Dutch Bikes

[tinyhouse]

Hey all you Dutch bike aficionados!

Thought I might strike up a conversation about Dutch bikes. Have a new or used one? Share a photo? Want to talk about what you love/don't love about your bike? Have any favorite Dutch bike websites or places to get info on vintage Dutch bikes?

I just acquired a used Batavus 'Winner' and will be putting it together in the next couples of days. I don't know much about it at all as I can't find anything about this particular model in English on the Internet. 3 speed. It must weigh well over 40 pounds - closer to 50 . Maybe 1980 or so? Has a generator light (front & back).

How about you?

[Kimmyt]

Oooh... i have a lovely photo of a bike i took when I was in the Netherlands in college, now I just need to figure out how to scan it...

[Reesha]

When I was 17 I was exchange student in Belgium and rode clunky upright Dutch bikes to school for the year. I distinctly remember one of them making a metallic "tink" sound with each stroke. That's my experience with Dutch craftsmanship but I wouldn't be put off getting a quality road one because of it.

[Geonz]

I have a 2003 Gazelle Impala that I got from a grad student headed back home. It *is* hard to find out about them even online... I'm lucky because there are 3 of 'em (at least) in town and my LBS has the guy that worked on the other two (and maybe this one, I dunno) so he knows things like what size tires those are in American units.
Somebody's blog referred to this bike model as a "Bike on Tranquilizers" and I sort of agree - it does not accelerate fast Still, it is definitely designed to get me there - smoothly and elegantly. Fritz, the cycling maven and closet hero who got me in contact with the owner (okay, I walked into the shop when they were both there talking about it) said it was the proper bicycle for formal occasions... so I rode it to his memorial service and I often think of him when I'm riding it.

[stella]

great topic! my beater bike is a batavus, the monte carlo model. must be from the early 1970's. I got her at a yard sale for $7.00.
once I get my photo, I'll post a picture.

i'd love to see pics of others!

[Geonz]

Here's my pretty one... though I confess she's a little wearier now with a few hundred more miles on her.