I-Like-To-Bike

Coaster brakes work regardless of rain or snow or condition of rims, never need maintenance or adjusment, and free up a hand for other things like drinking or signaliing. What you associate with children's bike is immaterial.

I-Like-To-Bike

Kinda peculiar comments coming from the OP who asked for advice about which bike to buy.

Elkhound

That sounds good, but I have heard that they are inadaquate for heavy loads, high speeds, and steep hills, or any combination thereof.

I-Like-To-Bike

Heard from whom? The peloton crowd?

John Forester conducted and posted a "test" by riding full speed down a 4 mile 10% grade hill, a "test" that was designed to prove that coaster brakes were no good. He managed to wreck the hub. He didn't bother to "test" any other type of braking system. Nor did he try any kind of "test" in wet or icy conditions. Sensible people who commute in the real world can ignore such loaded "tests."

If your commute consists of riding up and down 4 mile long 10% grades or similar grades, racing in traffic, or hauling pianos, I suspect you would consider using an assist for both the brakes and the motor. If your commute is under more typical conditions coaster brakes work fine.

Elkhound

As a matter of fact, I-Like-To-Bike, I live in a very hilly area (West Virginia is called 'The Mountain State'--guess why), and frequently to ride a heavily-loaded Big Dummy, so I'll stick with my disc brakes, thank you very much.

I-Like-To-Bike

If you need disc brake stopping power, you need disc brake stopping power. Most commuters don't. Unless they commute up and down mountains with heavy loads, in the rain. For those more typical commuting scenarios coaster brakes are more than adequate for the job, and are more reliable than many, if not most rim brake setups in wet or freezing weather.

Wonitopa

I have a Velorbis Churchill for sale in London. Excellent condition. £475

Email me at mclaughlin.max@googlemail.com if you are interested.

Inspector 71

Bumping this thread to tell the forum I got an Azor Opa for $300. The bike sat for 8 years after it was initially purchased. I liberated it so it could be used for its intended purpose.
Three questions:

1) I have notice that the gears tend to grind in 5th gear. Effectively, I do not have a 5 gear, but gears 1-4 and 6-8 work fine. Should I consider replacing the hub with a later model Nexus?
2) Is there a weight limit for the Shimano hub? The bike weights 65 pounds, I weigh 220 pounds, and I do my grocery shopping on this bike.
3) Should I replace the rack? I'm not very impressed with the integrated rack. It is RIVETED to a bracket on the seat stay. I know this is an old school bike, but are you kidding me? Also, the rack is thicker than any other racks I've ever seen. I had to bend the top loops on the Trek panniers that came with the bike to make them fit. Another problem is there is no place to attached the bottom hook except to the chain stay. I have looked at Akel & Ortlieb panniers, and the fit is no better. I have a Tubus Cargo rack that I'm considering putting on the Azor, but I really hate to CUT OFF the original rack if there is a better option.

The ride quality of the Opa is superb. I have loaded it with 8 bags of groceries and I think it rides better loaded.

Considering what I paid for the bike, I'm extremely pleased with the purchase. I really had no idea what the bike was worth when I bought it. I knew nothing about Dutch bikes. All I knew was that it suited my needs.

tsalyards

You got a great deal on the bike. I wonder if it was sourced from Workcycles or direct from Azor? The only reason I ask is that your wheels will be significantly stronger if it came from Workcycles. Either way, this bike would cost you 1k+ full retail. Excellent find!


1) Have you adjusted the hub since purchasing it? It's a relatively easy procedure but will involve partial removal of the chain case. My guess is the grinding issue will go away once adjusted. You may also want to grease up the hub with some hub greese. Any good mechanic will be able to perform these procedures with ease. I doubt that you need a new hub and the Alfine hub is pretty comparable with the Nexus.

2) The hub and frame won't affect your weight limit...the wheel would be the primary concern. I ride an Azor Opa frame with Workcycle's custom wheels and I weigh about 205 and often have a 30+ pound load over the wheel (kid or groceries). The Dutch are tall people and I wouldn't be concerned about the weight limit one bit.

3) DON'T REPLACE THE RACK!!!! This is a REAL rack not some skinny after-market junk that Americans are used to. The rack will hold the weight of an entire person, which is why they are referred to as "girlfriend" racks in Holland...you can literally haul a person around on one. Any European paniers such as Ortlieb will fit over the heavier guage Azor rack. Replace the bags not the rack. The tank like rack is one of the primary benefits of such a bike. I use Ortliebs on mine and they are snug and fit perfect. Make sure the insert for skinnier racks weren't inserted when you tried the Ortliebs.

Hope this helps and enjoy the bike!

-Tad

Inspector 71

I'm thinking it was sourced directly from Azor. My friend's friend was going to open a bike shop, deal fell through, and my friend got the bike instead of his investment $$$$.


Yes, since the bike sat for close to 10 years, I took the hub to be serviced and lubed. Problem was there before and after the hub service. I have read that early Shimano Nexus hubs had problems with moisture invasion, but that is not a problem on this bike. It was (and is) stored indoors. Given the deal I got, I'm not going to worry if I have to replace the hub. I have seen Shimano Nexus SG8R36 for roller break without fitting kit for ~$200 on ebay. I'm assuming I will not need to replace the brakes or the fittings for the hub, if I go that route.

The wheel is a van Schorthorst Stainless 22x 622 with 47mm Schwalbe Marathon tires. The wheels look and feel very strong.

Noted and thanks for the reply. I had not idea the rack was that strong! I will re-check the ortlieb bags for fit. I did not realize they had an insert on the attachment mechanism.

It really is a fantastic bike. I enjoy riding it every day. Thanks for all of your help.

truman

I haven't gone through all the posts in this thread, but My Beloved Redhead has been enjoying the heck out of her Linus Dutchi 3 spd.

She has never been a rider, other than rarely tagging on the back of the tandem, but now, in her late 40's she's equipped this bike with a basket and a couple wicker panniers and she's riding a 7-10 mile round trip on it, buying groceries and running errands and having the time of her life.

It doesn't hurt that she continually gets compliments on how cool/cute/rad/awesome the bike is and her for riding it.

We got it lightly used and it needed a few minor tweaks and a spoke replaced, but it seems to be well made and of good materials. I'd probably recommend getting the spokes retensioned, but other than that, it's been a good choice for her/us.

fietsbob

OP: & under $700, in a big 61cm size..

just go ride bikes in the shops.. you wont satisfy all the wishes at that price..

as to resisting salted roads , nope, not passively..
you have to wash it off the bike and keep things oiled , as required.