When I came home from visiting Flanders two summers ago, I was taken with the idea to find a buy a Dutch bike in the U.S. I don't know whether I was more surprised to find that it was possible to do so, or that it would cost $2,000 to do it.
If there had been a bike that simulated what I had seen on the streets of Bruges that cost a few hundred dollar's I'd have snapped it up in an instant. There wasn't, and I didn't. And that failure to do so is what started my bike-buying spree and this blog.
Well, now there is. I stumbled across a link to this bike via Bike Snob today. I had no idea it existed and have never seen anything similar in this price range.
On the one hand, I know a bike that sells for under $300 can only be so good. I also understand that much of what makes a Dutch "Opa" what it is cannot possibly be found on a bike that sells for so little.
I get that, I really do. But, I will admit to being intrigued by the idea of owning a Dutch-looking bike for $250 or so. It even has a front rack suitable for lugging my little Dutch kids around on, if I ever happen to come into possession of little Dutch kids.
I've looked online for reviews with no luck. Half of me is hoping to find ones similar to those written on the Flying Pigeon and giving me the freedom to move on and never think of this again. The other half is hoping to read that it's surprisingly well-built and feels like the real thing. If this is the case, I'm going to need someone to loan me some garage space.
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I fell in love with a 1975 Schwinn Collegiate. It is gorgeous red, in great shape and I love it. But it does not haul Dutch children. It's only drawback.
ReplyDeleteClyde,
ReplyDeleteA friend just bought a 1979 Collegiate, which is very interesting and different than the earlier models. It's neon green, uses the tiny fenders from the "Krate" bikes and sports a unique chainguard. I'll have to post photos soon.
That is intriguing... I might order one just for the helluva it. I have one job site down in the flat part of Georgia, might just make a good bike for there, rather than hauling my more expensive bikes back and forth. I wonder what the "light" is?
ReplyDeleteAaron
I have been quite apprehensive about buying this bike, even though it looks good. I have heard too many horror stories on bikeforums to risk buying it. Do you think the frame geometry is accurate of a dutch bike? Also, have you checked out the trek cocoa? I test drove it and it felt flimsy to me compared to to the dutch bikes I have ridden.
ReplyDeleteTanya the geometry may be "correct" however I would be hesitant too having not seen the bike or having had a chance to ride it. WM IS NOT known for making quality a requirement in it's products.
ReplyDeleteAlso if you have ridden a true "Dutch" bike like an Azor or Workbikes I think you would be disappointed, especially since you found the Trek Cocoa flimsy.
I have a Huffy cruiser that I bought from WM as a disposable bike, I paid $70 for it an it was barely worth that. The welds were horrible and the rear coaster brake hub failed in less than 2 weeks. I will give WM credit in that they replaced the rear wheel no questions asked.
Aaron
Aaron, thanks for being on the spot here. Besides the fact I was asleep at the switch, Tanya, Aaron knows more about bikes than I ever will.
ReplyDelete