tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post6676106030978833738..comments2024-03-29T04:01:31.445-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Achielle Oma: Handmade in BelgiumVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15919264086791460782016-02-18T11:29:19.802-05:002016-02-18T11:29:19.802-05:00I've recently decided to invest in a more Dutc...I've recently decided to invest in a more Dutch style bike, and naturally I came to your blog first. Great idea for research, terrible idea for my wallet. I am so in love with Achielle, thank you for introducing the world to such a wonderful company! I'm pretty tempted to start saving up for one of these beauties! Lovely blog as always... and lovely bikes!Veronicahttp://veronimama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41949966441297385272014-04-10T01:52:26.353-04:002014-04-10T01:52:26.353-04:00I got my Achielle today. I love it! Thanks to you ...I got my Achielle today. I love it! Thanks to you and this blog and City Bicycle Works in Sacramento California!FreeBSD4mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17249186781959480826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86123979139077023352014-01-28T10:53:20.027-05:002014-01-28T10:53:20.027-05:00Forgot to mention, Dan said it weighs 18 kg.Forgot to mention, Dan said it weighs 18 kg.Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18329731743529266746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76597866984526500252014-01-27T22:07:00.754-05:002014-01-27T22:07:00.754-05:00I found this post the same way FreeBSD4me did. And...I found this post the same way FreeBSD4me did. And like him/her, I just ordered an Achielle Craighton Pure, an Oma for me in blue/gray. <br /><br />I worked with Dan at A Street Bike Named Desire. He was terrific and very patient in answering my every question about the bike. <br /><br />Mine looks like the same frame as the one reviewed here, but it will come with a rear rack, dyno hub, front and rear roller brakes, and a Nexus inter 8 IGH. $1700. <br /><br />I put down the deposit today. The bikes should come in sometime in mid-February. Can't wait! Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18329731743529266746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69226319531990872772014-01-24T12:09:21.355-05:002014-01-24T12:09:21.355-05:00I was searching for information about Gazelle, fou...I was searching for information about Gazelle, found your blog, then this article. I scoured the Internet in search of an Achielle dealer in California and came up empty. <br /><br />I called "A Street Bike Named Desire" in Palo Alto California looking for pricing on a Workcycles Opa and got the good news that they were getting a shipment of Achielle bikes in March.<br /><br />Long story short, I ordered my Achielle Craighton Pure Opa in steel-gray from "City Bicycle Works" in Sacramento California.<br /><br />Thanks for helping me find my new bike! Dan is the guy to talk to in Palo Alto and Jess is they guy to talk to in Sacramento. The achielle-usa distributor is now defunct, but there is a distributor in Canada (http://onthefourth.com).<br /><br />http://www.astreetbikenameddesire.com<br />Http://www.citybicycleworks.comFreeBSD4mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17249186781959480826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37644847836584999372012-10-08T08:46:08.596-04:002012-10-08T08:46:08.596-04:00I bought a Achielle Sam a few weeks ago from Morga...I bought a Achielle Sam a few weeks ago from Morgans Cycles in Sydney and had it shipped down to Melbourne. It's a truly lovely bike... my friend rides a Pashley Guvnor and they really complement each other well. I'm very happy with this bike:)Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67361094866998572292012-05-29T14:54:09.222-04:002012-05-29T14:54:09.222-04:00Thanks for your review. Glad you like our omafiets...Thanks for your review. Glad you like our omafiets! <br />Always loved your blog, but now even a bit more!Peter (Achielle)http://www.achielle.benoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65226540201375129452012-05-18T14:30:47.783-04:002012-05-18T14:30:47.783-04:00The Workcycles Omas are Azor frames, not Achielle....The Workcycles Omas are Azor frames, not Achielle. Azor is a Dutch company and all the frames are made in The Netherlands. <br /><br />I live in Amsterdam and have a Workcycles Oma and my wife has this Achielle (she commented below). Both are beautiful bikes with pros and cons. I like some of the extras that Workcycles adds like the lights with a hub generator and a few other nice details that are nicer than the Achielle. It is also a bit more of a work bike. Less beauty, more function. Overall the Achielle is a more beautiful bike. And both have a very different feel. If I had to choose one, I would be hard pressed to decide which I like more.Marc Hewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00134523304394801917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47156613484495670282012-05-18T13:16:47.164-04:002012-05-18T13:16:47.164-04:00I bought a steel blue, Achielle Craighton about 2 ...I bought a steel blue, Achielle Craighton about 2 months ago. (Our family lives in Amsterdam at the moment.) I love it. It's completely gorgeous, and I love the ride. My husband has a WorkCycles Oma, and they feel so different. I could only find one local bike shop (even here!) that sells Achielle bikes- a lovely husband and wife team, but my buying experience with them was really pleasant. I was so happy to see this post- I've been hoping you'd write about these bikes! Anyway, I added a back rack, hand brakes, and a baby seat, but the bike still manages to look slender and elegant. And yes, it's heavy. The company posts pics on their tumblr, and they are yummy:) http://achielle.tumblr.com/natalienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45039639124377619572012-05-09T07:54:47.826-04:002012-05-09T07:54:47.826-04:00Series of photos of the Achielle workhop, with own...Series of photos of the Achielle workhop, with owner Jan Oosterlinck, his sons Tom and Peter and various workers:<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/achielle/<br /><br />It's only a small company so can be forgiven for not being available worldwide.Frits Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75413857588242261802012-05-09T00:37:01.420-04:002012-05-09T00:37:01.420-04:00An awful lot of what is perceived as inherent qual...An awful lot of what is perceived as inherent quality is work performed by shop mechanics or work performed by motivated and talented owners. There are bikes that do not deserve all the work. There are bikes that do deserve the work and die because they never get it. There are marginal bikes lavished with attention that are fun for a while. Any DL-1 needs a lot of work.<br /><br />My 28mph was paced by two pals on bikes. Either 28 or 30 is way too much for Raleigh rod brakes. Look at other rod brake systems with bushings and smooth guides and no slop and provision for handlebar adjustment and the Raleigh brakes will look less monumental and more like old cheap bad hardware. Kinda cute in its' way and I would not molest a DL-1 from the 50s or earlier. But they don't stop.<br /><br />The best bike is one that's used. Used without fear. Used on hills. Used in traffic.<br />For that you need brakes. Good ones.<br /><br />If you just have to keep the marginal OEM brakes intact at least use a fixed gear. You'll have a chance. And lots of bikes would've been used as fixed back when.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55161892553815223232012-05-08T11:14:07.002-04:002012-05-08T11:14:07.002-04:00amazing old video, I disagree about the quality 40...amazing old video, I disagree about the quality 40 years ago, my older (than 40 that is Raleigh is in way better shape anything made in the last 20 odd years seems to be in, and it hasn't been looked after..derfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15596980838764306792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89146584636736723482012-05-08T10:44:42.945-04:002012-05-08T10:44:42.945-04:00"28 mph" -- I've spun clones up to 3..."28 mph" -- I've spun clones up to 30 drafting slow motor vehicles but it's not the most efficient bike for this sort of thing!<br /><br />"Indian-made DL-1 clones" -- doubtless you are right; don't know if those of 40 years ago were better in quality. They weren't top quality, that's for sure -- cut my wrenching teeth on them. But the overall geometry and design seems identical.<br /><br />See here for a limited edition 125th anniversary (I thought the design came from 1913?) http://dl-1.blogspot.com/ This leaves out as far as I am concerned all that makes the things nostalgically appealing such as the rod brakes and full chaincase. It's as if they made a Model T out of carbon fiber.<br /><br />Lastly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlmGknvr_Pg<br /><br />The relevant part is at about 4:50.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64275164162062655002012-05-08T08:22:04.891-04:002012-05-08T08:22:04.891-04:00I wish the bike shops around here would sell such ...I wish the bike shops around here would sell such lovely bikes for me to drool over. We have your typical midwestern bores.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65342396723998426852012-05-08T07:48:33.319-04:002012-05-08T07:48:33.319-04:00My experience with Indian-made DL-1 cones suggests...My experience with Indian-made DL-1 cones suggests that the basic design is cloned, in terms of overall mission, geometry, and most of the details. However, the quality is NOT cloned at all; fit-n-finish is spotty, the frames seems to be made from lead pipes, and the hardware seems to be made of some kind of soft cheese. Of course, my experience is limited to about a dozen Hero Jet Golds I'd looked over very closely at the store, the best of these which I bought and rode/wrenched on sporadically for about a year, and casual observations of some roadsters I've seen in Phila. There may be some top-notch fake DL-1 bikes coming out of India, but I doubt it.<br /><br />-rob<br /><br />ps-also, from what i've observed, most of them are singlespeed. And the braking system is shaped the same, but the Indian john bulls are made mostly from stamped parts, while the Raleighs had some forged bits in their rod brake systems.Screechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397676711365438175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83694825975771821152012-05-07T19:39:59.224-04:002012-05-07T19:39:59.224-04:00We've had a few in-person Clever convos, all p...We've had a few in-person Clever convos, all pleasant! I like your shop and staff very much, you guys are very generous with your knowledge and general helpfulness. Also have purchased a few things there and utilize the Brompton seat pin thingy on two bikes. <br /><br />Welcome back to the other side, though of course it is all good.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91047971299581693392012-05-07T19:03:47.209-04:002012-05-07T19:03:47.209-04:00Fitted with Riv/Nitto Dove bars I've had my DL...Fitted with Riv/Nitto Dove bars I've had my DL-1 to 25mph on the flat, windless. Being paced I've done 28mph. 48x20 fixed. Big Apple 700-50. Efficiency can't be that bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47486901702753772962012-05-07T18:43:33.292-04:002012-05-07T18:43:33.292-04:00yup, "edge seeking." any sort of riding ...yup, "edge seeking." any sort of riding where you expect to be pressing up against the limits of your resources, whether maximum speed or ultimate endurance, then efficiency matters a lot! <br /><br />lately i've fixed up my 90's road bike as a town bike. it did several years' time moldering in the basement, set up far too sportily for town use when every other trip involved child passengers, groceries etc. i admit that it's awfully pleasant to be back on a light supple steel frame, good old fussy derailleur technology, and light tires only 35mm wide after years of riding what were either tanks or bromptons. anyway this rediscovery has something to do with our decision to stock Surlys. GRJ, you seem to know me; do I know you?toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06144719045140507684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66008268388590489992012-05-07T18:25:31.157-04:002012-05-07T18:25:31.157-04:00"Concerning efficiency and posture, efficienc..."Concerning efficiency and posture, efficiency and resource optimization in general is an important consideration in the context of scarcity or of edge-seeking performance."<br /><br />Or mileage, Mr. I Carry Surlys now.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30007296201362004092012-05-07T17:56:01.711-04:002012-05-07T17:56:01.711-04:00Ground Round: Your "Edwardian dignity" h...Ground Round: Your "Edwardian dignity" hypothesis may well have merit; dunno. At any rate, it's a hard trade, dignity for such a damn'd awkward position! <br /><br />Velouria: I agree that a bolt-upright position is easier on the shoulder and sleeve seams. I continually fight "that gap" at the rear between top of shorts and bottom of jersey, and my bars (road bikes) are only 3 cm below saddle. <br /><br />I must say, putting things together all in all, that there are few bicycles with as much style as an all-dressed Raleigh DL-1. If I go buy that derelict and refurbish it, it will be the perfect bicycle on which to accompany my soon-to-be-11-year-old daughter on short rides near my house. Dignity -- can't promise that.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31780985791172972092012-05-07T17:55:31.939-04:002012-05-07T17:55:31.939-04:00In wet conditions on a bike like this I use predom...In wet conditions on a bike like this I use predominantly the coater brake anyway. I mostly just need the front brake for that extra umph when coming to a complete stop in traffic, to prevent the bike from rolling. I imagine you are reading this with horror, but remember I don't live in Portland. So while no front brake is unacceptable for me, a weak front brake is fine and even to be expected if the coaster brake is good. That's how the bike I ride in Austria is...Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11463951563917228392012-05-07T17:47:13.125-04:002012-05-07T17:47:13.125-04:00You say a front caliper brake could be fit, but no...You say a front caliper brake could be fit, but note that with the steel rims, and the long caliper arms required, wet braking performance will be pretty bad.<br /><br />Concerning efficiency and posture, efficiency and resource optimization in general is an important consideration in the context of scarcity or of edge-seeking performance. Toodling along at 10 mph in a flat place no more than a few miles at a time (e.g., running errands within a Dutch city, or a mythic Manhattan) is so undemanding of a daily rider's metabolic resources that efficiency is beside the point. You might even argue that it would degrade the modest exercise value of riding to contrive to expend fewer calories per mile with a more aerodynamic posture. And it would be less comfortable.<br /><br />WorkCycles Azor-sourced bike frames are brazed in lots of places. Azor makes some, but mainly they do finish and assembly with the frames coming to them bare. As far as I've heard, frame models Kruis, Transport, Opa, and the Secret Service ones are brazed in Belgium (perhaps Achielle?). Model Oma is reportedly brazed in either Taiwan or the PRC, where a lot of other nice bikes come from. We note that the Oma frames are consistently straighter than the Belgian-brazed ones FWIW.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06144719045140507684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19361924133070459762012-05-07T17:47:11.527-04:002012-05-07T17:47:11.527-04:00Whoops! I think the Amersterdam I rode was a "...Whoops! I think the Amersterdam I rode was a "Townie" model and thus even more laid back. Still, a pleasure compared to the (Indian clones of) the DL-1!Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28209695146438403052012-05-07T17:47:09.617-04:002012-05-07T17:47:09.617-04:00If you wear a pith helmet and jodhpurs you will ha...If you wear a pith helmet and jodhpurs you will have less trouble with the ergonomics of the DL-1. At some point anyone who rides these creatures has to accept that the design comes from a 1913 military contract. If you think the British Raj arrived at perfection in 1913 then ride the bike as is and stop complaining. Otherwise get busy modifying the bike so you can ride it.<br /><br />Watching that 1945 film from the Nottingham works was a lot like watching third world mfg processes. My observation of DL-1s and clones is that quality has always varied. My Indian DL-1 was frame-aligned and assembled in Wisconsin and handily exceeds the ride quality of any other DL-1 I've tried. I'll admit that most test rides have been on long neglected bikes, never used but for garage ornaments. Which is how most American DL-1s have ended up. <br /><br />There is and will be a shortage of curators for DL-1s. An owner who mods until the bike is rideable allows the bike to be what it's supposed to be: transportation. <br /><br />Very old and fine examples of course should be cared for if at all feasible. My experience of 70s and 80s bikes has been that they were awful when unboxed, needing many hours of shoptime to become functional. Most shops just never did all the needed work. And the ball went downhill from there unless and until a hardcore enthusiast wanted a project.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77146523640761129162012-05-07T17:37:34.764-04:002012-05-07T17:37:34.764-04:00"Last thing, you've mentioned DL-1 clones..."Last thing, you've mentioned DL-1 clones before, and I remember you off-handedly referred to the handling as identical. Have you ridden real DL-1s and determined this, or are you assuming from the way they look?"<br /><br />No, I have not -- guilty as charged. But they were designed like the DL-1; analogues to the Hindustan Ambassador which was built from the exported machine tooling for the Morris Oxford. See http://www.yellowjersey.org/EASTMAN.HTML. <br /><br />"The advantage of leaning forward is really about aerodynamics. This is increasingly important the faster you go, so someone wanting to go faster would want to lean forward mostly to cheat the wind. At grandma (Oma) speeds, an upright posture makes perfect sense."<br /><br />Not so. A great benefit of leaning forward is to put into use muscles that otherwise are not used: see for example http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm. Riding fixed as I do in rolling terrain, I often find myself dropping into the hooks for an incline just for the extra "boost" of power -- this at speeds where aerodynamics have less effect overall on speed.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I am not badmouthing those who like these bikes; hell, I like these bikes! I just can't understand the design, which seems so inefficient. Even the Electra Amersterdam that I tried a couple of years ago -- a so-called semi-recumbent design -- felt more natural and efficient. Is it just my body type? -- Anglo Asian, so Asian build but Anglo size (5'10" but taller when sitting than my 6'1" Norwegian-American bro-in-law). Very, very odd.<br /><br />I will go talk to the bike store -- Stevie's Happy Bikes in Corrales, NM -- tomorrow about the DL-1. Hope to get him to sell my Worksman trike, too.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.com