SvenMN 

Two weeks ago my wife and I had a fascinating visit with Linda and Peter van de Klundert at their full service bicycle shop in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. My reason for the visit was to inquire about a Belgian bicycle I purchased several years ago here in the United States. Thanks to input from numerous members here on C&V the frame was attributed to Peter, and the completed bicycle supposedly was built and sold by the Hakima Cycles shop in Belgium.

While Peter's English was far better than my non-existent Dutch, Linda was gladly able to help with the translating. Peter recognized the pictures on my wife's iPad immediately, and confirmed he had built the frame for Hakima Cycles. I asked about the time-frame and he responded "about 1990", which differs from the original owners estimate of "mid-80s". An astute member here made the comment recently that the frame and paint looked to be about 1990... Great observation! Peter was very curious about how the bike ended up in Minnesota, USA!

Linda smiled and congratulated me on owning a truly custom frame. I think I was smiling a lot too. Dumb luck that the frame truly fits me, as it was a "custom" for someone else. Must have been another gangly Scandinavian. My pro fitter checked me on the bike and pronounced "I wouldn't change a thing".

The bike:


(More pictures to follow.)

Italuminium

Awesome! Is he still building? Enjoy your stay in the Netherlands! are you on holiday here?

non-fixie 

Great! Thanks for the update.

SvenMN 

I am unhappy I forgot the better camera and had to attempt some pictures from my wife's iPad. So, sorry in advance about the poor picture quality.

While we chatted with Linda, Peter kept bringing bikes up from the basement for me to check out. They were all clearly too small for me and too large for my wife or we would likely have a package in transit.

This is Peter with a prized frame built by his father Jaak in the early 70's:


Here is an 80s bike with their shop name Sirocco:


Peter also showed me a youth race bike that his son's had used some time in the past... a really cool single-speed. We talked a little about the recent CX championship held early this year in Hoogerheide and he mentioned that his sons did quite well in the Junior races.

Truly a memorable experience with some very nice people!!

Bryan

SvenMN 

Just back last Thursday... Had a fantastic time in The Netherlands, Belgium and France. Both my wife and I participated in the big event in Rotterdam on 13 April. Celebrating being 60 with my last long one!

We stopped by the shop on the way to our holiday in Normandy and Brittany. Great stop!!

I believe he is still building, or at least can assist with a custom frame of your choice.

SvenMN 

@non-fixie

I think it was you that suggested it was closer to 1990 vintage. Great eye! Thanks!

Italuminium

Awesome Sven! Sounds like a great trip. Was that the Marathon you did in Rotterdam? Must be great, one of my long term goals is to run it one day, but so far, my transition from cycling to running a bit more seriously hasn't been great. Maybe I'll get there when I'm 60

Wildwood 

Congrats on the trip and connecting with the builder.
I know you Minnesotans are hardy folk, but wider tires in the snow makes it much easier.

non-fixie 

Love this picture! Thanks for sharing it.

SvenMN 

@Italuminium
My wife did the 10K and I did the 42K, a memorable experience to close my running career. Don't rush into it... My legs are appreciating the shift to more cycling over the last few years.

We spent 5 days in Holland and enjoyed the contrast compared to the cycling culture here. This is the Amsterdam equivalent to our family mini-van:



And this is a "parking lot" near the Rijks Museum, quite different from the multi story car parking ramps near the Minneapolis museums.

SvenMN 

Not entirely sure that I can fit a fat tire wheel set into this Dutch frame.

fabiofarelli

Windy1

I know this thread is over 10 years old, but I just found it. I, too, have a Hakima—-basically a completely preserved NOS frame and fork from the mid-80’s. This one was a true “barn find” . Never built up and still wrapped in the protective paper when I got it. All the chrome (fork, chainstay, dropouts) is perfect and un-pitted.
I would like to contact Peter in the Netherlands who built this bike. Does anyone know how?
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

fabiofarelli

Try here, I did get an answer.

Windy1

Hi,
thanks for the tip!

SvenMN 

Glad to see that Linda and Peter's Sirocco Bicycles venture is still going strong! Super nice people. I still enjoy wearing the jersey Linda sold me.

My Hakima is hanging in the shop... I am putting in more cycling miles than ever but not so much on the vintage steel. Been thinking of shipping the frame back for a repaint in the Sirocco livery.

Bryan