Dutch Bike

I lived in holland for a year as a student and everyone just rode really cheap 2nd hand dutch bikes. They were so cheap that when I got a puncture it was easier to get another, think I only got one puncture but snapped a set of forks on one, another the pedal back brake broke staying half on the whole time then the pedal snapped off and various others got nicked or removed by the police. Brought one back thats now in my mums garden with plants growing up it. Should really get it working sometime but to be honest Nhatts idea would be far better and wouldn't weight as much as a tank.

The absolute pinnacle of the "dutch" bike, which is really the classic English heavy roadster, is the Raleigh Superbe. Which is why I bought one.

Full metal chaincase, locking fork, 4 speed Sturmey Archer FG with dynohub, Dynoluxe Filter Switch Unit which provides automatic battery backup for the dynohub so your lights stay on when stopped (my FSU, sadly is missing). fully brazed frame with proper cast dropouts, rather than the bashed flat tubes of the Pashley or Bobbins. Steel mudguards with brazed on stays so they never rattle, a rear rack (mine is missing) and a kickstand, and chrome Roller Lever rod brakes, which look awesome, (but have no possibility of stopping your bike without advance notice.) Brooks B66 saddle.

It is a tremendous bike, so comfortable because the weight pummels the bumps into submission and the saddle is fantastic. All the weight is at the back, so despite the phenomenal weight it is really light and responsive to ride. I bloody love it. I wouldn't say no to an identical bike with roller lever drum brakes instead of rim brakes, 531 frame tubes, and halogen lights, but the exact same angles and features. The parts exist, but finding them these days would be a challenge.

Dutch bikes are basically local versions of these British roadsters. a single coaster brake and single speed suit the local conditions and simplify the lines. Dutch people are very tall so the bikes are too. The Bobbin playbike, which to you and me is a full sized bike, is actually a children's model in the Netherlands. The best ones were made by Gazelle, which was once a subsidiary company of Raleigh.

I still have a real hankering for a Kronan. Those things look awesome. If people are up for a trip over to Holland to pick up bikes on the ferry, I'd be in. Could do it next month, say?

Kronan 's Swedish...
And don't forget to buy spare tyres/tubes. Odd sizes.

Kronans are great but heavy. Build your own with a road frame and coaster.

Kronan 's Swedish...
And don't forget to buy spare tyres/tubes. Odd sizes.

Yeah, but they're all over Amsterdam. The number plates make it easier to spot your bike in a sea of frames.

What size are the wheels, then?

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.

this one? (althought I think your Surly is cream).

I'd love to build it up dutch style, but the cost of the Surly alone is a bit silly sometime, even thought it's a very good frame, and of course, being slightly more paranoid about locking it up than any old dutch bike.

Don't know exactly. I know from the early years that the Kronan bikes were available/popular, that an average bike dealer didn't stock the right tyres. Perhaps it has changed now, but possibly you cannot buy them at your local dealer.

I found this: ETRTO size 54-584, 26"x2"
It's a special Schwalbe tyre for Kronan bikes.

@ ed- Nope, not mine, but one of the shops friends

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.

do you have a picture of that you coudl share by any chance? sounds interesting.

ignore that, I just read your following posts.

we like gazelles

~I heard that back in the day, Gazelles's were never rated very highly. This is just word of mouth though, i'm not sure how accuret the opinion is...

I read that Kronans are poor quality bikes with crappy paint, and rust easily.

Yeah, and I read that your mum LOVES them.

I read that Kronans are poor quality bikes with crappy paint, and rust easily.

I seem to remember they went through an iffy patch for a while, but things have picked up. Not sure. Would be willing to risk it. My bikes live indoors, anyway. Apart from my hybrid, which is sometimes left propped outside the garage if I'm drunk/feeling lazy.

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

Thinking about that, the Surly cost at least £300 (maybe more in this current climate), an On-One Pompino would make a good alternative to the Surly by being almost half the price of it.

Once is once too often. ... and they are a nightmare. Everything connects to the axle.

oh holy fuck this is sooo true. after taking the back wheel off my dutch whore bike three times with a stupid recurring puncture/tyre shitness problem, i spent a stupid multiple of ££ on new INVINCIBLE tyres just to reduce the likelihood of ever having to go through that pain again.

... 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.

add a saddle that doesn't rape your arse and that's your perfect bike right there (imho)

I brought one of these Dutch bikes from Holland over 15 years ago. I was riding it for a while. My mum's been riding it for over ten years once a week without a single puncture nor serious maintenance. At some point we changed the rims for a lighter alternative (pity about the nice old once, but heavy as f...) and the tires. They're build like a tank. Picked up second hand for some funny money.

Ed, go to Holland and get one there. Or ask someone with the to pick one up on the way from Belgium - the travel cost will be much cheaper.

Hey -- speak to Stefan at Amsterdammers (in the Open Market, Brighton) on 01273571555. He got me my first Dutch bike (a Sparta shopper), fairly budget but a great ride. When she got nicked near London Fields recently he sorted me out with a Giant, Dutch tourer, so it's light, fffast and flies about London, joy to ride with good gears and saddle. Sparta was £180, Giant £295 and perfect for commuting. Also changing the rear is no problem if you can hang the bike. Stefan looks after you, it may take him a little while to get a good 2nd hand bike, but he's good, fair and it's a brilliant excuse to head to London-by-Sea. Tell him I'm loving my Giant!

If money were no object I'd go for a Gazelle and nip over on the Dutch flyer (liverpool st - harwich - hook van holland, cheap booked early).

Pashley Smashley. If I want to buy an unliftable crate I'll get my next Dutch bike made out of solid gold, ta. Same with Capitol, ugh.

PS the Druid's Head is nearest pub

:)

My wife loves her Koga Miyata. A little above the budget stated, but Solid.

Thinking about that, the Surly cost at least £300 (maybe more in this current climate), an On-One Pompino would make a good alternative to the Surly by being almost half the price of it.

why's it got to have track ends? just shove a coaster brake hub on the back of any old road bike, whack some sit up and beg bars on it and put a rack on it, much cheaper!

why not get the new kona worldbike you posted in the other thread?

why not get the new kona worldbike you posted in the other thread?

It will get nicked, it's an MTB after all, I'll just find out more about that dutch bike shop in Brighton.

logging in just to say that this is the only kind of riding i've been doing for the past 4 months. Just rolling around on my city bike, rarely breaking 13 miles an hour or so. Once a week i'll take the fixed out for beers. Haven't even touched my road bike. Feels good to take a break.

I discovered what the dutch bike I've listed in the OP is, it's a 'Dutchie' and doesn't look bad at all, £240 for a single speed version, look like a good steal for a bike that will be left outside all the time.

http://www.dutchie.co.uk/mens-dutch-bikes.html

I think i'll bite the bullet to get the Dutchie Classic.