Cycletreads Takapuna

[Hitcher]

After having passed through Auckland over Easter weekend and experienced the worst of what passes for traffic around that city, I thought it prudent to share something positive in the form of my experience with Cycletreads in Takapuna.

A casualty of The Mini Returns rally was the tread on my Avon Storms. Mind you, one shouldn't complain about having to replace a set of tyres on an FJR1300 after 16,500km of "christian" riding. And, to give a plug for Mr Avon's superb sports touring tyres, it was nice to once again return to a matched set of tyres where the rear wore out before the front.

Riding down from Kaitaia, the tyres started to get that shabby feel that old worn tyres often suffer from. So on spec I decided to see what Cycletreads could do. A set of new Storms, on the bike, balanced, $520 GST inclusive, right now! And on a Tuesday morning after the Easter long weekend. That takes some beating. Outstanding! And a fine selection of motorcycling merchandise to mooch around in whilst one waits (after engaging MacD in a bit of banter).

[Edbear]

Good to hear another positive experience! I've had good service from them each time I've been there. Mainly dealt with Lindsay but the boss is a good guy too.

Which one is MacD?

[Hitcher]

Which one is MacD?

This one. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=209. A customer, not an employee.

[Swoop]

So, Auckland will be graced with your presence in another 16,500km's time?

[jrandom]

... having to replace a set of tyres on an FJR1300 after 16,500km of "christian" riding.

After 8,500km of the usual mix of activities on Betty's Pilot Road 2s, I'm starting to suspect that I'll get similar mileage (best guess, 13,000km at replacement).

Oddly enough, my ride today up and down SH22 did more violence to the sides of my rear tyre than a trackday does. I guess coarse chip seal does make a difference.

If I did that every week, instead of racking up most of my mileage commuting around town and riding between Auckland and the central NI at 'moderately gentle' pace, I can imagine I'd only get 6,000km or so from the big black Michelin crayon on the back wheel.

I'm enjoying the Pilot Road 2s so much, in fact, that I'm loath to swap to the Avon Storms next, as planned.

Are you quite sure I won't be disappointed if I do?

[daaatomic]

Yep, cycletreads rule. i've had a few dealings with them, and have always had excellent service and advice. and their prices are pretty good too.

[Patch]

I'm enjoying the Pilot Road 2s so much, in fact, that I'm loath to swap to the Avon Storms next, as planned.

Are you quite sure I won't be disappointed if I do?
depends if you keep riding like a girl or not :rolleyes: on that big tourer, try the PP's similar mileage but better grip



cycle treads ain't that great. They always try an talk me out of the tyres I want and am asking for. Bit of a laugh when the chap telling me what I should be using doesn't even ride a bike any more nor does he know me or what or how I ride.

The service in this country is a joke, a bit like the following comment


after 16,500km of "christian" riding.
idiot

[McJim]

Never had anything but great service from Cycletreads myself so all I can say is big ups to the guys up there.:2thumbsup I'm gonna have to pay full price for my next set of rubber :(

[FROSTY]

My experience with cycletreads has been bloody great.

[Taz]

And you don't even have to go in there. You can buy your tyres online...... But last time I did that they never turned up so got some from hamilton as I was running out of time and heading that way......

[MacD]

Which one is MacD?

The one getting his puncture repaired. :)

Also without delay and at a good price.

I hope Mr and Mrs Hitcher enjoyed their window shopping along Barry's Point Road?

However I must admit I get my Avon Storms from Kerry at Motohaus.

[Disco Dan]

I dont go there.

Cant stand their bloody ramp.

Allways gives me the shits when some twat comes screaming down at you just as you crest the top... all will left for the bike to do what I say goes somewhere nasty, without even a hint of a paddle.

[SHELRACING]

I dont go there.

Cant stand their bloody ramp.

Dont use the ramp then, be a nana and use the stairs.
Even ol Granma here can get up the ramp on me little two fiddy.

I have just bought a jacket from Cycletreads today and the service was second to none.
Everytime we go in there the staff are always friendly and helpful plus there are bikes hooning up and down the ramp. Big black snakey tyre marks at the bottom of the ramp too.....what more could a biker ask for!

[jrandom]

Cant stand their bloody ramp.

Boo fucking hoo, learn to ride your bike!

Last time I went to 'treads (to get the PR2s fitted) I did a wee bit of a burnout at the bottom of the ramp, and all the smoke drifted up and stunk out the shop for several minutes.

:2thumbsup

[vifferman]

I did a wee bit of a burnout at the bottom of the ramp, and all the smoke drifted up and stunk out the shop for several minutes.

That's naughty, innit.

[smoky]

The service in this country is a joke, a bit like the following comment
after 16,500km of "christian" riding.
idiot
What's your problem Patch! We all ride how we ride, and we shouldn't judge ability or think more or less of someone for it. Unless you're a mate having laugh at him; In your own words dude;


Just be mindful of your opinions, we are all entitled to our own, however right or wrong they are. This maybe in the cyber world, but remember there is a human being at the other end of the computer reading it, who has feelings.


As Dr. Phil said "There are only two types of person in any given situation - A Contributor or Contaminator?? Which are you?"

[Kickaha]

My experience with cycletreads has been bloody great.

So has mine, of course it was back in 1990 and I've only been there once

[Hitcher]

Oddly enough, my ride today up and down SH22 did more violence to the sides of my rear tyre than a trackday does. I guess coarse chip seal does make a difference.

I suspect it's not the surface but more how the bike is ridden. "Torque surfing" out of corners is how many people ride their muscle bikes on road, whereas on tracks they tend to carry more momentum through corners. It's the torque that's luffing up your tyres, not the chip.

[Hitcher]

idiot

Thank you for your erudite contribution.

[Edbear]

... just as you crest the top...

...on the back wheel at 60km/h...

[jrandom]

I suspect it's not the surface but more how the bike is ridden. "Torque surfing" out of corners is how many people ride their muscle bikes on road, whereas on tracks they tend to carry more momentum through corners. It's the torque that's luffing up your tyres, not the chip.

Actually, that's a good point, and well spotted.

Only last night, in fact, I was sitting at the pub describing the morning's ride to someone (voluble explanations and enthusiastic gestures come free with every purchase), explaining the difference between as-early-as-possible turn-in on the track and late apexing on technical back roads like SH22.

I never thought to correlate that with the damage done to my rear tyre. You're right; on the track I'm rolling the throttle smoothly on and off, but on the road I'm braking hard, turning and then thwacking the power on with gay abandon, doing my best to leave a nice black stripe for the delectation of whoever's following in my wake.

230kg 'dry' bike weight and 120Nm of torque do tend to show up differences in riding style quite quickly, don't they?

[Swoop]

I'm braking hard, turning and then thwacking the power on with gay abandon...
I thought you rode a suzuki, not a Honda?:whistle:

[jrandom]

I thought you rode a suzuki, not a Honda?

I'm sorry, did my post excite you?

[westie]

I dont go there.

Allways gives me the shits

There are pills you can take if you want to head to treads

[xwhatsit]

Cycletreads rocks. Mikey is a complete crack-up stoner of a lunatic. Telling me how he sticks knobblies on one of his 250RSs and runs it in some hillclimb every year -- he hits the same tree every year and falls off :laugh:

Great stuff, low prices, ever helpful. I'll be a return customer there (although they won't get much business with my bike's tyre mileage!).

[Patch]

What's your problem Patch! We all ride how we ride, and we shouldn't judge ability or think more or less of someone for it. Unless you're a mate having laugh at him; In your own words dude;
Ha Ha Ha

Hit a nerve did I? not judging him at all, but since when is using someone's beliefs ok to describe your riding ability or lack thereof.
I suppose next you'll be telling me I ride like a catholic? perhaps you should take your bald smelly fat fart and find something constructive to do rather than thread dredge - idiot.

[Hitcher]

but since when is using someone's beliefs ok to describe your riding ability or lack thereof.
I suppose next you'll be telling me I ride like a catholic? perhaps you should take your bald smelly fat fart and find something constructive to do rather than thread dredge - idiot.

People often use terms like "girl", "nana" or "wanker" to describe how they or some folk they have observed may ride. I haven't ever seen you rise to the defense of the allegedly maligned women, grandparents or sexually self-contained. And it should be a straightforward task to make a point without resorting to personal attacks. Not very "christian" behaviour...

[Usarka]

must resist....

cant....


depends if you keep riding like a girl or not

:spanking:

[smoky]

Hit a nerve did I?
Your comment didn’t hit a nerve with me, but I think my comments hit a nerve with you – judging by your Neolithic Rock Ape response.


not judging him at all, but since when is using someone's beliefs ok to describe your riding ability or lack thereof.
I suppose next you'll be telling me I ride like a catholic?
You were the idiot, getting bent outa shape about the use of the word ‘Christain’ to describe a riding style, not me - I think it's a great description.


perhaps you should take your bald smelly fat fart and find something constructive to do rather than thread dredge - idiot.
And your comments were constructive because…….? And your comments weren't thread dredging because....?
Doesn’t the ‘good book’ say something about taking the log out of your own eye first ….

[Hitcher]

Can we please keep this on topic and avoid unnecessary personal attacks?

[westie]

Can we please keep this on topic and avoid unnecessary personal attacks?

Bowing out gracefully:niceone:

[rphenix]

Boo fucking hoo, learn to ride your bike!

Last time I went to 'treads (to get the PR2s fitted) I did a wee bit of a burnout at the bottom of the ramp, and all the smoke drifted up and stunk out the shop for several minutes.

:2thumbsup

You wouldn't be the first!

[jrandom]

Can we please keep this on topic and avoid unnecessary personal attacks?

You know, I forgot how good Leffe Blonde was until I tried it recently for the first time in a couple of years or so. I think I'll go back to drinking it on a regular basis.

Also, I'd just like to point out that you, sir, are an empty-headed animal food trough wiper, and your bike smells of elderberries.

[Hitcher]

You know, I forgot how good Leffe Blonde was until I tried it recently for the first time in a couple of years or so. I think I'll go back to drinking it on a regular basis.

Leffe Blonde? Pah! Have you tried Mac's Brewjolais? Parts of my physiology that I had previously assumed were incapable of orgasm are still twitching.

[Morcs]

It will be interesting how the services changes with Mikey leaving.

Bungi is there now, but being new, Im not sure whether he will bend the rules like Mikey did in the name of awesome service and good deals.

Im going to get front pads replaced and a new set of rotors put on. Usually would cost me around $100, will have to see how much I get charged now.

[xwhatsit]

It will be interesting how the services changes with Mikey leaving.

Bungi is there now, but being new, Im not sure whether he will bend the rules like Mikey did in the name of awesome service and good deals.

Oh, where's Mikey going? Bungi scares me, he talks too quietly. In addition, he's far too professional to be trustworthy.

[Morcs]

It will be interesting how the services changes with Mikey leaving.

Bungi is there now, but being new, Im not sure whether he will bend the rules like Mikey did in the name of awesome service and good deals.

Im going to get front pads replaced and a new set of rotors put on. Usually would cost me around $100, will have to see how much I get charged now.


Oh, where's Mikey going? Bungi scares me, he talks too quietly. In addition, he's far too professional to be trustworthy.

Yes Mikey has left, and Lindsay left this week too but Bungi is stacked full of knowledge, and seems a top dude too.

Service is still bloody excellent. Went in on the way home on thursday for new rotors fitted and brake pads, nick said he'd just turned a guy away for the same thing, but did mine. Good price too.

:banana:

[westie]

Having been a customer of cycle treads for 6 years, and always going to them first to buy whatever I needed, I will not go there again.

:oi-grr:How shit can service get!

Rock up fill out job card put bike in obvious place to be worked on. Only one customer in the shop, me.
After 20 mins, no one has acnowleged me or talked to me or even walked to the counter where I sat(too long to stand).
Walked up to wierd bald guy and tried to say hello. To which I got the response " I'm going to pretend you're not there by not looking at you".

Fuck this sort of treatment.

Went to holeshot who were too busy but let me use their tools to take my tyre off so they could quickly change it.
Left them with some beers and Burbon. Thanks guys!:niceone:


This is just one of many incidents I have let slide from treads. I suppose its better than being verbally abused a couple of months ago at treads

[TLMAN]

Am still undecided about treads at the moment.

I was in there for a full service and new tyres earlier this week.
I wasnt charged for any labour (service) or fitting costs (tyres) which was awesome, the mechanic was friendly enough and let me watch him as he worked, but the shop floor staff could do with a bucket of prozac to munch on, its a bit like being in a library as apposed to a bike shop.