The bicycle shop with professional service

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 13

The bicycle shop with professional service

Bicycle shops mean big business these days. Increasing awareness of physical fitness and the need for petrol conservation have meant a boost in sales and the need for fast, efficient repair services. Pegasus Cycles and Toys in the New Brighton chopping centre has a wide range of all the popular brands of cycle and the expertise to keep them in perfect repair. The shop’s proprietor, Mr L. Rhodes, has been in the bicycle business for 33 years and is himself a keen cyclist. His knowledge of the mechanics and componentry of bicycles stands him in good stead now, particularly in the field of sporting and touring bikes. Pegasus Cycles and Toys has occupied new premises next door to its original

shop in Union Street since last April. The enlarged area of the new shop allows an increase in the range of bicycles stocked and more space to display' them. It has also meant an increase in the stocks of toys and games carried by the shop. There are toys for children of all ages, from dolls and dolls’ houses to sophisticated train sets and construction kits. A source of great delight to the small boys who frequent the shop is the large selection of Dinky cars and trucks. Even more impressive is the range of models and kit-sets. These range from plastic aeroplanes which sell for $l.BO right through to metre-long replicas of the Cutty Sark priced at nearly a hundred dollars. On a more up-to-date note, there are “authentic scale models” of Luke Skywalker’s X-wing fighter plane and Darth Vader’s more sinister Tie-fighter, straight out of Star Wars. Hot rods, sports cars and choppers are also well represented. The variety of board

games available for children nowadays is bewildering to adults brought up on Monopoly and snakes and ladders. Pegasus Cycles and Toys keep them all in stock, from the most traditional to the latest television-inspired game. For long winter nights there are jigsaws ranging from half a dozen pieces to 1500, in patterns to suit all ages and tastes. Although the toy departments occupy a good deal of space in the shop, it is the racks of gleaming bicycles which attract the most attention. Every mode! of cycle available in New Zealand is stocked by Pegasus Cycles and Toys, as well as imported sports cycles as often as they come to hand. The selection starts with toddlers’ tricycles and grows through learner bikes to school cycles, 10-speeds and the sophisticated lightweight touring cycles. Prices range as high as $BOO, with even more being paid for imported racing bikes. Professional advice and back-up service are available on all types of cycles

sold and Mr Rhodes can repair anything from a tricycle to a wheel chair. As an ex-road racer, however, Mr Rhodes specialises in repairing sports cycles and is happy to tackle anything from a puncture to a complete overhaul. The shop also stocks a complete range of accessories and spare parts for all types of cycles. Skate boards and roller skates are popular with the younger customers and Mr Rhodes’ stocks include all safety requirements for these sports.