Dutch Bikes

Danny1962
Danny1962 Posts: 58
edited April 2012 in Road general
Has anyone else on this forum got a Dutch Bike ? Though they are called "Dutch" they do not necessarily have to be made in Holland, and they are actually very common in much of Northern Europe -- except here in the UK for some reason. Defining features of these bikes are an upright riding position, sturdy construction, rear rack, side stand, dynamo lights, hub gears, roller brakes, integral lock, puncture resist tyres and a fully enclosed chaincase. Basically, they are intended as low maintenance utility bikes with no sporting pretensions whatsoever. A bit like the sorts of bikes we used to see over here before the mountain bike craze of the 1990s

I have two -- an old Batavus Barcelona 3 Speed and a newer Puch Brilliante 8 Speed -- both bought secondhand in the UK but imported from Holland by previous owners.

I'm interested in finding other owners, so we can share servicing tips and tricks, share knowledge of LBS's who understand how to maintain them -- and generally to interact with other cyclists who realise what fabulous bikes these Dutch bikes really are.

Comments

  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Danny1962 wrote:
    Has anyone else on this forum got a Dutch Bike ? Though they are called "Dutch" they do not necessarily have to be made in Holland, and they are actually very common in much of Northern Europe -- except here in the UK for some reason. Defining features of these bikes are weight, weight, high cost, and weight
    FTFY
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    In asia Hero Bikes are similar..Used to carry everthing..Kids.Crates of Chickens Pigs.. etc.
    Used a duitch bike qute predictably for touring the dutchbulb fields.in April..Easy to ride cos they use their greater weight and momentum to keep you going..Its effortless cycling once you get going...
    jc
  • Danny1962
    Danny1962 Posts: 58
    jc4lab wrote:
    Easy to ride cos they use their greater weight and momentum to keep you going..Its effortless cycling once you get going...
    yes, I can vouch for that. I find them very comfortable and smooth. I can live with the extra weight, I have plenty extra of my own so a little more on a bike isn't going to hurt much.

    They are quite pricey but's that's because they're built to last using quality parts.
  • They're similar to the old Raleigh roadster 3 speeds aren't they? I've been using my 1956 rod braked Superbe for a short commute recently, I figured it was too heavy for a bike thief to nick ;)

    I believe there is a firm that deals in dutch bikes in Brighton, haven't got any further details tho.
    *Rock Lobster Team Tig SL (22lb 14oz)
    *C. Late 1950's Fixed Gear
    *1940 Raleigh Dawn Tourist with rod brakes
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    Not yet, looking for one as a pub bike though now I'm over here....
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    This type of bike, the only thing for me would be a 2011 Raleigh Superbe.
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    Its the hills of course where they fall short..In the Ardennes(Its a rollercoaster of tough little hills there) I met several dutch on who had ventured there on dutch style bikes..thinking Belgium was an easy option..They were struggling badly
    jc
  • RayW
    RayW Posts: 35
    There is a specialist shop in Crystal Palace, south London.

    http://www.popiel.co.uk/en/bicycles
  • Danny1962
    Danny1962 Posts: 58
    Yes, hills are the problem. Yesterday I needed to cycle from Maidstone to Chatham and I took my 8 speed BHDB (Big Heavy Dutch Bike) up Bluebell Hill using Route 17 which runs alongside the A229. The highest point of the trip is about 185m above sea level, the lowest point is just above sea level so there's some climbing involved. It used to be a regular commute route of mine on a mass market hybrid and I could do it all without getting off.

    It is interesting to make comparisons because in theory the lowest gear on the BHDB isn't that much higher than the lowest gear on a standard hybrid. So on paper you might conclude that there's little difference.

    But in practice you really do feel the difference because of the different posture you adopt. Most of the climb I stayed on and pedalled whilst seated, but at the steepest half mile between the Lower Bell and the Salisbury Road footbridge it really was easier and more sensible to walk up and push.

    The different handlebar set up doesn't make it easy to ride "standing up" on the steep bits -- the front end feels very light and twitchy, and your arms are too far back. It's simply not what the bikes were designed for. Even leaning forward whilst seated is harder.

    Getting off and walking wasn't a problem for me -- I wasn't in a big rush and it probably only took a few minutes longer anyway. I wouldn't have wanted to do it after dark without a pavement, though. The usual hills I do daily aren't as steep so the BHDB can cope with them just fine and on balance it's far nicer to ride than a mountain bike or a hybrid, almost all of the time. That's a trade-off I'm happy to make.
  • Streak
    Streak Posts: 163
    Saw some "Dutch Bikes" for sale in Cambridge market this w/e. They look good for the price. Looked at an all black one with nexus 3 speed, coaster rear brake and drum front brake at £369, nice clean lines with only the gear cable. Great bike for Cambridge and surrounding areas, more of a problem in hilly terrain. I think the guy selling them was Polish, he said that they were manufactured in Poland.

    Streak
    I'm not so twp as to not know I'm twp.
    http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/ju ... Patten.htm
  • estampida
    estampida Posts: 1,008
    only been on dutch bikes in europe, not really my style,

    but a goodguide to how old the frame is, the headtube angle, I have seen some pre / post WW11 the fork angleis almost horizontal, and then you go around the corner and see an even more relaxed frame (prob 1920's)
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    Another feature of dutch bikes was that you use to pedal backwards to apply the brakes..A shock to your knee caps when you forgot!..
    jc
  • t4tomo
    t4tomo Posts: 2,643
    Borrowed one from a hotel in Dutchland so a bit of recreation on an evening before dinner - Ok for a spin up the canal side, but I found the riding position not particularly comfortable (hands too close to chest), especially so when riding into a headwind and needing to get into a TT style tuck to keep any momentum, and damn heavy too. I did manage to find one with "proper" rim brakes though rather than the peddle back hub.
    Bianchi Infinito CV
    Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Ultegra
    Brompton S Type
    Carrera Vengeance Ultimate Ltd
    Gary Fisher Aquila '98
    Front half of a Viking Saratoga Tandem
  • peterst6906
    peterst6906 Posts: 530
    Yep, have one.

    <-- See where I live. Explains why.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    jc4lab wrote:
    Another feature of dutch bikes was that you use to pedal backwards to apply the brakes..A shock to your knee caps when you forgot!..

    not Dutch bike but most of Europe. It is Normal.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • bagpusscp
    bagpusscp Posts: 2,907
    Weight is not an issue to the Dutch.As they are FLAT out all the time!!! :roll:
    bagpuss
  • grim3ur
    grim3ur Posts: 46
    Thoroughly enjoyed my pedal round amsterdam on a hire bike, so relaxing.
    Have a look at these guys for dutch accessories.
  • Mr Tom
    Mr Tom Posts: 66
    I got a second hand (Belgian) Dutch bike from Amsterdammers in Brighton.

    http://www.amsterdammers.co.uk/

    I really like it for shorter trips, it's so relaxing! Also the brakes work in the rain, it has a basket for shopping and the chain is covered.

    As well as the problem with hills, I found that changing the tyre or replacing spokes on the back wheel is a massive amount of work!! Overall though I really like it :)
    Orbit Fast Tour
    Mondia 96 (Belgian 'Dutch' bike)
    Ridgeback Envoy
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    We spent 5 days in Holland this summer during our continental tour, overall I really like the whole dutch cycling cutlture thing.
    All the weird and wonderful varieties of city bikes, cargo bikes etc really make sense there - although I was struggling to work out the benefit of the clip-on aero bars I saw on the spectacularly high sit-up-and-beg bars of a couple of bikes.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    t4tomo wrote:
    Borrowed one from a hotel in Dutchland so a bit of recreation on an evening before dinner - Ok for a spin up the canal side, but I found the riding position not particularly comfortable (hands too close to chest), especially so when riding into a headwind and needing to get into a TT style tuck to keep any momentum, and damn heavy too. I did manage to find one with "proper" rim brakes though rather than the peddle back hub.

    See you were making the mistake of trying to ride them quickly - you have to forget about racing and just pootle. Most people only use them for 5 min Journeys.
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Did about 70 miles on one last month! From Delft to Kinderdijk and Gouda and back to Delft. Average speed; 11.49 mph on the flat!

    P1100583.jpg
    Faster than a tent.......
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    edited December 2011
    Marvellous for a dutch Bulb field tour of Lisse and Keukenhof Gardens area during Mid- end April.Heavy and sturdy and good for ambling along the rough access paths and recommended bulb spotting cycle routes that go right into the heart of the buld fields
    jc
  • I love that picture, Rolf F ! It says it all, the bike, the fields, the dyke, the windmill, the grain elevator, the terrain... it's all there. Even down to the the way the valve on the front wheel "touches" the horizon.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Danny1962 wrote:
    I love that picture, Rolf F ! It says it all, the bike, the fields, the dyke, the windmill, the grain elevator, the terrain... it's all there. Even down to the the way the valve on the front wheel "touches" the horizon.

    Taa for that! There's actually two windmills in that shot though I'll admit one is pretty subtle :wink: The valve I hadn't noticed!

    The bike is a Pointer Horizon (about 250 Euro but about 7 euro a day to hire from the train station at Delft) - rather different to the Dawes Horizon I own. Rather disappointingly, it actually has gears (x3) though they were useful for the bridge crossing in Rotterdam........
    Faster than a tent.......
  • DesB3rd
    DesB3rd Posts: 285
    I'd be interest to hear people's thoughts regarding a comparison with the roadster type common to the Commonwealth/US; it strikes me that the dutchy has been retained despite the latter retaining the day-to-day practicalities while being an improvement as regards riding efficiency (regardless of how fast/slow you want to go), could people not deal with the prospect of sitting anything but bolt upright?
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    ddraver wrote:
    t4tomo wrote:
    Borrowed one from a hotel in Dutchland so a bit of recreation on an evening before dinner - Ok for a spin up the canal side, but I found the riding position not particularly comfortable (hands too close to chest), especially so when riding into a headwind and needing to get into a TT style tuck to keep any momentum, and damn heavy too. I did manage to find one with "proper" rim brakes though rather than the peddle back hub.

    See you were making the mistake of trying to ride them quickly - you have to forget about racing and just pootle. Most people only use them for 5 min Journeys.

    5min my a**e. As a teenager me and my mates 'commuted' to the not-so-local school by *Dutch* bike - 20kg machine with low saddle and high handlebar. Every single day, 16km there and back... As a matter of fact most kids that grow up in the countryside still do.

    Perhaps what the Dutch call "Oma fietsen" (grandma bikes - more often than not with wicker basket on the front) are the ones used for a 5-10 min trip to the shops!

    http://www.omafiets.nl/
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    Nows the time to go over there and hire one..Stayed & Hired one in Katwijk and being such a sturdy bike used it to cycle right into the heart of the bulbfields along irrigation paths around Lisse and Keukenhof Gardens.( touristy but these gardens are well worth seeing).Recommend Queens day in Amsterdam at the end of April.Very feelgood atmosphere with Parties boats and its national carboot day too..Lots of household clutter outside houses to rummage through if you are a collector
    jc