old 03-27-2020, 08:28 AM
CDollarsign CDollarsign is offline
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While I don't have a Public Mixte, I do have two of their dutch bikes and think they are rather well built for the cost. They are frequently on sale, so I would watch out for those.

I bought them 3 years ago for my wife and I to pull our son in a Burley trailer. Now that he can ride a bike on his own I find myself picking the Public to ride around park trails with him and its really fun to ride.
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  #3  
Old 03-27-2020, 10:39 PM
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Burning Pines Burning Pines is offline
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Velo Orange had some pics on instagram recently of what looked like a mixte Polyvalent. Honestly can't see a reason not to get the soma though, it looks nice.
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  #4  
Old 03-27-2020, 11:29 PM
miguel miguel is offline
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Bro wait like a week for the new velo orange frame

I saw it
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  #5  
Old 03-28-2020, 05:05 AM
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oldpotatoe oldpotatoe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by polyhistoric View Post
I have been tasked with building up a Mixte/stepthru city bike with a child seat on a back rack. Upright position, swept-back bars.

I do not want to resto-mod an older frame (we have one currently) - many reasons, including most of the older Raleigh, Peugeot, etc. are not built to take the weight of the rack/child on back. Do not want a modern hybrid. Also trying to avoid the Dutch City Bike style as they are generally heavy, lower quality parts, not as customizable. Finally, not in a place to drop $1600+ on a full-custom frame, but there are some great builders out there who would do a step-thru.

I have identified the Soma Buena Vista and Handsome She-Devil as available off-the-rack frames and builds. It looks like Horse cycles used to offer something, but not currently and... I do not know if the Linus and Public options are worthwhile. Anyone with experience or input on these as build options. Budnitz is out of the price range.

Anything I am missing? Anyone holding something looking for a new home?

(Kicking myself for not jumping on that used Sycip a couple years ago).
Talk to Richard Schwinn...When at the shop, we had Richard build 2 or 3 Mixte frames for customers and they were beautiful.

I also sold both Public and Linus..also really great products..
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  #6  
Old 03-28-2020, 05:16 PM
polyhistoric polyhistoric is online now
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I'm not seeing the VO on insta... - old Polyvalent still sold out. WOuld love to see a new, disc version. Will keep the hunt on. Thanks all!
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  #7  
Old 03-28-2020, 05:22 PM
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exapkib exapkib is online now
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We found a used Buena Vista for a good price a while back, and my wife loves it. Great frame that can handle a load and looks good doing it.

Our has logged many miles pulling the trailer, and is now the preferred whip of our oldest child (where does the time go?).

Good luck in the search!
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  #8  
Old 03-28-2020, 05:27 PM
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AngryScientist AngryScientist is offline
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i have no input, but have you guys seen this little beauty? been floating around on ebay forever, looking for it's forever home. they need to drop the price so someone can build something fun out of this one...

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  #9  
Old 03-28-2020, 05:27 PM
edward12 edward12 is offline
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Let's talk modern mixte (special snowflake build)

You mean something like this?




Seriously, I found a Steve Rex frame on Craigslist and had Steve refinish the frame. I built it up with a Nexus 8 speed hub and microshift bar end shifter. My wife loves the 650b format.


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Last edited by edward12; 03-28-2020 at 06:36 PM.
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  #10  
Old 03-28-2020, 06:12 PM
jtakeda jtakeda is offline
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used rivendell?
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  #11  
Old 03-28-2020, 06:35 PM
edward12 edward12 is offline
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It’s a Steve Rex.


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  #12  
Old 03-28-2020, 06:41 PM
Ken Robb Ken Robb is offline
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Rivendell has new mixte frame/fork with HS and BB for about $900 I think.
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  #13  
Old 03-28-2020, 08:41 PM
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saab2000 saab2000 is offline
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What is a “snowflake build”?
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  #14  
Old 03-28-2020, 09:31 PM
p nut p nut is offline
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Rivendells are nice. Cheviot is a mixte but new frames are $1,400. Check for used on rbw owners group and ibob.
Also check Clem L step through. Brand new are $1,600 but they sell out fast. And with this whole covid thing, not sure when they’re going to get a new shipment.

But honestly, any bike will do the job. Get a proper child seat and you can bolt it onto most bikes.

https://m.albeebaby.com/thule-rideal...gaAlUVEALw_wcB

Last edited by p nut; 03-28-2020 at 09:49 PM.
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  #15  
Old 03-29-2020, 06:35 AM
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oldpotatoe oldpotatoe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saab2000 View Post
What is a “snowflake build”?
Good question...
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