Batavus Old Dutch

• The first batch of Dutch roadsters arrived yesterday, courtesy of our good friends at Batavus and the Canadian distributor Fourth Floor. Classic European commuting bicycles are hot around the country, but only in the past year or so has the meme reached Chicagoland. Several northside shops have dabbled in the segment. Several Europhiles have shipped and/or broughtback Gazelles, Azors, and the like. There are even a couple of local boutiques now specializing in all things Dutch.

  To be honest, I've gone back and forth on the issue of Dutch bikes. On the one hand, Hyde Park is really an optimal neighborhood for this type of bicycle: flat, relatively compact, fairly common basement-level parking facilities, and with plenty of appropriate architecture as the backdrop to these glorious machines. On the other hand, Dutch bikes aren't exactly the ideal student bike. These are true European commuting bicycles, with the quality and price tags to match. They are designed to be ridden every day, all year round, with little or no maintenance. For decades. And so if one were to compare the ROI of, say, a $730 Batavus Dutch versus a typical $400 American hybrid -- well, let's just say that there simply is no comparison. But that kind of misses the greater point of these bikes, and that is that they're just simply majestic. Drivers smile and wave when you ride by. Children point and scream. Bike nerds nod. Riding a roadster is transformative for those of us accustomed to stiff, light, road bicycles. Your spine will straighten, your lungs will expand, and your shoulders will relax -- and strangely, once you get the thing rolling, it will feel surprisingly nimble and quick! It is very difficult to ride a Batavus wearing a scowl.

  The Batavus Old Dutch is but one of several models available at TATI, but it's by far my favorite -- and not only because it comes in orange. This is a simple, elegant machine with very clean sense of design that just doesn't exist amongst mainstream commuting bicycles. It comes standard with absolutely everything you need: matching (and fluted! metal fenders, high end front and rear classic lights, an awesome Dutch Abus wheel lock, a Euro styled rack strap, an amazing bell, pleather skirt guard, pleather chaincase, a sturdy and rubberized kickstand, perfect gearing, reflective sidewall 28" tires, and expensive ergonomic grips. Also: the Old Dutch will not only easily transport small children, but it's ideal for carting around your small adult friends as well! Available in two sizes and eight colors.