Dutch Bike

Kinda like this then?

i like the frame.
hate the bars tho.
and mudguard.

After 3 months of riding, I decide that it's worth getting a decent town bike.

No, not a Pashley, the Dutchie is essentially the same as the Pashley in term of equipment (if not better).

Globe Haul 1, I rather have the Live 1 with the front rack, but the Haul is defintely more practical in the general sense;

Downside? not much, very stiff but little flex and shimmer at certain speed, quick-release wheels escape me, why it's on a town bike I've no idea, the stock saddle is way too narrow, it's too pretty to be left outside or locked on it's own for a prolonged period of time, but that's a compromise.

That Globe is gorgeous Ed, hope it rides as well as it looks!

it ride very nice, nice and stable with 10 brick on the rack, all I need is a 70mm stem, a promenade handlebar, different tyres (Schwalbe Delta Cruiser for instance) and I'm sorted.

I am looking forward to seeing the evoloution of this one!

Excepting the bars, mine are even weirder, my Surly Crosscheck comes out pretty close to a Dutchbike, pictures can be seen at my photostream:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37729119@N08/sets/72157622858297887/

This was bought for a 40 mile daily round trip commute, from Farnborough to Maidenhead, it weighs in, unladen, at 35lbs, but does lack a front dynohub. I just ran out of dosh, this was not a cheap build. Surly Crosscheck frame 60cm, Brooks B17 saddle, Thomson Elite inline seatpost, BBB High 6 adjustable stem 130mm, now a BBB 35deg 90mm stem following bar changes, BBB turnaround headset, Shimano Deore V brakes and levers, Mavic A719 black 36h rims, 105 black front hub, SRAM I-9 internal gear rear hub, Marathon+ 35mm tyres Summer, 35mm Marathon Winter rest of time, Ofmega crankset and bog standard cartridge BB(just what LBS had that was cheap), 48t ring 20t cog but could use a much smaller chainring as 120GI's is a bit much at the top end. SKS full mudguards, Madison Summit rack, various battery lights, dummy storage bottle for spare tubes, frame pump.

It covers the commute at an average of 14-15.5mph depending on how laden I am and how strong I'm feeling. I regularly use 4 of the 9 gears available but do like the comfort of knowing the others are there. Having started the commute with a 'fast' hybrid this is a revelation comfort wise, though harder work at first. Latest incarnation of butterfly bars has brakes in forward position and inboard bar ends. Have now replicated on weekend bike as discovered that the controls can be wangled round angles of butterfly bars. With the panniers etc it wasn't kicking the pants off £1500 complete.

I'm now taken with the idea of a Rohloff, a Van Nicholas Amazon frame, Son dynamo front hub, Edleux lighting and a Gates belt drive. If you can ignore the eye watering £3500 price tag the bike would come in around 22-23lbs in weight including guards, rack and 32mm tyres.

Ed. if you're interested in experimenting with bars I have two sets of the North Road style following experimentation. For my setup they just brought the controls too far back, they're these ones here:-

http://www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk/alloy-north-road-handlebars-422-p.asp

PM me if you're interested...cheers....Al

http://www.dutchie.co.uk/bike-dutch-chic-3-speed.html

Has anyone aside from Ed, rode one of these? I know it's a woman's bike but would like to read some experiences

No?

they're just the same old shit you see in Amsterdam, get a decent mechanic to put it together and you'll be fine, don't get the singlespeed one.

can anyone recommend a good bike for a babeh monkeh?

they're just the same old shit you see in Amsterdam, get a decent mechanic to put it together and you'll be fine, don't get the singlespeed one.

Is that what you said to yourself when you got a Dutchie?

it is the same old shit, but it work as advertised.

My aunt has a Dutchie. It's monstrously large, and weighs 20kg (I weighed it as I was curious). You definitely need the geared one to get up any sort of incline. It's fun to ride though, and feels like it'll last forever.

I got one of the Dutchie samples when they started distro a few years back.

Its in my garden now, but was my regular commuting bike for 2 years.
Feels like driving a tank and more headroom. Its heavy as hell, 20kg for sure. Sturmey Archer brakes. I don't like the buzzing and drag from front dynamo but other than that..indestructible. i've got the single speed and had rather mixed feelings about developing harder lady legs.