why don't they sell these in the US?
#52
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Less so when looking past the hip guys on their favorite steeds and hobby horses, and taking a gander at those using bicycles because they need to use them to get to their destination be it school, work, or pleasure.
#53
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My 12 mile commute is on roads with 40+ mph motor traffic, where I sometimes take the lane. (no bike lane or ride-able shoulder)
I can tell you from experience that the few MPH advantage that a speedier bike offers makes the experience much more pleasant.
So yeah, that different horses thing.
#54
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Agreed. My commuting route is almost completely flat, but it's 12.5 miles each way, and I wouldn't want to do it on a Dutch bike. I bet most Dutch commutes are much shorter than that.
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#55
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A Dutch roadster works for me because I like to sit up in comfort, gliding over terrible surfaces and taking it easy on a bike that's able to take lots of abuse with almost no maintenance.
#56
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Good points, @kickstart. I'm concerned not just with effort but with time. I don't know how much time it would cost me to ride a Dutch bike, but it might be as much as ten minutes. It currently takes me about 70 minutes each way, and I'd rather not add to it. But I think I will rebuild one of my bikes Dutch style this year, for errands.
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#57
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The difference in speed between my Gazelle and my Ross Porteur is less than 5 minutes if I hit all the lights just right, if not there is no difference.
Last edited by kickstart; 02-13-15 at 02:40 PM.
#58
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Speaking from experience, taking a road or mountain bike and making it over in the "Dutch style" will produce an excellent utility bike, but lacking the geometry and extra 10" of wheelbase of a true Dutch/roadster bike, it won't have the unique magic carpet ride that makes them special.
The difference in speed between my Gazelle and my Ross Porteur is less than 5 minutes if I hit all the lights just right, if not there is no difference.
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PS: The perfect commuting bike is the one you want to ride.
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Speaking from experience, taking a road or mountain bike and making it over in the "Dutch style" will produce an excellent utility bike, but lacking the geometry and extra 10" of wheelbase of a true Dutch/roadster bike, it won't have the unique magic carpet ride that makes them special.
The difference in speed between my Gazelle and my Ross Porteur is less than 5 minutes if I hit all the lights just right, if not there is no difference.
The difference in speed between my Gazelle and my Ross Porteur is less than 5 minutes if I hit all the lights just right, if not there is no difference.
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one of the local bike shops has had a bike much like that for almost 4 years now. Nobody is interested
#63
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Here in my suburbs, majority of commuters that I've seen are riding mountain bikes and hybrids.
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#66
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I'm just looking for a bike that like the one trek makes for here in denmark...since I happen to like it and my brother in law wanted something similar...and when we went to look, we couldn't find it on the shelves anywhere...there are plenty of folding bikes on the US market, but they are expensive...and that just isn't an option for some of us...
so, has anyone seen anything on the normal market that is similar to the ST720 - Trek Bicycle on the US market...we just don't have the disposable cash to build up something from a new bike or the time to bring something old back to life.
so, has anyone seen anything on the normal market that is similar to the ST720 - Trek Bicycle on the US market...we just don't have the disposable cash to build up something from a new bike or the time to bring something old back to life.
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probaly most of y'all'll know this already, but i picked a complimentary mag called "momentum" at a bike shop that seemed to specialise in commuter/city type bikes. it might have just been the issue i happened to get, but if not, that would probaly be a good sourse to what's available in the u.s.
FYI,the bike manufacturers make what sells. I've noticed numerous folks here who like the Euro-style bikes tend to complain about new stuff and hold onto their old stuff forever. Meanwhile,the roadies and MTBikers are getting new rides as soon as the latest-and-greatest comes out. If you owned a business,which group would you play to?
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#68
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All that is true, but there are plenty of city-oriented bikes here in downtown Manhattan. It's a shame HUB Cycles closed, because that was their specialty. Still, it proved that there is a demand. I think well run shops could make a profit selling them. And it also proved that there is sufficient variety already present in the US market. HUB Cycles made Linus what it is today, having once been the biggest Linus retailer. They carried Biria, Van Moof, and lots of other brands I can't remember. Also, Breezer is a brand that sells practical bikes that look like they're made to last.
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#69
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Fair enough that it isn't the commuter that you want...but that doesn't mean that it isn't good for someone else...apart from CPH, I've bike commuted in CA, OR, WA, and MN...and none of them had the same effect on a bike. I think part of it is cobblestones, but the other part is the way of life...most bikes are left uncovered outside all the time here. I can't bring my bike inside here (it isn't allowed by the hoa)...so that probably doesn't help...but the exact same bike (I shipped it along with my furniture) that did just fine for more than a year in minneapolis (literally still looked almost new) died in about three months here, and not for lack of maintenance...and yes horses for courses, and in this case I happen to have had a half dozen different 'courses' over the years where this style of bike would have been great. And if that was my experience, then others probably share it too...not to mention that the original impotice for my post was wanting a bike for someone who has a similar commute...
Sorry, I find that a little hard to believe. Perhaps the rust problems started well before you left MN and just weren't visible yet. Anyway, that is one reason my bike has an aluminum frame. Still, lots of people commute year round on steel bikes without them disintegrating. Leaving the bike outside in the cold might be preferable as it slows down the corrosion.
#70
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Another point I should've made;from what I understand,the Dutch keep their streets pretty clean. I've had several Euro bikes come into my clinic needing flat repair or rear tire replacement. Not fun when removing your rear wheel takes multiple tools and requires you to keep track of parts. One that's been into my clinic a couple times even required me to remove part of the chain guard to get a good enough look at the Nexus hub to adjust the shifting. Guess they'd never heard of inspection windows. Flats are rare for me,but no way I'd want a simple flat repair to turn into a project.
The metal chaincases on my Robin Hood, and Flying Pigeon are a little less convenient,
FYI,the bike manufacturers make what sells. I've noticed numerous folks here who like the Euro-style bikes tend to complain about new stuff and hold onto their old stuff forever. Meanwhile,the roadies and MTBikers are getting new rides as soon as the latest-and-greatest comes out. If you owned a business,which group would you play to?
#71
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[/QUOTE]so my question is: why doesn't a market like Portland or New York or San Francisco, etc. support the sale of this type of bike in the US?[/QUOTE]
Because why would you want a commuter that doesn't have drop bars?
Because why would you want a commuter that doesn't have drop bars?
#72
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I was frustrated by the fact than not a single dealer in the Seattle area stocked them, but that said, I got my Gazelle from Calhoun in Minneapolis because Seattle Dutch bikes no longer stocks Dutch bikes.
#73
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Originally Posted by matimeo
Because why would you want a commuter that doesn't have drop bars?
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