Peugeot Mixte from Velo Cult

Velo Cult is a shop in San Diego that restores vintage lugged steel bikes. The Peugeot pictured above was stripped and powder coated and accessorized with an embossed Brooks saddle, Honjo fenders, Velo Orange racks and cork grips. "This is the ultimate vintage Mixte." And I'm guessing that the price is a bit steep (you can find out how much by emailing them at info@velocult.com) -- which is just more proof that used lugged steel bikes retain their value.



By the way, Peugeot still makes mixtes -- using lightweight aluminum -- and sells them in Europe. It comes with a chainguard, rear rack, fenders, and lights.



The specs for this new Peugeot can be found here.

Given a choice, which Peugeot mixte would you want to own?


UPDATE: Bike Club of Falls Church, Va also has a vintage Peugeot Mixte for sale:

Electra Ticino

The Electra Ticino 8-speed (latte), expected to sell for around $800. According to Chris at Electra, the latte 8-speeds will start arriving at Electra's east coast warehouse on November 20, and the denim 8-speeds (see below) are due in on December 11. Expect to see these in bike shops this spring.

Electra knows how to produce practical bikes with classic style, as they proved when they put out the Dutch-inspired Amsterdam models. The Ticino 8-speed has hammered alloy fenders and bar-end brake levers. The 20-speed chestnut-colored Ticino (see below, second to last pic) looks beautiful as pictured with a front rack. The price range is $500 for a singlespeed to $2,000 for a 20 speed.

The 8-speed frame is made from butted alloy, has a Shimano 2300 derailer with a 12-26T cassette, and Shimano rapidfire shifters. The men's bikes have Tektro canti brakes; the ladies' bikes have DiaCompe centerpull brakes. You can find more specs at the Electra website or on Bike Rumor.

The Ticino line is just coming out now, but already there is plenty of commentary on the web:

Bicycle Times: Mini-review of the Ticino 18-spd.

Urban Velo: On the Ticino singlespeed.

Bike Rumor: Pictures and specs. (wait, I thought that was our thing?)

Cyclelicio.us: Ticino preview.

Tree Hugger: Sexy bike alert.

Electra allowed me to download pics of all the Ticino models, so why not share? Here they are, for your viewing pleasure.

8D (plum) ladies



8D (denim) mens



7D (oyster) ladies



8D (wintermint) ladies



Singlespeed (pearl white) mens



Singlespeed (nimbus grey) mens



7D (portobello) mens



20D (pearl rose) ladies



18D (creme fraiche) ladies



16D (pearl white) ladies



20D (chestnut) mens



16D (putty) mens

IRO Phoenix

Iro Cycle, which assembles single-speeds and fixed gears from its shop in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, has come out with the Phoenix, a relaxed geometry steel frame that is available as a three speed for $650 plus extras as they build it up for you. The frame includes mounts for two bottle cages and rack and fender mounts. It accepts 700 x 38cc tires, or 32c with fenders.



Here's hoping that IRO will restore its build-a-bike application on its website so customers can play around with the design before placing an order.

Another Point of View

Many of the latest city bikes (and bikes we have focused on here) feature internal gear hubs and chainguards or chaincases. This makes it easy to hop on and ride no matter what you're wearing. However, the blogger at Planetary Gears (a Minneapolis bike shop owner) offers his view that these types of bikes are not necessarily the best option for the practical cyclist. Check it out.

Jenny and Willy Schwinn

I know this sounds like ad-copy, but really? What's not to love here.

Jenny and Willy look like a winning pair. So much fun, and PRACTICAL: fenders, chaingaurds, racks, easy. Enough gears, but not too many. MSRP $399. Just like your old Schwinn, but new.

• JENNY.
• WILLY.