Bicycle history
The Churchill Balloon gents bike belongs to a category of classic bicycles that has many different names. This type of classic bicycle is called everything from a sit-up-and-beg bicycle, a vintage bicycle and a retro style bicycle, to an 'Omafiets' - (Granny bike in Dutch). In some countries the most common term is a commuter bike, utility bike or an upright bike. The most popular European term is the 'Dutch Bike´ or 'Dutch style bicycle'; a generic term used to describe typically a two-wheeled, utilitarian bicycle, with mudguards or fenders, a rear carrier or rack, relaxed loop frame or geometry, an upright seating position and generally an ‘old-time’ look reminiscent of the early 20th century. It is a style of bike you will find all over Northern Europe, from bicycle friendly cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, to Hamburg, Stockholm and Oslo.
Balloon tyres
Balloon tyres were fashionable in the first half of the last century and were developed to counteract poor road conditions. Fat Frank tyres by the German tyre producer Schwalbe by far outperform the balloon tyres from way back then. In fact Balloon bikes equipped with Fat Frank broad tyres roll easily and are completely effortless to steer. The Balloon bike concept such as Velorbis Scrap Deluxe not only makes commuting on bikes more comfortable, it makes it easy and relaxed. Velorbis chose to use Fat Frank balloon tyres because the pneumatic cushioning of these special wide tyres naturally absorbs bumps and ensures a smoother riding experience at all times.
Enclosed hub gears
Enclosing the gears protects you and your bicycle from all types of weather, hence they involve much lower maintenance than the derailleur systems found on most bikes. Another advantage of internal gears is that they are very simple on the outside and come with a chain guard. This is a much cleaner option allowing you to ride in any clothing you choose rather than having to wear specialist cycle gear.
Design flexibility
Another characteristic feature of Velorbis is our flexibility in equipping bicycles with either freewheel/drum brake hubs which are popular worldwide, or coaster brakes/pedal brake hubs which are predominantly associated with Dutch style bicycles from Holland, Northern Europe and Scandinavia.
In the beginning Dutch style bikes were 'born' with coaster brakes/pedal brake hubs because at that time they were the predominant style of bike in Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway - these countries all used this coaster brake/pedal brake system only. The sit-up-and-beg style bicycles have recently increased in popularity all over the world; however these markets are not used to coaster brakes/pedal brakes. Therefore the Dutch style bicycle has evolved to also include freewheel internal gear hubs with drum or roller brake systems. Since Velorbis caters for all markets, we have decided to offer our range of bicycles with both brake system options.
Lightweight bicycle
Traditional classic style commuter bicycles tend to be heavier than carbon bikes, racer bikes mountain bikes, etc. We have produced our traditionally lugged and brazed hand built frames from the highest quality Chromoly steel, rather than using the traditional and heavier hi-ten steel frames you find on other steel bicycles today. These initiatives therefore reduce the overall weight of our bicycles to stunning 18,0 kg (36 lbs), making them a perfect fit for navigating through traffic jams, lifting on and off trains or down steps, etc.
Upright bike comfort
Our Churchill Balloon retro style gents bike comes with a traditionally lugged and brazed hand built frame, which ensures a relaxed and ultra posture-friendly cycling experience at all times - widely referred to as sit-up-and-beg style. This gives a high vantage point from which you can view the traffic, as well as making it easy to look behind you and soak in all of the sights and sounds of your surroundings as you cycle past.
