Buena Vista Frame Set

A true mixte frame with the double top tube/stays. Obviously offers lots of standover height and style as well. You'll find the geometry is more sporty, than comfy. Though it can be built up to suit either demeanor. Drop bars? Sure. Moustache bars? Of course.

- Tange Infinity heat-treated CrMo steel main tubes
- Sport touring geometry
- Horizontal dropouts
- 132.5mm hub spacing to fit either road or MTB hubs
- Matching sloping-crown CrMo steel fork included. Features low-rider pannier mounts.
- Rack and fender eyelets
- 1-1/8" size headtube
- 27.2mm seatpost size
- 42, 50, 54, 58cm (Center to top of seat collar)
- 50-58cm models use 700c wheels and 57mm reach brakes. Max. tire width with thoses brakes: 33c(28c with fenders)If you must have wider tires, consider a 650b build, then you could fit 38c with fenders. - 42cm model uses 26" wheels and 73mm reach brakes (like Tektro 556 or Rivendell Silvers) Max. tire width: 1.5" with fenders
- 5.0 lbs.
- In Pearl White and Old Gold

purchase!

Buena Vista Frame Set

  • Why should I get a Buena Vista over finding a vintage mixte on Craig's List or buying some of the cheaper new mixte bike I've seen on the internet?

    First off we are happy you are looking for a bike, any bike. Just make sure it suits your needs.

    Advantages over vintage: 1.) You can use modern gearing like 9 or 10 speed cassettes. Vintage mixtes were designed for 5 or 6-speed freewheels which are harder to find and also don't provide gearing for hills. 2.) Materials may be cheaper, might be high tensile steel or plain gauge CrMo, which makes it heavier to take upstairs. Also they are flexier since they don't have the larger diameter thin wall tubes of the Buena Vista. This is a bike you can ride long distances (enjoyably) even with loaded panniers. 3) Good luck finding one that fits you. The Soma comes in 4 sizes to suit folks 4'10" to 5'10"

    Advantage over new cheaper mixtes: 1.) Materials may be cheaper, might be high tensile steel or plain gauge CrMo, which makes it heavier to take upstairs. With Soma you get name-brand CrMo tubing. 2) Sporty geometry: Most complete mixtes are design for upright cruising in the park or for short commutes. You can't ride them very fast. Your body will be in an awkward position when standing up to climb hills. The Buena Vista can be built up as a comfy cruiser, too, but its longer top tube allows you to also build it up like a road sport bike and something inbetween. The bike shop can tune to your body and flexibility. Also we offer 4 sizes. Others mixte bikes usually offered in one or two sizes only.

  • What are some reasons of getting a mixte ("mix-tee") over a regular "diamond" frame?

    1) It has a lower standover height than a regular road or hybrid bike, which allows you get on and get off the bike from the front if you need to. Example: You are carry a trunk bag or baby carrier on the rear rack and you don't want to kick your baby. Also you can more easily straddle the bike when you are stopped at a light. And it's easier to share with shorter or less experienced friends and relatives. 2) Style: Some who like these bikes like it for its vintage styling. Before we launched our Buena Vista, both men and women in our city were scouring garage sales for these charming style of bike. 3) Less likely to hurt the family jewels in an accident.

  • I have general questions about your frames... (i.e. frame material, country of origin, fit questions, how to order).

    Go to our General FAQ page. Link is on the bottom of each page.

  • What kind of brakes will the Buena Vista need?

    XS(42cm) size requires Tetkro R-556 (Rivendell Silver) caliper brake or Dia-Compe Mod. 750 brake to reach 26" rims.
    50, 54, and 58cm sizes require a 57mm reach caliper brake to reach 700c rims.

  • What's the rear hub spacing?

    Rear hub spacing: 132.5mm

Buena Vista Frame Set

  • Unsolicited Soma Buena Vista Review

    “I thought you might like to see a picture of my Buena Vista Mixte frame now that it has been fully built. I think the purple mudguards (bought off ebay!) and other purple components look great with the grey frame. Its set up for touring , with 700x28c wheels, and 27 speed STI gears, which get me up all but the very steepest hills. I’ve done a 200+ mile tour around part of the coast of Scotland including some off-road bits and it handles well.”

    Kathy, Manchester, UK

Buena Vista Frame Set

  • Simple Cycle's Buena Vista

    Wow! This is one really neat bike! I use it as my dedicated city bike for commuting, errands and generally anything within a ten mile radius of my home.... Being set up with a VO model 8 saddle and swept back Albatross bars [and 650bx38 New Xpress tires), it provides a very comfortable upright ride in traffic while making you want to get out of the saddle and "go after it" when the occasion allows. Even with my 220# build, I experience no squishiness in the bottom bracket which is common in lightweight steel tubing....I would have no reservations about setting this up with standard gearing, drop bars and using it for credit card touring or charity rides. To see more of his reviews, visit http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com and search "Buena Vista". [Mar. 2011]

  • Bicycling Magazine Tests Our Mixte

    While I admire the beauty of many cruisers and town bikes, some feel frustratingly sluggish. Meanwhile, speedier townies seem to sacrifice the good looks or loungelike comfort I consider essential. The Buena Vista bridges these gaps. It's essentially a road bike that's easy to throw a leg over, thanks to the mixte design. The Tange Infinity steel frame and fork and the high-volume tires ride smoothly on all but the roughest roads. The frame accommodates a range of components; I built mine with a mustache bar and a three-by-eight-speed drivetrain using down-tube shifters for a retro vibe. A drop bar and integrated shifters would look equally at home and would make the bike suitable for longer rides. A number of attachment points let you outfit fenders (it accepts up to 28c tires with fenders; 33c without) and racks, which I took advantage of, easily carrying light loads around town.

  • Bicycle Times Full Test of the Buena Vista Mixte

    "not a laid back beach cruiser..... slices through congested city streets like a Ginsu knife"
    To download the PDF of the review click here. [ July '11 ]

  • Soma Buena Vista Review on the Lovely Bicycle blog

    "solidly constructed, versatile frame with comfortable geometry" This bike was built up with love using 650b wheels. For the complete review go here. [April '11]

  • Soma Buena Vista Review in Paved Magazine

    "offers a fresh take on the Mixte"
    For the complete review go here.