In the world of cycling, Dutch bikes (also known as ‘omafiets’ in the Netherlands, meaning ‘granny bikes‘) are timeless machines popular for their simplicity, durability, and comfort.
Dutch bikes are not intended for recreational cyclists who seek performance. Instead, they are a favorite among urban commuters and leisure riders who love their unique blend of style and practicality.
These bikes are known for their upright riding position, low maintenance builds, and durable frames, which means that high-quality Dutch bikes can last a lifetime and beyond.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you more about the key features and timeless design elements of Dutch bikes, and show you the best models you can get right now!
Contents
What Are Dutch Bikes?
Dutch bikes, also known as “omafiets” or “granny bikes” in the Netherlands, are simple city bicycles built for durability, utility, and comfort in cycling.
The key characteristics of Dutch bikes include sturdy, step-through steel or aluminum frames, upright riding position, enclosed drivetrains, and practical accessories.
Having originated in the Netherlands, it makes sense that these bikes were designed for daily riding on flat terrain, which is typical of the Dutch landscape.
These bikes are most popular in European cities, made by Dutch-based companies such as Gazelle Bikes and the Amsterdam Bicycle Company, used by urban dwellers to commute and get stuff done.
They let you ride in your business clothes or everyday clothes, without the need of squeezing into tight lycra shorts and jerseys.
In other words, Dutch bikes embody a lifestyle of ease, sustainability, and fuss-free urban mobility.
Benefits of Riding a Dutch Bike
Why would you choose a Dutch bike over other more popular types of bicycles, such as hybrid, mountain, or road?
Compared to other types of bikes, Dutch bikes offer unique advantages that have the potential to simplify your day-to-day life. This is especially true if you are an urban rider who is seeking ease of maintenance, comfort, and practicality.
One of the main benefits of riding a Dutch bicycle is its simplistic frame design and build. They typically have streamlined frames with single-speed or internal gear hubs coupled with coaster or roller brakes. This means that the mechanical parts are protected from rain and dust, so they require less maintenance and last for longer.
Dutch bikes also have an ergonomic design that puts the rider in an upright riding position, sitting on a wide, spring-loaded saddle. That means that the load on the rider’s wrists, shoulders, neck, and back is reduced, making it easy to ride and commute every day.
Finally, most Dutch-style bicycles come with preinstalled bike accessories, such as fenders, lights, a rear rack, a chainguard, and a kickstand. Many models also feature a rear-wheel lock and a rear-wheel skirt for additional protection and safety. Therefore, you don’t need to spend any additional money. You get all the features that you need to commute year-round, come rain or shine, and do it again tomorrow.
That’s why it’s not uncommon to see all types of folks riding omafiets in the Netherlands, including family people, businesspeople, students, politicians, and even the royal family.
See also: Best Commuter Bikes We Recommend
Best Dutch Bikes We Recommend
1. Gazelle Tour Populair
MSRP: $1,500
- Frame: Steel
- Gears: 8-Speed Shimano Nexus
- Brakes: Roller brakes
- Extras: Brooks leather seat, rear wheel lock, lights, steel fenders…
The Gazelle Tour Populair is a classic Dutch bike with all the most important features associated with this style.
This bike is built around a heavy-duty steel frame and fork, coupled with matching steel fenders, a rear-wheel skirt, and a full chainguard. You can ride it in business attire without needing to change after you get to work.
In addition to that, the Tour Populair features an integrated Shimano Nexus 8-speed gear hub paired with durable and low-maintenance Shimano roller brakes.
The Brooks leather saddle with a dual-spring mechanism ensures comfort, and the sweptback handlebars will put you in an upright riding position. You’ll have an excellent overview of the road ahead without suffering any wrist, back, or neck discomfort.
In true omafiet-style, the Gazelle Tour Populair also has a long list of accessories, including front and rear lights, a rear-wheel lock, a kickstand, and a rear rack to carry panniers or a cargo basket.
If you’re looking for the definition of a Dutch-style bike that can get passed on from one generation to the next, you can end your search here.
Learn More on GazelleBikes.com
2. Priority Turi
MSRP: $949
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gears: CVT Stepless gear hub
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Fenders, kickstand, bottle carrier, puncture-resistant tires
The Priority Bicycles Turi is a more contemporary take on the Dutch-style design, combining timeless aesthetics with modern low-maintenance features.
The Turi features a lightweight aluminum frame with a low-step design that makes it easy to mount and dismount the bike.
Unlike traditional bicycles that use a chain that requires cleaning and lubrication, the Priority Turi comes with a Gates Carbon Belt Drive that requires zero maintenance. The rear hub hides a CVT stepless gearbox that allows you to simply set the resistance by twisting the shifter on the handlebar.
Another low-maintenance feature is the front and rear hydraulic disc brakes that require infrequent adjustment and even less frequent servicing. On top of that, they provide the best braking power and control compared to all other types of brakes.
The Turi also boasts city-optimized 700c x 35mm puncture-resistant tires, fenders, a kickstand, and a comfy saddle.
If you’re looking for a Dutch-style belt-drive bike with a lightweight frame and practical design, we recommend the Priority Turi.
3. Electra Townie 7D
MSRP: $600
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gears: 7-speed
- Brakes: Alloy dual-pivot caliper brakes
- Extras: Dual-spring saddle, Flat Foot Technology
Electra is one of the best bike brands in the city bike category, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that they also build attractive Dutch-style bicycles.
The Electra Townie 7D is an aluminum step-through bike optimized for everyday urban riding. It has Electra’s patented Flat Foot Technology that lets you easily put both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the saddle.
The Townie 7D rolls on 26″ x 2″ tires that provide an excellent balance between speed and comfort, which is exactly what you’re looking for on a bike made for commuting.
Its 7-speed Shimano rear derailleur offers just the right number of gears for comfortable riding without complicating upkeep too much. The Townie 7D also comes with front and rear dual-caliper rim brakes and boasts mounts for accessories.
If you’re looking to commute or ride for leisure year-round, you get mounts for full-length color-matching fenders and a heavy-duty rear rack. The Townie 7D also features a comfortable dual-spring saddle.
4. Public C7i
MSRP: $900
- Frame: Chromoly hi-tensile
- Gears: Shimano Nexus 7-speed
- Brakes: Alloy dual-pivot caliper brakes
- Extras: Kickstand, fenders, chainguard, comfortable saddle
Public Bikes is another popular manufacturer of city and Dutch-style bikes, known for stylish designs, durable steel frames, and maintenance-free builds.
The Public C7i is the perfect choice no matter if you’re looking to commute to work or school every day, ride for leisure and recreation, or go to the local farmer’s market on the weekend.
It’s equipped with a Shimano Nexus 7-speed internal gear hub and alloy dual-pivot caliper brakes, which is a standard set of components on this type of bike, in this price category.
The step-through steel frame makes it easy to get on and off the bike, while the upright geometry makes riding comfortable and pain-free.
As you can see from the image above, Public Bikes pays a lot of attention to aesthetic details, so the C7i has cream-colored 700c x 35mm tires, color-matching fenders and cables, and leather saddle and grips.
Overall, this is a stylish, fun, and high-quality unisex bike that you’ll ride and enjoy for years to come.
Buy from MikesBikes.com Buy from PublicBikes.com
5. State Bicycle Co. The Azure Dutch Bike (3 Speed)
MSRP: $345
- Frame: Steel
- Gears: 3-speed internal gear hub
- Brakes: Coaster brake
- Extras: Fenders, chainguard (optional: racks, lights, bell, kickstand, lock…)
The Azure by State Bicycle Co. offers a modern take on the classical Dutch style.
It comes with a set of commuter-friendly features suitable for recreational and inexperienced riders who want to ride as much as possible and work on the bike as little as possible.
The Azure uses a 3-speed internal gear hub operated with a grip shifter on the handlebars, which is very easy to use. Moreover, the coaster brake is also intuitive and reliable, and there are no additional hand brakes to worry about.
We love this bike’s vivid blue color scheme paired with leather-colored saddle and grips on comfortable sweptback handlebars. Regular commuters and riders will also appreciate the color-matching fenders that will keep water and grit away.
When purchasing the bike, you can choose to include a few extras, such as a front and/or rear rack, lights, lock, bell, kickstand, and a different saddle. Though a few users report that the bell is not the best, so you might consider buying it separately.
6. Gazelle Arroyo C8
MSRP: $3,700
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gears: Shimano Nexus, 8-speed
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Electric assistance, fenders, rear rack, wheel lock, chainguard, lights…
The main feature of Dutch-style bikes is simplicity, which is not often associated with electric bikes. However, we’ve decided to include this electric Dutch bike because it offers a maintenance-free and stylish riding experience, while also providing pedal assistance.
If you live somewhere hilly or you need to cover large distances, you’ll love the Bosch motor and battery on the Gazelle Arroyo C8. The motor will assist you up to 20 mph, whereas the 500 Wh battery will last for hours of riding.
See also: Best Belt Drive Ebikes to Consider
Thanks to a Shimano Nexus 8-speed integrated rear hub, you can also ride the Arroyo like an ordinary bike, and prolong the battery’s life. This bike also comes with reliable hydraulic disc brakes, which are a must on powerful e-bikes.
The only downside of the Gazelle Arroyo C8 is the steep price, but you get excellent accessories in return, such as a rear rack, fenders, lights, a wheel lock, chain guard, and more.
All things considered, if you’re looking for a sophisticated ebike built in the style of Dutch bikes, the Arroyo C8 is an excellent choice.
7. Sixthreezero EVRYjourney
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gears: Single-speed, 3-speed, 7-speed, 21-speed
- Brakes: V-brakes
- Extras: Rear rack, fenders, chainguard, kickstand, wide saddle
The Sixthreezero EVRYjourney is all about style and comfort, featuring an ergonomic design, multiple frame colors, and practical accessories galore.
First of all, the EVRYjourney is perfect for women and shorter riders as it rides on smaller 26-inch wheels, has a step-through frame, and a design that makes it possible to sit on the saddle and reach the ground with your feet.
In terms of components, this bike is available with a single-speed, 3-speed, 7-speed, or 21-speed drivetrain, so you can choose the appropriate one depending on the terrain in your area.
Read more: 26-Inch Bike for What Size Person?
However, all builds get streamlined front and rear V-brakes and excellent extras for day-to-day riding. We love the color-matching fenders, the large rear rack, the kickstand, and the chainguard.
The leather-colored saddle and grips on ergonomic handlebars also improve the appearance and style of this timeless Dutch bike.
The only thing we’d improve is to add quick-release levers on the wheels for easier maintenance, but other than that, the Sixthreezero EVRYjourney is a great option.
8. Momentum Vida Low Step
MSRP: $760
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gears: Shimano 8-speed
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
- Extras: Multiple mounts, chainguard, comfortable saddle
The Vida is built by Giant’s urban-specific brand Momentum, so you know you’re getting a good deal, especially considering the elegant paint job.
This is another modern take on the timeless Dutch style. In our opinion, this might be the most attractive choice on our list and one of the best-equipped builds for arduous daily commutes.
The Momentum Vida is equipped with front and rear mechanical disc brakes for reliable stopping and a Shimano 8-speed rear derailleur. This translates into a low-maintenance build that will work for thousands of miles without any tampering on your side.
This bike has a higher price compared to most other options we’ve recommended, but you get great value in return. The Momentum Vida comes with mounts for fenders, a rear rack, a front basket or rack, and front and rear lights. A kickstand and chainguard are included as well.
Finally, the lightweight aluminum frame with a step-through design makes it easy to stop and start riding again, so it’s perfect for cycling in regular, daily clothes.
How to Choose the Best Dutch Bike
Every Dutch bike has several key features that make it so popular and give it its recognizable style and practicality.
When shopping for the best Dutch bicycle for your needs, it’s important to keep these requirements in mind.
Frame Size and Materials
Dutch bikes are typically made from steel or aluminum, both of which have certain advantages and disadvantages. Steel is stronger and more durable, but it weighs more. On the other hand, aluminum is much lighter, but it’s not as easy to repair if it gets a dent.
After choosing the right material, you should also ensure that the bike fits you well and is comfortable to ride. Getting a bike that’s too big means you’ll feel unstable riding it, whereas a bike that’s too small will feel uncomfortable and cramped.
Read more on this topic in our detailed guide about bike frame materials.
Gearing Options
Originally, Dutch bikes used to come with single-speed drivetrains. However, modern models are also available with multi-speed drivetrains and integrated gears. If you live somewhere flat, a single-speed model will suffice and simplify maintenance. But if you live in a hilly area or you plan to navigate longer distances, we recommend choosing a geared model, with three or more gears.
Types of Brakes
When it comes to braking, there are a few common types of bike brakes you can choose from. Traditional options include coaster and roller brakes, whereas more and more modern models come with hydraulic disc brakes.
If you want the best stopping power, hydraulic disc brakes are hard to beat. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the simplest maintenance, there’s nothing as fuss-free as coaster brakes.
Roller brakes lie somewhere in between, offering decent stopping power, but requiring some maintenance, such as greasing the brakes and replacing the pads.
Accessories and Customizations
Most Dutch-style bikes come with a range of practical accessories, including fenders, racks, lights, a kickstand, a bell, a lock, and so on. When buying, consider which of these accessories you’ll need and choose accordingly. Even if the bike you buy doesn’t have any of these extras, you can easily install them later on, depending on your needs.
Best Practices for Dutch Bike Maintenance
Ease of maintenance is one of the main reasons why so many people revere Dutch bikes. Thanks to their sturdy design and simple builds, they require very little maintenance.
However, some basic regular maintenance is necessary if you wish to keep them running smoothly for years.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind.
Regular Cleaning: Start with keeping your bike clean. Dirt, mud, and grime can accelerate wear on the bike’s components. Use a gentle cleaner and a soft brush or cloth to clean the frame, wheels, and components. Avoid washing with high pressure, as this can push dirt into bearings and cause them to degrade more quickly.
Chain Maintenance: The chain is a critical component that requires regular cleaning and lubrication to prevent rust and reduce wear. Clean the chain with a degreaser and apply bicycle-specific lubricant about once a week if you ride regularly. This is particularly important if you ride in wet conditions, as moisture can cause the chain to corrode more quickly. If you want to avoid doing this, choose a belt-drive bike.
Tire Pressure: Keeping tires inflated to the recommended pressure is crucial for comfort and to avoid punctures. Check the tire pressure regularly and top up as needed using a floor pump or a mini pump.
Brake Inspection: Check your brakes from time to time for wear and adjust them if necessary. Make sure the brake pads are not worn down completely and that they are not rubbing against the wheel or disc.
Annual Check-up: Even with regular home maintenance, it’s a good idea to have your Dutch bike professionally serviced at least once a year. A bike mechanic can perform a thorough inspection and maintenance, including checking the gears, bearings, and overall bike condition, to ensure everything is in optimal working order. Of course, if you’re knowledgeable in bike maintenance, you can also do this yourself.
By adhering to these maintenance tips, you can enjoy the full potential of your Dutch bike, ensuring a reliable and comfortable ride through the city streets.
Do you own a Dutch bike or plan to buy one? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
This is a great review of some of the current models, and highlighting both characteristics and benefits of the ‘Dutch bike’. I will be sharing the link!
The general class has a few drawbacks – hinted at, but perhaps a bit more notice would not go amiss in next year’s round-up: these designs are particularly unsuitable for climbing (for all the reasons they are fabulous for short rides in urban settings;) and in North America they are highly fashionable, and thus a theft target. (Project 529! check if your police are involved!)