rootboy 

I've done a couple of searches in the archives and don't come up with much that is helpful, so I thought I'd ask here. Have the opportunity to visit Amsterdam next month and am wondering if anyone knows of a specific bike shop worth visiting that might be;
1) old
2) cater to old road bikes
3) have old road bikes and frames hanging from the rafters
4) old

etc. You know, not one of those places that has only carbon fiber race gear and not one of those places that caters strictly to commuters. Does such a place exist in Amsterdam?
Thanks

marley mission

how bout this place:

https://www.recycledbicycles.org/home.html

rootboy 

Yes, I saw that. thanks. looks like an interesting place.

marley mission

i wonder if the bike shops sell the ganj in amsterdam

"what i can do for you"

"um - couple tubes, a brake cable and a 1/4 ounce please"

Italuminium

Presto. Used to make the best handbuilds in the land, only rivalled by RIH (still around as well) and Zieleman. Plus it's in the center too. There are not really any specific C&V shops, but most LBS's carry a few old roadies and spare bits. Some oldtimers keep a stash of campa on hand, including all kinds of posters and parafernalia in the shop. I don't know if RIH is open for visitors though... Search the forums for some of the bikes, they are very nice.
https://www.rihsportamsterdam.nl/
Will you be biking? I'm off course willing and able to provide any advice on riding in Holland and in and around Amsterdam. Also, check out www.markplaats.nl for some online deals that you might be able to take with you, I'll be glad to help you with facilitation/translation.

rootboy 

Thank you Italuminum!
That's very kind of you. Not sure we'll be biking, my wife and I will likely be with my somewhat elderly brother, who lives in a small village in northern Germany and meet us there. Not sure I'm actually looking to pick up anything in particular, but you never know. I will certainly earmark the Presto shop and others. I see a number of shops shown on the Google search map. Any in particular you can recommend as "oldtimers"? Would love to see the RIH shop too, if possible. Of course, we will do the usual sights too, looking forward to seeing the Van Gogh museum, etc. I will gratefully keep your invitation in mind and perhaps buy you a beer! Thank you.
Scott

Elev12k

There is now on the news that the Van Gogh museum on the Museumplein location will be closed -I believe- somewhere next year for 6 months. Inform yourself before going. There will be an alternative location however: part of the collection resides in the Hermitage.

Yes, visit Mr Van der Kaaij at RIH in the Jordaan quarter if you are able to !

Italuminium

No problem most bike shops however are in the suburbs, and will be quite a detour to visit. Exceptions are the two most worthwile: Presto and RIH. However, your eyes will be treated to a lot of bikes as every rack, fence or pole in the city is adorned with at least one!
Non bike related things to check out are the Concertgebouw, opposite to the Van Gogh museum (if you're into C&V music), a very nice concert hall with one of the best orchestra's in the world.

rootboy 

Thanks again. I'll definitely check out the concert hall. Though "C&V music" could be anything from Mozart to Led Zeppelin.

rootboy 

Thank you Elev12K. Hopefully we will be able to visit the museum before they close. I'll check. I'll definitely look to see the RIH shop if possible.

jptwins

i really really recommend renting a bike while there, even if for only a half day. it's such a bikeable city and it's a fantastic way to see pretty much the entire city. I did that when I was there alone, and then last summer, I rented a bakfiets for me and the kids and omafiets for my wife. we discovered a new game that the kids loved called "getting lost... fun lost" where we'd just ride around and see the city. when we were getting hungry, we'd stop and eat somewhere, and then figure out where we were and how to get back.

ColonelJLloyd 

+1

Definitely rent a bike. That's the best way to get around. A good map (or an iPhone) is quite valuable. My wife and I loved Amsterdam for the obvious reasons and for not-so-obvious reasons. We rented a beautiful apartment. Can't wait to get back!

rootboy 

I like the sound of that game, jptwins, thanks. I think my wife, brother and me could get into that. We'll see how the old guy feels about riding in the city. I mean, he's not ancient or anything, but getting up there. He is probably in better trim than I am. I think renting bikes is sounding like a must. Thanks.

rootboy 

Thanks Colonel. Wish I could bring my "F" bike. My wife'll have her Iphone for GPS. Good idea. I'm curious about the not-so-obvious reasons. We should talk.

Italuminium

Funny thing is, most native dutchies hate biking in A'dam because all these bloody tourists don't know how biking works and don't understand the unwritten codes of urban traffic. For instance, that red stopsigns do not mean stop and tramways are chasms of death.

ColonelJLloyd 

Italuminium, I saw plenty of tourists on bikes who were obviously not experienced cyclists. I instructed the four others traveling with me on how to cycle in a city (even though Amsterdam is somewhat unique and was new to me) and told them, when in doubt, do as I do. I'd like to think we fit in ok.

caloso

I'm jealous. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world. My fond memories of visiting there as a penniless college student, sitting in a little square under a war monument and eating a cheap lunch of bread, cheese, sausage, and Grolsch.

Italuminium

Plus the dutch bike like crazy. While texting, litening to ipods, drinking coffee, smoking. Just like all the stereotypes about Americans driving their cars as mobile couches

rootboy 

They bike like crazy or bike like crazies? Sounds like a survival sport. I've biked extensively in Beijing, but, they were pretty tame by comparison. If the Dutch bike anything like we drive here, I might search out the nearest pub and ride a stool.

buldogge

I love cycling in and around A'dam...very jealous...wish I could make it back there this year.

There are several older shops that still sell new bikes and have no real connection to their past (Presto has already been mentioned). RIH is worth a looksey...but...the gentleman is normally very busy, and his English is limited...some very nice bikes hanging in the front though.

You might also check Lohman and Aandewiel.

As Justin mentioned...watch out for the tram tracks, especially if you are running a road bike with narrow tires (don't ask me how I know...but...I did manage to save the Reus, with zero damage).

Cruise Marktplaats...buy a bike...ride all week and then ship it back in 2 boxes at the end of the week...highly recommended!

Have a great time...

Italuminium

Haha I might have exagerated things a bit. you'll be fine. There sure are some cool handbuild dutchie bikes on marktplaats and in amsterdam now what size do you ride?

Elev12k

Uhm... the shipping, that isn't as easy as it was with you last year.

Chicago Al 

Small world (literally) ! My wife and I will be in Amsterdam in two weeks...and a day...and about 12 hours.

Two stays of four and three days, and in the middle about a week of cycling around Noord Holland: Leiden, Delft, and so on. The cycling is through a small bike tour company so the bikes won't be particularly interesting. Might have to do a little shopping in Amsterdam though. The second time we're staying in the Jordaan on the Eglantiersgracht, looks like just steps to the RIH shop.

It was difficult to talk my wife into making cycling part of our vacation, till I showed her some pics of what it would be like in the NL. We just can't wait!

1nterceptor

To the OP, if you're not visiting Amsterdam for the usual reasons
people visit there(red light district, pot coffee shops) may I suggest
to also consider The Hague, Netherlands. I've been to both and
enjoy Den Haag's atmosphere better.


The Hague by 1nterceptor, on Flickr


Dorint Novotel, The Hague by 1nterceptor, on Flickr


Museon, The Hague by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

rootboy 

Nah. I'm sure it's fine. Been a while since I've biked in a big city though. I ride a 60-62, and a 58 in a pinch.