Oma oma bo-boma bo-nana-fana-fo-foma, fee fie fo-moma, Oma!

[darkemeralds]

Well, 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?

• 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.)

Comments

[uhhuhlex]

Wowza - she looks visually stunning! I've never seen anyone on a bike like that round here.

She looks solid though. May she give you many, many miles.

(Ahem, what was the financial damage? Dare I ask?)

[darkemeralds]

(Ahem, what was the financial damage? Dare I ask?)

Like the bike itself, not light: $1500. That does include everything except the additional lock. The only real options I had to decide on were a front cargo rack (decided against) and rearview mirror (still need).

To option-up a "regular" bike with a dynamo hub and built in lights, fenders, mud guard, rear rack (complete with bungee!), heavy-duty tires, bell, clothing guard and Brooks saddle, would easily bring the price up to this level, and that's without the internal gear hub or the solid, all-steel build quality. And as far as I know, you can't GET the chain guard as an add-on, and most bike shops (around here, anyway) won't touch a clothing-guard. The rear-wheel lock is another feature that I don't think is available as an add-on, and it's a significant theft-deterrent on a bike this heavy (impossible to wheel or ride away, and very discouraging to lift!)

Viewed as a car-replacement, it seemed a reasonable price. So far, I'm delighted with it.