The Batavus BUB
The Batavus BUB is the classic omafiets-meets-Rem Koolhaus. Expressively modern, the Batavus BUB (Batavus Utility Bike) deconstructs the classic Batavus omafiets while constructing a more cosmopolitan – yet equally iconic – iteration of the classic Batavus bike. True to the essence of the original, classic Batavus bike, the BUB keeps clothing clean, the rider comfortable, and maintenance to an absolute minimum while eschewing nostalgia. The Batavus BUB design presupposes the currents present in Dutch architecture, urbanism, and contemporary design and establishes itself as a new icon.
Shaped like a bent paper clip, the BUB incorporates a single bent tube representing the top and bottom tube of the bicycle. Front and rear carriers are optional extras that are custom built for the BUB, integrating function into the pure form of the bike. Like the first Smartcar design which allowed an inter-changeability of panels for personal expression, the BUB has several non-essential areas in the frame that can be colour-coded for the pure fun of it. But frivolous extras are hardly the point. The BUB is pure Dutch function incorporating a radical new form. This interplay of function and form pays homage to the classic Batavus bike while representing the need for a lighter, affordable, and urbane solution. Whereas the North American bicycle industry is still playing catch-up with the classic Batavus bike from 1905, the Batavus BUB is a stand-alone product and an instant icon.
The BUB is not for everyone, yet it remains a bike that is fundamentally missing in North America. Unlike the suburbanite, the North American urbanite is a creature who occupies a small space of intense activity – easily multitasked by bicycle. The BUB is not a commuter bike for suburban-to-urban cyclists, it is a tool that negotiates one’s tightly packed urban radius, from brunch to shopping trips, formal events, late night bike-abouts, and yes, work also. It’s a bike for the urban flaneur and the practical no-nonsense urbanite who wants to maximize enjoyment and health – in minimalist style.
Best of all, the BUB is affordable. At a mere $550 the BUB is pure Dutch quality. Everything is present. The chain is completely covered. The gears and brakes are completely internal. The riding position is straight-up, allowing for clear safety sightlines and less visits to the chiropractor. The frame is light enough to take indoors, but durable enough to be stored outside all year in a tough Northeast winter. Like an Eames chair, the design is thoroughly urbane, recalling the clever tricks of Dutch architects and a measure of frivolity admist stern Calvinist practicality. A smashing success in previews throughout Europe, the BUB challenges North American designers to innovate function into form while pushing the native Dutch bike industry to challenge its inbred insularity.
The BUB will be available this Spring at a bicycle store near you. Orders are already being placed. The North American launch takes place on September 22 at Interbike in Las Vegas. For more pictures, check out our travel photos from our recent trip to Utrecht.
UPDATE: more photos from the North American debut at Interbike can be seen here!
Beautiful! Love the single bent tube. Reminds me of the old Sparta bikes from Holland.
Wow, totally cool bike. Did you see the small plastic parts……you can customize the bub in your personal color setting !! way to gogogo.
sweeeeeeeeeeeeet .. totally cool design .. and lots of options !!!!!!! bub rules
The comparison is a big compliment for Koolhaas!
lovin’ the BUB! my sugarpie and I were talking about the design and think that batavus should consider offering it as a kids model. light, cheap, full features (rack, fenders, lights) and just like mommy or daddy’s bike – how cool would that be. maybe batavus could still keep the little plastic coloured pieces too – but make them a little more fun with kid-centred prints too?
cant wait to ride one!
cheers!
Hey SC. You know, that’s not a bad idea. Batavus dumped the Personal Bike kids model last year, even though I loved it. I can see why though. Kids outgrow bikes fast and the price tag on that model was pretty steep. The BUB would be significantly less money but still get the kids on a bike they remember.
[...] “paper clip” look to it but holds all the function and design that we know of Batavus. From Bespoke : The Batavus BUB is the classic omafiets-meets-Rem Koolhaus. Expressively modern, the Batavus BUB [...]
[...] are the very fortunate recipients of a pair of prototype Batavus BuB bikes (that you may have seen at Interbike). These bikes will make the rounds and reviews to a few [...]
I Was thinking of getting a personal delivery for winter, but the BUB has me all bubbly… too bad its coming spring, and a Kids model would be wicked!
i’d love to test one. if they ever need a test rider for winter i’m game.
Cheers!
Yes please on a kids model!
As for the BuB, considered me intrigued, and I love the price point, but oy, good luck marketing a coaster brake only adult bike in the North American market. Are you sure about that? I not saying that it doesn’t work for the bike (the Dutch don’t seem to mind), but I’ve drunk deeply of the Dutch bike koolaid and I’d still want a front hub brake, at least.
And more gears (doh!). But I live in Seattle, in the hilly wet. Maybe a North American model?
Hey Julian, thanks for the comment!
I think my next post will be an ode to the coaster brake. I love coaster brakes! How else can a Dutch Mom ride with two kids on the bike, a load of groceries, and still be able to hold a coffee or talk on the cell phone? Coaster brakes! One hand is free to sip an Americano while the world slips gently by. And, its lower maintenance to boot. Sure, it has a few problems, but none that can’t easily be adapted too. I wonder sometimes if the North American hesitation around coaster brakes doesn’t arise from a childhood vestige. In Holland one never ‘grows up’ into a handbrake equipped bike, whereas in North America part of ‘growing up’ means moving to a bigger wheeled bike with more gears, and of course, handbrakes. This probably also explains why most ‘grown-up’ bikes today now have 33 speeds, hydraulic disk brakes and all sort of other silly gizmo’s that never really made life all that much better.
However, Seattle does certainly require more gears (I visit often…watching the fixed gear kids climb those hills makes my knees sore). I can tell you we’re working on it. I am off to Holland in a month to preview the new seven speed BuB with double drum brakes. I wanted it to have coasters, but alas, no one agrees with me!
-Eric
[...] It was great to see traditional Dutch bike designs at the show from companies like Gazelle, Batavus, and others. In addition to the traditional Dutch omafiets and bakfeits, it was good to see updated designs like the BUB from Batavus. As they say on the bespoke blog: [...]
[...] at LGRAB are hosting a Summer Games with some really cool prizes from their sponsors including a Batavus BuB city bike. The competition is made up three categories: social, learning, and new territory. [...]