bike stores

[driftmonkey]

hi all. have just moved to the area and was wondering where/what are the good bike shops around.
i have moved to thornton but dont mind travelling for good service. cheers.

 

[top_oz_bloke]

Some places to try.....

Two Wheel Industries (Newcastle), supposedly a 'roadie' shop but they also can be pretty good for mtb. Know your prices if you are buying anything though.
Avanti Plus (Kotara), haven't actually used them for anything but they have always been super friendly and helpful.
Drift (Newcastle)
Gateshead Cycles is also popular but I haven't used them as it's a bit of a hike

 

[lordflog]

Those are all good.

Add Back to Bicycles at Wallsend and Omega Cycles at Georgetown to that list.
I've had excellent service from both in the past.

 

[Xmetal]

Drift Bikes = Downhill/Freeride/BMX
Two Wheel = Road
Hadleys = Everything else

Gateshead Cycles are also a good MTB specialist.

 

[craigl]

Back to Bikes are good they are very friendly and the mechanic know his stuff.
Prices are very good also.

Try to steer away from Hadley's they have very limited stock and they only carry low end gear and charge way to much.

 

[top_oz_bloke]

Back to Bikes are good they are very friendly and the mechanic know his stuff.
Prices are very good also.

Try to steer away from Hadley's they have very limited stock and they only carry low end gear and charge way to much.

ok, I'm going to bite.

I'm no great fan of Hadleys but I think your comment is unfair. They carry pretty much the full range of Giant bikes and their prices look great to me. eg I briefly entertained a Giant roadie and Hadleys marked floor price was just as good as any of the 'best' prices I got from others.

Accessory wise, maybe your comment is true, but bear in mind they very much cater for the mums and dads market.

 

[Steven P]

ok, I'm going to bite.

I'm no great fan of Hadleys but I think your comment is unfair. They carry pretty much the full range of Giant bikes and their prices look great to me. eg I briefly entertained a Giant roadie and Hadleys marked floor price was just as good as any of the 'best' prices I got from others.

Accessory wise, maybe your comment is true, but bear in mind they very much cater for the mums and dads market.

I bought my Anthem from Hadleys a couple of years back. Their price was OK and most of the guys that work there are nice enough. I was very disappointed with the mechanics, and I am unlikely to ever take a bike there again for servicing. Also, if you need parts for your bike and they don't have them in stock, you have to fill in all sorts of paperwork, wait till they get a quote, pay the full amount up front and delivery charges, and then still be very patient. Get to know your LBS and you won't have this trouble.

One bike shop that rates a highly regarded mention is Breakaway Cycles at Morisset. The owner, Dallas, is a big supporter of HMBA. He sponsors the kids races and makes significant contributions to trail building at Awaba. He also offers his services at events like the NSW Schools MTB championships, the Loop-the-Lake, and many of the events held at Awaba. He stocks Giant and Scott bikes and his prices are good for accessories as well. I wish I'd known about them before I bought my Anthem.

Do what you can to support those who support our sport.

 

[top_oz_bloke]

Like I said, I'm not a fan of Hadleys, but the previous comments appear to simply be a petty swipe.

For me Hadleys are like the Harvey Norman of bike shops. They have their place in the bike world but it may not necessarily suit the enthusiast market.

 

[craigl]

ok, I'm going to bite.

I'm no great fan of Hadleys but I think your comment is unfair. They carry pretty much the full range of Giant bikes and their prices look great to me. eg I briefly entertained a Giant roadie and Hadleys marked floor price was just as good as any of the 'best' prices I got from others.

Accessory wise, maybe your comment is true, but bear in mind they very much cater for the mums and dads market.

Fair call I brought my Trance x2 from them and yes it was at a good price, I was mainly commenting on the parts side of things.

 

[Steven P]

......the previous comments appear to simply be a petty swipe..

No, not a petty swipe - just the way it went for me.

For me Hadleys are like the Harvey Norman of bike shops. They have their place in the bike world but it may not necessarily suit the enthusiast market.

Couldn't agree more - they have their place. I also have no doubt there are plenty of enthusiasts who prefer them and good on them if that is their preference. I have shopped there since and will no doubt shop there again in the future. But for me, I do prefer the service I get from the smaller LBS's where I know the owners and get great service.

 

[top_oz_bloke]

No, not a petty swipe - just the way it went for me.

You've interpreted it the wrong way. I was referring to the "they only carry low end gear and charge way to much" post.

 

[Duckstar]

Back to Bikes at Wallsend is where I got my last two bikes serviced as well as parts and I went back to get my new bike. Staff were extremely friendly and prices good.
My experience of Hadley's is not so good, mechanic seemed to talk a bit of shit and the staff tended to help me look for something by walking back to the counter and pretending to do something until I found it myself and then take forever to serve me.

 

[Hayes94]

?

Back to Bikes at Wallsend is where I got my last two bikes serviced as well as parts and I went back to get my new bike. Staff were extremely friendly and prices good.
My experience of Hadley's is not so good, mechanic seemed to talk a bit of shit and the staff tended to help me look for something by walking back to the counter and pretending to do something until I found it myself and then take forever to serve me.

was the machanic an older guy?

 

[Duckstar]

yeah he was at least 50

 

[winta]

hadley cycles are alright but they need to know their bikes a bit more and be a bit more honest, went to hadleys to buy a giant brass and the guy was sayin it was not worth the money cause of the troubles with it but at drift they had no problems with that bike?? i would recommend drift cause i have had no problems with them so far and the service is really quick

 

[shoogyboom]

I always take my bikes to Gateshead Cycles for service. The guys are friendly, honest and always do a great job. Its out of the way for me but I reckon its worth the extra drive for no BS or overpriced bad servicing.

 

[Refreshinglygood]

For MTb it's either drift or Gateshead o b2b these shops take an interest in what's going on in the industry what's new the race scene etc

 

[chubsey]

bit of an old thread but i dont think there is too much action in this sub-forum and i got no help in the intro section!

I'm looking to buy something more decent now seeing as my Kmart bike has buckled wheels and likes to jump out of gears every now and then :s
My riding is split 50/50 between fire-trail/bush path rides and riding round the foreshore/beaches/fernleigh etc with the GF. I live in Port Stephens but Ill be moving closer to work soon so i will be able to ride more both to work and at Glenrock.

Ive started looking at new bikes at LBS's and surprisingly they all have a bike perfectly suited to me! Been suggested a Avanti Montari 26.2 (avanti plus), Giant Talon 2/Boulder? (hadleys), Marin Madrone Trail, Fuji Nevada 2 and Trek 3900 (all active cycles) . Hard to cut through all the sales BS...all i want is a bike that I can ride for fun on some trails with suspension then ride to the shops/work/foreshore as well. I think im chasing something with a lockout or rebound adjustment on the front suspension?
Looking to spend $600 max new or less for a 2nd hand bike. Ive looked for second hand bikes on here, ebay, gumtree, bikeexchange to no avail, anything close is expensive and anything cheap is 4+ hours away! Seems the 2nd hand market starts around $1000 which i cant justify spending.

If anyone could suggest which model would be best suited as a sub $600 bike it would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

 

[chubsey]

anyone????

 

[ogjon]

I know this is an old thread but I always use Breakaway Cycles as they're my LBS & I have total faith in their services & they have excellent customer service