Almost done gathering....
 

.... my collection. So far I have a French bike, Astra Grand Luxe, a few English bikes, 58 Lenton Grand Prix, 74 International, 69 Sports (big project), a Japanese tourer (more info and pictures when it is in my hands), Austrian, Puch (Free Spirit) 531 something or other, Swiss, my wifes Mondia. Most are sports touringesque bikes with one true tourer. This leaves me in a predicament, I have nothing "race" oriented anymore, nothing from Italy and most importantly, nothing from my "home country", Holland.

I know very little about Dutch bikes. I'd like to find something that is unique, good tubing (I have nothing that is Columbus), all 531 (not that I'm complaining!) preferably from a small builder. What do you people think? I know we all have opinions, experiences and random thoughts so, bring em on!

I hear what you are saying, but it seems to me the biggest hole in your collection would be filled nicely by a Reynolds Trek 760, 660 or even a 560 for not so much money as a Columbus framed boutique-built race bike from a Dutch builder working in Italy. ;)

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Ben...leman_main.htm

".....one of the best kept secrets among Dutch frame builders: the bikes made by ZIELEMAN (pronounced: Zeel-a-man) in Amsterdam. Even in the Netherlands only a few aging cycling aficionados have heard about him. It is the kind of exclusive bike a retired pro would ride when no longer under sponsor obligations. These lugged steel bikes to my mind have been on a par with all the Colnagos, Masis and Pinarellos of this world for the past 30 years at least.
In an unassuming little workshop Zieleman still builds frames. RIH and Zieleman are the only two (Amsterdam based) independent master frame builders left in the Netherlands as far as I know who are still in business."

Thanks for reminding me about US bikes Auchen! Let me know if you find one in a 58cm. I guess I "need" either a Schwinn, Trek or perhaps a Spectrum.... When my wife and I finally finish college, she is buying a new Subaru Outback and she said I can have Tom Kellog build me a frame. Only two more years of school....

I guess in order to find a Zieleman or RIH I need to contact either Elev12 or Marty.... Thanks for the info guys

you called?
I have 2 Zieleman, and that was a 20+ year search although it's gotten much easier
with the advent of the internet.
What size bike do you ride?
Are you set on a Zieleman or RIH, as there are quite a few other
Dutch builders all little known and most producing real quality frames.
I updated Dale with the fact that Zieleman stopped building in the late 80's
but the shop is still open. Ko's son-in-law runs it and mostly does neighborhood
type repairs.
RIH is closing up (if it hasn't done so already) so that will be the last of the
small Amsterdam builders which is a real shame, atmo.

Let me know if i have to facilitate something from over here, parts, entire bikes. Brands to look out for: zieleman, presto, cera, jabo, joco, gazelle (the champion mondials mostly), herman braun, duell, vittorio. What's your budget? I don't where your dutch roots lie, but certain names are very much tied in to local culture, so that might be fun as well to look out for.

Btw, here's a pristine 58 cm zieleman.

I'd certainly consider one of this marque if I was looking for a Dutch brand and could find one. PRESTO. I thought this was a neat bike. When we stopped into the Presto shop, I mulled around looking at stuff as the two young Dutch lads seemed to be engrossed in the TdF, but my brother asked them about Presto bikes ...not sure if he asked them in English or German ...he doesn't speak Dutch, and they told him they were thinking of bringing more Presto bikes to the market. An older 531 Presto would be cool to add to the collection. http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...sterbike12.jpg

good luck finding a Joco or Jabo. . . high on my list.

Starting with my roots.... My last name is van Ingen, which my grandfather told me mannnyyy years ago translates to from Ingen. My family came over in the mid to late 1600's (so I've been told). After my granfather passed away, I was going through his office and found scrolls that date back to early 1900's that show our family tree back to the 1300's. I've been trying to get my hands back on them since my uncles found out about them BUT they're being extremely possessive of them. I'm currently trying to get them copied by a document firm who understands how to handle antique documents.

My budget, cheap as possible (my other grandfather was German so that is where the frugalness comes in) but if something came along that was really cool I could probably go around $400 or so. I don't need a complete bike unless it's a great deal, I enjoy gathering parts to make something complete so, a nice frameset would fit the bill nicely.

Size, a 58cm square is best although not always easy to find.

I really don't know much about Dutch bikes (I've been trolling the Dutch bike thread) and have no idea how they stack up pricewise vs other European marques.

That's pretty much it I guess. Thanks for the help and let me know what you guys dig up!

well 58cm makes it a bit easier given the general size of the Dutch people.
At 5'8" I've never felt exceptionally small except for when I was in Amsterdam.
Unfortunately prices have been creeping up on the usual Dutch action sites,
Zieleman's are getting fairly pricey and I suspect that has to do with some fool
of an American who keeps writing about them! that said there are still good
prices to be found, just takes some digging which I love to do.

Marty

Nothing worse than someone with a big mouth;)

If you find something, keep me advised