Comments on: The Mailout

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:58:08 +0000

In Ireland some of our Postmen still use Bikes, there is not many to be seen but they are around. A lot use their Cars and when they are in a District they take a bag of Letters out of their Car and walk around delivering the Post. The few that have the Bikes use a Step Through, it is a big Heavy type Bike and any time I try to catch them up to find out what make they are they are gone. They have a Metal Box Type Carrier on the Front and another on the Back. There is some Older Men that I have seen on Womens Bikes as they are easier to get on,and also a few Young Guys on Womens Bikes as well in Ireland. There would be normally a Macho Problem in Ireland but I think nowadays nobody cares, A Bike is a Bike is a Bike Goodnight. Dublin 1.00 am G.M.T.

By: marcus

marcus — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:20:58 +0000

Thanks Jack, I really appreciate your comments. Yes, a step-through design is pretty handy for tall loads, absolutely. In the U.S. we have a very high “macho” factor, though, I’d say… hard to get over such things. Maybe something more like a Batavus Personal Bike is “tough enough” looking…

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:57:46 +0000

Hello Marcus
In the Nederlands a lot of Men use Womens Bikes and they dont find any Problems with using them. Very easy for Hopping on and off especially if you have a load on Board. When i Got my Dutch Bike I was nearly getting the Step over Omafiets Granny Bike . I changed my mind when I was Ordering it from Amsterdam, and was sorry i didnt get it. It is more of a Unisex Bike than just a Ladies Bike. I got the Azor Kruisframe Pastoor Fiets instead , The Crossframe Preachers Bike with a Detachable Front Carrier or Rack A Voordrager and a Rear Carrier or Acterdrager. It is a very Strong Bike with Shimano Nexus 8 Speed Internal Rear Hub Gears. You can see my Bike on Flicker on my Photostream ( Norbert Malone is the Name I use ). The other Bike I have is a Brompton Folding Bike. The Dutch Bike is not that Great for going up Steep Hills and you have to have a good Run to take you up the Hills, but it is a great Bike for keeping you Fit. I find with the Nexus Gears that I mostly use 5 th Gear for Cruising and 6th and 7th when I can go Fast and I hardly ever use the 8 th Gear as it is mostly to high. The other Gears I use when I need to go uphill 4th 3th and when there is a strong Wind against me, I have not used 2th or 1st yet. You could try and get a front Carrier for evening out Heavy Loads, I put the Front Carrier on mine when I am getting stuff like Compost or anything Heavy. This is where the Step Through Frame comes into its own with a big Load as you do not have to Throw your Leg over the Bike.Happy Cycling, Dublin Ireland 10 pm G.M.T.