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@Nef
Tbh, either hire near the station for convenience or near where you're staying. I lived there for a year and I've always just hired from the place near my mate's place when I've been back to visit. As far as I can tell, there isn't a great variation in prices and you're never far from a rental place.
Don't get a road bike or fixed gear, being upright is much more enjoyable and there's enough glass and rough surfaces to make skinny road tyres a bit of a ballache.
Minor bike tips - only ding your bell if you want someone to move out the way or if you think you're going to hit them. Likewise, if you're getting dinged at - try and make space for people to move past! Only cross the road on green - traffic lights in NL are much more efficient and will change quickly along with the traffic, which can catch you out if you're used to the timings of UK traffic lights.
Cycling is by far the easiest way to get around IMO and works fine everywhere but the red light district where pedestrians (tourists) make up the majority - as pointed out, there isn't actually much to see/enjoy.
Spots to hit: Ijscuypje is a banging icecream shop with branches across the city - the selection is always different and amazing.
Sonny's Falafel is de pijp is great and cheap - falafel pita for a few euros and you can stack it with all the amazing salad stuff from the salad bar (better than it sounds). You can also try some proper Frites (chips) with one of the many sauces - Joppi was always my go to, but there are many options.
Hotel de Goudfazant in North is a really cool experience and very reasonably priced for what it is. Get the free ferry from Azartplein to right beside the restaurant or get the Ijplein ferry from behind central station and cycle over. https://goo.gl/maps/DwJPmyQRokmecCkQ7
Getting the NDSM Wharf ferry on the weekend will take you to a massive fleamarket (although I'd double check when it is on https://ijhallen.nl/en/ ).
Cafe Gollem (there are a few around the city) are great if you're into your fancy Belgian beers in a nice unpretentious setting.
Brouwerij t'ij is a wicked cool spot in east. A real mix or locals and tourists, decent beer but shuts at 8pm.
https://goo.gl/maps/pvhva8ZatYcbEDmy6
Get some Jenever in one of Amsterdam's oldest bars at Wynand Fockink - make sure you take the first sip with the glass still on the bar, they fill it to the very top and it is tradition to sip the top off first and you'll just look like a tourist and spill it if you don't!
https://goo.gl/maps/zxXbzvvfeJqWaquW9
Cafe de Cuevel is a good reason to get the Ijplein ferry over to North. Really cool outdoors cafe/bar. Although not sure what the vibe is in winter. https://goo.gl/maps/aL6xaXNteehtmsVD9
Another minor thing is to take a credit card. Many places don't take cash at all, and they won't accept debit cards, only Pinnen (Dutch Maestro) or credit card.