14 January, 2008

Lorna's Mixte

Here are a few photos of the VO "Madame"mixte that Gunnar built-up for his wife, Lorna. Pretty nice job, I'd say.

From Gunnar's blog:

It has an 8 speed, internal-geared Sturmey-Archer rear hub, 650b wheels, Honjo hammered aluminum fenders, a vintage Perle chainguard, T-A crankset, Paul centerpull brakes, and a Brooks saddle and bag. The handbars are covered with laced-on elkhide, tough, yet soft to the touch. Our friends Eli and Lovina Hershberger, an Amish couple from Viroqua, made the basket.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful bicycle! I'm glad you post some customers pictures.

reverend dick said...

That bike. It makes me happy to look at it.

Anonymous said...

would't kick it out of bed for eating crackers . . .

mw

Anonymous said...

Very nice. I really like the color.

You should send him a TA sticker for the left crank, though.

Gunnar Berg said...

Michael,
An already did send a TA sticker a month or two ago. I'm at fault, not her.

Anonymous said...

Lovely bike, but the bottle cage should have gone on the lower down tube.

Reference Library said...

basket is a beauty

Anonymous said...

Is that the same bike as on your frame page? Looks very similar but I notice a few different parts. Does anyone have any comments on the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub? I was just curious about the quality.

That bike sure is a beauty. Excellent build-up, IMHO.

Gunnar Berg said...

Anony,
There are provisions for a pump on lower tube because of the rear brake setup, and there isn't room on the seat tube. All of life is compromise.
It is the same bike as the photo, sort of. The other frame had a couple issues. Chris took care of everything in a more than professional manner, and we have a different frame.
Well see how the S-A works out over time. It was a little rough at first, but has smoothed out nicely.

James said...

What's the gearing? I thought about trying the SA hub but ran the numbers and found it a bit high - a consequence of first being direct drive right?
If I recall a german cycle magazine went through a few of the hubs which they used with larger than recommended sprockets to get the gearing down.

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiosity, why the reverse brake levers?

Gunnar Berg said...

Liz,
Ahhh, 'cause I think they're cool?
Also, the twist-grip shifter takes up a surprising length of handlebar, and the combination of the shifter and conventional brakes mounted behind the bend of the bar really didn't leave much to actually hold on to.
James,
When we had the original frame rolling, we had a slightly smaller crank ring. Lorna thought she needed a little more top end. Reality may sit in, and if so, we'll downsize the ring again.

reverend dick said...

That bike. It makes me covet the basket when I look at it. Any plans of stocking it?

Gunnar Berg said...

rev,
Contact me at neilmberg(at)yahoo.com

Mathieu JULIEN said...

Délicieux !