Mountain biking in Australia is a growing sport with a dedicated community of enthusiasts. From rugged bushland trails to picturesque coastal paths, the country offers a wide variety of terrain for riders of all abilities.

One of the most popular mountain biking destinations in Australia is the Blue Mountains, located just outside of Sydney. The area offers a diverse range of trails, from easy fire roads to challenging technical singletrack. The scenery is also spectacular, with panoramic views of the surrounding bushland and the famous Three Sisters rock formation.

Another popular mountain biking destination is the trails in and around the city of Adelaide, such as the Eagle MTB Park and the Fox Creek Reserve. These areas offer a mix of cross-country and downhill trails, as well as a bike park with features such as jumps and berms.

For those looking for a more remote and wilderness experience, the Australian Alps, located in the southeast of the country, offer some of the most challenging and scenic mountain biking in the country. The Australian Alps Walking Track and the Bicentennial National Trail are both popular options for long-distance backcountry rides.

In addition to these destinations, there are many other great places to mountain bike in Australia, including the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne, the trails in and around Brisbane, and the singletrack in the forests of Tasmania.

No matter where you go, mountain biking in Australia is an exhilarating and rewarding experience. The country's diverse landscape and friendly biking community make it a great place to explore on two wheels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time rider, there's a trail out there that's perfect for you. With proper equipment, planning, and safety precautions, the Australian mountain biking scene is an adventure you don't want to miss.

At bikes.com.au we have a huge of mountain bikes! Browse now our selection of Dual Suspension, Hardtail and Electric Mountain Bikes

With the hot summer well and truly upon, cyclists need to take care when riding in Melbourne’s scorching heat. We’re expecting higher than average temperatures, which means there are precautions we should be taking when we go for a ride.

• Hydration

You know already that you should keep hydrated during the summertime, whether you’re riding or not. However, when it comes to riding your bike on our Melbourne roads, it is especially important that you keep hydrated throughout your journey. Ensure you have a bottle handy at all times. If you don’t have a bottle holder for you to take your drink with you, it’s probably best that you buy one and fix it to your bike.

• Clothing

There are tonnes of cycling clothing options to choose from when riding your bike. But when it comes to the summer in Melbourne, riding your bike should be considered with a bit more attention because some synthetic materials do not “breathe” well, which will not allow the air to flow in and out and keep you cool.

Also, your body sweats, and if you’re wearing clothing that doesn’t cover you adequately, your sweat may evaporate faster than you think, leading to dehydration. A good bike shop will have the best clothing choices to suit all types of weather.

• Timing

Sometimes you can’t control the time of day you need to travel; for example, when you ride to and from work. But on the other occasions when you just have that “desire” to get out and ride – you should consider what time of day you do it. Consider that the later you travel in the morning, the hotter and harder your ride will be – not to mention the more road users there will be, adding to the congestion and heat. Try to leave earlier when it’s cooler, if you can, or much later in the day. You’ll have a better, more relaxed ride, and after all, enjoying the ride is what it’s all about.

• Skin

It’s so important that we all think about our skin when riding. There are many sun-protection products on the market, and you should apply at least an SPF 30 sunscreen around your neck and arms, as well as on your face, paying special attention to your nose. With skin cancer and melanoma becoming ever-more prevalent in Australia, we can’t stress the importance enough of proper skin protection.

Now that you have these crucial pieces of information, go out there and enjoy your ride safely, knowing that you have done everything to protect yourself from the dangers of Melbourne’s hot summer sun.

For more safety tips or if you want to buy clothing and accessories for your summer rides, shop online now or contact us anytime on (03) 9529 3752.

Electric bikes or e-bikes are the new and latest must-have mode of transport across all age groups in Australia. They provide the efficiency of a normal bike and give you all the health benefits of riding too. What makes them better than regular bikes is that they have a motor, which can aid the rider uphill or all the way from home to work with less effort over longer distances.

Although we are well aware of the benefits of an electric bike, choosing the right type is what’s important. It has to suit your specific needs. So, let’s take a look at certain aspects of electric bikes, which will help you make the right choice that suits your needs.

• Style

Style depends on you. It’s all about you and what your needs and preferred style are. Whether you use the bike primarily for mountain bike-riding, relaxing cruises or for every-day hauling, then you should speak to the retailer who will provide you with the right choice for that specific need. There are many things to take into consideration, we’ve covered them below.

• Type

There are two main kinds of rides an electric bike offers you: first, the pedelec, which has a system in place to monitor the rider’s pedalling in order to provide automatic adjustments to call for more or less motor speed. Second, the twist-n-go, which is a system in which the rider holds full control over motor assistance via a switch on the bike.

• Motor

Electric bikes come with two options with regard to motors: first, the crank motor, and second, the hub motor. The crank motor has a great reputation for assisting heavy loads uphill, but when on a straight, flat road, its power can become less effective and it has a loud motor. On the other hand, the hub motor is quiet, yet not very powerful with uphill rides.

• Battery

For electric bikes, “range” is the most important thing because “range” refers to how long the motor will run before it needs to be recharged. Therefore, the battery is a key factor when purchasing a new electric bike. Batteries also lose a lot of their original strength over time, which may be an added cost to consider. However, there are better batteries out there which last longer and are faster to charge. Speak to your retailer for more information.

• Test

Proof, as they say, is in the pudding; and in this case, the proof is in the ride. You need to test the electric bike for yourself. Relying on reviews and what other users have to say are good points to take into consideration, but if the idea of an electric bike just suits your lifestyle, then go and ride it and see for yourself. Plus, a test-ride is always fun anyway.

Finding the right electric bike is a personal choice. Now that you have all of this information handy, you should go for that test ride and see how it feels for you. To find the best type of bike that suits your needs, contact one of Melbourne’s expert e-bike on (03) 9529 3752.

Whether you’re a seasoned mountain bike racer, amateur trail, track or speedway rider, or you use your bike to get to and from work, having your own bike tool kit is essential. Performing your own basic bike maintenance repairs can be hugely satisfying for a cyclist, not to mention budget-friendly. From replacing dirty bar tape and brake cables to repairing a puncture, a quality bike tool set is a must-have.

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Whether you’re a seasoned mountain bike racer, amateur trail, track or speedway rider, or you use your bike to get to and from work, having your own bike tool kit is essential. Performing your own basic bike maintenance repairs can be hugely satisfying for a cyclist, not to mention budget-friendly. From replacing dirty bar tape and brake cables to repairing a puncture, a quality bike tool set is a must-have.

Five essential tools to include in every bike tool kit

1. Puncture repair kit

Punctures are the bane of every cyclist’s life, but if you have a puncture repair kit on hand, you can quickly fix small holes. Ensure you have a kit that contains a small-sized hand pump or a CO2 inflator. Either one should be conveniently carried in a backpack or installed on the bike frame. Self-adhesive patches are also important.

2. Multi-tool

A multi-tool is particularly handy as it can be used to perform a multitude of maintenance and repair tasks. A quality multi-tool should consist of: Allen keys, Phillips screwdriver, and different sized wrenches.

3. Air cartridge

For cyclists who prefer the CO2 inflators over a hand pump, you need to carry extra air cartridges. Cartridges contain compressed air and offer advantages such as inflating tyres much quicker and with less effort.

4. Tyre Levers

These are used to detach the tyre from the wheel’s rim when repairing a flat tyre. Tyre levers are most useful in road bike tyre repairs as the tyres sit quite snugly onto the rim.

5. Adjustable air regulator

The air pressure of a bike’s tyres allows for traction and speed on road and track surfaces. Therefore, it’s important to have an air regular that can identify when you need to inflate or deflate air pressure, depending on terrain. This is essential, especially in mountain biking where trails can feature smooth stretches and rocky areas that require either soft or hard tyres for better control.

Why not choose the all-in-one Azur Performance Essential K2 Combo Kit available from Bikes.com.au. It has all the essential tools to perform emergency repairs when stranded on the roadside. Looking for something else? Click here to see our wide range of tools and kits.

THE THRON OPENS YOUR EYES FOR ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY. JUST GO RIDING TRAILS AND AWAKEN THE EXPLORER THAT YOU ARE...

. A GEOMETRY READY TO GO EVERYWHERE

FEATURES TO EXPLORE NEW GROUNDS

THE JAM IS YOUR TICKET BACK TO THE TIMES WHEN NOTHING WAS IMPORTANT BUT TO PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS...

RISE BEYOND

The Fluid VLT brings you more of the trails you love in the time you have.

With 140mm of suspension travel up front and 130mm out back, it’s the best way to fit in an extra trail lap before sundown or finally discovering what’s over the next hill.

Teaching your kids to ride a bike is giving them a skill they will carry with them throughout their lives – and they’ll thank you for it. To ensure a safe and exciting experience for your child, you will need the right age-appropriate size of bike (and don’t forget the safety helmet and knee guards should you require them), encouraging approach and armed with the relevant how-to knowledge.

Here’s some handy info to follow:

Start toddlers on a balance bike

Balance bikes are a great option to teach young children (aged 2 to 4) how to balance themselves properly. As these do not have pedals or training wheels, children learn essential bike riding skills like balance and control by zooming about on the ground.

The best technique is to let the child walk the bike, then progress to a kick-along technique before lifting both feet up to roll freely.

For older children

The key priority for older children is to ensure they fit on the bike properly. They should be able to sit on the bike with the balls of their feet comfortably on the ground. Find an ideal riding location with a slight downhill slope and where there are no obstacles to bump into. While grass surfaces provide a sort of cushion in case the child falls, flat surfaces make for easier rolling.

Here's a step-by-step guide of their first experience on a bike:

Step 1:

Remove both pedals.

Step 2:

Let the child get the feel of squeezing the brakes as they climb into the seat. The brakes should be released slowly and they should coast slowly down the slope. This step should be practised numerous times as necessary.

Step 3:

Put both pedals back on.

Step 4:

Motivate the child to mount the bike while squeezing the brakes. Placing one foot on a pedal, he should slowly release the brakes and find the other pedal with his other foot and cruise downhill. Step 4 should be repeated until he has perfected it.

Is your child at that age when they are ready for their first riding experience? Find the right kids bike for his or her age group at Bikes.com.au. We have the widest range of children’s bikes in Melbourne. Visit us today to find out for yourself!

So you’ve decided to take up mountain biking. You’ve got the bike – tick. You’ve found the perfect trail – Tick. And you’re off. Wait, not so fast. There are a few more essential pieces of gear you need to tick off your checklist.

Mountain biking gets the adrenaline pumping and takes you off the beaten track. But there are precautions you need to take in order to make your ride as smooth as possible – unlike the bike tracks you’re on. You need to make sure you’re wearing a kit that will protect you and that you are carrying tools to keep your bike running. 

These are the 8 essential mountain bike accessories you should never leave home without:

1.    Helmet

Use your head and keep it safe by buying the best helmet you can afford. Look out for ones with MIPS. That’s Multi-directional Impact Protection System. Choose a helmet that fits snugly. If it’s too loose, it won’t protect your head correctly, and if it’s too tight, you’re going to get a headache. Ventilation is also essential to control sweating.

2.    Protective glasses

There is nothing worse than getting a face full of leaves, so get yourself a pair of protective glasses. These can double as sunglasses allowing you to ride in all kinds of lighting conditions.

3.    Gloves

Gloves not only protect your hands from the ground if you fall, but also prevent blisters and sores from handlebars.

4.    Riding shorts

It may be tempting to wear any old pair of shorts for a ride, but specifically-designed bike shorts go a long way in protecting your thighs from chaffing and keeping your backside comfortable.

5.    A hydration system

Water is essential when mountain biking to keep you refreshed and hydrated. Most bikes have a fitting to hold a bottle, but you’ll probably need more water than that if you’re pushing yourself hard or riding for a long time. A hydration pack will hold enough water to keep you going for longer and doubles as storage for other essential items.

6.    Tyre repair kit

You need a hand-held pump and ideally two spare tubes if you’re heading out on a long or particularly rough ride.

7.    A multi-tool

Get one with a range of Allen keys, star and flat screwdrivers. That will give you what you need to fix most mechanical problems. If you can afford it, splurge on a multi-tool with a chain-breaker to cover all the bases.

8.    First aid kit

You may have limited space, but a first aid kit can be a life-saver, literally!. Make sure your kit has the basics: gauze, wipes, bandages and plasters. Other items you could include are iodine, hand sanitiser and a phone charge pack for emergencies. 

If you’re planning a one off ride or mountain bike regularly, talk to the experts at Bikes.com.au, who will help you with all your bicycle needs. 

We all know that Melbourne is famous for being the home of some of the country’s best sporting venues, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Rod Laver Arena and Flemington Racecourse, amongst others.

But you might not know that it also has more than its fair share of excellent bike trails.

We put our heads together and came up with a list of the top five bike trails in Melbourne that will definitely end up on your to-do list. 

Explore The City

1. Capital City Trail

See Melbourne’s sites and landmarks as you’ve never seen them before on this 30km trail. The loop, which uses peaceful car-free paths, is a circuit trail, so there’s no start or finish point. You begin where you want to, and you can do shorter sections if you’re low on time or energy. The Capital City Trail will take you past the trendy Docklands, the Royal Botanic Gardens – a lush urban sanctuary, the historical Como House and Dights Falls – an ideal spot for a pitstop. You’ll also pass the famous Melbourne Zoo. 

Tour The Coastline

2. St Kilda Beach to Half Moon Bay

If you’re looking for a beach ride, this is the perfect trail and won’t take too long to complete as it’s only 13km. You’ll follow the bike path that runs by the beach, making your way from St Kilda Beach down to Half Moon Bay, passing through Brighton and Sandringham. This is an ideal trail for a lazy Sunday afternoon because it’s flat from beginning to end and so easy to navigate. Expect panoramic views of the coast on one side and a glimpse into Bayside suburbia on the other.

Around the Bay

3. Port Phillip Bay Trail

This trail is not for a Sunday afternoon, and nor is it for the hobby cyclist. If you want a real workout, take the 210km trail route around Port Phillip Bay. It begins and ends at Alexandra Gardens, but you have a choice of two directions to choose from: you can head west towards Queenscliff or south-east towards Sorrento. To complete the trail, you’ll need to use the ferry to get from Queenscliff to Sorrento or vice versa, which will give you a welcome chance to rest. 

Head Inland

4. Lilydale to Warburton Trail

How about an inland trail following old railway tracks, from which you’ll see wineries, fields, forests and look across the Yarra Valley? This 38km trail can be done in a day, but you might want to spend a night in one of the small towns you pass through and make a weekend of it. It’s not too tough, so you can take it slow or turn it into a challenge.

Diverse Scenery

5. Bass Coast Rail Trail

Another trail that follows a disused railway line, the Bass Coast Rail trail will take you from Anderson to Wonthaggi. It starts at the coast and heads inland, so you’ll see a diverse range of landscapes, from coastal bush to farmland. This 16km trail is a pretty easy ride, so it’s suitable for all fitness levels.

These are just five of Melbourne’s best bike trails, but there are many others that are well worth exploring. Seeing the landscape – whether city, sea or bush (or a combination, of course) – is always better on a bike, so keep pedalling. Contact Bikes.com.au for all your bicycle needs.