Vancouver-based Jorg & Olif sell Dutch bikes to Canadian urban cyclists.
The two-year-old company took a classic design and added Japanese hub gears and drum brakes to tackle North American cities (i.e. cities that aren't utterly flat). Aside from that modification, Jorg & Olif bikes are utterly old-fashioned: heavy and black. A strong rear carrier handles extra baggage, and a woven basket is an optional extra. Saddle and handlebars are positioned for upright riding, which allows bikers a safer view of traffic and a better view of the scenery rolling by. The bicycle's enclosed chain and gear mechanism make it possible to wear work clothes while commuting. The bikes also come with lights, mudguards, splash flaps and skirting: no need to wear Spandex for a trip to the market ;-)
Jorg & Olif, which is the only company in North America to sell Dutch city bikes, is a firm believer in the slow life. "After all, it's not about getting from A to B; it's enjoying the in-between." Their bicycles, sourced from a small traditional factory northeast of Amsterdam, are priced from CAD 875 for a 1-speed Oma (hers) or Opa (his) version. Three and eight speed versions are also available. The company currently only ships within Canada, and operates from a gallery-like lifestyle store in Vancouver.
Fuelled by a desire for sustainable mobility (in downtown Vancouver, about 33 per cent of people travel by foot and bicycle, approximately 28 percent take transit, and 39 per cent drive), Jorg & Olif's bikes are a good example of how nouveau niche works. While the masses will probably stick to their mountain bikes, profits can be made from catering to a niche market that prefers retro chic.
Website: http://www.jorgandolif.com
Contact: hello@jorgandolif.com
P.S. We like bikes! Check out our previous articles on two-wheeled locomotion: girls on bikes, city bike schemes, hot bikes, Indian bikes, bikevertising, and bikes for Africa.
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I'm dutch and I just wanted to say I loveeeeeee (!) old fashioned granny bikes, sad to say mine got stolen last week...... but I already have a new one (yaay) and this time I bought the best lock I could find..... I keep my fingers crossed ;-)
Anyway rock on!
Great bicycles, and it wouldn't hurt to have the geared versions here in Holland as well, after all, Amsterdam has a couple of steep canal bridges, and with people sitting on the back it would be good to have some lower gears available.
We applaud all efforts to bring Bikes back into fashion. Our own venture is just getting started but it features a Trike for Baby Boomers. Check out www.boomerbents.com
hi im restoring an old tors 1886 dutch bike wud any1 have original stickers please before i powderblast it . i live in new zealand
ARGH...... i simple love traditional bike.... gosh... this bikes making me crazy !!! Love the simplicity of it...
to the poor guy that got his bike stole ..do like we do here in tenn,,dont use a lock use a glock...or grannies 20 ga,shotgun it works here we dont even have a lock on our door,,well we dont have a door but if we did i wouldnt lock it,,,,,,good luck buddy,,,ps,,,,,watch out for the dogs to..hahah..
bring back bikes, how much do they retail at ?
your bikes r gay
they are cool but i need to know what they are called can anyone tell me
I do agree with the guy that thinks the bikes are gay... but now i new these pictures for a collage project.
Hopefully the Dutch bike won't get stolen if its in Canada :)
Dr Nic | July 28, 2006 3:31 PM