Alba Bikes

09/09/2026

We have had an upgrade!!

Today we received the eagerly anticipated delivery of new Sports workstands.

🚲These new stands will better equip us to support the growing number of e-bikes coming in for service and repair.

🔌We now have a Pro-Lift E in the workshop capable of supporting 45kg, and a Pro-Lift Air for our mobile-onsite servicing also capable of supporting 45kg.

The Pro-lift Air, is similar in size to our Pro-HD stand we have used for 2 years, but includes an air-powered piston to lift the bike.
No power, no batteries, we connect a footpump and up we go!

This will make it safer for our mechanics to work on bikes and reduce the risk of injury, but also reduce the greatly risk of damage to bikes if they are not secured properly in the stand or clamp.

We have been using Feedback Sports stands for 15+ years, and rate them highly for both professional and home mechanics.

We are excited to get these stands into use, and test their capabilities in both the workshop and for on-site servicing.

A huge thank you to Wide Open NZ for supplying these stands and accessories.

09/09/2026

👀 One of our school clients has just posted this!
If you see any Haro MTB bikes for sale or dumped in the Matamata area, please let the school know ASAP.

These bikes are well used by the pupils and with school budgets being super tight the opportunity for replacements will be challenging.

Lets use the power of to find and return these ASAP!!


Firth Primary SchoolBikes in Schools

🚨 Please help us spread the word — bikes stolen from our school.

Sadly, our school bike shed was broken into for the 2nd time and 4 of our bikes have been taken.

We’re asking our local community to please keep an eye out for the bikes, or for anyone selling bikes that may match the photo. If you notice anything suspicious, or have any information that could help us, we would be incredibly grateful if you could get in touch with us at the school. or contact the Police.

🚲 Bikes stolen: 4 x Adult bikes: 3 x black (refer photo) 1 x plain blue, brand new.

Please share this post so we can reach as many people in our community as possible. Even a small piece of information could help us get these bikes back.

We’re really disappointed that this has happened, particularly as these bikes benefit and bring so much enjoyment to our tamariki.

Thank you to everyone who can keep an eye out and help us spread the word. 💚🖤💛

09/09/2026

Customer called yesterday to say their tubeless tyre was loosing pressure!

We had recently replaced a spoke on the rear wheel, and noted the tyre was wearing and would be due replacement in coming months.

💨 On inspection, we found damage to the tyre bead, thus preventing a good seal with the rim.

⏰ Within 24hrs, a replacement tyre has been ordered, fitted and customer will be collecting their bike later today.

🙏 We cant always guarantee turn-around within 24hrs, but if you let us know your timeline we will always to what we can to make that happen.

Visit our website for details of servicing, repairs training and our selection of bikes, parts and accessories.

🛜 www.albabikes.co.nz

04/09/2026

When mobile on-site servicing is really beneficial.

Yesterday we took a trip to the big smoke to see our friends at Milner Mobility to complete their annual trike servicing and pre-handover preparations.

It is always great to visit the team at Milner Mobility, get to browse some of their amazing vehicle conversions giving wheelchair users greater mobility freedom. A definite highlight was fluffy cuddles from the resident Golden Retriever.

🚐We have been working with Milner Mobility for a while now, but it always blows us away to see behind the scenes of their operation, witness the care and attention that goes into each vehicle conversation to ensure it is right for the needs of the client which echos the ethos here at Alba Bikes.

🙏If you use our services whether to purchase items, repair bikes or on one of our training sessions we want to ensure you have the right information, suitable products for your needs and abilities and on a timeline that works for you.

If you are in the market for a high quality trike or wheelchair adapted bike, be sure to see the team at Milner Mobility in Mt.Wellington Auckland for more info.

31/08/2026

Could your business go further with a cargo-bike??

Last week our faithful was handed over to a local business for them to evaluate the benefits of using a cargo bike to conduct their day-to-day operations.

Previously this business was using a standard e-bike to move around the city, but as loads have evolved in shape, weight and volume it was time to explore other options.

This 4 week trial will allow the business and staff to evaluate the effectiveness of using the bike in a variety of operational tasks and by different staff to understand the benefits and disadvantages and then have the ability to make an evidenced based procurement decision.

We have equipped the HSD with some chunky Schwalbe tires, perfect for handling some loose and muddy terrain.
Also fitted are a variety of Tern Bicycles accessories including hauler rack and cargo tray plus one of the massive Cargo Hold 37 pannier bags, so this is definitely the perfect option for hauling stuff daily (H.S.D 😎).

Whether you are a family looking to reduce car dependence, a business looking to diversify your fleet choices, there are an array of options for you and we would love to be part of your journey into the CargoBike world…it is what we do best!

If you are interested in finding out about our bike options, visit us online or send us a message to get the conversation started.

🔗 https://albabikes.co.nz/collections/cargo-bikes

Alba Bikes

28/08/2026

Fuzzy Feel Good… last week, two of our mechanics supported this project coordinated by Hamilton City Council to check, service and refurb these bikes ready to be gifted to Tamariki at selected schools

It is great to hear how these Crawshaw School pupils will benefit from these bikes, and we look forward to continuing to support this initiative with cycle skills training next month.

26/08/2026

Another great day on the tools, supporting pupils riding to/from school safely.

🧮 25 bikes checked and made safe for riding home.
🚲Several new brake pads, cables fitted and chains lubricated.

Thanks to Hamilton City Council Transport Education team for arranging and funding this initiative to ensure those who chose to ride to school can do safely.

Fraser High School

21/08/2026

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.

20/08/2026

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.

20/08/2026

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.