Dutch Commuter Bikes
05-22-08 | 12:44 AM
#51
Just a commuter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Bikes: Scott Metrix 20 for commuting, Specialized Dolce Elite for fun
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.
05-23-08 | 05:14 AM
#53
.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,377
Likes: 50
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 ...
05-23-08 | 07:02 AM
#54
dabbler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Somerville, MA, USA
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)?
05-23-08 | 07:33 AM
#55
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
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)?
Seriously though, could it get better than a biking to a home cooked meal with friends and laughter and cheese (and wine)?
05-26-08 | 07:41 PM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
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.
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.
05-27-08 | 01:10 AM
#57
Je pose, donc je suis.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 6
From: Back. Here.
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.
He even included a picture of what appeared to be an Azor Oma.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
05-27-08 | 03:01 AM
#58
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
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.
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
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-27-08 | 12:38 PM
#60
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Enschede (Nederlands)
Bikes: City, Light Touring
Well... over half of the bikes I see are just using a rear wheel lock and tied to nothing else.
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?
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?
05-27-08 | 02:50 PM
#61
Je pose, donc je suis.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 6
From: Back. Here.
05-27-08 | 02:58 PM
#62
I am not a car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Decatur, GA
Bikes: Giant Revel 1, Surly Ogre
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"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
05-27-08 | 04:15 PM
#63
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Bikes: 1985 Trek 620 and 2006 Breezer Villager
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.
05-27-08 | 07:49 PM
#64
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 13
From: Saba, Dutch Caribbean
Bikes: Liv Vall E+
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.
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.
05-27-08 | 10:24 PM
#66
jim anchower
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
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.
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.
05-28-08 | 12:14 AM
#67
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
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.
He even included a picture of what appeared to be an Azor Oma.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
06-01-08 | 12:37 PM
#69
bulletproof tiger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Waterford 2200, Litespeed Tuscany, Salsa La Cruz, Kona Fire Mountain
This is on CL in Austin right now:
https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/702639910.html
Is "Batavus" the Dutch equivalent of "Huffy"?
https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/702639910.html
Is "Batavus" the Dutch equivalent of "Huffy"?
06-01-08 | 01:13 PM
#70
tired
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,651
Likes: 2
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame
I think it's more like Marin-Jamis range.
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
