Bike Brothers is a bicycle workshop on Willis Street in Wellington's Aro Valley, covering everything a rider needs: everyday bike servicing, new bike sales, upgrades, bespoke custom builds, and a dedicated suspension service for forks and rear shocks. Behind the workstands are Nico Schlereth and Liam Boot — two friends who met on a bench at a flat viewing in 2016 and later turned their brother-like friendship and shared passion for bikes into a business.
Nico took an unusual route into the trade. Originally from Germany, he spent 14 years rising through the ranks of professional cheffing all the way to head chef before turning to bikes. An avid mountain biker who enjoys the odd gravel ride, he brings a chef's precision to his mechanics, with a noted eye for detail, a willingness to learn and an undeniable passion for the machines.
Liam's credentials run deep. He started as a bike mechanic in Gisborne back in 2014, moved to Wellington to build high-end custom wheels at Wheelworks, and then served as Head Mechanic at Capital Cycles. In 2022 he founded Leeroy Wheels, and he is well known in the New Zealand bike industry for his experience, skill and attention to detail.
Suspension is the workshop's calling card: full service, maintenance, upgrades and rebuilds, from a 50-hour refresh to a complete 100/200-hour teardown, using genuine OEM parts throughout unless upgrading to SKF Dual Compound lower leg seals. Beyond that, the team keeps commuters and weekend riders rolling with general servicing, sells new bikes and takes on dream custom builds. You'll find them at 294 Willis Street, on 04 260 0102 or at [email protected].
Bike Brothers is a bicycle workshop on Willis Street in Wellington's Aro Valley, handling everything from everyday servicing to full suspension rebuilds. It caters to the weekend trail rider and the serious enduro racer alike, offering bicycle servicing, new bike sales, upgrades, custom builds and a dedicated suspension service - all carried out by two mechanics who genuinely love the machines they work on.
The name is friendly but the standard is exacting. Between them, the two mechanics cover precision servicing, a handbuilt-wheel pedigree, deep suspension know-how and the patience to plan a custom build from scratch.
The Bike Brothers aren't actually brothers. Nico Schlereth and Liam Boot met on a bench at a flat viewing in 2016, and a true brother-like friendship formed - eventually becoming a business.
Nico took an unusual route into the workshop. Originally from Germany, he spent 14 years rising through the ranks of professional cheffing all the way to head chef before turning to bikes. An avid mountain biker who enjoys the odd gravel ride, he brings a chef's discipline to his new trade: the workshop proudly notes his exceptional attention to detail, willingness to learn and undeniable passion for bikes - adding, only half-jokingly, that Germans are natural engineers.
Liam's background runs deep in the industry. He started as a bike mechanic in Gisborne back in 2014, moved to Wellington to build high-end custom wheels at Wheelworks, then became Head Mechanic at Capital Cycles. In 2022 he founded Leeroy Wheels, and he is well known in the bike industry for his experience, skill and meticulous work.
Suspension service is where Bike Brothers has made its name. Forks and rear shocks contain seals, oil and air chambers that wear out or become contaminated over time - and left unserviced, performance fades, small issues become big ones, and expensive components end up at risk.
The workshop offers a 50-hour fork and shock service: a clean and inspect with new dust wipers and foam rings, fresh oil and lubrication, and the air shaft removed and cleaned - recommended every 50 hours of riding. For bikes that have worked harder, the 100/200-hour service is a complete teardown and inspection with all internal seals replaced, fresh damping and air-side fluids, plus a vacuum bleed and nitrogen recharge where applicable.
Warning signs that suspension needs attention include harsh or inconsistent damping, a sticky or sluggish feel, oil leaking around the seals, reduced travel or strange noises - or simply 50-plus hours of ride time since the last service.
Genuine OEM parts are used throughout, unless you're upgrading to SKF Dual Compound lower leg seals. Beyond servicing, the team fits damper upgrades such as Charger and GRIP2, carries out coil conversions, and installs SKF low-friction seal kits.
The workshop's reach extends well past suspension. Everyday bike servicing keeps commuters and weekend riders rolling, new bikes are available through the shop, and upgrades are fitted with the same care as a full rebuild. For riders with something specific in mind, the custom build service starts exactly where the website says it does: with an idea. Dream builds, the Brothers promise, start here.
Bike Brothers sits at 294 Willis Street in Aro Valley, an easy detour for riders heading for the hills. Bike services and suspension services can both be booked through the website, or you can call 04 260 0102 or email [email protected]. Whether it's a seasonal tune-up, a suspension refresh or a bike built from the frame up, the work lands in the hands of two mechanics who treat every bike like their own.