May 2025
Most of our regulars will have noticed a few changes around the shop in recent months.
‘Ride Central’ has been replaced by ‘Ride Rotorua Store’ (because everything cycling-wise is better when you add ‘Rotorua’), and Craig Corbett has sold the shop to long term riding mate Paul O’Brien (because precious things can only be passed onto trusted people). Monty no longer greets you at the door but you can still give him a belly-rub at Galaxy Travel nearby.
Some things haven’t changed though. Although they won’t take belly rubs like Monty, the key crew of Callum, Tom, Savanna and Nic are still there to talk smack and give you and your bikes the best attention. We’re still the only in-store NZO retailer, and we still have the Yeti showroom next door (we’ve made Kashi an honorary crewmate; it helps when you sell sick bikes).
So what about Paul? He’s an Aucklander, but don’t hold that against him, especially when we consider how many Aucklanders are now living in Rotorua having seen the light. As our good mate Gaz of NZO says, the only thing he misses about Auckland is the trips to Rotorua. Give Paul another 20 years and we might even consider him half-local.
One key reason we know that stops more people moving to Rotorua is work. While the Rotorua outdoors scene is off the chart, all it really means is you constantly want more bikes, and those cost money, and money means work.
So when the opportunity arose for Paul to buy the shop, he didn’t hesitate. Great staff, great bikes, and a work commute of 5 minutes not 50 – not to mention having Whakarewarewa in your back yard.
We’ve got it good here, and the best thing to compliment our fantastic trails is having a fantastic bike shop “where everyone knows your name”. So come on down…
Meet Paul and hear his latest crash stories.
Finally identify your perfect bike with Tom.
Then add some bling with Nic.
Wrap the frame with Savanna.
Have an esoteric conversation with Callum about something extremely niche but more interesting than you’d ever expect.
Come on down!
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