Tim White is, not surprisingly, the owner of T. Whites Bikes, the indie bike shop in Symonds Street, as well as a rad dad, and (with Haimona Ngata) is aiming to bring a high quality pump track to Takapuna. Ross Inglis asked Tim three very good questions:
I’m looking for a second-hand commuter bike and don’t want to buy a lemon. What should I look for?
The most common problem is buying the wrong size. Have a look at a size chart to get a rough idea; it does not have to be an exact fit – something in the vicinity will still work for you. Also look for a tidy machine – a bike with clean wheels is a good start.
Also, never believe the description on TradeMe when it say the bike runs mint! We’ve bought hundreds of bikes from TradeMe, and they always need a service and replacement parts. Take the bike to a shop and have them look it over.
There’s an odd squeaking noise coming from somewhere around my pedals or the cranks. It’s there sometimes but not always. Is it something I can fix myself?
There are four places most likely to produce squeaking; pedals, crank arm, bottom bracket or chain ring bolts. If you’re confident and have the right tools, check the pedals, cranks and chain ring bolts – they might just need grease. If it’s the bottom bracket, it’s best to take it into your bike shop.
I’m fed up with punctures on my hybrid bike, most caused by glass. Is there a genuinely puncture-proof tyre on the market?
Yes! Continental offers a good range of tyres in most sizes that start at around $60 per tyre. They can be ordered in any size you need and take only 24 hours for delivery and fitting. That said, the best protection against a flat is to carry all the tools needed to fix one. Odds are you will never need them until the one day you leave the tools at home!
T.Whites Bikes
www.twhitesbikes.co.nz
(09) 307 3607
132 Symonds Street, Newton
