Getting a Dutch Bike from the Netherlands to the US?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Getting a Dutch Bike from the Netherlands to the US?
My husband has always loved the Dutch commuting bikes and he is planning on riding on our nearby trailway to teach summer school. Is it crazy to get a used Dutch bike from the Netherlands and have it shipped? Are there bike brokers that might help us purchase a good bike, package and ship as a service?
#2
Senior Member
If you are buying from a bike shop check with them. Bike shops do ship international. But not all.
$250+ to get it here.
I was looking at a bike and the place that has the best price currently is in Jakarta. And that includes the $300 shipping.
$250+ to get it here.
I was looking at a bike and the place that has the best price currently is in Jakarta. And that includes the $300 shipping.
#3
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
Are you looking to import because you just can't find one in stock here? I had an impression that you couldn't throw a rock in Brooklyn without hitting a bakfiets but maybe that fad is passed.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#4
Junior Member
#5
Full Member
Here is one site with recommendations for shipping a bike. I think we used Bike Flights when returning from France. It was our own bikes and we packed them there. But bike store are more than happy to charge for this service.
#6
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,515
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,395 Times
in
2,056 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,671
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,988 Times
in
1,776 Posts
That said, the purchase experience working with Steven as the Amsterdam Bicycle Company was really easy. He was responsive and informative. Now I'm just about a month out from the bike arriving.
Not cheap but they have a rep for lasting forever and so I think the price was well worth it.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think the omafiets were really big a few years ago. We just thought that it made sense to go with a used high quality Dutch bike rather than a "Dutch adjacent" new bike made in China but designed in Brooklyn.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,671
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,988 Times
in
1,776 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Groningen
Posts: 1,308
Bikes: Gazelle rod brakes, Batavus compact, Peugeot hybrid
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5998 Post(s)
Liked 956 Times
in
730 Posts
Yep, my first thought was go new like I did. But the OP said used so I didn't go there.
That said, the purchase experience working with Steven as the Amsterdam Bicycle Company was really easy. He was responsive and informative. Now I'm just about a month out from the bike arriving.
Not cheap but they have a rep for lasting forever and so I think the price was well worth it.
That said, the purchase experience working with Steven as the Amsterdam Bicycle Company was really easy. He was responsive and informative. Now I'm just about a month out from the bike arriving.
Not cheap but they have a rep for lasting forever and so I think the price was well worth it.
Buying used makes sense, if it is a proper Dutch bike with the proper build quality, and not just Dutch looking or just assembled in The Netherlands. But I don't think many used bike sellers have the infrastructure for it. Used Dutch bikes get to the 100-300 euro range very quickly here and shipping costs just as high might be a bit uncomfortable. Shipping is a quite a bit of work if it's a first for the used bike shop. I don't think it will work.
I'd say get a good used Dutch bike for 400-500 dollar in the USA, or spend the 1500 or a bit more to get exactly the bike he wants of high quality and let him and future generations enjoy it. It will last. Azors are actually quite cheap for the hand build quality they provide.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,671
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,988 Times
in
1,776 Posts
I pretty much upgraded everything I could as well as picking a custom color. I expect this to last a long. long time and also wanted it to be a fully capable as I could make it.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
Likes For jamesdak:
#14
Senior Member
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,272
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4257 Post(s)
Liked 1,357 Times
in
942 Posts
[QUOTE=StarBiker;22077920]Oh that thought crossed my mind. So did the ability to get my money back if I made the purchase./QUOTE]
It's odd to make a post about something that is certainly a scam and one where one wouldn't be able to get money back.
It should have also crossed your mind that talking about it isn't helpful.
It's odd to make a post about something that is certainly a scam and one where one wouldn't be able to get money back.
It should have also crossed your mind that talking about it isn't helpful.
#16
Senior Member
[QUOTE=njkayaker;22077931][QUOTE=StarBiker;22077920]Oh that thought crossed my mind. So did the ability to get my money back if I made the purchase./QUOTE]
It's odd to make a post about something that is certainly a scam and one where one wouldn't be able to get money back.
It should have also crossed your mind that talking about it isn't helpful.[/QUOTE
12 thousand posts........
It's odd to make a post about something that is certainly a scam and one where one wouldn't be able to get money back.
It should have also crossed your mind that talking about it isn't helpful.[/QUOTE
12 thousand posts........
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 2,896
Bikes: Workcycles FR8, 2016 Jamis Coda Comp, 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Dutch bikes have their purpose, but as a gift for your husband he should really ride one first. They are heavy and slow and if you live in hilly terrain they are not ideal. However they are great bikes.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,706
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
Delta dropped their surcharge for bikes that then became treated as an extra suitcase. I am not sure whether this became the case for other airlines in their alliance, KLM and Air France. We had a right to an extra free suitcase in our flight to Europe and Delta then just took the bike we wanted to move across for free. In the past we used a cargo option that flies at a hugely reduced price when the shipping is within a few days from the flight. The boxes for packing the bikes can be obtained for free or very cheaply at bike shops. Even though this has not come up, I would strongly advise against dealing with shippers over water for smaller items - the variety of out of the blue surcharges make it a scam for practical purposes.