xylashellx

hello everyone

i used to live in europe (germany) and really loved the commuter bikes that EVERYONE rides in europe i.e. dutch commuter bikes (gazelle, batavus, jorg and olif). I really want to get one here (california) but i am having some problems. the first problem is that i cant really spend more then $500 (yah im in dental school and am on a low budget). i would just call up some of my European friends and have then ship one but it would be over $500 (with the shipping alone being around 200 euros).

my next idea was to try and put that type of bike together myself (buy a frame separate with all the accessories, etc.) the problem is that i dont really know anything about bikes (hubs, handlebars, frames).

i would love to get a forward foot pedaling road bike that i can add some of the dutch accessories to but i don’t know of anywhere in the US to get those great things like the coat/skirt guard, great leather saddles, those stands that aren’t kickstands but come completely around the wheel and tire to make it more sturdy, a light that comes on when you pedal, rear rack, and those FULL chain covers that i love.

i am thinking of a 3-7 speed because that is what i have read but am interested in more speeds if you think its necessary. i really like what this guy has done https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/213856-mmmmm-good-salsa-la-raza.html but would still like to add the coat/skirt guard along the full chain guard/cover.

i have a few specific questions

does anybody know of a place to get coat/skirt guards or full chain covers?

what is the style of frame that i would be looking for when looking at vintage bikes? i like the straight up sitting style of the dutch bikes. (old schwins?)

what is the deal with those lights on the front? do they really light up when you peddle? (im such a bike noob)

if i were to get a road bike off of craigslist and add some accessories to it do you have any suggestions for common road bikes that are in the same style frame and wheel sizes as the dutch bikes? (i think most dutch bikes are 28" x 1.5" wheels...am i right? )

i read some bad things about the electra amsterdams...about the braking system or something and how they arent made that nicely. what are your opinions?

ANY HELP WOULD BE SOOOO APRECIATED (especially on finding those accessories)because i have wasted enough time trying to find these dutch bikes over the internet and should really be studying on how to do a class II amalgam on a posterior maxillary molar =).

Cheers,

kyle

sdingle

Have you looked at the Amsterdam from Electra Bikes?

late

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/b.../citizen3.html

iab

ebay is your friend. I see city bikes all of the time on european ebay sites, Italy has there own category for city bikes. https://sport.listings.ebay.it/Ciclis...istingItemList

Also, Belgium ebay has some interesting city bikes https://sports.listings.befr.ebay.be/...istingItemList

Other than the UK, shipping an entire bike from Europe should be $100-$125, I paid $90 for a bike from Germany. That and a used bike should bring in well under your $500 budget.

xylashellx

thanks for the replies.

yes i have looked at the electra amsterdam and kinda feel like a sell out if i bought one. although im still thinking about it.

i like the breezer but really like the look of the coat/skirt guard. if i could find one to add on.

i have tried the ebay thing...especially german ebay but because they are mostly sold by private owners, nobody wants to ship it to the US. i have emailed many sellers that pretty much just say they wont ship it to the US.

did you say you got yours from ebay? i would love to.

anybody know where to order some coat/skirt guards? (why dont they make those for bikes here...its so practical). cheers.

tolfan

I just today picked up a burleigh . designed and made in denmark. The lights that come on when you pedle are powered buy a generator that mounts to the frame and runs on the back tire, thay are easy to find I have extras. I dont know what a coat/skirt guard is.

xylashellx

a coat/skirt guard is the kind of triangle thing that covers the back wheel and tired so your coat or skirt doesnt get caught when you ride....its sad that our country doesnt have these and therefore people dont even know what they are. so practical. you can ride your bike in a suit if you want!

randya

your best bet on your budget is a used English 3-speed

Dr.Deltron

I have a fabulous Dutch commuter bike!
At least I think its a commuter bike. It came (used) with a rear rack and bag, along with a set of matching panniers. So I'm guessing that it could be a commuter bike.
And I'm pretty sure it's Dutch, because I've never seen another one on this side of the Pond!
It's very comfortable and made more so by the rear suspension.
The handling is very crisp and it can corner while pedaling. Very high BB.
With a couple of flips of a wrench, it can become compact enough to fit behind the rear seat in a Cessna.
And you can see me riding it all around San Francisco. Just look for the PG&E posters that say;
GREEN IS This Guy!
And there I am, riding my sweet Dutch commuter. (I've got on a tie, so that I "look" like commuter)
So get one for yourself & you'll be all set.

It's a Challenge Hurricane, if that helps.

thebikeguy

I have this. It's a 1974 Gazelle Impala. It is 98% original. Going to need new tires, headlight(missing) and the chainguard has a rip in the material. Other than that it is really clean. It is equipped with Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub and has a generator. It has the coat/skirt guard.

TMB

These are brand spanking new .......

https://www.cyclesvalhalla.com/

xylashellx

wow thats awsome. exactly what i want. is it for sale?

xylashellx

oh my goodness. these are awsome. are there going to be dealers or just ordering online? look like great bikes. GREAT PRICE!!!

thebikeguy

Wow those are awesome! Prices starting under $300(!)(?) I'd really like one of those work bikes. And all that AND rod brakes. COOL

TMB

I think they are going to be on-line but you should check with them to be sure.

If I remember rightly one of the fellows behind this company used to be with Moots.

s70rguy

Probably Chinese or Indian Raleigh copies. Almost certain so-so quality. A 30 or 40 years old used Gazelle is better!

xylashellx

talked with one of the owners. they wont be available until late summer or early fall.

Sammyboy

I'm gonna take a punt and say that those are Indian built. So-so quality maybe, but millions of Indians get to and from work on them every day, and they manage to last for years.

mattface 

I don't understand this statement. They are selling a bike that is exactly like what you say you are looking for, but you would feel like a sellout if you bought one? Yes they are making sort of a knock-off or a replica of a Eurostyle commuter bike, and making no bones about it with a name like Amsterdam. Isn't that exactly what you said you wanted? If it has to be an "authentic" european bike, either sack up for the shipping, or buy an old english 3 speed which are plentiful in the U.S.

Poguemahone

Or just look for a while on CL and Ebuy... I have a wonderful Norwegian built Eurotrash city bike, the Vello Kombi Espesial, (Special Utility Bike) that I bought for five bucks and use as a neighbourhood clunker. I love it, mostly because it can haul a lot of beer. These bikes are out there; they filter over here, just not a lot of them.

The problem with looking for specific bikes cheap is you don't find them; you find everything else. I never look for much of anything bike wise; I try to be open to what I find. Eventually the stuff I find seems to fall together into something. That's the way to go, I find.

Sammyboy

The more I look at that Cycles Valhalla site, the more excited I get. We've been able to get Hero roadsters here for a while, but the small front wheel HEEOOWGE basket butchers bike on that site is what I've been hunting for here. They come up, but only for expensive, or miles away, or completely knackered. A brand-spanking new one might be just the job....

alicestrong

I thought this was a terrific design on a new bike but I'm not sure it's being imported anymore. Yeah...it's a Chinese company...but the bike was retailing for about $100!! I live in a neighborhood where grown men with families manage to commute on their Magnas and Huffys...so why not?

mattface 

Sammyboy, you and I are both thinking along the same lines. if you get that let me know how it is.

astrodaimler

These look like those Indian made bikes. Are they importing the ones from India?

Sammyboy

Meh. Trouble is, these guys are in the US. If I can find something similar new in the UK, at those sort of prices, I'll jump on it, but at present, I just don't know.