I have now acquired the donor bike.
This is how it happened. Eleanor is returning from Holland where she has been working at this place
where they churn out around 5,000 videos a year.
She had three years of accumulated gubbins so being a dad I said that I would drive the Dad car (Passat estate) to Amsterdam to pick her and all her gear up. It is an hour from here to Harwich, six hours on the ferry and an hour at the other end. The Price is £280 for me and the car.
So on Monday I caught the nine o'clock ferry to the Hook of Holland.
I went from the UK's largest container port of Felixtowe to the worlds largest container port of Rotterdam.
Talk about big engineering. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip
the crossing was as smooth as a smooth thing
then to Rotterdam and even more impressive big engineering.
off the ferry
After loading Eleanors gear and her two bikes into the car we headed back towards Rotterdam to a place called megabikes - it is a big discount warehouse where they have thousands of bikes in stock. I was looking for something for a big bloke, sit up style, strong frame, big racks, three gears
the shop spreads across three properties along one street.
the salesman was almost my age, nice man, we walked around until he found a bike that suited my purposes. I told him that I had 400 euros to spend and he got 399 euros out of me.
We loaded the bike onto the roof of the Dad wagon
It is branded Lowland which is a Netherlands sports wear company - there must have been some deal in the past where they bought a lot of bikes and rebadged them
I removed the stickers and revealed that the bike is from BSP_
which is a big well respected bike maker in Holland.
the bike I bought for 399 euros is the Viking which normally sells for 569 euros
the blokes in the shop were wonderful to deal with. They all think I am crackers to try to convert a bike to lekkie. The reaction from them all was an upwards rolling of the eyes.
We shall see how it goes. Next part is to buy the lekkie bits.
Dylan
PS - I would rather be sailing in Scotland
A fine travelogue Dylan, cheers. Reminded me of the time I took the ferry from Harwich to the Hook in my callow youth when I had a great introduction to life in the liberal Netherlands — good times.As for the highlands, I suppose they can wait as they’re not going anywhere but hopefully the lowland is. I’m very interested to see how the 21st century Vicar turns out. You should take it back to show the hill-dodging Luddites at MegaBike once it’s finished.
I’m fascinated.. but it appears to have no brakes???
That’s a sturdy looking beast to be sure!
I’ve done the crossing to the Hook many times on the Stenna, never had a rough one yet…also had a ‘guided cruise’ around Rotterdam port…. it’s bigger than a big place, it just goes on forever..
Had you considered ftting a front brake? Bearing in mind the recent legal action regarding the guy who knocked down and killed a woman as she crossed the road,apparently he had no front brake fitted which was considered to be both illegal and a contributory factor to the accident.
Might be a good idea anyway due to the extra weight of the batteries etc.
Good luck with the project
Richard
Sorry,
My post must have just missed yours re front brake
Cheers,
Seems like a very good deal. solid bike – ‘retro indeed’.
But there’s no battery is there? You going to fit one later?
Nice little front seat for Jill as well
I converted a Brompton a few years ago. I got a kit from the electric wheel company. It was pretty easy to do and the bike is still going strong.
Mick, I’d like a few more details of the Brompton conversion if possible please?
(Dylan…apologies for butting in)
Like that horse-shoe lock thingy.
You say the salesman thought you were crackers, but the lady next to the car is giving you that look of resigned bemusement as well. Ignore them!
With all that steel tubing, it looks like the Firth of Forth railway bridge….
In my youth, I had a Rudge-Whitworth 3-speed bicycle that was a battleship. Though the pre-metric English nuts and bolts were challenge in then SAE-only 1960s America. At an early-age I then-learned about BS Whitworth, British Std. Fine and British Std. Cycle threads and nuts/bolts. It was my favorite, and had “character”.
Some rat-bastard stole it from our yard one-night.
I’m enjoying this. The heavier the bike the the more energy the motor consumes & the more pedalling you do. This project goes against all my instincts. My turning point was when I changed my steel rims for ally, it transformed the bike and the amount of effort to pedal. The speed downhill when not peddling! That was about 1973 when I was a bit fitter and cycled over the Pennines to work. But ever since I have aimed to make my bikes lighter. Dylan the bike you are building would be ideal for a 3rd world country where you carry the family, sacks of spuds or goat etc. Anyway, I’ve got a couple of hours to spare today so I’ll dust off the bike, pump up the tyres and go for a ride, not been using it this year much, away sailing. (I’m proud to say my daughter thinks I’m crackers too).
I have just text you some pics of the Brompton
Great bike, but just like a conventional Brompton it is no good on rough ground or off road.
Ive had a few electric bikes.
This is the video clip that inspired me to do it.
I have. They do. You’re right. It’s all perfectly clear now.
Dylan you would look much better if you were a woman. Can see the family resemblance
Pity I didn’t know you were coming. Driving about 10 miles further to the SW of Rotterdam would have brought you to Dordrecht, where a hearty wellcome at my humble home would have awaited you!
Anyhow, Holland is a good place to come for buying a bike..
As far as the bike is concerned: the back brake, which you use by back pedaling, used to be the standard brake on Dutch bikes. A few decades ago the majority of Dutch bikes had them and only this one. It needs very little maintenance and it is very reliable. The typical brake for a no-nonsense bike intended for hard use.
And looking at the bike you bought I see just that.
May I congratulate you with buying a splendid piece of Dutch workmanship..