Dutch bike advice please
Discussion
For better or worse, I've decided that everyone on this isle is wrong and the cloggies have it right. After much research and absolutely zero experience I'm going for a Dutch bike, just in time for the bad weather - what better way to introduce oneself to the delights of cycling for transport?
If you're not familiar with the rationale behind the Dutch Bike thing, a brief read here may help: Be Dutch!
Anyway - does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of Dutch bikes please?
I'm keen to be as maintenance free as possible while still being reliable and comfortable. Pretty much all the models I'm interested in have front and rear roller brakes, dynamo hubs & lights, mudguards, chain and skirt guards, luggage racks, kick stands, locks, pedals, etc so all bases are covered.
I've narrowed my choices to:
Cortina U1 (3 speed)
Batavus Rumba
Gazelle Orange C7
Gazelle Chamonix C7
If you're not familiar with the rationale behind the Dutch Bike thing, a brief read here may help: Be Dutch!
Anyway - does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of Dutch bikes please?
I'm keen to be as maintenance free as possible while still being reliable and comfortable. Pretty much all the models I'm interested in have front and rear roller brakes, dynamo hubs & lights, mudguards, chain and skirt guards, luggage racks, kick stands, locks, pedals, etc so all bases are covered.
I've narrowed my choices to:
Cortina U1 (3 speed)
Batavus Rumba
Gazelle Orange C7
Gazelle Chamonix C7
Have you ridden them much?
What kind of riding will you be doing on it? Is it flat?
I would choose one from a shop as local as poss, as I can imagine parts and repairs being a bit of a faff otherwise,
Personally I would want somthing like this: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/...
Each to their own, but I would want something a bit lighter and nimble for the UK: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/...
What kind of riding will you be doing on it? Is it flat?
I would choose one from a shop as local as poss, as I can imagine parts and repairs being a bit of a faff otherwise,
Personally I would want somthing like this: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/...
Each to their own, but I would want something a bit lighter and nimble for the UK: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/...
I brought my wife one a year ago, I have ridden it a couple of times to test it, and I find them almost impossible to steer, maybe it’s because I am used to road biking and mountain biking, but it felt really odd and unnatural. Also becuase its single speed its nigh on impossible with any type of hill.
I used to cycle to work and back which was a 20mile round trip, was great fun and you could get some real speed up, the problem was I was in holland so it was flat.
The built in dynamos are good for the bike lanes and dedicated paths all around holland but I would want to fit brighter lights for the UK, built in lock is handy but it's only through the back wheel, in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same, over here I'd still use a proper lock to a post.
The built in dynamos are good for the bike lanes and dedicated paths all around holland but I would want to fit brighter lights for the UK, built in lock is handy but it's only through the back wheel, in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same, over here I'd still use a proper lock to a post.
NAS said:
ecsrobin said:
in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same,
You have about 18-19 Million bikes in the Netherlands. 1,2 Million of those will be stolen this year. And those are just the ones people report to the Police.....ecsrobin said:
I used to cycle to work and back which was a 20mile round trip, was great fun and you could get some real speed up, the problem was I was in holland so it was flat.
The built in dynamos are good for the bike lanes and dedicated paths all around holland but I would want to fit brighter lights for the UK, built in lock is handy but it's only through the back wheel, in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same, over here I'd still use a proper lock to a post.
Yep, understood. Happily my 10 mile each way commute is pretty much flat with a lot of cycle path.The built in dynamos are good for the bike lanes and dedicated paths all around holland but I would want to fit brighter lights for the UK, built in lock is handy but it's only through the back wheel, in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same, over here I'd still use a proper lock to a post.
The lights supplied are for being seen - I'll get an additional better front light for seeing. Same with lock - will get D-lock for when left anywhere but home or work.
Ta
I have ridden one in Holland, where, as others have said, they may make sense. I found the steering very weird, kept hitting my thigh with the end of the handle bars. They are very slow and difficult to ride up any kind of incline. If you're going to be riding it on any of the cycle paths around Bristol please keep left and get out of everyone's way! A hybrid would be a much better bet in my opinion, I have a suspension seat post and front suspension on mine, very comfortable for the commute.
No one is knocking your taste people are simply stating that the weight and lack of movability can be problematic in the UK, as it very different from the Netherlands
For lots of start stop journeys round urban areas (like Boris Bikes) they are great, for doing a 10 mile commute it will be hard work , especially if you are new to cycling, once the road opens up you will be slooow. I wouldn't want to swerve hazards on one, like I have to day in day out on my 10 mile commute.
If you want one , get it, I'm sure it will be enjoyable (for the first 2 miles) , once you get pretty hardened from commuting and riding in all weathers you know what works and what will drive you nuts. Wiping a bit of dirt of your legs is much more preferable to grinding along @ 10 mph in horrendous rain, whilst every man and his dog cruises past you.
For lots of start stop journeys round urban areas (like Boris Bikes) they are great, for doing a 10 mile commute it will be hard work , especially if you are new to cycling, once the road opens up you will be slooow. I wouldn't want to swerve hazards on one, like I have to day in day out on my 10 mile commute.
If you want one , get it, I'm sure it will be enjoyable (for the first 2 miles) , once you get pretty hardened from commuting and riding in all weathers you know what works and what will drive you nuts. Wiping a bit of dirt of your legs is much more preferable to grinding along @ 10 mph in horrendous rain, whilst every man and his dog cruises past you.
I've seen a couple of these parked at the station recently:
http://vanmoof.com/
Like a more modern update. Interesting.
http://vanmoof.com/
Like a more modern update. Interesting.
TwistingMyMelon said:
NAS said:
ecsrobin said:
in holland your bike won't get nicked as everyone has one the same,
You have about 18-19 Million bikes in the Netherlands. 1,2 Million of those will be stolen this year. And those are just the ones people report to the Police.....Totallly agree with TMM above. In my experience (my MIL is Dutch, have spent quite a bit of time in Holland and ridden over there a fair bit) they are just not suitable for a 10 mile commute on a cycle path. They are wide, slow and not very manoeuvrable, you will be like a pensioner in a Yaris. It would be like buying a Morris Minor for a 50 mile commute, you may like the look of it but its not fit for purpose in the modern age. But as you say, your money, your choice...
Fittster said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
No one is knocking your taste people are simply stating that the weight and lack of movability can be problematic in the UK, as it very different from the Netherlands
What's the requirement for a high level of movability for a commute ?Once you get on cycleways you still get holes/deep gravel/dogs/people etc even when you know the terrain you are always avoiding stuff
I dont think you need a high level of movability, but you will quite a bit if you do 20 miles to work and back, otherwise you are a bit of a sitting duck!
My commuting bike is hardly nimble, its 28lbs of pig iron aluminium and I prefer a bike thats got a bit of heft to it, but I wouldn't fancy swerving round stuff on a 40lbs+ bike
HereBeMonsters said:
I've seen a couple of these parked at the station recently:
http://vanmoof.com/
Like a more modern update. Interesting.
That's the ones I saw at the bike show last year, nice waffles on their stand!http://vanmoof.com/
Like a more modern update. Interesting.
I just dont see the point other than for novelty value and to have something a bit different. Its heavy, its under geared and its only suitable for riding on the flat and I suspect you will be bored within a week at be constrained to such low speeds.
Charge Grater 1 - £350 from Evans at the moment, half the weight, has mudguards and some gears.
Charge Grater 1 - £350 from Evans at the moment, half the weight, has mudguards and some gears.
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