What is a Dutch bike?
For many, it's practically synonymous with a city bike; for others, it's a symbol of convenience. A mechanic's nightmare and a staple of transportation in Amsterdam and many Dutch cities. The Dutch bike has many names. Many people ask us for our opinion on this segment and for purchasing options. It's worth making it clear that our city bikes (both women's and men's ) are the complete opposite of the Dutch bikes. We prioritize lightness, maneuverability, and simplicity. Dutch bikes are heavy machines for graceful travel on flat terrain. Today, drawing on our experience, we'll try to present them as objectively as possible and answer the questions raised in the title. And believe us, we've experienced more than one Dutch bike, so we know what we're talking about. We invite you to read and discuss!
Construction
A classic Dutch bicycle is built for maximum comfort over short distances in an upright position. Furthermore, it's essential to be as easy to use as possible, require minimal maintenance, and be able to ride in any outfit, regardless of the weather. This is usually complemented by numerous accessories and add-ons.
The modern Dutch woman usually looks... heavy. Photo by Umberto Brayj
Frame
The foundation of every bike. In this case, it's usually a rugged aluminum frame (older models made of steel). It's large and massive – such a bike can take up a lot of space. A long wheelbase and a very high head tube combine with a low top tube and a relatively short main triangle. What does this ensure? First and foremost, a completely upright stance, which, together with the swallow-shaped handlebars, allows you to drop your elbows almost alongside your body. The long wheelbase, on the other hand, makes such a city bike very stable and predictable. Unfortunately, this affects its dynamics and maneuverability – both accelerating and turning require a lot of space. In Poland, the most common Dutch bike is the women's bike, but many manufacturers also offer men's versions.
Drivetrain - Dutch bike is clean
The most popular solution is planetary hubs (although models with external gears also exist). They perfectly align with the "minimum maintenance, maximum reliability" philosophy. Currently, the seven-speed version of the proven Shimano Nexus hub is most commonly used. It provides more than enough gears and is extremely durable. Just remember that not every service center can handle inspections and repairs of such a hub (we have no problem with that!). This also allows for the drivetrain to be fully enclosed with chain guards. There's no risk of the chain getting on your dress or suit. However, it's worth remembering to regularly check the chain tension, as it stretches and, in extreme cases, can fall off. Unless you can count on a spring-loaded tensioner inside the chain guard, Dutch Gazelle bikes often have this feature. Belt drives are also gaining popularity, as they seem to be designed for this type of bike – quiet, long-lasting, and clean.
An old Dutch bicycle may look beautiful, but servicing and using it can be quite challenging. Photo by Umberto Brayj
Brakes
Although there are versions with all types of bicycle brakes, the standard solution is drum brakes. Their advantages include easy adjustment, long life, and weather resistance. The disadvantages, however, include braking. Drums slow down pleasantly and gently, but in emergency situations, their effectiveness is mediocre. Locking the wheel and causing a spectacular rear-end skid are also unlikely. This is somewhat justified, as locking the front wheel on a Dutch bike would be an experience as impressive as it is painful. Proponents of this solution emphasize that even a panicky grip on the lever won't cause loss of control. However, this hardly justifies hitting an inattentive pedestrian when V-brakes would have stopped you long ago. Remember, a Dutch bike isn't lightweight (we'll come back to this).
Equipment
Almost every Dutch bike is all-inclusive. The drivetrain is complemented by full mudguards. The rear wheel often comes with additional side guards to protect the rear wheel from contact with the spokes. A sturdy luggage rack is almost always included. A bell, a kickstand (often double), lighting, and a generator are also included. A very wide and soft saddle and high-raised handlebars guarantee comfort, at least over long distances. Rides longer than a dozen or so kilometers can easily cause chafing and back pain, especially off-road.
Prepare for Dutch weather - Clothing for cycling in the rain
Dutch bicycle in Poland
As the name suggests, the Dutch bike was designed for use in the Netherlands. And the Netherlands differs from our country in several key respects. Firstly, it's flat. This makes uphill climbs rare. In Poland, even relatively flat cities like Warsaw require occasional uphill climbs. And the Dutch bike is hopeless in this regard – the upright position doesn't facilitate efficient pedaling, and the bike itself often weighs well over 20 kilograms (sometimes approaching 30). This latter doesn't bother the Dutch, especially since it's common practice to leave bikes on the street, even overnight. Nobody carries them into their apartment or office. And anyone who has tried to shoulder a Dutch bike up the stairs or even place it in an elevator knows that it's a task for strongmen. By a cruel twist of fate, this challenge often falls to women of small stature. Let's also remember that while our cycling infrastructure is improving, it's still a long way from Amsterdam. A large bike is great for wide paths, but when you need to merge with traffic or pull onto the sidewalk, it becomes quite unwieldy. This also applies to storage. Many companies (like the previously mentioned Gazelle) use standard parts. So, be prepared that you won't find everything you need at just any bike shop. Most repair shops also charge higher fees for Dutch bike repairs (e.g., replacing a tube) due to the enormous amount of work involved in removing covers and accessories, as well as maneuvering the heavy weight.
A distinctive, completely upright position. Photo by Todd Fahrner
How much does a Dutch bike cost?
More than you might expect. At least if you're interested in a true Dutch bike, not some ordinary city bike with a fancy name. Prices typically start around 3,000 PLN and often reach 5,000 PLN. This is due to the use of durable materials and components, a large number of accessories, and... the relatively small number of companies offering true Dutch bikes on the Polish market. Of course, you'll find much cheaper equivalents on Allegro, but their quality is hardly acceptable.
What about a used Dutch bike?
If it's been well-stored and is no more than a few years old, why not? This will save you a lot of money, and the rugged construction and short distances mean you have a good chance of many trouble-free kilometers. Unfortunately, there's no shortage of companies in our country that import used Dutch bikes from their homeland and Germany. Usually (there are, of course, notable exceptions) these are reanimated corpses, discarded by the "wealthier, Western" society. Such a bike often requires a considerable financial outlay at the start. I once had to replace the bottom bracket on a recently imported "bargain" bike. A considerable amount of water leaked from the hub – the bike had survived a major flood and required a complete overhaul. The Dutch generally treat their bikes as a one-off, riding them until they're worn out in two or three years, not worrying about regular maintenance or weather protection. After that, they buy a new one, and the old one is either thrown away or sold for pennies. Needless to say, such a deal in Poland requires catching up on service and often investing in a new gear hub. And these aren't cheap. We especially recommend avoiding old Dutch bikes. Adding to the aforementioned problems are rusting steel frames and components, and a lack of parts for old planetary hubs.
Buy Dutch bike locally
There's no standard size guide for Dutch bikes based on height (or at least I haven't found a sensible one). Manufacturers vary widely, so you need to approach the matter individually. It's best to try them on under the supervision of an experienced salesperson. Therefore, we advise against buying them online. There's a Dutch bike shop in almost every major city. It's worth relying on an experienced person to help you choose the optimal equipment. Besides, you'll end up there looking for parts sooner or later anyway. And supporting a local business is always appreciated! An Antymateria Dutch bike isn't an option (we consistently prioritize lightweight bikes in our catalog), but we'll certainly help with servicing – we repair them regularly and know them like no other!
Miło nam :)
Dzięki, pomogliście mi w podjęciu decyzji. Byłam zdecydowana kupić przez Internet, w ciemno, ale po tym, co tu przeczytałam, rezygnuję. I nawet czuję ulgę, bo coś mi mówiło, by nie kupować:-) Dzięki
Witam
lubię wszelkiego rodzaju porady ludzi kompetentnych i przede wszystkim uczciwych, a jaką opinię może na blogu i w innych miejscach zamieścić ktoś kto sam zajmuje się budowaniem rowerów i ich sprzedażą. To tak jakby ktoś prowadził sklep spożywczy i zachwalał konkurencję a sam siebie oczerniał. Poza tym nie wszyscy są oszustami i cwaniakami, nie można uogólniać, nie każdy kto napisał kiedyś wiersz dla ukochanej /ego/ jest pisarzem
No i dobrze! Dzięki!
Sam mam używany rower i sprawdza się znakomicie. Fajny wpis, pozdrawiam!
Leave a comment