The Batavus Breukelen
Dutch bikes are iconic, and the classic omafiets is burned as an archetype in the mind of anyone who thinks of a Dutch bike. Alas, this is a mistake.
Companies who are making faux imitations of Dutch bikes have gravitated to the classic Dutch omafiets as a default option. Yet the Dutch themselves have long evolved from the classic omafiets. The modern Dutch bike betrays none of the essential properties of the classic Dutch bike, in fact it is the modern evolution of the Dutch bike.
Companies like Batavus who import bikes all over Europe are aware that city bike cultures exist in cities that have greater sprawl, hills, or snow – and they make bikes to suit these environments. As Europe’s most cosmopolitan city bicycle manufacturer, Batavus is constantly adapting the classic Dutch bikes to modern needs – and they have done this again with the Breukelen.
The Breukelen, named after the borough of Brooklyn and the Dutch town after its namesake is a solution to North American sprawl, geography, climate, and at the same time, aesthetics.
The classic Dutch bike is great for certain conditions, but if hills or sprawl are in one’s environment the need for a lighter bike, as well as a bike with more gears is fairly obvious. And no, the Breukelen is not lightweight – it is merely lighter than the classic omafiets. Because the Breukelen is designed for year-round outdoor storage and getting bashed around while locked up the priority is overall durability. It’s ride, like all Dutch bikes, is remarkably efficient. Tuned to the pace of a city, the Breukelen takes you where you need to go in safety completely sweat-free. And its good looking. Really good looking!
The Breukelen may be made for North America but its still a Dutch bike. That means it is made in Holland and features all the essential properties that make a Dutch bike so iconic. The enclosed chainguard keeps your clothing safe and clean. The wheels and seat are bolted down to prevent theft. The brakes, gears, and hub-dynamo are sealed from the elements and are nearly maintenance free. The ride is upright, safe, and comfortable. But unlike the classic omafiets. the Breukelen can climb like a mountain goat and can traverse longer distances with remarkable efficiency. And, like we said, its darn good looking!
Tough Dutch bike indeed. I got mine in October ‘09. In November I/my Breukelen was hit by a car coming up from behind on my left, turning into me. I went flying onto my right hip, skinned my elbow. The bike needed only to have a bent pedal replaced. Unlicensed, uninsured, bogus plates, anxious, medicated driver left the scene. Bike (and owner) take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. I bless its solid construction every day. Still riding in January ‘10, and plan to do the Tour de Brooklyn in June.
[...] is far ahead of the cyclist, creating it’s own effective ‘crumple-zone’ (read the comment at the end of this post on this customers experience on a Batavus Breukelen). On a North American [...]