Batavus vs Electra

Sounds like a pro wrestling match. But no, from the blog of Curbside Cycles, a Toronto bike shop specializing in Dutch bikes:

Batavus versus the Electra Amsterdam

There's a long but vigorous and interesting debate in the comments, comparing these two bikes. So if you're considering buying a Dutch bike, it's a very informative thread.

I still love and stand by my Amsterdam, especially for the price and lighter weight, but it does have its flaws. The Batavus does sound really well-made, like a bike to last a lifetime. The Volvo of bikes.

To be fair, it's not really a fair comparision. Batavus is a storied Dutch brand with decades of experience satisfying the discriminating Dutch customer. Electra is just getting into the citizen cycling game, relatively. The two bikes are not really in the same league or price point, though here is a Batavus three-speed that's only a bit more expensive than the Electra and would last longer even if you store it outside.

About last night

photo © Bill Crandall

Good morning, darling. Glad to see you're still there and intact.

So sorry to leave you like that overnight in Georgetown. It's just that the event ran pretty late, and I was a little worse for wear at the end. I thought it was best if you didn't come home with me. But I did feel guilty, and was nervous until I saw you again today. No hard feelings?

Bike of the Day - Electra Amsterdam

A few years ago, the Electra Amsterdam is what got me back on a bicycle after, I don't know, 25 years off. I knew the Dutch formula suited me - chainguard/fenders/rear skirt, upright not hunched over - and the Electra was (and still is) one of the few Dutch-style bikes that you can go out and buy in the DC area.

I bought mine at Big Wheel Bikes in Bethesda and rode it home to Petworth via the somewhat rough Bethesda-Silver Spring stretch of the Capital Crescent Trail. Hot day and first day back on a bike in a long time, so that was kind of a fun mistake... but I made it ok. You don't forget how to ride a bike, but you do sort of forget the exhilaration of it.

The Amsterdam is definitely elegance over speed, and very comfortable, but frankly sucks on major uphills (or maybe I suck on major uphills... anyway, I don't mind walking it whenever). But their so-called 'flat foot' design means the seat is shifted slightly back and lower so you're closer to the ground. Which is nice, I felt perched pretty high on the first few bikes I tried.

If you get the Classic 3i (shown, they also have an 8-speed), you'll want to add a front handbrake, it comes with coaster brake only. They also make a step-through women's version, here's an interesting review by a local citizen cyclist.

Here's mine parked in Adams Morgan when I was shooting for this blog one evening.

photo © Bill Crandall