Bianchi Mixte Bobber Project...

[rmad]

After seeing a thread on here about Mixte framed custom bikes and then seeing (and riding) kevfromwales' awesome Piranha mag'd creation at RR08 I asked him about Mixte frames...his answer? I could have one he'd brought with him as my own project bike. True to his word a few minutes later he thrust an already de-seatstayed Bianchi frame and forks into my surprised but grateful hands and expected nothing in return...cheers mate! (in an endeavor to recompense I later gave him a fibreflex skateboard in a bag though!).

Anyway, once I got home the first thing I unpacked was the F&F and quickly bolted some bits to it that I'd already collected.

Here's the result:



Parts used are:

Donated Bianchi Mixte frame and forks (cut down).
West Coast Choppers rear wheel and tyre.
Alex 24inch cruiser wheel (from my TR24 Trek) and Maxxis tyre
Bars and stem from a naff kids mountainbike.
Seat from same source.

Plans?
Find a cotterpin crank with short arms (kids bike), get a different seat (I'd like a Brookes or similar, but a banana seat might make it easier to ride at the expense of losing some bobber credentials), Lose the brake levers (the rear wheel has a coaster hub and maybe change the front tyre for something that matches the rear - something from Nirve maybe?.

Comments welcome.

Cheers Kev!

[HoTWire]

Nice work sir... that was quick!!..

I'm going to have to get going on my bike.. inspired by the show

[stealthstylz]

Looks cool. Couldn't believe how easy kevfromwales bike was to ride, mega comfy too.

Matt

[CR500Dom]

Very cool

[alecw35]

Is a good bike

are you going to paint it that nice green that Bianchis are?

[rmad]

Aug 19, 2008 19:14:07 GMT alecw35 said:

Is a good bike

are you going to paint it that nice green that Bianchis are?

Actually, I was thinking of doing exactly that...I used to have a Bianchi racer years ago.



Mmmm Bianchi mint green.

[Seth]

Speedy indeed. I think Kev carries enough parts around with him to build several bikes as later on he handed me a seat for mine having experienced the hardness of the one it has.

He is the R-R bike guru I reckon!

[kevfromwales]

I try my best guys!!

normally I do carry enough stuff to complete about 3 mixte's in the boot, but I took it out for 'teh detailed boot look innit' - rmad, pm me your address and I'll send you some cranks - the mockup looks ace!!

- might also have a 24" skinny whitewall for you somewhewre in the shed!

now I just need to get some of my stuff finished so I can have more crazed bikes to scoot round on!

- kev

[sammm]

I think it needs a knoblier front tyre to give it some height and the seat needs to be dropped right back onto the wheel.

Ideally you want it down here, but I guess that has more to do with the length of your arms and legs than anything

[rmad]

That looks great Samm, although my chances of riding it would be very slim! (unlike me). I think I'll try turning the bars upside down.

Kev, I'll send a PM now!

[Tim]

would look good with some Jones H-Bars, only they are silly money!

or some On-One Mary bars!

[CR500Dom]

I have a set of Bianchi Carbon Cyclocross forks with a 1" steerer and Canti bosses if you fancy something different on it ;D

[CR500Dom]

Aug 20, 2008 4:31:31 GMT sammm said:

I think it needs a knoblier front tyre to give it some height and the seat needs to be dropped right back onto the wheel.

Ideally you want it down here, but I guess that has more to do with the length of your arms and legs than anything

How about like that but with a BMX style Layback seat post to give you a bit more room to the pedals ;D

Brooks saddle would finish it off perfectly then

[kevfromwales]

just like to add that I have already fallen off the above skateboard (and remembered why I stick to bikes!) - cheers rmad!!

- kev

[grizz]

Kev is indeed a great and generous guy.

Looking great Rmad

[rmad]

Thanks Grizz.

Samm, I flipped the bars yesterday but I just couldn't get it to look right...I think I need a shorter stem though.

[kevfromwales]

try the stem I gave you with the frame, despite being the stock one I reckon the work the best as the drop forward, getting the bars down

you tried some apes on it??

[street]

Looks awesome!!
Short road bike stem FTW

[sammm]

Aug 21, 2008 7:36:18 GMT rmad said:

Thanks Grizz.

Samm, I flipped the bars yesterday but I just couldn't get it to look right...I think I need a shorter stem though.

I had the advantage of working outside the restrictions of reality

May also work with the bars pulled back towards the seat, I only flipped them to get it lower visually (and because it was easier).



I guess you want the bar clap as close to the head stock as possible.

Bikes also have the advantage of the bars attaching to the forks outside of the frame.

[Filthyjohn]

Will an inch 'n' eighth headset fit most old one inch frames? I seem to remember converting an ancient saracen, but it was ages ago. Love these frames with the twin top tube setup.