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So you want to buy, fix or ride a bike?
Here's a few links and bits'n bobs to help you
- Your Local Bike Shop (LBS)
Your Bike Shop sells bikes, tools, gear and other bike stuff. Somewhere on the premises you should also find your friendly bike mechanic.
Best way to find a bike shop is go to Google Maps, click the "Nearby" button and type in "Bike Shops". Easy Peasy!
Then its up to you. I recommend reading the reviews or asking someone who knows the business.
Bike shops come in all shapes and sizes from the big retail groups through to the smaller businesses that cater for the more serious cyclists. Then there are the niche bike shops that cater to a specialist area such as people who like custom or vintage bikes and may be after hard to come by old or second hand parts.
Over the years I have found it worthwhile to build a relationship with a Bike Shop you like. They will also help and appreciate people who like to have a go at their own bike maintenance
Be nice to the people at your LBS, especially the mechanics who are usually a good bunch doing what they do for love and aren't always paid that well. - Buying a Bike
When buying a bike, try and do some research; for example are you planning to commute, go road riding or mountain biking? This will determine what sort of bike to look for (or maybe "bikes"!)
Where do you go for information? There are a few options:
- The Internet. For example in Google type in "I want to buy a bike" and stand back!
- You may have a Community Bike Organisation. The people there will probably be more than happy to give you advice.
- Your Local Bike Shop
Doing your homework will also help you determine reputable brands of bikes vs BSO ("Bike Shaped Object") BSOs can be found on some questionable internet sites and certain shops that are not Bike Shops that sell other things besides bikes . "Caveat Emptor"
Just as there is no such thing as a free lunch, there is no such thing as a ridiculously cheap safe and quality bike.
Sorry!
Be careful of internet bike/ BSOs or bikes that you have to assemble. The bikes/ BSOs themselves may be death traps, but having an inexperienced person build them just compounds the problem.
If you see a bike you like the look of, use Google to look for reviews, eg type "Penny Farthing 1889 review nz"
Bikes can be purchased at your local bike shop, on line or second hand via channels such as Trade Me.
Be careful with secondhand bikes if you are new to biking as it can take an expert to see faults. Take someone with you who knows bikes or use the Bike Checklist.
There are also community social enterprises that upcycle affordable second hand bikes and will be happy to give you advice.
These organisations are worth checking out and because they are not-for-profits all they care about is getting happy people on bikes.
If you are new to this and have some money, consider buying a brand new bike from a reputable shop. You will have a bike that will give you minimal problems and probably get a few free services thrown in.
A perfect scenario is to buy last years model at a sale price; you may get as much as 50% off the original price!
Get a bike that you love and you will ride it; a good bike is like coming home and putting a smile on your face.
So spend the money if you can, you will not regret it!
- Useful links for DIY Mechanics
My favourite web site when I get stuck with a bike problem is www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/
No nonsense, straight to the point and uses text with videos.
My other favourite is www.sheldonbrown.com/
Sheldon Brown is like the Yoda of the bicycle world, very knowledgeable, eccentric and nerdy. Sheldon is cool and sadly like Yoda deceased, but his knowledge lives on. - Buying bikes, bling and bike bits online
Suddenly you find this gap in your life....
You need that bike tool, part accessory or its winter and you need those cool merino leggings. Your life will be meaningless until that need is fulfilled. ( The Marketing Team have done their job!)
The fun begins as you reach for your credit card and see what Google can find for you...(Christmas comes more that once a Year!)
As with all online shopping one needs to be a bit discerning. You can apparently get some good deals off shore but then reading the reviews one may find complaints that part labelled "Shimano" are inferior copies and so on.
I'd rather pay the money for the real thing!
And how long are the off shore delivery times? and their shipping prices?
Generally companies based in NZ will deliver good product on time and for a decent price. (bearing in mind that some off shore companies use a .nz URL.). But shop around for a good deal.
Three little tips:
a) Trade Me is a good source of stuff. This includes the on Line Trade Me Stores who cater for people looking for niche parts and bulk items.
b) A lot of parts and tools are currently in short supply worldwide, due to the impact of Covid 19 on the supply chain. Hang in there!
c) We have some great NZ companies that supply Bike Clothing. - Places to Ride (Unfinished)
Auckland:
at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/maps-rides/
www.bikeauckland.org.nz/maps-rides/cycle-maps/
Further afield:
www.nzcycletrail.com/ - Training for Bike Mechanics (Unfinished)
So you think that its not fun enough to ride them, you want to fix them?
The sound of a finely tuned derailleur is like music....
The Bike Doctor
Workshops