There was a bit of interest in bicycles a while ago

"Bluecold" (Bluecold)
08/21/2014 at 11:21 • Filed to: Bicyclelopnik

Let's see if that's still the case. Because I've found a beauty of a bicycle on the internets.

So I'd like to show you something outside the normal bicycles featured on american websites. It's an old Dutch Fongers, on a forum focussed on older bicycles. Dutch bicycle enthusiasts usually only focus on pre-war bicycles in original paint. Those are rare, because Dutch bicycles are usually ridden into the ground. Which can take a while. To the average Dutchman, a bicycle from the 50's is a good bar-cruiser. And it is really not uncommon to find a bicycle from the 50's used as a bar-cruiser with the owner oblivious of the age of said bike.

Via this topic, text loosely translated
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Sometimes, you've got an ordinary bike that's still special. In this case, a Fongers 1957 DSL, of which the frame is a 1955, but was sold in 1957 in grey-green. This type of 'sports bike' was the common bike for Dutch housewives and girls from about 1955 up to 1975. A simple parallel frame with 26" wheels and coaster brake. A dime a dozen.

What makes this specific bike special is its excellent, original condition. Like many Dutch bikes from the mid-50's, the components are of excellent quality: Bayliss bottom bracket, Torpedo front and rear hub, Union sports pedals and Fongers branded parts such as lighting, lock, bell and chain-cover). This bike also has Kronprinz rims, typical for Fongers since 1897. In an attempt to change over from the typical touring bike to a more 'sporty' model Fongers added gold paint to the head tube, 'sporty' looking coat protectors and added sporty graphics to the fenders. It would take another year until the classic lamp-hook was replaced with a more sporty construction. And in 1959 the paint would become much more modern.

In short, pre-war quality in a partly modern wrapper.

DISCUSSION (19)

briannutter1 > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:24

I'm unable to post a pic of my 1939 all aluminum silverking. I thought this was fixed today?

505Turbeaux > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!

this is some brilliant lug work if a bit utilitarian. Gorgeous bike and clean too. 10/10 would, um, ride

Alfalfa > briannutter1
08/21/2014 at 11:31

It's fixed on the FP, but not on Oppo yet. Post a link, we want to see it!

Alfalfa > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:32

Mmmm, lugs...

Bluecold > 505Turbeaux
08/21/2014 at 11:40

Yes, a frequent criticism levelled at Dutch bikes is that they were too utilitarian. Which is understandable since most of the Netherlands was staunchly protestant until recently, and one of the most notable Dutch proverbs is 'Just act normal, that's already crazy enough'.

Still, sometimes they did go wild with the lugs.

http://burgers-enr.net/wp-content/upl…

Those are the lugged seat- and chainstays of an old Burgers bicycle.

ttyymmnn > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:40

Kinja'd!!!

These generators, while a great idea in principle, never seemed to work as advertised. The last think I want is anything slowing down my wheel.

ttyymmnn > briannutter1
08/21/2014 at 11:41

Pics are getting rolled out incrementally across Gawker. I imagine Oppo is pretty far down their punch list.

505Turbeaux > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:49

wow you cant break that!

I appreciate lug work of all types though, and steel framed bikes. I still have my Richard Sachs, his work is glorious

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4060/438798679…

http://www.richardsachs.com/site/wp-conten…

http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/richard_sachs/…

duurtlang > ttyymmnn
08/21/2014 at 11:54

I still use one of those, but slightly more modern, on my primary bicycle. My commuter bike if you will. The upside is that you'll never have to replace batteries, the downside is the fragility.

kaheff (L20E) > ttyymmnn
08/21/2014 at 11:55

Bicycle lighting really is an unsolvable problem. Either you have those and they will slow you down and/or won't work at all. Or you get one of those fancy hub dynamos that cost a little fortune, will make your bike heavier and will eventually slow you down. Or you go the battery clip-on route - you will forget these or the batteries will be dead so you can't see a damn thing which will obviously slow you down as well.

I found this a while ago: http://www.magniclight.com/MagnicLight/in… which is a nifty bit of engineering that won't slow you down very much. It's just a tad too expensive for my liking.

ttyymmnn > duurtlang
08/21/2014 at 11:56

It actually made me wonder if there were a newer, more efficient unit. I have blinking LEDs on front and back of my bike that take AAA batts. I think I change them about once every 6 months, and I ride daily. But only for about 45 minutes. Still, those LEDs are super bright and really seem to sip the electrons.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 11:59

These are great looking bikes. How do the modern ones of similar design hold up against them? (I've also got a thing for bikes)

duurtlang > ttyymmnn
08/21/2014 at 12:01

I don't really know how old my bike is, I'd guess turn of the century. I bought it used. The generator came stock though. You're right about recent LED and battery technology turning generators obsolete. A few years ago bikes with factory rear battery powered light, front generator powered light were all the rage. I do have to add I do live in the Netherlands.

ttyymmnn > kaheff (L20E)
08/21/2014 at 12:02

I've got blinky LEDs on my bike that use AAA batts, and they seem to last quite a long time. Unless you forget to turn them off. But that Magnic Light looks amazing. But I can buy a lot of AAA batteries for $200 US.

kaheff (L20E) > ttyymmnn
08/21/2014 at 12:11

I've got lights that work on button cells and really only had to change them trice in like 5 years. I was exaggerating a bit. But the one time you realize your battery is dead and it's really dark outside you are starting to think. And I constantly forget to take them with me. That doesn't help either...

If I know I want to ride fast in the dark I also have one of these: http://www.bumm.de/produkte/akku-… - they produce 40 lux which probably burns retinas away...

Bluecold > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/21/2014 at 12:12

Well. Not at all really. Modern 'city' bikes are comparatively shit. Back in the day, only the best components were sourced and made. Nowadays, the best components are only for racing bikes, and everything not made for racing bikes is usually shit. Brands don't have the balls to design their own stuff anymore either. Fongers made a lot in-house. Gazelle as well, Gazelle even made their own geared hubs. Which are still regarded as the finest, if a bit more fragile than a Torpedo dreigang.

But hey, most modern city bikes are cheap. So that's nice. I guess. Also, the current crop of bikes usually lacks the grace of older bikes.

This is not to say that nobody makes any good bikes anymore, but the average bike sold is shit, while back in the day, the average bike was quite good.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 12:14

My neighbor has a Gazelle he brought over here with him from when he lived in England way back in the 60's. He still rides it but is terrified of what will happen if he ever needs parts for it.

Bluecold > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
08/21/2014 at 12:17

There is a difference between Dutch and English Gazelle. English Gazelle was a budget brand of Raleigh. Dutch Gazelle was the premier Dutch bicycle brand. In the Dutch Gazelle case, it is not hard to find parts if you've got the connections. And you won't often need parts if you keep the bearings properly adjusted. And all the sizes used are still industry standard.

But opening a topic on a Dutch forum (or even here on oppositelock) would usually be enough to find some parts.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Bluecold
08/21/2014 at 12:35

He said his is a dutch bike, he just brought it over with him. The old guy likes his road bikes.