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This is for a min_oab who is travelling, but doesn't want to lug a bike bag around for 6 weeks of travel before he gets to NZ.
Has anyone posted a bike internationally (ideally NZ) before? Worried about damage as well as the cost.
With the cost in mind, is it better just to sell his UK bike and buy a temporary bike in NZ? He will be there for 6 months and then can take it with him to Canada land afterwards...
How is availability going in NZ? If stock is low then I'd guess buying 2nd will reduce options as people hold on to stuff until new stock arrives. If stock isn't an issue then suspect he'd get a bargain...
Try something like Sherpr who specialise in that sort of thing, it'll at least give an idea of cost. (they do ship to NZ from the UK)
How is availability going in NZ? If stock is low then I’d guess buying 2nd will reduce options as people hold on to stuff until new stock arrives. If stock isn’t an issue then suspect he’d get a bargain…
It will be secondhand - we have what we can sell a 2018 Specialized 6Fattie FSR for + a few hundred quid from bank of dad...
Hopefully someone will come along with more up to date info, but...
When we kayaked NZ 18 yeas ago I was planning to buy out there. Was shocked to discover that the selection was miniscule because most manufacturers didn't bother getting containers organised for such a small market.
Luckily we found a kayak guide who needed a Pyranha transported from Rotorua to Christchurch, so I hired that.
My mate lives in north Island. In the unlikely event that you don't get any other Nu Zulunders posting today then I'll ask him about bikes stock.
Thank you!
If needed, we have family in Auckland who could collect and store a bike, pre-buy if there is something good etc....
Shipping is a few hundred quid it seems - and he could do with a bigger bike (he is XL frame now...) but stock is what worries me, particularly as he will have a few weeks to get buying, not a few months..
Are there any issues with bringing a bike in ? My work mate had to completely strip his bike and totally clean it to within an inch of it's life, and fit new tyres. I think this was Oz rather than NZ as they really don't want non-indigenous microbes etc coming in on dirty bikes ! I'd check.
How long is he in NZ?
Biking all the time or travel do stuff and bike some of the time?
Is renting for occasional days an option instead of buying?
As fossy suggests I'm pretty sure there would be issues with bringing a used bike into NZ, if there are bikes available buying in NZ would save a lot of hassle for sure.
I was about to say. Biosecurity checks would be my first concern! It'll pretty much need a full sterilisation!
Years ago, but a work colleagues bike had to be cleaned within an inch of its life and then has to sit in quarantine for a couple of weeks incase of stuff in the frame tubes etc.
Having said that, makes you wonder how round the worlders like Mark Beaumont on his record got around that?
hmmm, I had forgotten about the biosecurity in NZ.
He is there for 6-7 months, looking like his current employer in Scotland has opportunity in Queenstown for a seasonal work for him and pal (who both work at same place). The idea is that as well as a few weeks travelling and riding before or at end, he will have evenings and days off to make use of it.
Looks like we may be buying!
As fossy suggests I’m pretty sure there would be issues with bringing a used bike into NZ
It’s not that bad, my friend just took her bike there to ride across the north island. She’d made sure it was properly cleaned but AFAIK there was no issue.
I’ve take kitesurfing kites and tents that were unpacked and checked, but again no issue if it’s clean.
But check the actual requirements.
i`d be inclined to buy a second hand bike out there - i assume there must be some!
We left Scotland to move to new Zealand about 6 weeks ago , bikes
d all .
We sent mine and my wife's bike with sendbike.com , cost about 350 pound per bike . Took about 2 weeks , track and trace through DHL . For my oldest son we ordered him a new bike through chain reaction , postage was about 50 pound if I remember right .with the pound the way it is it wasn't that bikes were more expensive here necessarily just the 26 inch nukeproof we wanted wasn't available here .
If you can be bothered with the hassle might be worth buying something new from chain reaction and then selling it in New Zealand when he's finished with it . There are loads of NZ buy sell groups on Facebook.
Ride rotarua were selling ex hire bikes as well which might be an option if you can get them sent to Auckland , giant anthems and reigns I think . Evo cycles and torpedo7 are the bigger retailers here and have sales on at the moment so worth a look .
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Our bikes were pretty clean but I ditched the tyres for customs checks but the boxes weren't even opened, I assume they were scanned with something . </span>
A friend who moved to NZ put his tyres through the washing machine before going!
Having said that, makes you wonder how round the worlders like Mark Beaumont on his record got around that?
Do they visit NZ? Seems like it would be a lot of flying for not many miles ridden on that sort of trip.
Our daughter is going out in March to NZ with a view to spending 12 months and using it as a base for Australia, Tasmania and Indonesia
Looked into the buying once she arrives but looking at prices and availability has decided to take hers.
She has been before when competing in the EWS and although the bike needs to be clean its not a problem. She will be taking it with new tyres fitted any way.
If taking the bike, I'd get a cardboard bike box from LBS. Ditch it upon arrival and then scrounge another one from a bike shop over there for the return journey.
I remember once landing in Sydney with some rather muddy golf shoes and clubs. I had to wait a while at the airport but they were lovely and clean when they gave them back to me!
AFAIK Beaumont went through both Aus & NZ on both of his circumnavigations. Haven't read his books though and a quick google didn't reveal anything about the logistics of entry into those countries! Pretty sure he used the same bike though and didn't just swap to a new one in those countries. At the very least everything would've had to be organised/OK'd well in advance. Interesting question though, seems doubtful they'd have relaxed the regulations at all just for him!Do they visit NZ? Seems like it would be a lot of flying for not many miles ridden on that sort of trip.
My lad has just been working in NZ for two months, bought a very nice s/h Santa Cruz for less than £1000. Seemed to be lots of choice when he was looking for one.
I’ve got into NZ with loads of climbing gear and tents. Bio security ain’t that bad just do what they tell you when you get there.
As a Kiwi who comes back to the UK once or a twice a year, usually carting a bike with me, I'd recommend bringing it as an additional luggage item. It'll work out heaps cheaper than sending it via a shipping company.
That said I'd just buy something here. TradeMe (Linked above) is the NZ equivalent of Ebay (which we don't have).
Facebook marketplace will also give you a good idea of prices, BikeShelf is pretty much the goto:
Yeah, i'd definitely buy in NZ there. A few NZ bikes accidentally pop up on Oz FB marketplace and never seem especially overpriced.
using it as a base for Australia, Tasmania and Indonesia
@Tracey - careful, Tasmania is part of Australia you know 😉
Was hoping to make it to spectate at Derby and Maydena but can't see that happening this year.
She wants to go back and spend more time exploring Tasmania rather than racing. As you can imagine on a short visit for race you get a flavour of what the area has to offer and she really enjoyed it. Even the camper van was an experience.
Not sure on what she's going to do in Australia regarding riding as last time she didn't get any further than a stop over in the airport.
Can't blame her @Tracey - it's the best place i've ever lived I reckon. The food and drink, the people, the environment. Top draw.
East Coast and West Coast are completely different.The beaches on the East Coast are world class, but there are small towns. The West Coast is wilderness (some actual genuine wilderness) but there's a cool dirt road you can take called the Western Explorer. And the surfing is supposed to be epic. I've mates that have been going there since the 70s.
At Maydena she'll get a different experience to Derby - and there's heaps of new tracks being built, including at Queenstown ( https://flowmountainbike.com/post-all/mountain-biking-queenstown-tasmania/).
If she likes walking there are some incredible long distance routes, although probably not practical to lug that gear on top of racing gear. However Mount Field is just down the road from Maydena and has some great day walks like the Tarn Shelf ( https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/mount-field-national-park/tarn-shelf) - could well have snow by Easter as I've seen it there mid-summer.
Thanks. Will pass all the info on
*takes notes about Tassy*
My uncle and aunt spent 30 years in Tasmania before moving closer to thier grandkids in Melbourne. Tasmania is on my 'to do' list, never mind mini_oab.
Thanks all.
I think we're erring towards buying - taking it out via a month+ in Japan is fraught with difficulty and cost, posting it is cost.
I could put all that cost into the pot to buy a new bike out there, which he brings home via the planned 3 months in Canada...
I think some of the direct to consumer brands sell out there, depending on your budget you could order something like a Capra and pick it up on arrival?