[JoanneG]

My Bike is very old and heavy and needs replacing.

Are bikes expensive in NZ? Would it be worth buying a new one here and shipping it with the rest of our stuff?

[peebles16]

We've been looking on Trade Me and depending on how "posh" a bike you want I think they are cheaper - sure someone out there will correct me on this!?!
K

[jubjub]

Have a look here, it depends what you are after...

http://www.bikebarn.co.nz/
http://www.rrsport.co.nz/
http://www.pennyfarthing.co.nz/Site/Bikes.aspx

[IanW99]

There is a wide range of bikes and prices in NZ (also seem to be quite a few bike shops around).

When the special offers are on there are some bargains (IMO) e.g. at K-Mart and Warehouse.

For example, Mens 21 speed (shimano) Mountain bike with Aluminium frame, front suspension for NZ$119 (similar spec and cost for Womens).

Ian

[Questor]

Forgive me for being a bike snob, but for $119 you'll be getting a bike that's worth exactly that - the components will be HEAVY, the fork won't be able to cope with much, and the whole thing will likely fall apart after not much use

See this article for more info:
http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO

If the one you have is falling apart, then personally, I'd go to your local bike shop (in the UK) and buy a new one and ship it over - if you're shipping stuff anyway, a bike (or 3) won't take up that much room, and if you don't really use it except to make sure it's set up right, you shouldn't have to clean it except from making sure it's not got mud hanging off it!

[IanW99]

I think you might be a bit of a bike snob :laugh

The frame is aluminium so lighter than a lot, and the frame and forks have a lifetime warranty so unlikely to fail.

They are the number 1 bike brand in the U.S. and have sold more than 100 millon bikes, so they must be doing something right.

I did say "There is a wide range of bikes and prices in NZ" and I am sure that the OP could find what they are looking for. :exit

Ian

[JoanneG]

Oops ! Didn't mean to cause a row! :roll :laugh

Thank you for all the recommendations. It's a mountain bike so I'll look at all the websights and check into prices.

I haven't had a new bike in 15 years so I reckon I can treat myself - my old one weighs a ton!

Thanks again folks.

[Questor]

I didn't think you had!
I was just giving my PERSONAL view that "bargain" bikes are a false economy. I've ridden lots of different bikes over the years, and you really do get what you pay for!

If you want a mountain bike, IMO you can't go far wrong with Specialized or Giant - Evans Cycles are very good, they have a website - www.evanscycles.com where you can look at bikes, and they have shops all over the country (UK) where you can go and have a play to your heart's content!

[IanW99]

No arguments here :no

If you are thinking about buying a new bike in the UK before you go then consider shipping options carefully, I'm sure that I have seen more than one complaint on this forum about damage caused during shipping. As you can imagine they are not the easiest things to pack.

Ian

[dilanium]

can you get Trek bicycles in NZ?

[Mels]

I'm in the process of getting a new bike as my old one is best laid to rest. Found this very helpful shop that will fit even a 'cheap' bike to my poor old damaged body - duff knees, ankle and shoulders!! Got to that age when bits drop off!! :uhoh and where do I find a website with cycling gear that an old relic could wear.... Christchurch SI.......:laugh

Now if we were living in NZ I could save myself the postage...... maybe soon, fingers crossed

[jackie m]

Don't forget to get your cycle helmet aswell as you are required by law to wear one over here. I would try & source a decent one from the UK before you leave as some of the ones over here are not up great standards.
Jackie

[jubjub]

god yes cycle helmet..... hubbys probably saved his life a couple of weeks ago, he was trying a jump on his mountainbike....

there is this site as well he has used for equipment.

http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/

[Nathan]

It's a good idea to remove the cheap plastic visor from the from of the helmut. A friend of mine nearly lost his one good eye in a crash. He instead got a nasty cut just below his eye when the broken plastic jabbed him in the face.

[JoanneG]

These websites are great! Shippers coming on Friday so we'll have a chat.

Thanks for the tip on the bike helmet jubjub - I hadn't realised it was law in NZ - handy to know!

:cheers

[Jo Jo]

I bought a bike in NZ - it cost me as much to buy the bike, helmet, mudguards & lock as it would have cost to just buy a similar bike in the UK. And the mudguards were fitted free of charge, and the man in the shop threw in a couple of free extras, too.

And I got to try it out before I bought it, too - I was a bit wobbly as I hadn't ridden a bike for about 20 years!