Specialty Dutch Bikes - Utilitarian doesn't even begin to define them
 

A friend of mine just got back from Holland. He was amazed at how seamlessly bikes fit into their society. He sent me this site for specialty bikes in Holland. You can fit the whole family on one bike!

http://www.fietsfabriek.nl/index_eng.htm

http://www.fietsfabriek.nl/images/fietsen/pmduo.jpg

I see a spot for my dog and my two kids, but where does my biker-b*tch husband go?

In the kitchen fixing dinner!

The Dutch are great at making practical choices. Bikes and bike lanes, learning other languages, putting deviant behavior inside the law. Here's another fun Amsterdam bike site: http://www.workcycles.com/ . A good one from Henry Work Cycles is the conference cycle. Here's a movie of it.

My father is from Holland. I however was born in Canada. In Holland almost everyone rides a bike, most of hte bikes are not in that great shape because people are scared of getting their bikes stolen so they ride beaters, maybe I got my love of bikes and cycling form my father, and he doesn't even ride a bike.

you're right, Utilitarian doesn't. Boring does, but even that is an understatement.

boring? this is ultimate: http://www.fietsfabriek.nl/pages_eng/dubbelbuis.htm

who do i have to give money to get one of those?

Looks like a blast!

What looks like a blast? a 50 pound bike with flat pedals and a chainguard?

One feature on Dutch bikes that I WISH was available on affordable bikes in the USA is the enclosed drivetrain. IF the drivetrain is totally sealed, a chain can remain dirt and grit free, and the chain, the chain rings, and the cogs could last for many years. And, I would not have torn the leg on my favorite wool slacks last month.

But, it to "look like Lance" we Americans need uncovered chains. I just wish I had Lance's tech around to clean or replace my chain after every ride.

If they made those bikes with Reynolds 525, I'm sure you'll find a import but I guess the Dutch like them just the way they are.

That bike is incredible but I'm sure it weghts about 70 pounds. I wonder if it has a 7 speed Nexus hub?

In your opinion. :rolleyes:

Check out the sizes for those lanky Dutchmen. The smallest is 57 cm.

Holland is pretty flat...

Where was that twin-seater when my twins were young! That's exactly what I needed!

These practical bikes are quite common in The Netherlands. Attached are a few snaps I took a few years ago.

I like to bike too. But I happened to take 2 of those 3 photos. They're part of this set: http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/euro/eurobike.html , which has lots more Dutch bike stuff. They were an inspiration of this project of mine: http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/xt/xtravois.html

"What looks like a blast? a 50 pound bike with flat pedals and a chainguard?"

Actually, I have a European city/working bike, A Norwegian-made Vello Kombi Spesial. It's very good at what it does, which is short trips around the neighbourhood and the like. Good for hauling a case of beer. Very upright riding position, generator lightset, coaster brake, kickstand, bell, chainguard, flat pedals. Not fast, but utilitarian and fun to ride. And a chick magnet to boot.

chick magnet is actually appropiate. if the bike just has a rear rack (as most do) instead of two child seats, one person can sit side-saddle on the rear rack and the other rides. i see people doing this all the time when i go to amsterdam. a great way to take someone you just met home with you. and when you come to a little hill (when going over a canal) the person on back hops off and gives a little push till you reach the top, then hops back on. most apartment buildings even have a little rail up the steps so people can push their bikes up the steps instead of having to carry them. i would definetly get one if i was in amsterdam.

TFahrner is correct, I apologize. I had those two pictures filed on my computer intermixed with the ones I took. T Fahrner deserves the credit for the pictures of the black 4 seaters. I'll attach some pictures I know I took of Dutch Bikes; some in use.

If these are a women's bikes and they haul 2 kids along with all the junk that goes with them... I'd have to conclude that women in the Netherlands are she-ras :)

That "Conference bike" video is a SCREAM! I was laughing out loud here, LOL!!!!!

In Cuba a not-uncommon sight is Senor, pedaling a bike with Senora on the back, Senor weighs about 120 and Senora weighs, looks like anyway, 220.

Yeah, you're right vrkelley-- folks who ride those heavy Euro-style bikes are often very good cyclists.

A buddy and I went off to see some friends in Germany and did a lot of cycling with them-- all of it on these heavy, clunky 3 and 4 speed bikes. My buddy was dumb enough to complain about the bikes and the Germans laughted at him and called him a name a really can't use on a family forum like this-- let's just say it was whimp spelled with a P. Our hosts would say stuff like "The weakling American needs a lightweight bike!" all in good fun of course. I guess riding some 40 pound pile of crap is a badge of honor to some across the pond-- this really had a powerful effect on how I think about bikes.