The Motobécane catalog calls this bike “Definitely French. Light and beautiful. For those who demand the most without any sacrifice to Motobécane’s high quality standard of fine 10 speed bicycles.”
A Mixte (French for “mixed” or “unisex”) is a specific style of step-through bicycle frame that French manufacturers made famous during the “Bike Boom” of the 1970s. Instead of a single top tube, a mixte’s frame uses two thin parallel tubes (lateral stays) – a stronger, more versatile alternative to the traditional “lady’s” step-through design.
It is a beautiful bike, Mtobécane s/n 2584242. I think it was made in 1973, certainly between 1971 and 1975. This bike had a TD One Torque Drive System rear derailleur with a malfunctioning cable clamp, which I replaced with the time-correct Raleigh Suntour model. All bearings were in excellent shape. I installed the new bottom bracket bearings with retainers, new cotter pins, new cables/housings. The frame was derusted to preserve the original paint and protect it from further damage from elements.
I restored this bike for Nani.
