If I were back in the Netherlands I wouldn’t have given it a second glance: a sturdy city bike locked up outside an apartment building with a heavy chain. But it was chained to a lamp post in Menlo Park, California, not Amsterdam, so I had to stop and investigate. I’ve never seen the brand before and I can’t guess its vintage, but I was pretty sure it was Dutch even before an internet search. How so? The evidence is in the tell-tale details.
Strip away a few accessories and this typical Dutch bike could pass for an American bike from my childhood.
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- The rack and folding wire basket could be American, but the dress guard and stretched elastic cord are Dutch.
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- You’ll never find a full chain case and wheel lock on an American bike.
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- The three-speed thumb shifter and swept back handlebars remind me of a bike I got in middle school.
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- I’m pretty sure there are drum brakes inside this Sturmey Archer hub.
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- My old bike never had a light with tire-driven dynamo generator.
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- The generator also powers a rear light. Not bad for a bike that’s left outside.
Note: An internet search revealed very little about Pointer except that it’s a Dutch brand like Gazelle and Batavus. If you know more about Pointer bikes or what vintage this bike might be, please leave a comment!
Location: Linden Oaks neighborhood in Menlo Park, California, USA, near Stanford University.
I Cycle (@I_Cycle_2)
April 18, 2013 at 8:41 am
Judging by the frame and the lights, I’d guess this bike is early or mid 80′s.
Pointer is one of the smaller dutch bicycle brands, but still good quality. Limited range of bicycles but enough choice for the dutch commuter, student, paperboy or grocery cyclist. The brand exists for several decades now and focuses mainly on the dutch market. So spotting one on that site of the ocean is rather unique.
Home site of Pointer bicycles: http://www.pointerrijwielen.nl/
ladyfleur
April 18, 2013 at 9:27 am
Thanks for the info. Based on the paint and decal colors, I was guessing it was late 80s to early 90s. I saw a lot of teal green and burgundy red colors together here during that time. Now I wonder why I ever wore those colors together. Not really very flattering.