Comments on: First Commute of the Year http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/ Bike Your Drive! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:39:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-19902 Ghost Rider Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:57:35 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-19902 Good point, Stone -- Batavus is under-represented here in the states, but the U.S. distributor (Seattle Bike Supply) is doing what they can to make it better for us over here! There are a lot of European-only bikes that would sell like hotcakes here in the U.S. Here's hoping more companies "see the light" and bring some of those beauties over here. Good point, Stone — Batavus is under-represented here in the states, but the U.S. distributor (Seattle Bike Supply) is doing what they can to make it better for us over here!

There are a lot of European-only bikes that would sell like hotcakes here in the U.S. Here’s hoping more companies “see the light” and bring some of those beauties over here.

]]> By: Stone http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-19901 Stone Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:45:59 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-19901 I know most of you probably dont speak Dutch, but if you look on the ".nl" version instead of the ".com" website for whatever Dutch manufacturer you want, you will find a MUCH larger selection to look at. Try www.batavus.nl and check out the "stadsfietsen" which means city bike... I noticed the american (.com) website for batavus doesnt have anything at all for their city bike line. I know most of you probably dont speak Dutch, but if you look on the “.nl” version instead of the “.com” website for whatever Dutch manufacturer you want, you will find a MUCH larger selection to look at. Try http://www.batavus.nl and check out the “stadsfietsen” which means city bike… I noticed the american (.com) website for batavus doesnt have anything at all for their city bike line.

]]> By: Lock Master (Jeff) http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16968 Lock Master (Jeff) Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:08:22 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16968 I ride with only a base layer and outer shell for my upper boddy and maybe throw fleece on if the temp drops into single digits. My core dousn't have problems w/ the cold, but my fingers are chilly for the first half of my ride. Then my toes start to go evn though I am wearing ski socks inside winter boots. I'm thinking of using the same battery powered footbeds I use in my ski boots. I ride with only a base layer and outer shell for my upper boddy and maybe throw fleece on if the temp drops into single digits. My core dousn’t have problems w/ the cold, but my fingers are chilly for the first half of my ride. Then my toes start to go evn though I am wearing ski socks inside winter boots. I’m thinking of using the same battery powered footbeds I use in my ski boots.

]]> By: Ken Sturrock http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16888 Ken Sturrock Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:58:25 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16888 Richie: Most non-serious riders don't like to have their saddles up so that they have to balance a bicycle on their toe and have to learn to properly mount the bicycle. The Electra frame is designed so that you can get decent leg extension without feeling like you're "jacked up". I agree with you, *I* hate the "flat foot" frame but virtually everyone I've ever talked to who isn't a serious rider loves the Electra design. In fact, my wife loves her Electra Gypsy, which is flat foot, even though she has become a serious rider. If the Electra design gets more people on bicycles then I'm all for it - just not for me. Ghost: I'm pretty sure the Amsterdam is flat foot. Maybe it's geometry is different from a townie or Amy's gypsy but looking at pictures, it sure doesn't look like the seat post intersects the bottom bracket. -Ken Richie: Most non-serious riders don’t like to have their saddles up so that they have to balance a bicycle on their toe and have to learn to properly mount the bicycle. The Electra frame is designed so that you can get decent leg extension without feeling like you’re “jacked up”. I agree with you, *I* hate the “flat foot” frame but virtually everyone I’ve ever talked to who isn’t a serious rider loves the Electra design. In fact, my wife loves her Electra Gypsy, which is flat foot, even though she has become a serious rider. If the Electra design gets more people on bicycles then I’m all for it – just not for me.

Ghost: I’m pretty sure the Amsterdam is flat foot. Maybe it’s geometry is different from a townie or Amy’s gypsy but looking at pictures, it sure doesn’t look like the seat post intersects the bottom bracket.

-Ken

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16887 Ghost Rider Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:17:48 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16887 Batavus Flying D is aluminum-framed and has roller brakes...at least according to City Bikes in D.C. The Bike Hugger article varies by saying "coaster" rather than roller. And, of course, the bike doesn't appear on Batavus's own website. There's a misconception about the Amsterdam -- it does NOT have Electra's "foot forward" geometry -- it is a little more relaxed than a Batavus or Azor, but it isn't at all like the rest of the Electra line. Still plenty upright for city riding! Batavus Flying D is aluminum-framed and has roller brakes…at least according to City Bikes in D.C. The Bike Hugger article varies by saying “coaster” rather than roller. And, of course, the bike doesn’t appear on Batavus’s own website.

There’s a misconception about the Amsterdam — it does NOT have Electra’s “foot forward” geometry — it is a little more relaxed than a Batavus or Azor, but it isn’t at all like the rest of the Electra line. Still plenty upright for city riding!

]]> By: Richie http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16886 Richie Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:51:06 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16886 The difference is in the riding position. The Electras are more like comfort bikes, the seat tube angle is so slack you can put your feet on the ground and stay in the saddle. I've never understood why people need to do that - it's not important to me. Sitting that far back makes it harder to pedal. Quality wise it's probably not as sturdy as a Batavus or Azor - Bike Hugger had a review of the batavus Flying D http://bikehugger.com/2008/01/batavus_flying_d.htm I think I might be able to find a local dealer for that. But it's not clear if it's just got coaster brakes The difference is in the riding position. The Electras are more like comfort bikes, the seat tube angle is so slack you can put your feet on the ground and stay in the saddle. I’ve never understood why people need to do that – it’s not important to me. Sitting that far back makes it harder to pedal.
Quality wise it’s probably not as sturdy as a Batavus or Azor – Bike Hugger had a review of the batavus Flying D
http://bikehugger.com/2008/01/batavus_flying_d.htm
I think I might be able to find a local dealer for that. But it’s not clear if it’s just got coaster brakes

]]> By: Dean Peddle http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16885 Dean Peddle Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:30:15 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16885 Ghost, the extra 20 lbs of weight is there for a reason. Lighter is good for racing bikes but heavier is better for city bikes. I still feel it looks like a beach cruiser with its crank position. I'm not saying its a bad bike. I guess I'm just saying someone in Holland would ride it so its not really "Dutch". Ghost, the extra 20 lbs of weight is there for a reason. Lighter is good for racing bikes but heavier is better for city bikes. I still feel it looks like a beach cruiser with its crank position.

I’m not saying its a bad bike. I guess I’m just saying someone in Holland would ride it so its not really “Dutch”.

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16883 Ghost Rider Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:56:58 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16883 Well, I'd sure love to hear some specifics...the only real difference between the Amsterdam and a 3 speed Batavus is the rims on the Batavus are stainless steel, not aluminum alloy. Running gear is virtually the same, and the frame is made of the same material. Does the Batavus have thicker frame tubing? Does that really matter? I mean seriously -- look at them side by side and tell me a real difference...it's easy for Batavus, maker of "real" Dutch bikes, to <em>say</em> their bikes are better! Well, I’d sure love to hear some specifics…the only real difference between the Amsterdam and a 3 speed Batavus is the rims on the Batavus are stainless steel, not aluminum alloy. Running gear is virtually the same, and the frame is made of the same material. Does the Batavus have thicker frame tubing? Does that really matter?

I mean seriously — look at them side by side and tell me a real difference…it’s easy for Batavus, maker of “real” Dutch bikes, to say their bikes are better!

]]> By: Mike Myers http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16882 Mike Myers Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:05:56 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16882 GR--I think I read the same article from Batavus. The gripe they had with the Amsterdam is it's not as well-built as a true Dutch bike. Apparently, Dutch bikes are designed to withstand 20 years of abuse and being parked outside, and the writer didn't think the Amsterdam was. That being said, Americans are different than the Dutch. Most American bikes spend their 'off time' safely resting in garages, sheds, or living rooms. And the Amsterdam is a lot cheaper than a Batavus. GR–I think I read the same article from Batavus. The gripe they had with the Amsterdam is it’s not as well-built as a true Dutch bike. Apparently, Dutch bikes are designed to withstand 20 years of abuse and being parked outside, and the writer didn’t think the Amsterdam was.

That being said, Americans are different than the Dutch. Most American bikes spend their ‘off time’ safely resting in garages, sheds, or living rooms. And the Amsterdam is a lot cheaper than a Batavus.

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2009/01/04/first-commute-of-the-year/#comment-16881 Ghost Rider Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:29 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1767#comment-16881 Dean, how is the Amsterdam not like a genuine Dutch bike? It's got full chainguard, skirt guard, three speeds, similar seating and handlebar positioning...really, the only thing missing is the AXA wheel lock and about 20 extra pounds of weight! Sure, there are minor differences...but none of them detract from the very European idea of a simple bike that is built for one thing: getting around town. Dean, how is the Amsterdam not like a genuine Dutch bike? It’s got full chainguard, skirt guard, three speeds, similar seating and handlebar positioning…really, the only thing missing is the AXA wheel lock and about 20 extra pounds of weight!

Sure, there are minor differences…but none of them detract from the very European idea of a simple bike that is built for one thing: getting around town.

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