Dawes Brighton Dutch bicycle

[grantoury]

As someone who has raced "Dutch" bicycles through the city all his life, I have to disagree. A bicycle is an incredibly efficient way to travel. And a chainguard doesn't make a bicycle slower, just more durable. Bauke Mollema became a pro cyclist because he used to pass everyone on his bicycle riding home from school, so someone said to him he should try joining the local club.

 

[Dicky71]

As someone who has raced "Dutch" bicycles through the city all his life, I have to disagree. A bicycle is an incredibly efficient way to travel. And a chainguard doesn't make a bicycle slower, just more durable. Bauke Mollema became a pro cyclist because he used to pass everyone on his bicycle riding home from school, so someone said to him he should try joining the local club.

It's not the type of bike that inspires one to "race" around town or down to the shops. They have the sitting geometry alike a 1972 Bedford van and often weigh about 15-20kgs.
Intresting curiousa about Bauke Mollema. He has won a few prestigious races and now we know why.

 

[grantoury]

I think if you grow up on these kind of bicycles you are inclined to have a different view.

 

[Mark Manley]

A "dutch" bike is a utility bike, used to ride around town or to the shops or work. There is absolutly nothing "sporty" about them. Just take a look at that chainguard, a bicycle repairmans nightmare. Just sayin.

I am sure this chap would make light work of it.

 

[Dicky71]

I think if you grow up on these kind of bicycles you are inclined to have a different view.

The view i have of them is they are meant to be ridden at a liesurely pace to work, the shops or anywhere that isn't too hilly or too far.

 

[Dicky71]

I am sure this chap would make light work of it.

He hasn't been challenged by a modern plastic Batavus chainguard. They are nearly as intricate as performing heart by-pass surgery. You need a steady hand and a cool head. Real karma killers IMO.

 

[Mark Manley]

He hasn't been challenged by a modern plastic Batavus chainguard. They are nearly as intricate as performing heart by-pass surgery. You need a steady hand and a cool head. Real karma killers IMO.

That did take a bit of working out but I got there in the end without wrecking anything, the press in bottom bracket was another matter, never knew they existed on such an old bike.

 

[Imlach]

A "dutch" bike is a utility bike, used to ride around town or to the shops or work. There is absolutly nothing "sporty" about them. Just take a look at that chainguard, a bicycle repairmans nightmare. Just sayin.

They're as sporty as the person riding them

 

[Imlach]

A "dutch" bike is a utility bike, used to ride around town or to the shops or work. There is absolutly nothing "sporty" about them. Just take a look at that chainguard, a bicycle repairmans nightmare. Just sayin.

And let's add to this that a "utilitarian" bike should never be used as a negative term. That is the more pure and genuine form of bicycle, I can appreciate the sportsmanship and ingenuity behind race specific bikes, but they represent a niche. End of day what get's you to where you want to be is heavenly - just ask Heinz.



Now, is this sporty in the sense of speed and all that nonsense? No. Is it sporty in the sense of having traversed the world in a way most of us thought not possible? Yes.

 

[Mark Manley]

And let's add to this that a "utilitarian" bike should never be used as a negative term. That is the more pure and genuine form of bicycle, I can appreciate the sportsmanship and ingenuity behind race specific bikes, but they represent a niche. End of day what get's you to where you want to be is heavenly - just ask Heinz.

View attachment 951754

Now, is this sporty in the sense of speed and all that nonsense? No. Is it sporty in the sense of having traversed the world in a way most of us thought not possible? Yes.

I was in India last summer heading from Manali up to Leh, I had chickened out of riding as the road goes over a 4,000 metre pass and had taken a bus with my bike on the roof when we overtook a man riding an old fashioned single speed bike flying an Indian flag with rice sacks for luggage, a week later I was riding around Leh when he went past me in the other direction and apart from a wave I did not get the chance to speak to the rider and hear his story.