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bicyclesWell, boys and girls, I am now the proud owner of a Dutch Workcycles Omafiets. (Oma=Grandma, fiets=bicycle. It's a granny bike!)
When I bought Clyde, my Specialized Globe "Carmel" cruiser, back in August, people said things like, "When you upgrade..." and "Oh, I can't wait to see what kind of bike you decide on next!" and I said, "I ain't buyin' no more bikes! Clyde is my bike 4-evah!"
Ha ha ha ha.
Actually, I knew I'd upgrade eventually. I just thought I'd wait a whole year. So, why buy a new bike? And why now?
*This, apparently, is the fate of 80% of all bikes sold in the US. I was astonished. Don't ask me why.
**Assumptions about men, women and size are apparently different in the Netherlands than here
***The Clever Cycles guy said that with the lights on, the generator hub requires the same excess pedal power as if gaining six feet over a mile, or something like that. Not nothing, but no big deal if you're not hurrying.
I went and got her from Clever Cycles at lunchtime today, and rode her home tonight. She feels very civilized and dignified. I might have to name her Eleanor.
(Cross-posted to my personal DW and LJ.)
When I bought Clyde, my Specialized Globe "Carmel" cruiser, back in August, people said things like, "When you upgrade..." and "Oh, I can't wait to see what kind of bike you decide on next!" and I said, "I ain't buyin' no more bikes! Clyde is my bike 4-evah!"
Ha ha ha ha.
Actually, I knew I'd upgrade eventually. I just thought I'd wait a whole year. So, why buy a new bike? And why now?
- Clyde was built for the buy-it-and-put-it-in-the-garage consumer*, so daily commuting has aged him about five years in six months.
- Clyde is not truly up to my weight--if I carry heavy groceries, his poor spokes are taxed.
- I really wanted better gearing. Clyde is pretty clunky that way.
- A step-through (aka "girl's") configuration in a 61 cm (big-tall-Dutchman) size? How could I not?**
- My commute several months of the year is in the dark, and I wanted the hub-dynamo lights that run off pedal power*** instead of having to change out batteries all the time.
- The more I've ridden, the more I've wanted to differentiate myself absolutely from more sportif riders. This was pretty obvious visually, but the Omafiets really seals the deal.
- I love the completely enclosed, low-maintenance chain. I was tired of the grease.
- I wanted a bike that's not a fix-it-yourselfer. I'm a take-it-to-the-shop type of person.
*This, apparently, is the fate of 80% of all bikes sold in the US. I was astonished. Don't ask me why.
**Assumptions about men, women and size are apparently different in the Netherlands than here
***The Clever Cycles guy said that with the lights on, the generator hub requires the same excess pedal power as if gaining six feet over a mile, or something like that. Not nothing, but no big deal if you're not hurrying.
I went and got her from Clever Cycles at lunchtime today, and rode her home tonight. She feels very civilized and dignified. I might have to name her Eleanor.
(Cross-posted to my personal DW and LJ.)
