Dutch Bike

After riding around in my old red dutch-style bicycle, I can see the appeal of riding it around town instead of caning it like I do on my other bike, having earn a bit of cash recently, I want to get a dutch bicycle for general riding around town, groceries, etc. however I don't want to splash out on those Pashley bicycle costing half a grand, is there's a reasonably cheap OTP dutch bike out there? the cheapest I found is this one for less than £300.

280 for a "classic bobbin"

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Products/CLAS01

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf

Edit: too slow. But Bobbin are nice people.

They are much cheaper in the Netherlands (obviously). Go there, buy one, ride it back, have a holiday.

+1

You'll get a Gazelle for the same money.

we like gazelles

280 for a "classic bobbin"

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Products/CLAS01

I'd go for that if they have a standard frame one rather than a step-through, but thank for showing me that.

that look lush;

theres a dutch bike shop here in brighton who could probably help you out?
http://www.amsterdammers.co.uk/gents.htm

yeah i bet you could pick one up (literally or not) for real cheap in amsterdam! - £50 quid return flights, take the bike apart, stick it in a cheapo bike box :)

Get the ferry over, buy bike, ferry back then ride from the port back to London?

That sounds like fun, if you were up for it I might join you.

I'm moving to Amsterdam.

Maybe I'll start a new life as an international courier of sweet dutch bikes.

hmmmm.....

my wife has got a bobbin - it's like the one linked to up there ^ but a little better (they can't get them anymore). it is a brilliant bike to ride and she loves it to bits. i nearly have a hernia everytime I have to carry it down from our 3rd floor flat, but it's a beauty all the same. just wish she could ride it more. it's not great on the hills. not sure where i was going with all that...anyway - Dutch bikes are cool.

I lived out there for a while. Sometimes bikes can be rather pricey, and bike repairs are spendy, too. Having said that, there were cheap Dutch bikes around for 199 Euros. Would be worth spending more, maybe? Once cheap bearings and stuff start to go it's no fun pushing one of those beasts around. Finding that with my hybrid now - it's getting harder and harder. Needs a bloody good overhaul, but it's galling to spend money on the beater bike...

Get the ferry over, buy bike, ferry back then ride from the port back to London?

That sounds like fun, if you were up for it I might join you.

that sound like a pretty good plan, if there's a few more people interested in getting a dutch bike, throw in a van/minibus and you're sorted.

280 for a "classic bobbin"

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epages/rzjy48f9ghvy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/rzjy48f9ghvy/Products/CLAS01

I've just notice the small print!;

We recommend you store this bike indoors.

Is that not just good advice for all bikes?

Is that not just good advice for all bikes?

naturally so (and I know the Bobbin can withstand being outside), however in my view a dutch bike should be able to deal being left outside and never set foot inside a building.

Some nice, old dutch bikes here

The problem with dutch bikes is maintenance. The worst is a puncture.

This is why I've built the surly up in the way I have, it's a light weight dutch bike alternative.

People in NL never take the inner tube out when they repair it. That may be the difference.
Even a lot of bike mechanics do not take the rear wheel out of the bike with coaster brake or internal hub gear when they exchange the rear tyre (although with new, alu frames, I guess they must).

But you're right. Repairing a flat tyre is a bit harder with a dutch bike. But how many times do you really puncture with this kind of bike and modern, well maintained tyres ?

yeah changing the backtyre isnot fun at all on our dutch bikes, you need a 'third hand' to open up the frame so you can get the tyre out, also these bikes weigh a lot!

Once is once to often. But for it to be well maintained, surely that means changing your tyres? And that means taking everything off your bike?

Sorry, I"m coming at this from a mechanics perspective. We get one of these in at least once a week, and they are a nightmare. Everything connects to the axle, so you literally have to take the stays for the mudguards and rack off to get at the wheel, not just the hub gear connector (I love hub gears, so they are forgiven. Although no one seems to have anything better than nexus).

Wish I had a picture of the Surly to post, but you can re-create a simular feel as a dutch bike with a nice steel frame, coaster brake/hub gears (or now, the 3 speed fixed hub), upright handlebars, full mudguards and a classy rack.

people in holland do not take care of their bikes, at all, they will just leave them outside all the time, most people dont know how to take the bike apart or want to know, they just take another bike if the bike is broken

http://www.fietsenwinkel.nl/library/modules/shop/showProduct.asp?ProductID=1423&CID=171
Coaster brake but no gears for €189.00 brand new.