Batavus Lightning
Oct 24, 2007 · 06:23 AM · permalink
Simple, sturdy, Dutch. The Batavus Lightning is a urban, city bike. It’s equipped with Nexus 7 and roller brakes, which means clean lines and just a few cables.
It’s modern looking and focused on form and function. With the big Schwable tires, powder-coated 7005 aluminum frame, and heft, the Lightning rides very solid, with sure steering, and comfort. The flat bar and adjustable stem are for an upright position. I was able to climb hills with the gearing and straight up, really dug this bike. There was plenty of tire clearance for fenders.
With the dropouts, sliders and 130 spacing, I think you could run a fixed or single-speed as well. It’s a very understated bike and where an old-school bike industry dude would comment that it’s just another aluminum, flat-bar city bike, with 700c, and big tires; another would note that it’s got Dutch style and Nexus! One thing I did wonder is why there’s no bottle cage mounts? Well that’s because the Dutch are minimalists.
The Batavus Lighting rides well on paths and in the city.
Notes
- MSRP is $999.99 and it’s shipping now to your local Independent Bike Dealer.
- Roller brakes are nice, but don’t brake like DA.
- Batavus’ website is not easy to navigate. I was unable to find this bike there, but your local dealer should get more details from SBS.
Update
The name of the bike was corrected to Lightning.
Are those wheels in some sort of strange 4-spoke bundles, or is it the lighting?
They are a 4-paired spoke arrangement and very stiff. They’re Batavus Rigida wheels and where Rolf does Twin Pair, Batavus does Quadruple Pair!
That’s one awesome bike! Its a pity however that it seems to have no rack mounts? I have a German Hercules (Don’t laugh, they make some very nice bikes sometimes!) with a similar set-up and sometimes you need to put something on a nice minimalist rack.
Oh and roller brakes are awesome if a little unresponsive, however you don’t appreciate it until you ride wet cold icy weather. Then your brakes work the same as they do on a dry summer afternoon.
More of the above please!
John
Like no bottle cage mounts, I think it’s more minimalism than an oversight. We’ve got another Batavus on test that’s the most accessorized bike I’ve ever ridden with lights, fenders, racks, the whole thing.
I like roller brakes a lot, it’s solid, but they do take so some getting used to. I’m also unsure of the maintenance, if any.
Guys
The Lightning is designed by Batavus for the Danish market, hence the clean lines and minimalist approach. Batavus bikes for the Dutch market come loaded with every thing you can imagine as standard
Dave
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