Gazelle or Batavus?

annagib

Hi,
I am looking at buying a new bike and am looking at either the Gazelle 66 Degrees or Batavus Diva. I need help working out which is the best for my requirements - I do not understand the technical details in the specification of the bikes!

I use my bike to commute to work - only about 4 miles each way - through manchester city, so busy streets. I ride all year, all weathers. I also do all my shopping on it so it will need to handle heavy loads. I also go on the occasional bike ride so it needs to be able to handle canal paths etc - no mountain biking though!

At the moment I have a Saracen hy-trail 2 - it has been an okay bike. I have ridden on a bike with fat tyres while in Berlin and it was AMAZING! Which is why I have chosen the above 2 models.

My budget is approx £500.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dennis1971

Both are good bike, being dutch both makes are very well known in Holland and make qualtiy bikes. At this price range you should get a good deal. Are you looking to buy in the UK? You do pay a premium here in the UK for dutch bikes.

I bought a Batavus Weekend two years ago for £500 in Holland which is a city bike also but has 8 gears.

It might be worth contacting this shop:
http://www.harings-fietsen.nl/

I bought a bike for my daughter and got it send to the UK. At the time kids bike were £28 to send over and adult bike about £48.

Or try any other bike shop in Holland. Don't be shy most speak english and there is always the internet. And there are some good offers to be had. Which in some cases is worth driving over for.

Dennis

annagib

Hi,
I know it's more expensive to buy in the UK - I was in Germany in the summer and had a look but my boyfriend is not so keen on my (expensive) Dutch bike obsession - so I could only look! I will be in Copenhagen in January and no doubt I will be sneaking in every bike shop I see.
The Diva is in the sale at £535 here http://www.dutchbikeshop.co.uk/ and the price seems too good to ignore. Have had a quick look at the link you sent and can't see any Diva's.
But which to buy??! I just don't know.....it needs to be my 'forever' bike as I can't afford to buy a new one every couple of years, which is why I've been looking at Gazelle and Batavus as I know they are very well made.

Dennis1971

That seems a very reasonable price for the uk, I had a quick look at the website of the shop where I bought mine:

http://www.fietsenwinkel.nl/library/mod ... 753&CID=-1

It's 475 Euro's in Holland. That does not include shipping it over and you also have to be happy to do all the maintenance from day one. The Diva looks great, just be shure you are happy with three gears. Don't know how hilly it is where you are.

Good luck.
Dennis

annagib

After a bit of thought I've decided I would prefer 7 gears. I've been looking at online shops in Holland and cheapest for the Diva N7 is 600 euros. I've emailed to ask if they will deliver to the UK. The N7 doesn't seem to be available in the UK.
I've also been looking at Sparta.....
I wish I could just go over there and look in a shop properly!
I've also emailed Halfords cycle to work scheme to see if they are able to get Gazelle/Batavus/Sparta - but I'm not holding out much hope for that!

nicklouse

Batavus are, imho,over priced.

they have some nice features but... If you are looking at Europe and will be in Copenhagen soon have a look at the Kalkoff range. Not Dutch but German.

some of the 2011 bikes can be seen here http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12722859

PS my pub commuter is a Batavus frame and fork but that is it. (oh and the kick stand).