[Closed] Sources for affordable Dutch bikes - here, or on the Continent

A better question might be, if I were to buy an old Pashley from Ebay, how difficult is it to work on?

These look pretty mysterious to me:

[img] [/img]

Does it have to be Dutch, could you get some dynamos fitted to something like this?
[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-californium-2-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV199188 ]https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-californium-2-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV199188[/url]

Suggestion - real Dutch Marques:
Gazelle*, Sparta, Union, Multicycle**, Batavus, Koga Miyata***

These things just run and run and run. They're extremely reliable, equipped with all the things you need to stay dry, illuminated and comfortable. There's a good reason the entire Dutch population ride. IIRC There's more bikes than people here 😀

NB - the geo, gearing and weight may not suit hilly areas.

*Pronounced with a "ghuh"
**I work for Multicycle. Though I don't honestly know how many you'll find in the UK, they're really high quality, and usually the lightest of the brands listed.
***Slightly Japanese, lol

[b]Suggestion for sourcing a bike - marktplaats.nl
[/b]

Bikes permeate the culture. [url= http://lyricstranslate.com/nl/bagagedrager-luggage-carrier.html ]*autotranslate*[/url]

Jump on my luggage rack, on the back of my bike
I don't know yet where we'll go together,
But I don't care at all.
Just jump on the back, then we'll leave together
I don't know yet where we'll go , but that doesn't matter
Because I know the way.

[Only chorus translation quite correct]

Does she want a classic style? If so be of these will be no good, but if she isn't too fussed... http://elephantbike.co.uk/elephant-bike.html/ An old Royal Mail bike?

NB - the geo, gearing and weight may not suit hilly areas.

Cheapest option, get a combined train/ferry ticket from Anglia regional railways, £39 or 49 each.
Do some research online first to see where you can buy from and pick up on the day.
Secondhand, somewhere like Lieden has a number of bike shops that sell new and secondhand.
Buy the bike, ride it back to the station, then back to Hoek V.H., then on the ferry back, and at the English end, make sure they allow bikes (I dont think there are restrictions outside rush hour, though you may need to book.)
2nd hand bikes here:
http://www.budgetbikeleiden.nl/wp/fietsen/
New here:
http://www.huismanleiden.nl/
Dutch Flyer:
http://www.raileasy.co.uk/home/the-dutch-flyer

Make a weekend of it, and have a great time out there.
Alan.

What gofasterstripes said

There's 'Dutch style' marketing ( stepthru with a basket) and there's Dutch-built. World's apart IME. I've not had many cycling revelations but one of them was owning a Dutch bike ( Batavus.) I even *like* the weight of it, it rolls beatifully, the geometry is slightly feet-forward so the relaxificatin' factor is increased. I bought mine from STW classifieds and it came with literally everything - hub gears, dynamo hub, roller brakes, ingenious locking system, an led stem-light, best side-stand I ever used, a rack that can take a passenger, steel mudguards, full chainguard, tyres that refuse to puncture or die. I changed the gearing by swapping for a smaller chainring now it does hills.

Depends on your definition of cheap but I've always hankered for one of these

http://www.paper-bicycle.com/hustle/

PS There's a beautiful looking Gazelle Toer Populaire on the fleabay at the minute. Still not inexpensive. I'd take alanl's advice and make a trip of it! Good luck with your mission, OP!

PPS - Watched a short video/docu in recent years about why UK girls don't ride bikes so much, and they experimented getting them to try Dutch bikes. It made a huge difference in their riding confidence and enjoyment. Unfortunately I lost the link so if anyone has it ...