Roadster (bicycle)

As a Dutch bike ( bicycle or Holland ), is referred to bicycles Dutch design, in particular, are characterized by an upright seating position of the driver and have a reputation for being particularly sturdy and high quality. Characteristic are full chain guard and rear - side cover.

Typing

Dutch bikes are a stable and comfortable bike genre that enjoys great popularity even outside the Netherlands, in Germany especially in the cities of the Northwest and on the Frisian Islands.

History

At the beginning of the history of the bicycle in the Netherlands was the import of wheels from the major European countries such as France, England and Germany who claimed the path of the bicycle with their developments. A separate Dutch bicycle production started in 1869 with the workshop of Henricus Burgers from Deventer, then emerged in the 80s of the 19th century, however, in rapid succession other manufacturers. The wheels produced leaned in close to the English model of - the original Dutch bike was thus initially a copy of the English bicycle.

The predicate Nederlandsch Fabrikaat only came on in the 20s, after the bike form specific features Dutch began to emerge in the early 20th century. Characteristic of this was a rather conservative attitude of the Dutch producers who put less on innovation than on quality and durability. This development was supported by the Dutch geography with its flat landscape and the close-knit, well-developed road network. In addition, it was important the wide acceptance of the bicycle in the Dutch society as an everyday means of transportation and not just for people in the form of city wheels (Dutch Stadsfiets or Omafiets ) - forerunner of today's city bikes - but also for goods in the form of transport wheels ( Dutch Bakfiets ).

Special

The typical Dutch bike with his claim of stability, low maintenance and high level of comfort has some technical features that have survived to this day:

• The frame of the Damenrads often ( colloquially known as " granny frame " (Dutch Omafiets ) ) the form of the so-called Holland arc, which is characterized by a straight down tube and an easy- bent, pulled up top tube. The gents used the typical diamond frame.

The frame shape of ladies bicycle frame is also referred to as a " goose neck ."

• Ladies and gents in common is the relatively flat steering head angle of about 65 °, which causes an excellent straight-line stability. The steering itself is relatively close to the body, resulting in a only slightly inclined, comfortable sitting posture that relieves the arms and hands. In addition, usually comes a strong sprung leather saddle.

• In the flat Netherlands it took until gearshifts found their way into the wheels. Essentially IGH were then fitted to the top Fichtel and Sachs or Sturmey - Archer three-speed circuits. In the Netherlands many wheels with coaster brake without additional hand brake as specified in Germany, sold nowadays. The classical three-speed Sturmey - Archer circuit of today operates under Sun Race, which can be disassembled without special tools and is manufactured virtually unchanged since 1922, is still current; However, today the three-, five-and seven-speed hub gears, the manufacturer SRAM and Shimano on the rise.

• In the Netherlands, mainly coming drum brakes on front and rear wheel hubs are used, which are operated partly by rail instead of by cable. For export to Germany certain Dutch bikes they are usually equipped by the manufacturer with coaster brake. An optimum combination of front drum brake and pedal brake is only occasionally offered as an export model, but can be retrofitted on their own. When you own imports of wheels with brake rod there can be problems, because in Germany the front and rear brakes must be operable separately.

• The tire and rim size of most Dutch bikes is 28 "( 28 inches), and this can mean two different sizes: 622 mm rim diameter ( -622 ... ETRTO ), the widely used 28 " standard size
• 635 mm rim diameter (37 ... 42-635 ETRTO ), a typical Dutch size, which is usually a 28 ", as well as 28 ½, 27 ½ or 27 inches respectively. During this size, there is only a limited selection of tires and rims.

• The dynamo used in many Holland wheels only the power of the spotlight, while the rear light is powered by batteries. This variant is found increasingly in recent years, even for models that are sold in Germany, bearing in mind that this does not comply with the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations, according to which both the headlight and the tail light are powered by a dynamo with power need. A simple conversion to a dynamo powered tail light is also not possible because these Dutch bikes have hub dynamos with 2.4 watts of power instead of 3 watts. One of the Road Traffic appropriate conversion would thus make the replacement of the front wheel is required, although the 2.4 watts when using modern LED lights sufficient comfortable.

• Another feature of the Dutch bikes is the porter. While other bikes often have a metallic strap, three rubber bands are used in Holland wheels typically, which are stretched from the hub of the rear wheel on the rack. The metal hangers are also referred to as spring dampers which are either permanently installed at the factory or can also be retrofitted.

• Important for the maintenance of poverty Dutch bikes also is the closed chain guard, which is traditionally made ​​of moleskin. For several years, in addition to the classic Moleskinkettenschutz are also those made of ABS plastic installed, which can be removed without much effort or tool use. In parallel to the chain guard made ​​of fabric and protective boxes made ​​of sheet steel were previously installed, the dismantling and assembly were much easier to perform. For cost reasons, especially since they were painted in the color of the frame, sometimes even with decorative lines in white or gold-colored version, they seem to have been replaced by the uniform Moleskinkästen. In addition, a loud rattling noise was at a low chain tension, especially on bad roads, is generated. My weight was also significantly higher. Classic Moleskinbespannungen be a combination of an under -mounted steel wire, which is guided by a zipper -like, mutually designed staples and secured by several push-button closures. By -mounted voltage trim a smooth surface is achieved when properly assembled. But due to the tension tearing the surface at a slightly mechanical injury and allows contamination of the bicycle chain. The top of the classic chain case is reinforced by a chromium-plated sheet metal part. Very old wheels upmarket special Moleskinschützer were used. The fabric thickness was significantly thicker, the pressing shutter buttons were strengthened to enable even after many years disassembly without damaging the fabric. The bottom was not provided with the wire metal ring version, you had two vulcanized hard rubber strips that were weatherproof mounted on the tongue and groove principle by joining together. The upper end strip of chrome-plated metal sheet is identical to those available today. As a new part these designs are just to get from legacy sporadically. After dismounting the Moleskinmantels a metal frame can be seen, which is screwed by a bracket on the rear axle as well as a fixture on the frame behind the chain wheel fixed to the bicycle frame. The mounting parts and the metal frame of the Moleskinbespannung are usually galvanized to achieve many years of corrosion protection. You can also replace defective Moleskin chain cases by information from ABS plastic. There are mounting kits with the required attachments in the Dutch dealers. They fit often for both 28-inch and 26-inch frosted for bicycles. Behind the bottom bracket is on the right at the fork blade holder with either a screw soldered to screw the chain case holder firmly to the frame or mounted to a universal mounting. Conversion to ABS enclosures is often done to save in the case of a defective bicycle tube on the rear wheel of time. ABS- box consisting of two or three parts, which are fastened with four self-tapping screws. The upper and lower half of the box is carefully pulled apart and slipped from the top or from the bottom of the bicycle chain. Then, the two housing halves are inserted into each other. A galvanized sheet metal plug- in T-shape is pushed with the hollow bulge on the longer side to the dissolved rear axle. The two shorter sides, two holes are drilled. The upper and lower housing halves are pushed and screwed through these holes. Now the chain case is aligned by carefully moving until the chain no longer grinds. Finally, the rear axle nut is tightened. Meanwhile, it is the ABS chain lockers painted on their own in the color of the frame. For this purpose, the surface is degreased, eg with brake cleaner, and with Plastic Primer primed colorless. After that, a primer is applied and finally finish painted with a color of your choice. Special versions are completely outside geradflächig to place a promotional text or an advertising logo conspicuous.

• The particular durability and timelessness of the Dutch bikes is reflected also in the overall resale value. A well maintained, used Markenhollandrad loses even after years of only little of its value and quickly finds a new buyer.

Dutch bike manufacturer

Leader and by far the largest Dutch bicycle manufacturer is the company Gazelle from Dieren, followed by Batavus. Other well-known manufacturers are Sparta and Union. More recently, innovative Hollandradhersteller have come onto the market, whose focus is on high quality and also carry custom-made according to customer's wheels in the program, such as Azor ( Hoogeveen ) and WorkCycles ( Amsterdam). There are a number of small specialty manufacturers who produce cargo bikes or work wheels, eg Bakfiets.nl (produced by Azor ) and Nijland (classic " Bakfiets " Lastentrad with leaf springs).