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.
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15 comments:

  1. Anonymous1/14/08, 12:39 PM

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

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  2. reverend dick1/14/08, 1:08 PM

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

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  3. Anonymous1/14/08, 1:25 PM

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

    mw

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  4. Anonymous1/14/08, 2:18 PM

    Very nice. I really like the color.

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

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  5. Gunnar Berg1/14/08, 4:03 PM

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

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  6. Anonymous1/14/08, 4:33 PM

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

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  7. Reference Library1/14/08, 4:43 PM

    basket is a beauty

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  8. Anonymous1/14/08, 4:58 PM

    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.

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  9. Gunnar Berg1/14/08, 6:25 PM

    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.

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  10. James1/14/08, 8:21 PM

    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.

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  11. Anonymous1/15/08, 6:00 PM

    Just out of curiosity, why the reverse brake levers?

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  12. Gunnar Berg1/15/08, 8:31 PM

    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.

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  13. reverend dick1/16/08, 2:46 AM

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

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  14. Gunnar Berg1/16/08, 2:44 PM

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

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  15. Mathieu JULIEN1/17/08, 5:55 AM

    Délicieux !

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