After a few years of following my husband down and around mountain biking trails, I have decided I would like to switch to Road Cycling. I am a fairly short and stocky lass at the moment, and I am struggling to find bibshorts to fit. I am approximately 5'2.

I would need XL size it appears but the length of the legs is too long OR the waist fits and the legs are loose.

Second hand at this size seems out of the question and after trying 6 bike shops this morning, 4 of whom had no bibshorts or shorts for women in stock to try, I sulked home to try the internet, but the measurements are not suiting my height and stature.

Any suggestions?

Anyone wear Ground Effect gear and can help with sizing? Looking at Tournadoes, and Vespa. I usually wear medium in everything, but at 185cm and 82kg, size chart would suggest large. They have a great return policy, but would prefer to get right the first time!

Yesterday I was on a magical ride on the north shore, good hill work. The biking lanes are really awesome, few pinch points at lights. Some wise guy tried to plow into me, denied it. Kept my cool and watched him drive fast block the bike lane (I guess just to show me) and blew past a bus on the turn lane. Called 111 with the details. Simply do not get into an argument with any driver. Take down the facts and justice will be served. There's heaps of CCTV at most lights now.

Hi everyone,

My bike was unfortunately stolen on 28 Sep 2026 at around 2:45pm from outside the Auckland Council building on Albert Street.

It's a dark green SOMA Smoothie, which is quite distinctive and, according to my local bike shop, is probably the only one of its kind in Auckland.

I rode it while I was six months pregnant (much to my friends' concern!), and we even survived a bike-vs-ute accident together last year. To be honest, it feels like I've lost a member of the family.

Bike details:

• Frame: SOME Smoothie (there is a big "SOMA" branding on it)
• Colour: dark green
• Serial number: unknown unfortunately

The theft has been reported to Police. The reference number is OR-2907742N.

If you happen to see this bike being ridden, locked up somewhere, or listed on Trade Me or Facebook Marketplace, I'd really appreciate it if you could send me a private message or contact Police via 105 and quote the reference number above.

Thank you so much for keeping an eye out. I'd be incredibly grateful for any help getting it back.

After a year off the bike, I recently did a short 7-day tour in New Zealand.

I started in Auckland, mostly following the Tour Aotearoa bikepacking route to Hamilton, where I took Te Huia back to where I started. Even though this was not my first bike tour, I was, admittedly, a bit rusty on this one. I was coming off a pretty bad elbow injury and getting over a cold, so I wasn't too fit, something that became abundantly clear to me during the tour. I wild camped most nights, spending two nights at a motel in Paeroa and one night at a hostel in Hamilton.

I did it with mostly new gear and a new bike since most of my gear is in storage overseas. I didn't get to have all the gear I usually bring, but not having it this time taught me what is truly essential for me on a bike tour.

I usually prefer to ride a bit heavy, but I opted for a lighter set up on this one.

Bike weight: The total weight of the loaded bike setup was 38.22 kg:

• 20.50 kg – Bike w/ handlebar bag, tube bag, and lock
• 6.12 kg – Back pannier bag
• 6.28 kg – Back pannier bag
• 5.32 kg – Yellow dry sack

Things I'd bring next time:

• Bigger dry sack (55L): More space.
• Proper pillow: Total luxury item, but essential for me. I did a big 4-month bike tour last year, and I brought a big pillow that seemed like overkill, but the improved sleep I got was more than worth it. On this tour, I just stuffed my extra clothes into my sleeping bag sack, and I didn't sleep as well.
• Handlebar bag that is bigger and detachable: So many things just end up in the handlebar bag because it's convenient. Having it detachable is important so I can put my most valuable items inside, unclip it, and take it with me when I step away from the bike.
• Comfy cushioned seat: The seat the bike came with was very uncomfortable. Controversial opinion perhaps - I have actually gotten into some heated debates over this - but I've never been a fan of those thin, hard, sporty bike seats like Brooks. Since making the switch, I much prefer a cushioned seat (I don't call it a saddle anymore; I call it a seat). I rode with a Brooks and similar seats in the past, and I always had constant problems with saddle sores. I lived with the pain for years believing I would "break in" the seat eventually, but no matter what I tried, it was always miserable. I switched to a cushioned seat 5 years ago, and saddle sores became a complete non-issue. Unfortunately, on this tour, I decided to just stick with the stock seat to save money, and I paid the price.
• Kickstand: I have one on my other touring bike, and it really comes in handy.
• Phone Mount: Much easier than pulling my phone out of my pocket constantly.

Does anyone know where I could buy a Selle Royal Respiro saddle? I can't seem to find this one online, and Amazon doesn't ship it to NZ.

I got one as a gift overseas and it has cracked :( It's the only saddle that doesn't give me a sore bum.

How has other cycle commuters tackled the lack of parking at destinations?

My local supermarket and work place is fine. But any of the main shopping areas near my are severely lacking. Just wondering how everyone else tackles this issue. My current lock isn't long enough to maguyver something at most places, but I also don't know how well received it would be for me to attach my bike to random railings or posts ECT.

Has anyone had any success in getting places to add parking?

Hello 👋,

I wanted to get some of your thoughts on my situation and why I am looking to opt for a cycle.

So, I am about to give up my car and give it to my wife to commute as she has odd work hours and we want to stick to just 1 car. While I use the same car to go to the train station which is around 2kms and gym which is 3km from my home.

I was looking to invest in a used bicycle which is less than 300$ or so cause that is all i can shell out at the moment.

I need your thoughts on

What kind of bike should I go for? I am 6ft tall btw

Where could I find some options which I can go and view?

Are cash converter cycles worth it?

Do i need to keep anything else in mind?

Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks in advance.

So, I recently got a push bike as the car died and have realized that I'm probably gonna need a heavier duty lock to go with it than the one I was given. The bike isn't worth much and looking at the prices of some locks, they cost more than I paid for the bike! I've been told chain locks are the only way to go as they're tougher to get through but I'm on a tight budget and don't want to spend hundreds on a lock.

So, what locks are good these days?

I'd also be happy to purchase a heavy duty lock if someone has one in surplus in Chch they want to sell. (I'd prefer key though as I'm horrible at remembering combinations.)

Now I am stuck with a pedal that does not work without a charge. My original plan was to wait a few months to get the second pedal in an upgrade kit that comes with a charger in order to avoid import duties. The alternative is ponying up for a charger from overseas but then I would end up paying the same amount as if I were to just get the normal package to begin with so my scheme of one pedal at a time would not have saved me anything. I am also banking on the fact that these pedals hold charge for hundreds of hours

I'm going to meet some friends at Real Groovy, on the corner of Victoria and Queen street tomorrow after noon, and I'd love to experience some of the cycling infrastructure in that part of town, but I'm worried about theft.

It's a pretty cheap bike, so it's not the end of the world if it does get stolen, and I recently registered it with 529 garage, with a badge on it, and I use a chain lock.

But I just want to know, how bad is bike theft in the CBD? Am I basically guaranteed to have my bike stolen? Or should I be ok?

In 2022 I went to the e-bike expo and while it wasn’t my thing it was nice to see an event dedicated to bicycles of some kind and the expo atmosphere was quite enjoyable since we don’t have anything else close to it. That event seems to be on hiatus now and effectively stopped especially with the current government not doing anything with electric vehicle rebates like the earlier one did.

Next there is the big bike film night which I have attended three years now in a row and always had a good time at.

I would love to attend a L’Eroica event in New Zealand and while there was some murmurings about it happening it seems it never got off the ground

Ever since Wayne Brown got elected as mayor there seems to have ended any of the council group cycling events like the orange bike ride and similar. Am I missing something?

A few months ago, I started commuting to work by bike, primarily because it's faster, and theoretically cheaper than taking the bus. At the time I was worried about spending a bunch of money on a bike that I would end up not using, so I just bought the cheapest bike I could find at my local bike shop, which was about $300 nzd.
Since then I've totally fallen in love with cycling as a mode of transportation. I just feel so much happier and healthier, and I'm excited to go places in a way that I have never been before.

I'll likely hold onto my current bike for a bit longer, but I now have a better idea of what I'm looking for in a bike, and I'm willing to spend a bit more on it, when I decide to upgrade.

What I worry about is finding a bike that actually has the features I'm looking for in New Zealand. So below are a list of what I'm looking for, in order of importance, and If you knowledgeable people could tell me how likely I am to find a bike like this in NZ, or if there are specific brands / shops that sell bikes like this, then I would very much appreciate it! 😄

1. Upright riding position, with swept back handle bars
2. Mounts for a rear rack, front basket, and mudguards
3. Step through frame
4. Belt drive
5. disk breaks
6. In hub gearing

Let me know if anything comes to mind, or if you think I should change any of these specifications.

EDIT:
With some of your help, I managed to find this bike: https://www.99bikes.co.nz/products/2024-marin-larkspur-1-blue?variant=44414178001135
And this one too: https://www.99bikes.co.nz/products/pedal-orion-hydro-satin-cosmic-black

It has most of what I was looking for. No Belt drive or in hub gearing, but those were never deal breakers for me.
I'm still not ready to leave my current bike, but this is definitely the kind of thing I'm looking for.

I used to race with CMC here in Auckland for years. It was the biggest club in NZ and years ago we would have at least 250 turn up for the first race of the season.

They've now had years of cancelled races because of low numbers and have a very short race season (apart from adding the teams series).

Are other clubs finding that too?

Why? (I have some reasons)

I dont want to get a full service, I just want to get my wheels trued because I service everything else on my bike, does anyone know any places around that can just do that for me?

I’ve recently fully embraced the car free lifestyle. Now that I’m riding my bike more often and for longer distances I’m considering getting some padded cycling shorts and pannier bags.

Anyone have recommendations for the best place to buy these or specific brands to look up?

Cheers!

Originally got the bike off marketplace for $120. Ape hangers and banana set cost about $150. She's a comfy ride and invercargill has no hold hills so single gear is no set back.

Kia ora,

I've been riding rain or shine for six years but my wet weather gear has never quite been perfect.

I have Proviz pants and shoe covers, but the pants are slightly too small (I need XXL and they are only XL), and the shoe covers are a real faff to get on as I have large and wide feet (US 13) and the are clearly not designed for that size.

Anyone tried riding in Mitre 10 waterproof gear or similar? It seems much cheaper that specialist cycling stuff. And anyone found any large feet shoe covers? I love riding in the rain, except when I arrive with wet feet!

Two recs from me: I have a super reflective Proviz jacket that was pricey but is fantastic. I also highly recommend getting a neck collar/scarf thing, they are awesome.

Thank you very much in advance!

Hey, Ive been offered and e-bike that is this: https://kiwieride.co.nz/products/pxid-antelope-p5-brown?variant=52022510780721&country=NZ&currency=NZD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=22735143048&gbraid=0AAAAA_-8YizEdaVCydNuciUPDAhhiR4hQ&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFiiaGSoraczi1BOIoHDe5TPWIXuaYdxZFdPX6lxh34KK7WIMFv0m6RoC-4sQAvD_BwE. Im keen to hear anyone’s views/experiences if they know of or have one of these e-bikes.

Hi,

Getting a bit bogged down looking at options and wondering if anyone has any advice. I’m looking to buy my first e-bike, with a budget of up to $10,000 for the set up. I’m looking to be able to ride this bike around Auckland with my toddler and also be able to take it away for weekends. I’m conscious we are planning for a second child and would like it to be future proof if possible. It would be used frequently but not replace a car. Would be unlikely to go further than 40km in one day. Enjoy basic trails e.g. Level 2, but wouldn’t be a expecting any mountain biking

Needs:

- Step through frame

- Ability to attach a child seat securely

- Decent range with reasonable assist

- Able to cope with basic trails as well as road

Wants:

- Potential for carrying two children or have one bike seat and tow a trailer/tag

- Practical to put on a bike rack

- Able to wear a rucksack or have some other small storage whilst carrying one child

I like the look of the Tern GSD from a child perspective but not sure of the practically of transporting the bike, or how it would do on basic trails. I hired a Bionic bike a few weeks back which I loved but I’m not sure about the ability to fit a child seat to a more standard e bike.

Any other tips of things to consider very welcome!

Thanks