Bike advice for couple

15 comments

1. Not an expert either, but with a heightdifference like that, it’ll probably not work to find one bike to share, if you want to ride it comfortably. Unless you want to readjust things to whoever is going to drive the bike every time.

   Just a brainfart: Wouldn’t it be easier to get 2 omafietsen and 1 seat for the little’un? That way whoever is going for a bikeride and wants to take the little egg along can just transfer the seat.

2. I have a ‘mom’ bike (Batavus Mambo) that has an easily adjustable saddle, and plenty of room for a seat in the front and on the back.

3. The sturdiest bikes are rental bikes, with added bonus of being able to quickly an easily change the height of the saddle and handlebars.
   At the end of the summer a lot will be sold of.

4. If the main use is biking with the baby i prefer a bike that could be called family bike or ‘moederfiets’. A bike like that:

   * has a sturdy frame and strong spokes. A regular bike will start to ‘wobble’ more quickly when you are transporting a child and groceries.
   * is safer. For example, this bike has a double-leg stand, which means it remains upright (even when heavily loaded).
   * has a steering lock, which means the handlebars do not turn (swing to the side) and you can put your child in the bike seat in peace.
   * has a wider handlebar, with plenty of room for a bike seat. The luggage carrier is also spacious and sturdy, and therefore suitable for a child seat.
   * has a low entry, so you can easily get on and off (also handy with a pregnant belly).
   * has a large space between the saddle and the front seat, so you do not bump your legs against the bike seat.
   * A possible disadvantage compared to a regular bike: a mother’s bike has a larger turning circle and is heavier, and therefore more sluggish to use.

   I have an older version of the Gazelle Bloom because it can also be used to transport heavy groceries. I’ve never used it for transporting children, but there is clearly room by the handlebars for a child seat.

   I recommend seeking advice on family bikes that are well adjustable to two different heights, as you should both be able to ride them safely and comfortably with the baby.

5. A compromise would simply end up straining both your bodies, making it uncomfortable for everyone, not to mention the constant readjustments of saddle and perhaps the steer as well.

   If ~€1100 is your budget, then consider a pair of second-hand bikes instead. Who cares about aesthetics on a chore bike anyway? It just needs to get the job done!

6. I would choose a proper [omafiets](https://www.city-bikes.nl/omafietsen/Cortego-Cargo-Damesfiets-Mat-Zwart-28-Inch-3-Versnellingen) for the following reasons:
   *You want to replace the saddle it if has ‘open’ suspension springs.*

   -It already has a 2-leg kickstand, needed to put the kid in its seat.
   -Fully enclosed chain (kids being kids, curious about everything that moves).
   -It has a strong (and long) rear rack for decent sized panniers, plus a front rack (if the rear rack is blocked by the seat).

   195-172 cm, about half of that is in the leg length, a 15 cm adjustment should be doable, and, depending on diameter, a [longer saddle pin](https://hollandbikeshop.com/fietszadels-zadelpennen/zadelpen/zadelpen-kaars/) is possible.
   Adjusting the height requires a tool, but is only a 2 minute job.

7. Get a moederfiets and an adjustable seatpost

8. Een beetje bikecurious?

9. That’s easy. If you live in Amsterdam and you want to create an image as a young urban family, you buy a bakfiets and put your children in the bak.
   If you outside Amsterdam and you have some money to spend, by an electric bike.
   And if you really want to act as a Dutch guy, you steal the bike.

10. Adjusting the seat height and steer height isn’t all too difficult if you bring the right tools on most bikes. It’s not super convenient, but it is possible.

11. Do yourself a favor and buy a proper “moederfiets”. Gazelle bloom, Batavus Mambo, etc.. They’re so much sturdier and more stable, really makes a difference when carrying a child seat, groceries or even both. 

    We used to have a child seat on a regular bike, now on a bloom. The difference is day and night, can’t imagine going back to the regular bike. 

    Edit: as for the height difference: just get the biggest frame size that your girlfriend fits on comfortably, and you can easily adjust it to your height, especially with these sturdy bikes. We’re 1m76 and 1m87 and use it together, no problem. 

    If you do get a regular bike, at least get a double kickstand for it so it’s safer to get your child on.

    Ok last edit: go checkout a local bike shop and see what they can do for you. They’re usually somewhat more expensive but we got about €100 free accessories and 2 free services included, which more than makes up the difference with the big online stores. 

12. > Now, the main issue is that i’m 195 tall and she is 172.

    On your link [https://www.12gobiking.nl/batavus-dinsdag-exclusive-n7](https://www.12gobiking.nl/batavus-dinsdag-exclusive-n7) … you see it’s impossible:

    Framemaat cm

    48 cm

    1.50 – 1.60 m

    53 cm

    1.60 – 1.75 m

    57 cm

    1.70 – 1.80 m

    61 cm

    1.80 – 1.90 m

    65 cm

    1.85 – 2.05 m

13. We have the same hight difference and have a bakfiets. It comes with a clip to switch the saddle up and down. But for us it didnt work. So now we have it some halfway but more for my hight because i’m a bit unstable 😅

    What you can do too, we had before, is a normal bike for each with yipp childrens seat with a clip on both bikes. You can switch the seat between bikes 🙂

14. Just ger 2 used bikes that fit both properly.. Why are you looking for a new bike anyway if budget is a concern?

15. I see family with parents 20-30cm different in heights use bakfiets comfortably. It also is suitable for Dutch weather bringing kids to school in closed compartment in comfort. From the distance you mentioned it seems like an electric bakfiets would suffice.