Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Russian Pro's Cycling Gear
From: F.Brown@massey.ac.nz (F.J. Brown)
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 20:07:11 GMT
Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Keywords: frames, racing
Summary: NZ framebuilders
X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2c

Dear netters,

Dave writes:

>Just out of curiosity, what are NZ bikes like?  I'm sure there are any number
>of fine framebuilders there; are there any in particular the rest of the
>world might want to know about?

Close - there are limited numbers (NZ popn. 3 M) of very fine frame builders.
The best are:

Bosomworth - founded about 15 years ago in Rotorua by Eddie Bosomworth,
who started building for his son Mike when he was racing.   Very fine
reputation although now no longer owned by the Bosomworths, older (real)
Bossies are particularly sought after.   Mostly Reynolds tubing, usually
chromed stays.   Will still custom-build.   Road bikes and the odd tandem.

Vincolo - founded about 10 years ago in Palmerston North by Gary Buys at
Pedal Pushers Cyclery.   Full range from off-the-shelf entry-level to
custom-built anything including carbon fibre.   Label sometimes affixed
to commissioned frames but good quality control.   Road bikes only.
Will custom build / commission custom building.   Have seen Vincolos
in both Reynolds and Columbus tubing.   Very good after-sales service.

Bauer - started up in Timaru last year, back by CycleMaster (wholesaler),
lot of hype.   Very slick custom-building service, you get fitted at your
local bike shop who send your specs down to Timaru, you get your frame
back pronto.   Reynolds license, pick your tubing (or go cheap).
Road bikes and MTBs.   Appear to be very good standard.

Pearson - one-man operation in Rotorua started 10 years ago by Graeme
Pearson, a top NZ road cyclist turned triathlete.   Specialist time-trial
funnybikes, he was the first guy in NZ to start mucking around with carbon
fibre.   Legend has it his first attempt was made from carbon fibre
fishing rods - the only available source - and was rideable but so
whippy it was like a circus act.   Graeme's come a long way since then, 
and has supplied the New Zealand cycling team with monocoque TT bikes 
for the last couple of world champs, and the NZ TTT team at the Olympics 
were all riding Pearsons.   The great innovator, has also tried some 
pretty radical componentry, like plastic (teflon?) headsets.   Don't 
expect to buy a Pearson off the shelf, the guy has to get to **know**
you first.   Not to be confused with some weird-looking "Pearson"
mountainbikes - box construction aluminium - appearing from the South
Island recently.

Avanti - big commercial operation, previously a big of a joke amongst
Real (tm) cyclists, but in the last twelve months have gone up-market.
Now produce a Klein-clone with Shimano 600 STI at a very competitive price
(about $NZ3300, cf Klein $4800+) and a rad monocoque mountainbike
called the Tuatara - a dinosaur relict like a little dragon, very
dear to NZers.

Hope this helps, any errors or omissions greatly regretted but this
is just what springs to mind from memory.

Cheers,

Frith
-- 
==============================================================================
Frith Brown                           E-mail:  F.Brown@massey.ac.nz
Department of Plant Science Level 2   Phone:   +64 06 356 9099 ext. 8800
Massey University                     Fax:     +64 06 350 5614
Palmerston North                      
New Zealand                :-) Ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike ;-)
==============================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.racing