Test: The large Dutch bicycle manufacturer remains true to its roots, but at the same time presents with the Escala a fresh, modern city bike that offers high-quality technology and a lot of solidity at a three-digit price.
Batavus is one of the major Dutch bicycle manufacturers, one of the co-inventors of the Dutch bike, so to speak. The solid, comfortable everyday bikes are still very popular today, as they offer a pleasantly upright seating position, which is particularly useful in traffic, and the step-through version makes it easy to get on and off. Otherwise, the genre has of course evolved significantly: where extremely flat, thinly extended forks used to offer shock-reducing flexibility, today an elegantly integrated suspension ensures comfortable damping in the event of potholes and curbs. And the old-fashioned drum brakes have given way to low-maintenance and snappy hydraulic brakes, with the front brake sitting behind the fork, giving it an even harder bite.
The gear hub is also typical of "Dutch bikes", although today it has eight instead of just three gears. The "primary transmission" (pinion and sprocket) was chosen in such a way that the bike can also be used on climbs. This is by no means usual on eight-speed bikes; many are geared so long that you hardly ever use the seventh and eighth gears, but you have to pedal with a lot of force uphill.
Incidentally, a detail typical of Batavus has survived here: the simple but effective chain tensioning device that prevents the rear wheel from being gradually pulled forward.
Batavus Escala: Successful equipment without significant weaknesses
The "Chainglider" from the Bielefeld accessories specialist Hebie is not quite as pretty to look at as the classic cloth chain box. The floating cover effectively protects the chain of links from dirt and moisture - indispensable for the proverbial longevity of a Dutch bike. The luggage rack is also classically modern: it “floats” elegantly above the mudguard and is also equipped with a spring clamp and triple tension belt. This allows a bag or rain jacket to be securely attached. And the frame lock on the rear wheel shouldn't be missing either - solid protection not just for short stops, because at 17,8 kilos the Batavus can't even be carried away quickly.
Visually, the matt white Escala is rather reserved, but here and there clever accents raise eyebrows. The routing through the upper frame tube is as unobtrusive as the cable routing in the down tube is. Add to that the striking red of the gear cable and the comfortable city bike becomes unmistakable.
Is something missing for everyday cycling happiness? Not really, unless you really want to cycle through the city with electric assistance. In this case, Batavus offers the Bryte E-go model, an e-bike with a Yamaha mid-engine that comes close to the Escala in terms of equipment and frame shape - although it is almost three times as expensive. Then maybe you would prefer a classic-modern Dutch bike...
