Dutch design bicycles are famed for their low maintenance and high quality. While “Dutch style” bikes are nothing new, certain well known brands have always been missing from the line-up. A new site called And Dutch has just changed that. I caught up with the founder, Gert-Jan Baan (How Dutch does that name sound?), to find out why we should be interested.
A quick look on the And Dutch site reveals a couple of striking designs..
The Vanhulsteijn Cyclone – yes, you can actually ride this bike!
The Vanmoof No.3 – one of those bikes you can’t help but keep looking at!
However, these so called “high-end” designs are not really at the heart of what And Dutch is about. What Gert-Jan Baan has achieved is to hand pick a selection of high quality, genuine and long trusted Dutch bike brands to the UK cyclist. These are functional bikes for those of us who want to enjoy a smooth, hassle free ride and not worry about the maintenance.
What you’ll find are designs that will save space, save money, last forever and help you live car free. Take for example the Beixo with its chainless design and folding handlebars. Something that anyone who’s spent time bumping into their bike’s handlebars in the hallway will appreciate. The Burgers Cargo range which comes in both child and adult size is a true testament to the Dutch attitude of doing everything by bike.
Asking Gert-Jan Baan what he thought would be the main seller on the site he thought the classic retro style bikes are bound to be popular.
Gert-Jan Baan also thinks there’s a big market for corporate bicycles. Say for example if a company buys a fleet of bikes for their workforce as Ikea recently did in America. Therefore the site will also be catering to this need.
Current the way the company works is to ship over the bike from the Netherlands. For £45 extra the bike can be assembled for you in a London based bike shop. Gert-Jan Baan is also hopeful to have a number of bikes available for test rides in the near future.
It’s still early days for And Dutch and I’m hopeful that we will be hearing much more from the company bringing the Dutch bike revolution to the UK. You can follow their progress on Facebook and Twitter.
Full disclaimer: And Dutch is currently an advertiser on London Cyclist. Rather than just shove a banner in the sidebar I like to connect with my advertisers and find out what they have to really offer to London Cyclist readers.
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The Vanhulsteijn Cyclone looks like one of those early 19th century designs, and the Vanmoof No.3 has a similar geometry to the bamboo bike. Although it has to be said the Vanmoof No.3 is far more clunky.
Have you tried out the Vanmoof? Be interested in hearing more..
Full disclaimer – for the interest of your blog’s reputation, you should also mention that top quality Dutch bikes have been available in London for many years, most notably at a famous shop in Grat Titchfield St (which rhymes with institution), which has also been selling the VanMoof since inception
Velorution! Of course – one of my favourite London bike shops also has a good range of Dutch style bikes
I would also like to add that Really Useful Bikes near Bristol sell Gazelle and Workcycles Dutch bikes, amongst many others, and provide an excellent service. http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/
i hate to say it but also, you can get decently priced second hand Dutch bikes from a lovely place under the arches in Brighton, very close indeed to the station (you go under the arch bridge thing that’s directly outside the station – next to the old toys museum). There’s a dutch guy that runs it but the other folk are Brits. Very sweet and friendly. http://www.amsterdammers.co.uk/.
We had a go on a brilliant 3 seater they now have for rent, it was utterly mental, and they also have a bunch of er… not Mariana… those bikes with massive delivery style boxes on the front that can also ferry kids. Those!
i am interested in the VANHULSTEIJN CYCLONE bike.
can i have details of, werecan i buy one?
i am 5 foot six inches .can i have the bike in my size?
how much dose it cost .
how long it take till delivery ?
best regards ELLI.
The Vanmoof is a joy to ride (they sell them next door to my apartment), although I do not find them particularly attractive to look at. Plus, my standover is a bit short (I am 5’9″ with a 31″ inseam) for the Vanmoof. It is nice to see something different on the road, certainly. The Vanhulsteijn Cyclone? I want one!! They say they can make them for nearly any body size so I would be interested in seeing one to fit my standover. $2300 is a lot to pay for a minimalist bike, but it is a head-turner and the rumor is that the ride is a dream.