LOOKING FOR: Ladies mixte bike for Eroica

[peteb1962]

Hi, After trawling Ebay and Gumtree etc, I just can't seem to find anything suitable for my Mrs to ride in Eroica. So I thought I would ask the forum if there was anything knocking around......so to speak!

The ideal criteria is:

51cm or 20 inch frame (she is 5'3")
Mixte style with stem shifters
Reynolds 531 tubing or similar.
Touring gearing (with either a triple or compact chain set)
Needs to be in good nick.

I would consider variants on the above, but it has to be reasonable quality otherwise she won't like it.....

I just got ambushed on Ebay over a Dawes Lady Galaxy Super Tourist, so you know the sort of thing that I'm looking for.

Cheers Pete

 

[non-fixie]

They're out there, but not in large numbers. If I were you, I'd be focusing on finding a nice frame set. The rest is much easier to find.

I built this for mrs non-fixie to ride at retro events. I've had to rebuild it several times before she was happy with it. It will need lower gearing for Tuscany, though.

 

[peteb1962]

Re:

Hi Mr Non-Fixie,

It looks a beautiful bike and Mrs B will be equally discerning. Sadly every time I see something the right size the quality isn't there or it would cost too much to restore.

Keep fishing!

Cheers Pete

 

[non-fixie]

Thanks! I enjoyed building it. For the complete story, have a look here: http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vinta ... -four.html.

I wouldn't put too much weight on the actual tubing. If mrs B is anything like mrs NF than the general look & feel will be more important than technicalities like "double-butted", "micro fusion" or even frame weight. The Benotto is actually a 500, which presumably translates into "gas pipe". However, the paint job is gorgeous, and with a re-lube and the current Shimano 600 / Modolo / SR parts it weighs exactly 11 kgs and rides pretty well. The Brooks Pro S was an instant hit too.