Alba Bikes

Why pay $500 for a bike, when they sell them at “insert retailer here” for $100?

Well yesterday we found out the answer to that question.
This was a bike which had been donated to Hamilton City Council as part of their project to refurb bikes and offer them to a couple of local schools who they are supporting within their Transport Education.

Alba Bikes has been supporting this project this week, providing two mechanics to assist with the overhauls and repairs.

👀This bike on first inspection looked ok, tyres were missing, but overall looked ok and could be useable.
Then we started working on it and whilst checking for play in bottom bracket, noticed the whole lower housing moved! 😲

💥We dont know the backstory to this bike, it does not appear to have other damage associated to a crash, all of the damage focuses around a welded seam at the top of the bottom bracket.

💰So why is your bike from “Insert retailer” $$$$ less than other bike shops, well this might be one reason, others will be lower end components that break after minimal use.

🌈 So our recommendations, invest in good quality bikes from known brands. If you cant affort new (not everyone can) then look second hand. They often are similarly priced to (Insert retailer here) but will hold value and have good components that last or can be easily replaced.

🆕 If you are buying a secondhand bike on Trademe or Marketplace and would like it checked over before use, then get in touch and let us give you piece of mind on your investment.

Last week, we were back with Team Up Events NZ for another one of their corporate team building sessions here in Hamilton.

The amazing team from Fire Security Services were tasked with building 4 bikes as part their activities which were then donated to Puketaha School to help raise funds for future endeavours.

It was a very worthwhile cause, especially since the school suffered significant losses to property and facilities following a fire a couple of years ago.

A great afternoon supporting their events here in Hamilton.

Putting the Brakes on!!

Our bikes need brakes if we want to stop safely and effectively when and where we want to. Often brakes are one of the first things we neglect until it is too late.

This week we have had a few bikes in for brake repairs, some for new pads, some for hydraulic fluid bleed and some cable renewals.

*What can you look for?*

👀 Regularly visually check your pads for wear, there should be about 1.5mm of material before the backing plate
Check the condition of cables, hoses and rotors for cracks and damage.

🎧Are they noisy? Scraping, whining or grinding sounds can all be signs of issues.

👊🏻 How do they feel? Does the lever pull to the bar, or feels sticky? Hydraulic system feeling spongy?

🚲 How long do pads last? There are a number of variables, your braking habits/techniues, pad compounds, typical riding conditions and weight or bikes and cargo all play a factor.

⚖️ Bigger heavier e-bikes and e-cargo bikes will generally have greater pad wear compared to a road bike or lightweight MTB.

📇If your brakes are needing some TLC, whether you have hydraulic or cable systems, need new pads or rotors our workshop and mobile services can keep you rolling smoothly and most importantly braking safely.

Here at Alba Bikes we work with our Australian friends at Dutch Cargo Bike to offer a selection of premium e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to NZ Customers. Currently we have a couple of NEW bikes here in Hamilton at amazing prices, ready for your next cycling adventures.

🚲 Meet the 𝗢𝟮𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗻.
Comfortable.
Reliable.
Beautifully built.

Whether you're commuting, riding to the café, shopping or simply enjoying the Waikato's bike paths, the iSwan makes every ride feel effortless.
✔ Upright Dutch/Euro riding position
✔ Smooth Shimano assistance
✔ Comfortable step-through frame
✔️E-Assist to 32kph
✔ Designed for everyday riding
Come and discover why it's one of our favourite commuter bikes.

📍Test rides available now - Hamilton

🆕 Limited NZ stock available - All bikes are new
🌈 Green or Grey frames available

🥐🥐Who likes a good pastry?🥐🥐

We do, and on our trip to Paris there were definitely several very good ones consumed!!

🥖A little closer to home, one of our go-to places is Rudi's Bakehouse in Hamilton CBD, Stefan and his team make some delicious treats!

🤫Did you know there is a secret to getting some a little cheaper?



Until recently, Rudi’s would sell their previous day (but still yummy) stock via Foodprint NZ, but when the app closed earlier this month, it created a problem what to do… now you can get the same treats as you used to get via FoodPrint directly from their website (when stock is available).

Yesterday we rescued our first mixed bag, and it goes to show how often we frequent Rudi’s when you are greeted with your mixed bag, and the comment “we know you like the sweet treats, so made sure to give you a good selection!”

If you need a delicious pick me up on these brisk mornings, or after a rather dull 9am work meeting, check out the Rudi’s shop on Riverbank Lane.

P.s. ☕️They do coffee too

Thanks Rudis
https://rudis.nz/collections/rudis-rescue-club

Mornings have been a little brisk lately, but shouldn’t stop the wheels turning (just pedal a little faster or turn down the e-assist 🤭).

Our cold morning attire consisted;

🪖Urge MTB AllTrail - Loving this for daily rides
🐏 Icebreaker Merino Pocket Hat Beanie (great for under a helmet)
🧤Sealskinz gloves - Mid-weight
🧥Icebreaker insulated jacket
🤩A well loved Buff around the neck
🕶️ Plus the sunnies - got to protect the eyes

Yesterday morning was a quick 12km dash across town and back for an early morning meeting before stopping past Go Eco on the way home to check in on progress of their latest waste minimisation project and collect some equipment I left behind in June. Whoops

Home for morning tea courtesy of Volare Bread & Other Baked Goods (sorry no photo, the Morning Bun didn’t last long) but it definitely fuelled up the reserves ready for some admin and an afternoon of trying to reorganise the workshop space.

We cannot forgot our home athletes, some very impressive riding from the Scots in the Velodrome yesterday resulting in more 🥇🥈🥉.
‘Mon the Scots!! 😁

Friday I'm in Love....

FOUR Medals on Friday night at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as Mark Stewart, Erin Boothman and Fin Graham produced some fantastic moments!

Read here: https://scottishcycling.org.uk/news/superb-stewart-and-brilliant-boothman-as-medals-rush-on-fantastic-friday-at-glasgow-2026/

Great to see one of our local cycling athletes standing on top step with the GOLD 🥇.

Devon has worked alongside us on several occasions supporting our school cycle training in Cambridge.
Well done Devon and the rest of the NZ team athletes for all your efforts at

A little bit of fun for Friday evening.

I watched this epic battle last night, so worth a share for others.
A testament to rider skill and perseverance from both Danny and Kriss.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/danny-macaskill-and-kriss-kyle-vs-impossible-floating-obstacle-course.html?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a6bad49af5a230001752370&utm_content=comment&utm_medium=pinkbike&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcATZJsVwZG9mBWZkaWQWULno_uqvr82Hy5rQIC-IOIz7yNFimWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4leMPEtpv0Y4ewCweAKRykhcx5uWzsOYHU0yTs5P4p4WlovflAFNnTJFLsJQ_aem_yMk_KYHjbjpJ5AzSXAmFhQ

Danny MacAskill and Kriss Kyle vs 'Impossible' Floating Obstacle Course - Pinkbike The world needs more floating skinnies.