- Brooks B33 saddles are great, but need a lot of tuning to get them right, and the creaking is slightly annoying
- Being upright is friendlier! A lot more friendly waves and nods from pedestrians and other cyclists
- It's worth going an extra half mile for a cycle route without slow-down slaloms and narrow shared paths
- A bell with a nice friendly light ring is much nicer and feels less rude to use. It feels less like "Oi, get out my way!" and more like "please sir/ma'am, can you move for me"
- Dynamo hub lights give noticeable drag
- A kickstand is amazing, I can't believe I never had one!
- A slower pace is nice, I don't need to race everywhere
- Being upright is safer, the world around me feels more open and I'm more aware
- Weight isn't everything, 20kg with panniers and bike isn't particularly noticeable
- Coaster brakes are a dream, slowing down before a junction is a lot smoother
- Gripper paste is essential when you have a chromed steel seat post in a stiff steel frame
- Older looking bikes attract less attention from thieves. My city is scabby in the centre, and I've noticed locking it outside shops, the local crack heads don't even glance at the bike
I'm loving taking a more casual and light hearted approach to commuter cycling, and it's refreshing when compared to being hunched over a gravel bike. Riding to work, the shops or the pub doesn't feel like a chore, and I can't stop smiling all the way. The UK has a tendency for everyone riding a sporting style bike for getting around, be it a mountain bike or a road bike, and I'm realising a lot of people are missing out on having a bike designed purely for transport in comfort.
by bumblingbartender
9 Comments
Double return each line to format it to a list rather than a full paragraph.
I’m really on the fence about whether to slow down on a bike like this or keep using my super fast road bike. I think it’s fun to be speedy but sure do miss the rear rack on my casual upright bike
Great list and very classy looking bike!
But Heeell no from me to #10, if I never have to use a coaster brake again it will still be too soon!!!
I love a full chaincase, reduces maintenance especially in the winter.
I’d recommend replacing/extending the front mudflap. It’s the same length as the mudguard so it’s not really doing anything.
Drag on the dynamo hub is lower if you switch off the lights when not in use. That said, I don’t feel a difference when riding one. The upright posture makes a much bigger speed difference for me.
I also like having a three-speed hub, but otherwise this is my favourite kind of bike right now.
Yay! The extra joyful minutes of commuting on a fun bike is time well spent. You can sneak an LED/battery retrofit into the light housing and disconnect the dynamo to save drag, if you’re technically inclined. The lighting will be better too.
It’s so pretty
Great update, I loved it when I first saw it and I still love it now. I already have 2 commuters and 1 standby if needed. But I think I need something like this in my life, if not for commuting, for a bimble along the river with a picnic hamper strapped to the rack.
Funny to see this as an someone living in The Netherlands…….this is an “opafiets” (grandpa bike) and is basically the most common bicycle you see 90% of people riding everywhere. And you can get a nice one for 100 bucks.
Lovely bike. You’ve made this Dutchy jealous. These bikes are a dream for short commutes within a (flat) city and I am really craving for one right now. On the other hand, pedalling 15km against the wind though open fields on that, is shall I say less comfortabele than with my current sporty bike.