Friday, October 8, 2010

Bike of the day - Velorbis Dannebrog


This type of classic bicycle is called everything from a sit-up-and-beg bicycle, a vintage bicycle and a retro style bicycle, to an 'Omafiets' - (Granny bike in Dutch). In some countries the most common term is a commuter bike, utility bike or an upright bike. The most popular European term is the 'Dutch Bike´ or 'Dutch style bicycle'; a generic term used to describe typically a two-wheeled, utilitarian bicycle, with mudguards or fenders, a rear carrier or rack, relaxed loop frame or geometry, an upright seating position and generally an ‘old-time’ look reminiscent of the early 20th century. It is a style of bike you will find all over Northern Europe, from bicycle friendly cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, to Hamburg, Stockholm and Oslo.

5 comments:

  1. Is there a place in the district that sells these kind of bicycles?

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  2. Not that I know of. Velorbis lists a few US distributors, the closest is in NY:

    http://www.hudsonurbanbicycles.com/

    As far as I know, the only Dutch-style bike that is easy to find locally is the Electra Amsterdam. I got mine at Big Wheel Bikes in Bethesda.

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  3. I have just had my money refunded after a 18month nightmare on a Velorbis Churchill. I found the quality of the bike to be very poor. the front forks bent, the seat pin sheared off twice and the pedal crank sheared off , it could have killed me in the rush hour! It is a beautiful bike but made to a very low standard.

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  4. The Electra Amsterdam, while not a bad bike is styled more like the other Electra cruiser bikes than a true Dutch bike. Depending on where you ride it, it's just not shaped or geared the same as a WorkCycle, Batavus, or Velorbis bike and won't be as comfortable to ride or as able to haul as large as load. I test rode an Electra Amsterdam this summer , as well a a Velorbis before purchasing a WorkCycles Oma. The Amsterdam is a pretty, light-weight and able bike, even the steel-framed version. The handle-bars are still set wide like their other cruiser bikes, and you are not as upright as on a true Dutch bike. I've heard others complain about the quality of the Velorbis bikes as well. They are gorgeous though. In Chicago, where one can buy all these bikes, a WorkCycles Oma was about $300 less than a similar Velorbis bike.

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  5. Yeah, my Electra is not perfect but has been a trusty and elegant ride for several years. Smooth and upright enough... I do like being closer to the ground, but sitting at the slight set-back of their so-called 'flat foot' design does create a somewhat gangly pedal motion. I'd probably spend a bit more and go for either a Batavus or WorkCycles for my next bike.

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