Dutch style bike for commuting
 

I need some ideas on what bike to buy. I am looking for a dutch style bike similar to the workcycles FR8 but in the $500 range. I want to add a bobike junior seat on the rear and and want to have the duel kick stand and a low cross bar for easy step through for when my daughter is on it. We live in South Florida so mainly flat with the exception of some bridges. Probably don't need something with too many gears. Any advice on which bike and where to buy? Thank you

On the West Coast mothers with a mission like yours find a used mixte or step through from a co-op or on Craig's (~$150 - ~250) and add an X-tracycle kit ($300+). They ship well across the Continental Divide. YMMV.

H

Since you're looking for a step-through, Public and Linus both make bikes in your price range.

Also check out Rolling Orange in Brooklyn.

I ride a WorkCycles Secret Service and love it, but that's not in your price range.

Trek has/had a Cocoa model like the Dutch Oma. Dealers May still have some . Electra And Breezer have products in the Transportation Bike Niche

Under served in the US.. for A Long Time.


Modding a step thru Schwinn from the 70s .. Notably replacing steel rim 27" wheels with an Aluminum rim (better braking) wheel
is a practical choice

If you have a garage where you can store the bike (and there isn't anywhere you're going to need to lift it) then one of the Dutch bikes would probably be OK. They tend to be on the heavy side, so if you'll need to bring it upstairs into an apartment or workplace (to keep it from getting stolen, say), I'd recommend something more lightweight that you'll be able to lift and carry.

Look for a bike shop with a wide range of step-through options, and try out several bikes. Probably something will "feel right" to you. Make sure to go up any hills similar to the bridges you mentioned to make sure it has enough gears. You won't ride it if it winds up being too difficult. :)

3 speed hub ? SF is not Fla, In the City of Hills .. you go Around the Hills ..

I don't think you'll find anything very close to a Dutch bike for $500. While they're growing quickly in popularity here we don't have the history with them that the rest of the world does so we also don't have many older used ones that would be at your price point. Hopefully one day.

Something like a Linus or Bobbin might be a good option. The difference is mostly in the geometry (not as upright as Dutch and not as forgiving of bumps). They'll also have narrower tires/rims and overall be less robust which affects ride quality and how much you can carry without them getting squirrelly. If your riding will be quite flat then stick with a single speed coaster brake (or 3-speed) which will give you more bike for your money and require less maintenance. You can get a Hebie center stand, spats, full chaincase, dynamo and other stuff from Dutch Bike Bits. David & his wife are wonderful people.

I'd avoid Electra, comfort bikes, and cruisers. The geometry is really off and while they might seem OK in the shop or on a short trip around the block, any extended riding like even a mile or two to work each day could leave you with a very sore back.

For that price range you may need to look into a used bike. If you can come up some,Detroit's new B-Type might be what you're looking for.

Thanks for all the good advice guys. I looked on Rolling Orange's website per G1nkos recommendations and see the Azor Oma Bike on sale for $719 ...not sure on shipping costs but it looks like its handmade in Netherlands so thats something. Anyone know any more about these bikes....would it be a good fit?

The Azor Oma is a great bike. Do a quick Google search and you'll come up with lots of info. There's a blog called Let's Go Ride A Bike where someone chronicles their experience with an Azor Oma. I have the front rack pictured on the RO website; it's the bomb.

If price was no object, I'd say look into the Velorbis Dannebrog. My wife rides one of these. It's a lot lighter than the Oma and she's definitely the center of attention wherever she rides it. Don't click that link, you'll see the bike and then nothing else will matter. My wife saw this bike online and loved it but kept saying "I'd never pay that much for a bike." She went and took a test ride. She came back around the corner with this huge smile on her face and that was the end of that: "Just pay the man for my new bicycle."

It's hard to get a real or good facsimile of a Dutch bike for that kind of money. I bought an Azor kruisframe for way too much but after riding it for a year I have no regrets. Of all my bikes it is by far my favorite. Not light but fast enough and has the most comfortable riding position of any bike I have ever ridden.

That said, there are many decent alternatives. My wife has a Motobecane Bistro 7V from Bikes Direct that she likes almost as much as her Raleigh DL1. Good bike for the price but will need assembly by a skilled bike mechanic.

The Azor Oma frame is the exact same as the Workcycles Oma. The primary differences are saddle, tires, and lighting (workcycles all have a dyno front hub and front & rear lights). 3 speed should be fine for you in Florida. You might ask if Marc can install a bottle generator and front & rear lights though that might put the price out of your range. You can always add those later.

$719 is a great deal and RO are great folks to deal with. I'd jump on it.

A quick google search indicates that the bike isn't available in the U. S.. Only abroad in Britain and Australia.

The Trek Allant WSD is a nice bike with a step through frame. At $639, its a good value:

http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Trek...0,0&iccEmbed=0

That's a good looking bike although it seems that the real dutch bike has a much taller handlebar stem with northroad-style handlebars.

The Papillionaire Sommer is in your price range, a 'Dutch style' oma bike low step-through and comfy to ride.. I have one, a 3 speed. I love it. It's not too heavy (I keep mine in the kitchen) but sturdy enough with 50 pounds of groceries on the back rack. And, you can get it in the US.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...8d4832cf6c9a77

ETA: I did end up putting the handlebars up quite a bit more eventually. This is a very upright bike. Also, you will need a different saddle. The non-spring one they sell with the bike is not comfy.

I just contacted Rolling Orange Bikes to get a shipping estimate for the Azor Oma to southeast Georgia and here's their reply:

Shipment to a residential address is $ 275, to a commerical address e.g. a bike store $ 225.

If you want to insure your bike, you have to add another $ 50.


:cry:

Would that $275 be a standard rate shipping from Brooklyn to Georgia?? ...seems awfully high, to me.

Compared to the dutch built Oma on this page, (click on the photo) the major visual difference is that the Pappionaire Sommer includes caliper brakes whereas the Oma appears to have disc brakes. Also shipping for the Pappionaire is free within CONUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, I think my Pap has fancier lugwork. I've got all sorts of fancy cutouts, LOL. And my fork is prettier.. The Pap doesn't have a full chaincase or the skirt guard though. And no disk brakes. But, I have yet to have a problem stopping in either rain or snow. It's actually decent in the snow. Not that you get snow in Georgia.

The people who made the Sommer did model it off the Dutch bikes. Alas, we can't all afford the shipping for the real thing, heh.

The shipping cost sounds like they are sending it USPS..... they prefer letters, not heavy bicycles in larger parcels.

You could try a breezer town bike instead....???

- Andy

That is a very good price for that Azor, which is a real Dutch bike. The bikes that I and others have suggested really bear no resemblance to an Azor omafiet. Without going into a litany of specifics I will just say that it is built and equipped differently and most importantly, it rides differently.

What looks like disc brakes on the Azor are actually roller brakes with a cooling fin.

That is a pretty steep shipping price and I would not recommend shipping in any case. I have rarely received a bicycle that was not damaged in shipping.

I think the geometry of the Pappionaire is a bit different though perhaps not enough to make a difference. Dutch bikes also have larger rims/tires than this appears to have which results in a smoother ride (and you're able to run lower air pressure for more bump cushion). You can always add a rack, full chain guard, spats, dynamo lites, better seat, etc.

Last time I shipped a bike from WI to UT it was like $65
The Best Lowest Bicycle Shipping in America and Worldwide | ShipBikes

What condition was the item in once delivered???

It was fine, but I did the packing. The can of beer I included made it fine too.

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ike-101-a.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-shipping.html