Originally Posted by
kickstart
Speaking from experience, taking a road or mountain bike and making it over in the "Dutch style" will produce an excellent utility bike, but lacking the geometry and extra 10" of wheelbase of a true Dutch/roadster bike, it won't have the unique magic carpet ride that makes them special.
The difference in speed between my Gazelle and my Ross Porteur is less than 5 minutes if I hit all the lights just right, if not there is no difference.
Your Gazelle is heavy but then riders of roadsters don't care about it because the Cadillac-like ride makes you forget about the weight. There is weight but these bikes are not cheap gaspipe bicycles that are harsh and unpleasant to ride.