Dutch bikes: appliances, not sporting goods
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There are more bicycles than people in the Netherlands: 18 million bikes for 16.3 million people. Now Dutch bicycles are becoming popular outside of their home country. The Dutch Bike Company based in Seattle has seen so much demand, in their 2 years in business, they've expanded to Chicago and now New York City. The concept is simple: they sell bikes for transportation, not sport. Their bikes are big, heavy and comfortable, with names like Oma (Dutch for grandmother) and Opa ("grandfather"). Like most city bikes, they have an upright frame and come equipped with details to keep your clothes clean (a chain case and mud flaps), and to keep you commuting (a bell and a basket). In this video, David Schmidt and Stephan Schier of the Dutch Bike Company show us their bikes and explain how they're not selling sporting goods, but appliances.
Comments
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I have the Linus Mixte which I love. But I would also would like to get a Dutch bike like the Oma. Those kinds of bikes are hard to find in the US.
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Liked where he explained the oma fiets. The one he showed is way more advanced than anything we would consider to be an oma fiets. There are no gears on an oma fiets, and no handbrakes. You brake by pushing the paddles backwards, and the lack of gears mean that its kind of heavy to get moving from a standstill and if you want to go really fast you have to move your feet at the speed of light.
You can't beat the ergonomics of this bike, though. -
I miss my oma fiets living abroad. It's just so comfortable to ride.
The frame absorbs most of the shocks and the seat takes the rest. -
I Live in Netherlands, and i have restored a Gazelle oma bike from 1956.
It is my favorite bike for touring.:) A good bike isn't cheap but if you take good care of your bike, they can last really long! -
I spent many a day delivering mail on an opafiets with transport rack at the front. Good times!
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Nice one guys... greetings from the Netherlands..;
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It's called a granny bike because in Holland even granny uses a bike to go arround when she can :)
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Nice :) Greetings from Holland.
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How cool to see such love for our good old Dutch "granny bikes" (yes, we actually call them that here) overseas. They are real workhorses that will serve you for decades if you look after them. Most people here ride a beat-up old one though, not such a fancy one with all the gears etc. That would get stolen in a minute. Those rear circle locks really don't deter any thief here btw, you need a big heavy-duty chain lock, too, and then still lock your bike to a solid object like a railing or lamp post with it!
But, no back paddle brakes? Those are much more common here on such city bikes. The wires from the handlebar-type brakes get damaged so quickly when you pull your bike out of a tangle of other bikes in a parking area, or somebody else pulls theirs out and the handlebars get stuck and rip the wires off. But way to go for promoting "our" classic, sturdy, commuter city bikes! -
Can anyone explain to me why the handlebars are this shape? How are they better than conventional flat bars?
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I noticed that a lot of bike tester are cycling on bikes with the saddle far too low, which can cause knee problems over time an reduces the cycling capicity with 12% . The right hight is very easy to measure. Sitting on the saddle with the peddle all the way down, the knee still has to be slightly bent.
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because they like to think they are riding a Hog motorbike.......... muricans!!!
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the biggest problem with most city bikes, in my opinion, is that they have very uncomfortably positioned handlebars... your wrists are angled in a very unnatural position
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Oh ya and I'm 45.... : )
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Fantastic - would you be able to make a video showing ALL the specs on the Oma, as well as the Toer Populair T8 please. I live in Canada and there are no dutch bike retailers here. I'm 5'2" and 128-135lbs. Depending on the day lol. But really if you could that would really help me make my decision easier!
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2:30 the front is made for beer crates . and no that is not a lie
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What is the price pint on an OPA? I like these bikes!
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That only goes for those living in a mill.
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you oversees guys make me chuckle when you talk about European bikes. To us, they are the most normal thing in the world. Anyway... keep up the "good work" over there. I wish you're company all the best of luck end much success.
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No, we like colours just like anyone else. Black is seen as VERY traditional, and I personally like a bit more colour on the streets!
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