Question about Dutch bike- COMPLETE NEWBIE!

marilynmonroe · 09-06-2022 03:52PM #1

So, I haven't cycled since I was a child, but I spotted a dutch style bike going cheap yesterday so I bought it .

Anyway it's a bit too big I've since found out. I'm only 5ft and the frame height is about 56cm. I can get up on the saddle but only by standing on the peddle.

Should I be able to put my foot on the ground while seated? I feel like i should but read somewhere else that it's not a necessity for some on a dutch bike.

I'm going to try a smaller saddle also and see does that help give me an extra inch.

loyatemu · 09-06-2022 04:05PM

if the saddle's the right height, you won't be able to put your foot down while seated, though ultimately it's a matter of preference.

magicbastarder · 09-06-2022 05:27PM

i'm a bit over 5'7" and a 56cm bike (in standard geometry) would be considered too big for me.

the norm for road bikes is that while seated, you should just be able to reach the ground with your toe, but with a dutch bike i suspect this would be more relaxed. can the saddle be lowered?

marilynmonroe · 09-06-2022 09:19PM

No it's at the lowest setting. I'm thinking of changing the saddle to a thinner one- without the springs

magicbastarder · 09-06-2022 10:03PM

i suspect it's a lost cause, unfortunately. you could do yourself damage cycling a bike where the saddle is too high, especially if you haven't cycled in years, your knees will be overextended.

loyatemu · 10-06-2022 09:46AM

she didn't say she couldn't reach the pedals, just the ground.

If you can't touch the ground when the saddle is at it's lowest, that's usually an indication the frame is too big for you, but again I don't know with Dutch bike geometry. With a road bike or a hybrid, if the frame is too big you'll be stretched out and will get uncomfortable on longer rides, but with a "sit up and beg" style bike, maybe that's not an issue. At the end of the day, if you're comfortable on it, and can pedal and stop safely, it's probably OK, you're not going to be doing the Tour De France on it.

tomasrojo · 10-06-2022 12:33PM

On our bakfiets, I can just about put both feet on the ground while sitting. I tried raising the saddle further, but it didn't feel right, Its geometry is a bit weird even for a Dutch bike though: it has a very steep leanback angle on the seat tube. I think High Nelly/roadster/Flying Pigeon/Dutch designs generally would be designed for users putting their feet down and remaining sitting while stopped, though I think not necessarily with the feet flat on the ground.

magicbastarder · 10-06-2022 12:42PM

FWIW, the amsterdam bike company list 55cm frames as being suitable for people 5'7" and taller.

https://www.amsterdam-bicycle.com/frame-sizes/

tomasrojo · 10-06-2022 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119183673#Comment_119183673

I'd say sell it on and get a Dutch bike the right size. From the description it sounded too big, but now it sounds way too big.

Just on feet on the ground and a Dutch-style bike, this looks about normal for users (from https://www.treehugger.com/why-upright-right-when-you-are-riding-bike-4858378)

eeeee · 10-06-2022 03:34PM

OP I'm 5'10 and a 56 is too big for me (I'm a spider person, I'm all limb). As others have said you'd be better off selling ou and getting one that you're more comfy on.

If you don't feel comfy on it you won't ride it. I don't know much about Dutch bikes, but they're supposed to be relaxed to ride, so getting a foot down easy would be a key feature I'd say. On a road bike no.

Cabaal · 15-06-2022 09:05AM

Having had a Gazelle bike since about 2018 I would say you want to be able to put a foot down easy enough.

Dutch style bikes have a relaxed riding position but they also tend to be heavy so when you come to a stop you want to be able to stop safely esp in traffic.

Question about Dutch bike- COMPLETE NEWBIE!

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