bring my own bike?

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 04:00 am

I'm planning on visiting amsterdam later this year for a few months and I was considering if I should bring my own bike? I realize this probably sounds strange. One of the reasons I'm considering this is since first of all when I arrive (for my first time), I don't want to waste time figuring out transportation and where to get a bike, shopping around for prices, the right bike etc.., and I'm guessing most places are offering rentals than sales.

Since I'm planning on spending a few months I would have to purchase a bike anyway. The other thing is when I get from Schiphol to centraal, I want to hit the road right away and not waste time over finding a bike as I stated. The only thing on my mind is going to be to getting to CS's as quickly as possible and just getting on with my plans.

Next, I want to have a folding bike so I can bring it with with me on trains etc.. and not be charged a fee (which I heard is possible if I have a folding bike). Also since I'm planning on getting an apartment while I'm there, I'd prefer a folding bike. - This brings me to another question, if I have a folding bike (with a carrier bag) can I bring it in with me into establishments like CS's, restaurants etc..? This would also help me reduce time trying to find a place to lock my bike and help prevent theft since the bike would be with me all the time instead of locking it outside.

The thing is though, I was actually not wanting to check in any baggage during my visit and just bring a carry-on so i don't have to deal with extra waiting etc.. but, I think it might be better for me to just bring my own bike but, I don't know I could be wrong. What do you think?

Thanks

Balou · Post by **Balou** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 04:26 am

I've never seen anyone take the bike, folding or not, into any shop. If you are traveling to Amsterdam by plane you will have to check the bike as luggage and may have to pay an oversize fee. I looked at new bikes last summer and they started around 200E. You might be better off buying a used bike once you arrive. Recycled Bicycles, http://www.recycledbicycles.org/prices/index.html , offer used bikes for 60E - 80E. I also remember coming across a rental shop that would sell you a bike and buy it back when you're done.

Peace,
Balou

cantona7 · Post by **cantona7** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 12:08 pm

your there a few months..no need to hurry and rush or stress when you get there. just hit the ground running and go with the flow and most of all have a blast! dont see any problem with bringing a bike except maybe into a cs. are u traveling far and checking the bike? watch for fees. you also only get like 2 bags and that would count as one.

wish i still had my old gt mach 1..id bring it to amsterdam and try to do bunny hops off the curbs. would be fun to bring a skateboard too.

Marco · Post by **Marco** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 12:27 pm

Relax man. Relax

You would never want to bring a bike inside. It will take you 20 minutes to rent a bike, locks (which are heavy) and all that stuff.

Good luck and don't bring sand to the beach.

Adamster · Post by **Adamster** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 04:43 pm

Dont know where your coming from But i know if fighting wit KLM or AIRFRANCE youll need a BOX for your bike they charge about 20euro (30$) one way! iv got a folding bike they are great to have you can also BUY one there for about 200euro full equiped wit light and locks!!

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 05:54 pm

Ok, looks like I should just wait to get there and see how it goes. However 200E for a folding bike sounds overpriced, I can probably get one for almost half that in the u.s. (without a light and lock though). Still it sounds like it's going to be too much trouble bringing it through the airport. I don't really want to check any baggage in since I don't want to waste any extra time with the airport.

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 06:06 pm

I have a friend from the US who took one with him and left it with a local he knows so he always has one whenever he goes, you'd have to check it in but I've always found by the time you get to the luggage carousel your luggage is near enough always there, locks & lights are real cheap in the markets so you could pick those up real easily, if you're going to be there for a few months whats the problem with spending a few extra mins waiting for your bike anyway?

Locking a bike up is real easy as well, I near enough always get a bike and cant remember having trouble finding somewhere to lock it.

Adamster · Post by **Adamster** » Sat 13th Feb 2010 06:12 pm

i paid 115$ at walmart well worth having and since it just 30x37x22 fits in a Bag « Hockey bag

but never got to bring it wit me

cause last year few days after buying my bag for it the bike frame broke in 1/2 at 2 places

cantona7 · Post by **cantona7** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 01:23 am

abcdabcd wrote:Ok, looks like I should just wait to get there and see how it goes. However 200E for a folding bike sounds overpriced, I can probably get one for almost half that in the u.s. (without a light and lock though). Still it sounds like it's going to be too much trouble bringing it through the airport. I don't really want to check any baggage in since I don't want to waste any extra time with the airport.

if you get there early enough checking in a bag will take less time than clearing security. i doubt you can fit 2 months worth of clothes along with everything else yu need in one carry on bag. they are getting alot stricter about the size of carry on, if its to big they will just make you gate check it. i suppose you could just buy all your clothes/supplies in the dam but thats taking a chunk out of trip expenses.

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 03:31 am

I had seen somewhere online where it stated that finding a place to lock your bike is difficult in amsterdam, it actually stated that you can be riding around for 20 min. trying to find a place to lock it. According to the replies here, it seems to not be an issue.

I guess it makes sense if I'm going to spend 3 months there then it's not really an issue. I just like to plan ahead for everything. I'm actually going to be staying in the Haarlem area so, anyway, I'll have to understand the public transportation first before I start riding a bike. I should probably also observe the bike lines and roads etc.. a little before I just get there and immediately hit the road.

Can anybody recommend some places where I could get good deals on bikes (sales, not rentals)? Should I purchase a bike in amsterdam and if I can get a folding bike bring it with me on my way to Haarlem or would the prices be higher in Amsterdam so I should wait to get to Haarlem?

Thanks

Max Flower · Post by **Max Flower** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 06:56 am

My buddy Chooby and his wife took their bikes over a few years back and he seemed to think overall it was more trouble than it was worth.

Now he thinks next trip he'll just buy a cheap cycle at the Waterlooplein markt and just sell it back to the same guy at the end.

Remember also, that the bike counts towards the total weight of your luggage allowance.

It seemed like a real pain for him to have to go to a different counter to retrieve his boxed bike. Then the next 10-20 mins consisted of random cursing, handlebar straightening, wheel re-attachment, brake adjustment, attaching of peddles, seat post adjusting.

All the while I'm sitting there with my gear just chomping at the bit ready to hit the train and yet we waited.

Marco · Post by **Marco** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 09:40 am

abcdabcd wrote:I had seen somewhere online where it stated that finding a place to lock your bike is difficult in amsterdam, it actually stated that you can be riding around for 20 min. trying to find a place to lock it. According to the replies here, it seems to not be an issue.

I guess it makes sense if I'm going to spend 3 months there then it's not really an issue. I just like to plan ahead for everything. I'm actually going to be staying in the Haarlem area so, anyway, I'll have to understand the public transportation first before I start riding a bike. I should probably also observe the bike lines and roads etc.. a little before I just get there and immediately hit the road.

Can anybody recommend some places where I could get good deals on bikes (sales, not rentals)? Should I purchase a bike in amsterdam and if I can get a folding bike bring it with me on my way to Haarlem or would the prices be higher in Amsterdam so I should wait to get to Haarlem?

Thanks

What is your budget? Folding bikes are more rare on the used market.

PS: It has never taken me more than 2 min to find a place to park.

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 05:58 pm

Marco wrote:
abcdabcd wrote:

Thanks
What is your budget? Folding bikes are more rare on the used market.

Well, I doubt I'll get prices like these but, I found this folding bike online for $159 http://www.greenzonebikes.com/20-foldin ... ed-bl.html not sure if I would get this exact same bike but, I would prefer not to spend more than $250.

Maybe when I get there I can try to find a place to order it online and have it shipped and just rent a bike temporarily until it arrives.

Also, what's the deal with all the bike theft? Is it likely that if I get a folding bike or a nice bike it's going to get stolen like I read everywhere? Or with the number of bikes there, you just have to be unlucky to get it stolen during the day? Of course I'll always keep the bike locked and since it's a folding bike I'll bring it in my apartment so it won't have to be locked outside in the open overnight.

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 06:25 pm

I wouldn't want to have to cycle around Amsterdam with those tiny wheels, it just looks harder work to me, I'd just get a regular dutch bike if I was you when you get there.

The posher the bike the more appealing it'll be to the thieves as well.

Uncle Ron · Post by **Uncle Ron** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 11:37 pm

[quote="abcdabcd"] "The thing is though, I was actually not wanting to check in any baggage during my visit...."

- Do you really know what you want? Best you figure out the details before you leave rather than after you arrive.
BTW, why would you wait until after arriving to figure out transportation? Isn't this something that should be done before setting off? Just saying.....
(if there were an emoticon for scratching head, this would be a perfect place)

As for bringing a bike into a C/S, would you bring one into a restaurant?

Peace.

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