Hello, [MENTION=458739]junipash[/MENTION]!
Sorry I'm late the Dutch bike party, but I'm both the ultimate lurker and I'm working on a English 3-speed rehab at present.

I have owned an Azor Omafiets since 2007. When people ask me what kind of ride she provides, I usually say, "Escalade." Mind you--I've never driven an Escalade, but I've ridden as a passenger in one, and my net impression was that it was totally cush, with a butter-laden suspension.

There are plenty of imitators--at least as far as the form factor goes--but few true replications of the staunch build of a decent omafiets. I chose the Azor for its reputation for being a "one and done" bike for serious Dutch riders. I had considered Gazelles and others like it, but 10 years ago, there weren't limitless people importing them to the U.S. I queried the 2.5 people who did at the time and plunked down the money a bit on faith.

I was looking for that all-around bike that could stand up to the variable conditions of patchy New York streets, the occasional bridge, and hauling home bags of whatnot that are a pain when done on the subway or where taxis are difficult to flag. I was a former roadie who did this sort of thing on an old Bianchi cross, but the allure of a step-through frame and a bike that could handle some hauling kept beckoning.

My Azor is equipped with a Nexus 8, and even at almost 50 lbs, she really flies when provided a minimum of pedaling--big wheels mean effortless momentum! Hub gears and dynamo truly make maintenance a rare necessity; in the 10 years I've had it, I've only replaced an inner tube. Eight gears might seem too much for mostly-flat city riding, but I take the omafiets over bridges to other boroughs and climb hills that comprise the upper part of Manhattan. Trust me--given the size of the bike and the fact that you may be hauling full panniers, you'll be glad you went for 8. It eases the need to get out of the saddle and climb.

Is a real omafiets for everyone? Probably not, but it's a good bike for both pleasure and practical riding. I own a couple of vintage Raleigh Tourists and a Raleigh Twenty that cover city riding and hauling quite well, but they lack the true upright beauty and glide factor of the Azor. It turns heads and elicits questions everywhere I go.

All that said, I've decided to send oma to live in the country, where I've brought her many times. She loves a day out, hauling gear to the beach, or taking on some rolling hills and lush scenery, and I can ride that bike for hours there. One of the Raleighs will be my every day bike in the city. It attracts far less attention, which gives me peace of mind. There aren't too many Azors here, so their shiny, showy selves tempt people to muck with it while tethered on the street--or worse. After I had two acquaintances have their Azors stolen from racks, even in well-trafficked spots, i began thinking about how heartbroken I would be if mine disappeared. Sure--it has an Axa rear wheel lock, and I've spent on cables and chains of all sorts, but I'm done puting something that tempting on a public rack any more; owning a bike you worry about means you'll ride it less simply worrying about where you'll park it at your destination. It's a bit of a drag, but I'd like to keep her the rest of my days.

I hope some of this helps convey my endorsement of the Azor. But if price or rarity puts you off its charms, don't hesitate to give the Gazelles or Workcycles your consideration!