01 August 19: Avanti has been voted New Zealand's most trusted bicycle brand in the 2019 Reader's Digest Annual Trusted Brand Awards. This is the fourth year that the award has been given in the bicycle category and the third year that Avanti has won.
In a very competitive market, maintaining customer trust is very important. When buying a bike, whether it be for yourself or a child, we know that you need to be confident in its quality and safety - especially with electric bikes.
At Avanti, we will always strive to bring you quality products from brands you know you can trust. READ MORE
09 March 18: The mountain bike event takes riders on an iconic off-road course through the magnificent Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations. There is only one chance to bike this course each year, through some of the most beautiful parts of the country, and it’s by riding this event. Set in the Southern high country of New Zealand, there are many rivers to cross, hills to climb and a few steep descents thrown into the mix.
The ride starts at Glendhu Bay on the shore of Lake Wanaka and finishes at historic Arrowtown.
This year, it was a cold five degrees at the start line before the start of the race.
This event can be as challenging or as laid back as you want it to be with pros, amateurs, and newbies all racing the same 47km track, which creates a large part of the demand for Avanti’s input – through on-course bike mechanics.A large part of our involvement is the supply of skilled bike mechanics who provide on-course support whilst riding the 47km course throughout the day. Although, you wouldn’t call the course a technical mountain biking course, because it has river crossings, combined with small steep gullies, bike mechanics are kept busy throughout the day helping with broken chains and multiple punctures.
As always, there were a large number of competitors who expressed their gratitude to the Avanti bike mechanics at the finish area. READ MORE
13 November 16: Congratulations to Rio Olympian Regan Gough for winning the Skoda National Criterium Championships on the streets of Takapuna in Auckland. Regan held out a fast finishing field to claim the title on his Avanti Corsa SL.
Read more here READ MORE
21 October 16: We are delighted to announce the win of two Gold Pins in New Zealand’s 2016 Best Design Awards.
Our Avanti Pista Team and Pista Team Pursuit have both received Gold Pins in the Product Consumer category for Best Design.
The last four Olympic Games we’ve been proud to work with the nation’s best riders, delivering a track bike that brought home Olympic medals. This Olympic cycle we have worked closer than ever with the athletes and coaches to tirelessly test, redesign and optimise to deliver our fastest ever track bikes.
Check out the bikes: Pista Pursuit Team Pista Team
This brings our total number of Gold Pins for Avanti brand to four!
View Avanti successes at the Design awards here
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06 October 16: DAY 1 Arrival in Queenstown
The day started well at the Cairns airport where I accidently left a pair of nail scissors in my bag, oops, there was much frowning done by security.
Arriving into a chilly Queenstown we picked up our Land Cruiser Prado and head to the Novatel Lakeside which was really great. It was bottom floor with doors opening onto the grass with views onto the lake. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The continental breakfast was needed to keep us going for the day. Queenstown is clean, well set out and prepared for adventure minded people like us. All puffed out and full of burger from Devil Burger it was time for sleep.
DAY 2
Up early to be greeted by sunshine and clear skies. Parasailing is first on the list. What a great way to get our real first glimpse of Queenstown.
Whilst up there Kel and I saw a ride below us called the Hydro Attack. It is a ride where a passenger sits behind a trained driver, Dave in my case, in a sealed capsule and do crazy turns and jumps. After about 15 min I started not to feel so good. My ride was over.
So off to the Shotover Jet we go next. Wow so fast and so close to the rocks, I found myself ducking away from rocks and trees, glad our driver was on top of his game. Thanks Mike.
With what we had left with the rest of the day we did some retail therapy including a stop at the Fudge and Lolly shop where stocked up for the bike ride ahead. Unfortunately it didn’t all quite make it to the trail.
DAY 3
Today we are going up to Bob’s Peak on the Gondola and do a few runs on the luge. The views are outstanding.
A drive to Coronet Peak for lunch was a good idea. Many skiers were taking full advantage of the ski fields before they melt for another year.
Peter from Bike It Now collected Kel and I to take us to Clyde so we could get all set up for our great adventure. He gave an informative tour through Arrowtown, Cromwell and at the Clyde Dam.
At Bike It Now we are met by Fletch and Duncan whom were just as excited to see us as we were to see them. After coffees and hot choc Tony helped us get our bikes and equipment sorted and with a few instructions and a tool kit
We went around to CBD Accommodation where Kay met us and showed us our room for the night. She left a healthy breakfast for the morning, we were going to need it.
Off we go, all geared up hitting the trail, Kel and I with two bikes and no clue what we were in for. First stop Chatto Creek was our first stop where Leslie served us much needed soup. I highly recommend the Donkey Doo treats.
The scenery is so amazing, I have taken so many photos already of mountains with snow and green hills that go on forever.
We started our uphill climb-up hill being maybe a degree of incline- but when it goes for a number of km’s it seems like 10°. As we approached the town of Omakau we took a detour through the little mining town Ophir where we crossed a bridge to take us back onto the trail.
Lauder School B&B was the stop for the evening where we were welcomed by Esmé and Bruce. Our back sides were sore from the bike seat and we needed somewhere soft to sit. Dinner was across the road at the hotel where Nobby served fish that was very sweet and just fell apart which was washed down by a couple of beers. It was an early night as we were both so tired.
DAY 5
A bit sore this morning and with a bit of extra cushioning in our bike shorts off we go. Heading on we get to Poolburn Gorge and Tunnels which were a bit freaky.
Oturehau is where we got hot pies from the Gilchrist Store, it being Otago’s oldest operating general store. Heading out of town there were cross winds and thought “oh know” we about to start our climb to the peak of the trail. Some people were coming the other way and we chatted about the conditions. Lucky for us as we started winding up the trail those cross winds turned into tail winds!! WE MADE IT!! What a great feeling so we took some pics, had a snack and water and rode the tail winds all the way down to Waipiata. Yes!
Our evening was spent at Tussock Lodge which was very comfortable and warm. We even got a bit a clothes washing done, the bags were full of dirty clothes and not much else. Dinner was spent at the local pub, as was all the evening dining, our host Mark was the owner of the pub and Tussock Lodge. After a couple of beers it was time for bed again. We are so tired.
DAY 6
Out the door at 730 feeling motivated knowing we have a 55km downhill run into Middlemarch. Nearly into town and we pass two girls going the other way, they have just started their journey. Kel and I remembered how fresh we looked three days earlier. We had a laugh.
A celebratory lunch was had at Quelch Café in Middlemarch-coffee, hot chocolate and toasties.
Thanks to Sandra at Trail Journeys for taking our bikes and giving us a comfy lounge to sit on. I was a little behind in the times and bought a pair of bike shorts, maybe I should have bought them at the beginning of the ride. I might have to wear them on the flight home.
Just as we started to relax it was time for us to go to Pukerangi to get on the Taieri Gorge train. Thanks to Dave the conductor whom gave an informative commentary about the gorge and the local area on the way down to Dunedin.
Our last night was spent at the recently renovated Distinction Dunedin Hotel. Amazing! We had a suite to die for. Unfortunately this is our last night, the adventure is over and it’s time to go home.
So many photos have been taken by the camera and then there are those that will be locked in our minds forever. This was a great trip for us and we recommend it to those who like bike riding and to the people who enjoy the outdoors.
There are so many people to thank for this once in a lifetime adventure
Ainslee at Sheppard Cycles-without her none of this would have been possible
Avantiplus Cairns
Bike It Now – Clyde for supplying us all our gear
Kay at the CBD Accommodation in Clyde
Esmé and Bruce at the Lauder School B&B
Mark and Nikki - The Tussock Lodge in Waipiata
A big thanks to my riding buddy Kel
and finally to the person who stole my pushbike from the shops allowing me buy a new one so I could enter this competition. READ MORE
12 August 16: The New Zealand team qualified with the fastest time leading into the finals, setting a new Olympic Record of 42.535, crossing the line at 0.105 of a second quicker than Great Britain.
The finals saw an even closer finish with a difference of just 0.102 of a second, and Great Britain setting a new Olympic Record of 42.440 against New Zealand’s 42.524 race finish.
Kim Struthers, Country Manager commented, ‘the team have worked tirelessly on the Avanti Pista Team project since August 2013, so to see the team achieve a Silver medal on the Pista is a feat we are incredibly proud to be a part of.’
Avanti’s Group Product Manager, Stephen James, said ‘we developed this bike in partnership with the New Zealand Sprint Team and Cycling New Zealand, challenging old ideas and engineering to produce a bike to give the Sprint Team an edge. Sam, Ethan and Eddie have trained incredibly hard and we’re honoured to have been a part of their Olympic success.’
The Avanti Pista Team focuses on being lightweight while managing the immense loads the Sprinters put out. Ethan Mitchell said of the Avanti Pista Team project ‘it’s been amazing, we’ve never really had the opportunity to be able to bounce ideas on how to build ideas on something that we ride, it’s been special to be able to do that and come together to make a bike that is individualised for us.’
Avanti have been involved in the last four Olympic Games and this Olympic cycle was their most technology-driven project yet. Using World leading Formula 1 technology the Avanti track bikes were designed and tested in New Zealand, by New Zealanders, for the New Zealand Olympic team.
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14 July 16: As a proud partner to the New Zealand Olympic Team, Avanti has customised all 40 Avanti Incs with Rio decals and messages of support, a reminder that the Kiwi brand is behind the New Zealand team all the way.
After the games, the 40 Avanti Incs will be gifted to the Mangueira community, an underprivileged neighbourhood situated in the hills of the northern part of Rio. Mangueira has a population of approximately 45,000, of which 30% are children aged under 14 years. Kim Struthers, Avanti’s Country Manager, commented, “It’s great to be able to give a deserving community in Rio something back after they’ve hosted the Games, and sharing the feeling of freedom and adventure that riding a bike brings is a great way for us to be able to do this.”
The bikes will be put to great use in the Mangueira communities’ social project which aims to make a positive impact on young people through sport.
“Avanti’s support not only of our team, but also the people of Mangueira is greatly appreciated and contributes to giving our team an edge in the Olympic Village at Games-time,” said Kereyn Smith, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
Avanti held back the release of the new Inc in order to develop and deliver a more refined yet functional bike for the commuter market. Released in January this year, the key changes from the 2014 Inc are the integrated seat post, twisted frame shape and reflective decals, offering commuters a sleeker, safer ride. The Avanti Inc range is now available in Avanti stores to purchase. READ MORE
01 July 16: Working in collaboration with Cycling New Zealand, High Performance Sport and New Zealand track athletes, including World Champion Sprinters Sam Webster, Eddie Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell, Avanti have created a product, that by all data collected, should give the kiwi team an edge against the rest of the world.
Kim Struthers, Country Manager commented, ‘we’re really excited to have the pinnacle of Avanti Design Technology (ADT), a design philosophy we incorporate in every Avanti bike, showcased on the world stage.’
Avanti started working on this project with Cycling New Zealand in August 2013, with strain gauge testing at the Invercargill Velodrome to compare the track platform Avanti had in the market at the time against a well-known competitor track bike. The results from this testing proved Avanti’s model to be a better race bike and encouraged Avanti engineers with the challenge on how to make the Avanti track bike even better.
Craig Palmer, Cycling New Zealand Sport Scientist commented, ‘In Avanti we wanted a partnership where we were investing in experience, expertise and technology. We knew if we partnered with the right company the fastest bike would be the end result, and we’ve achieved that.’
Using the key objectives of a track bike; to be aerodynamic, lightweight and stiff, new concepts were drafted with each, with factors being pushing each as far as they could go without seeing a negative impact on another factor. Utilising 3D printing Avanti was able to test individual aspects of the frame at Auckland University’s wind tunnel, before committing to producing a frame for further testing. Using extensive Aerodynamic simulation software (CFD) and structural simulation software (FEA) a radical new front end design was born.
David Higgins, Avanti Lead Engineer commented, ‘this was no longer an evolution of the current Avanti track bikes, but a whole new concept in structural and aerodynamic design’.
Using this technology Avanti created their brand new Avanti Pista Pursuit Team, the track weapon to be ridden by all New Zealand Pursuit riders racing at Rio.
The Sprint bike, The Avanti Pista Team, Olympic Edition, looks at similar factors to the Pursuit bike, but with more emphasis on being lightweight while managing the immense loads the Sprinters put out. Ethan Mitchell said of the Avanti Pista Team, Olympic Edition project ‘it’s been amazing, we’ve never really had the opportunity to be able to bounce ideas on how to build ideas on something that we ride, it’s been special to be able to do that and come together to make a bike that is individualised for us.’
Mark Elliott, Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director commented ‘Avanti has done something we’ve never seen before in a bike, it’s going to be pretty special when we see it in Rio.’
Avanti have a history with the Olympic Games. The Kiwi bike company has been involved in the last four Olympic Games Avanti achieving track medals. This Olympic cycle Avanti have embarked on their most technology-driven project yet. Using World leading Formula 1 technology and designed and tested in New Zealand, by New Zealanders, for the New Zealand Olympic team is a true Kiwi innovation piece Kiwis can be proud of. READ MORE
