Mildly annoying service at Cycletreads

**Panther** · 28th June 2007, 18:56

Hmm, they are all about using the wrong tools on a left hand thread tyre, and then bitching about not being able to get it off.
But I'm cheap, so i would go there, if i wasn't already being impeccably looked after by Chris Mitchell Motorcycles of Taupo.

**surfer** · 28th June 2007, 19:12

Sad to hear that Cycletreads didn't do what you wanted straight away. Glad to hear they rectified the problem for you.

Personally I've found them to be excellent in the advice they give and service they provide.

**Morcs** · 30th June 2007, 12:16

I respect that those guys know about tyres and always go with their recommendations.

Factory spec isnt always correct nowadays - for instance my vfr in its day had cross ply tyres, id be pretty stupid to put those on nowadays rather than a newer and better tyre.

**Grahameeboy** · 30th June 2007, 14:15

Well tops to Cycletreads.

The tyre on my Daughter's powered wheelchair got a puncture, only place who offered to repair was Cycletreads, all the other tyre places said "No" and Cycletreads did not even charge me.

And to cap it all, met Macktheknife, Carnerlee and McJim......ssccchh....Carnerlee has bought a yellow fireblade cause it was yellow and reminded him of the Carnaries....mmmm......check his coffee when he opens up.......!!

**jrandom** · 30th June 2007, 17:54

Originally Posted by Morcs

Factory spec isnt always correct nowadays - for instance my vfr in its day had cross ply tyres, id be pretty stupid to put those on nowadays rather than a newer and better tyre.

Are you quite sure of that?

Your VFR's frame and suspension would have been designed around the ride characteristics of a cross-ply tyre. Introducing stiffer radials to the mix will change things around considerably.

Not saying it wouldn't be a good idea, just pointing out that you can't swap tyres or suspension or anything else around on bikes and expect the machine's handling qualities to automatically Get Better (tm). In any case, my bike's only eight years old and the tyres it came with can still be purchased in shops.

Originally Posted by Morcs

I respect that those guys know about tyres and always go with their recommendations.

And no, I won't necessarily trust the expertise of some fuzzy-faced lout with just enough mechanical and riding background to get a minimum-wage job at a tyre shop, mm kay?

**bane** · 30th June 2007, 20:49

as the saying goes, opinions are like arseholes....

have to agree with the born again Jrandom though - "thanks for your advice, but after careful consideration, please do what I asked you to".

The only exception should be where the customer's request is dangerous.

**Disco Dan** · 30th June 2007, 23:31

Originally Posted by Cajun

had a born again biker down here who brought a gsx600f, going to put new tires on it i told him to go to a 160 rear, instead of factory 150, since you get a bigger range in rubber on this, we have the 600 bandit same bike, same swingarm/rear rim etc.

So i know it makes a hue different and helps, and bike parts boy tells, him you sure, it will make the bike handle differently, and turn slower. told him to tell 'i'm the customer do as i say'

160 rear? Im curious.... mine has a 140 rear

horrible skinny thing...

Will it take a 160? pro's/con's? I respect your advice Cajun, even though we have never met! ..Thanks!

**erik** · 1st July 2007, 01:09

Originally Posted by jrandom

Your VFR's frame and suspension would have been designed around the ride characteristics of a cross-ply tyre. Introducing stiffer radials to the mix will change things around considerably.

I'd be surprised if they could design it to the ride characteristics of a cross-ply vs a radial tyre. That sounds like it'd be fine tuning, the sort of thing race teams do for particular riders.

**HDTboy** · 1st July 2007, 10:52

Ever heard of Radial Tuned Suspension, Erik?

**erik** · 1st July 2007, 13:38

Originally Posted by HDTboy

Ever heard of Radial Tuned Suspension, Erik?

Nope.

I'd think the differences in rider weights would make it pointless for a manufacturer to try to tune the suspension to that fine a degree.

Or are there really huge differences in how radials and cross-ply's perform? (if so, what are they?)

**Richard Mc F** · 1st July 2007, 15:04

Had a similar experience with them, e mailed asking price and availability of two specific bridgestone tyres, took the part numbers and descriptions off the web link they provide.............reply was "Hi Richard,

You haven’t specified whether you want front or rear but they don’t do a 120/90-18 BT45. The 120/80-18 with 15% off is $xxxxx and we have one on the shelf. It is always a good idea to let us know what sort of bike the tyres are being fitted to as we can work any compromises that may be available.

Cheers,

xxxxxxx. For:-Cycletreads. "

The BT45R ( rear ) was not the one they said was in stock, but the one they could not get, the price seemed too good to be true so I rang to confirm and took a copy of their e mail with me.

The tyre they fitted was more than the quoted price but they did honour ther quote.

All together I am still pleased with their sevice and honesty, but if I had told them what bike it was (1982 ducati bevel) I don't think they would have any one who could tell me what tyres to run on it

**demeritim** · 5th July 2007, 17:52

Ive had a couple of run ins with them now and will not set foot in there again.
1st one was the exact same thing as you they put a 180 on when i asked for a 190 and i hated it i lost fast corner stability.

2nd issue i rang for some prices on tires as they reckon they r the cheapest in the country only to be sworn at and told to fuck off when i told them they werent the cheapest. NICE!

**Dave C** · 5th July 2007, 20:21

I had a slightly surreal experience last time I used Cycletreads. I had a Diablo Corsa fitted to the rear (to match the front, and with the added benefit that as it was from an 'old' shipment, it was cheaper than the straight Diablo). The tyre was fitted, I handed over my magic plastic, and as he took it the guy said "I would never put those tyres on a road bike." Guess what my next question was? He launched into a rant about how the tyres were far too good and too sticky for road use, how so-called 'touring' tyres are better than sports tyres were a few years ago, it was just a waste of money to fit anything more than a touring / sports-touring tyre, he had proved that he could go as fast on touring rubber as all the wannabes on sports rubber blah blah blah. A grain of truth in all that maybe, but what weird shit to lay on a customer at the point of handing over the $$ for a tyre highly recommended by his offsider who had just fitted it! Just for the record, the Corsas are bloody marvellous, rock solid and very confidence-inspiring, so who gives a shit if it will wear out faster than other options?

**sAsLEX** · 5th July 2007, 23:17

Originally Posted by jrandom

And no, I won't necessarily trust the expertise of some fuzzy-faced lout with just enough mechanical and riding background to get a minimum-wage job at a tyre shop, mm kay?

As an aging software engineer would know far more about bikes!

pt

**Antony N** · 11th July 2007, 16:31

Originally Posted by Devil

Unless something changes anytime soon I will not be having any more tyres fitted at cycletreads. They've damaged my new muffler. They damaged the muffler on my previous bike also.

Since the staff (particular in the tyre changing department) has changed, particularly towards the younger guys, less and less care has been taken with the bikes and rims. Minimal care taken when using tie-downs to assist in getting a wheel off the ground. Dropping wheels on things (thank fuck they didnt do any damage to my new rotors).

They've also played a role in the failure of my speedo drive (a $400 part i might add) through careless fitting.

they scuffed my frnt wheel as well, I was quite pissed off as now there is about 1/4 of the paint missing from the side !