|
Originally Posted by Pista Largo
(Post 6734109)
My wife has a kronan (Well, she has about 8 bikes, one of which is a Kronan). Single speed. Coaster brake. Cast iron fenders and chain guard. Okay they are not really cast iron, but the bike IS very heavy. Perhaps 50 lbs. It has huge racks on both front and back. It's really made for carrying stuff. Long wheelbase! It has a lot of squeaks and noise. This would probably improve if someone lubricated everything and tightened all the nuts.
|
Originally Posted by stockholm
(Post 6719779)
Word of advice: stay clear of Kronan bikes. All looks and no substance. Downright dangerous, actually.
|
Originally Posted by Lot's Knife
(Post 6739003)
Beefy chains predominate in every Dutch City, but yeah, I never saw anything in Brussels, Antwerp or Bruges (or anywhere else in the Lowlands) other than the slenderest of cable locks. Difficult to believe people are putting up with rampant bike theft and not changing their strategies ...
|
Originally Posted by robertlinthicum
(Post 6725133)
A bit off topic, but I once read a satirical (overtly sexist & decidedly not PC) blog that held as its thesis that women fantasize about living in Europe and riding around an old city on a bicycle similar to the Dutch bicycles that are the subject of this thread. The blogger claimed that they dream about riding around a small, perfect town to cheese shops and bakeries, and a return home that evening to a romantic life of friends, home-cooked meals, and laughter. This entire fantasy, he claimed, was held together by this bike (with, one can only assume, a front wicker basket).
Seriously though, could it get better than a biking to a home cooked meal with friends and laughter and cheese (and wine)? |
Originally Posted by sping
(Post 6746581)
I think that makes me a woman. Or something. Though as someone else said, the fantasy would revolve around the cheese shop for me, more than the bike.
Seriously though, could it get better than a biking to a home cooked meal with friends and laughter and cheese (and wine)? |
I know people will disagree with me on what I have to say, but nobody will argue that $800 is alot of money to drop on something that you might retire in 2 months in favor of a transit pass.
First off, before finding out which bike is right for you, find out if the commute is really right for you. My suggestion (and I'm surprised that nobody has said this yet) is that you buy what is really considered to be the origin of this species, an English three speed. They're just as heavy, slow, comfortable and equally if not more indestructible. Find one at a garage sale or craigslist for 120 or so bucks and ride that for a while to see if you're comfortable with that sort of weight/riding position and if the ride is ok with you. I know that people laugh at these bikes, and no often they aren't as pretty as the hipster bikes in the ads you've probably seen for Jorg and Olif but let's be honest- they're practically the same thing. |
Originally Posted by robertlinthicum
(Post 6725133)
A bit off topic, but I once read a satirical (overtly sexist & decidedly not PC) blog that held as its thesis that women fantasize about living in Europe and riding around an old city on a bicycle similar to the Dutch bicycles that are the subject of this thread. The blogger claimed that they dream about riding around a small, perfect town to cheese shops and bakeries, and a return home that evening to a romantic life of friends, home-cooked meals, and laughter. This entire fantasy, he claimed, was held together by this bike (with, one can only assume, a front wicker basket).
He even included a picture of what appeared to be an Azor Oma. Discuss amongst yourselves. |
Originally Posted by VintageRaleigh
(Post 6764786)
I know people will disagree with me on what I have to say, but nobody will argue that $800 is alot of money to drop on something that you might retire in 2 months in favor of a transit pass.
First off, before finding out which bike is right for you, find out if the commute is really right for you. My suggestion (and I'm surprised that nobody has said this yet) is that you buy what is really considered to be the origin of this species, an English three speed. They're just as heavy, slow, comfortable and equally if not more indestructible. Find one at a garage sale or craigslist for 120 or so bucks and ride that for a while to see if you're comfortable with that sort of weight/riding position and if the ride is ok with you. I know that people laugh at these bikes, and no often they aren't as pretty as the hipster bikes in the ads you've probably seen for Jorg and Olif but let's be honest- they're practically the same thing. I can attest to the durability of the old Raleighs. I have one that has well over 15,000 miles on it, was never treated like a museum piece and is still going strong 35 years after it left Nottingham and 25 years after I got my hands on it. Aaron:) |
|
Originally Posted by botto
(Post 6746278)
Beefy chains predominate in every Dutch City
fixed. I think it's about statistical safety. You know your bike is pretty easy to steal, but what are the chances of getting precisely yours stolen among the other two hundred parked in the square? |
Originally Posted by robertlinthicum
(Post 6766427)
YES. YES. She's definitely got cheese on her mind. Well done.
|
Originally Posted by robertlinthicum
(Post 6766427)
YES. YES. She's definitely got cheese on her mind. Well done.
:lol: |
Maptester, that article is too funny, and sadly true. I DO dream about living in Europe and riding my city bike to the cheese shop and then having a picnic with my cheese and a bottle of good wine.
|
When I lived in Ann Arbor, I once rode home with a bottle of wine, a baguette, and the makings of a nice pesto.
The basil and baguette sticking out of an REI pannier attached to the rack of a Schwinn comfort bike doesn't really fulfill the fantasy, does it? But I almost lived the dream. |
Originally Posted by Lot's Knife
(Post 6732792)
Yeah, but what looks!
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...pe2008_189.jpg http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...pe2008_188.jpg |
I lived out my Dutch cycling dream this past March. Had an apartment for about 2 weeks, immediately rented a bike from a local place (i.e. not tourist rental stuff attached) and biked all over the city to museums, clubs, bars, restaurants, out in the country in all types of weather.
I had a good heavy chains with lock built into the chain which worked great for security. I miss it. Bike City I'll be back soon! I even have a video rental card and know where everything is in the Abert Heijn on Westerstrat. |
Originally Posted by robertlinthicum
(Post 6725133)
A bit off topic, but I once read a satirical (overtly sexist & decidedly not PC) blog that held as its thesis that women fantasize about living in Europe and riding around an old city on a bicycle similar to the Dutch bicycles that are the subject of this thread. The blogger claimed that they dream about riding around a small, perfect town to cheese shops and bakeries, and a return home that evening to a romantic life of friends, home-cooked meals, and laughter. This entire fantasy, he claimed, was held together by this bike (with, one can only assume, a front wicker basket).
He even included a picture of what appeared to be an Azor Oma. Discuss amongst yourselves. |
Beefy chains predominate everywhere in the Netherlands?
Not in the slightest. Been to Sluis lately? |
This is on CL in Austin right now:
http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/702639910.html Is "Batavus" the Dutch equivalent of "Huffy"? |
I think it's more like Marin-Jamis range.
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:03 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.