Bikes have developed into well-manufactured and individualised machines that provide each rider with a different experience. From what we used to know as a two-wheel, simple mode of transport has grown into a wide-range of options with several gear choices.

Whilst it might sound complicated and unnecessary to have up to 27 gears on a bike; they are all there for a reason in the aim enhance the rider’s experience depending on the environment and conditions.

Let’s take a look at what they all mean:

Is one enough?

The simple answer is… it depends. But the late and famous bicycle expert, Sheldon Brown, once said that one gear is all that any rider needs. If you wanted gears, many may argue, then why not buy a motorcycle? However, they serve the purpose of making riding simple for any rider, beginner or veteran.

Are two enough?

If your lifestyle is, “get on the bike and go to the café for a quick meet-up or rush over to the newsagents”, then a two-gear bike should be just the thing. Melbourne city cycling isn’t exactly a technical course compared to the Scottish Highlands, so a two-gear will easily see you tackle the occasional hill.

Are three enough?

Three gears are what many people consider the “perfect” number that suits both the everyday rider and the pro, because it has the speed, the pull and the stamina needed for straight, flat roads, uphill challenges, and of course for quick navigation around the city streets.

Are 27 enough?

When is enough, enough? Well, having 27 gears requires the ability to match the gear to the conditions. Depending on the type and incline of the surface, weather conditions and your intended speed, this will allow you to dictate your entire riding experience. If you’re going for a cycle on a more technically advanced track, for example, a mountain course, this type of versatility and range will be perfect.

What’s the best choice for me?

It all depends on the biking lifestyle you have and the amount of control you’d like to have in regard to the bike’s performance in different conditions. If your lifestyle during the week is riding to work on normal suburban Melbourne roads, then a one or two-gear bike makes sense. If, on the other hand, you’re an experienced rider who tackles difficult conditions and different speeds, perhaps buying a more comprehensive bike with more gears is your perfect match.

If you’re not entirely sure which bike to go for, speak to a professional or head into local Melbourne bike store.

Riding a bike has got to be a favourite past-time amongst adults, so when it comes to their kids, many parents jump at the chance to teach their child how to ride a bike. With an ever-sedentary society, bike riding is a great way to get parents and adults outside and interacting with each other. It has various benefits for their physical, mental and emotional health and will give them a childhood to remember! Here are the benefits they’ll receive:

1. It builds confidence

Most of us can remember the first time our parents taught us to ride a bike without training wheels. After practising with their supervision, they gave a final push and we were off on our own. By learning a new skill, children build confidence in their ability to complete tasks on their own. Always stay calm and supportive and make sure you go at your child’s pace to avoid any setbacks.

2. Improves physical health 

The Department Of Health states that the children should routinely spend at least one hour of physical activity to remain in good health. However, a survey from The Heart Foundation revealed that 80% of children do not engage in routine physical activity. Encouraging your child to go outside and ride a bike will improve their health and if you join them, will improve yours too! It reduces the chances of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and encourages healthy bone development.

3. Benefits mental health

The emotional and mental health of children is also said to be favourably affected through regular physical activity. Exercise releases endorphins and being independent and learning new skills improves self-esteem. Bike riding is a great social activity and teaches children to interact with other kids as well as building life skills like balance and coordination.

4. Encourages independence

As mentioned previously, teaching children to ride bikes will enhance their confidence because they will have the ability to do a task all by themselves. Hence, teaching them to ride their bikes will encourage them to be independent. Independence breeds confidence and confidence breeds independence. Encouraging kids to ride their bike to school or to the local shops will help them build navigation skills and road safety awareness, which will assist them as they grow up. It also means you won’t have to drive them everywhere!

5. Increases family bonding

Riding bicycles is an activity that can be done by the whole family. Spending time together and enjoying each other’s company through a mutual activity improves family relationships and encourages bonding between family members.

At Bikes.com.au, we are strong advocates for teaching your kids how to ride a bike, and the first step is finding the perfect one. Discover our wide range of kids bikes here.

No matter how sturdy your bicycle is, it will need some repairs over the years, especially if you are an avid rider or love to take on more technical bike courses. If you find that your bike isn’t living up to your expectations, or performing as well as it once did, it’s time to take it in for repair. Here are some of the most common signs you need to look out for:

Rust

Rust is easy to spot but is often ignored, because most riders assume that since their bike is still functioning well, there’s no need to fix the issue just yet. However, rust is a sign that the structure of your bike is slowly breaking down, and the more you ignore it, the more it will spread.

At the very least, you either need to replace the rusted parts or apply a new protective layer to the parts that are rusting. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you need to have a professional check it out.

Tyre Pressure

Just like the sensitivity of the tyre pressure on a car, a bike could also cause accidents when the tyre pressure isn’t optimal. The pressure might be low either because of the temperature changes, or due to damage to the inner tube of your tyre.

You should first inflate the tube to see if the pressure holds up. If it does, then it’s the temperature factors. If it doesn’t, you need to replace your tyre tube, and if you don’t have the confidence to do it yourself, just take it in for repair and the bike mechanic will fix the issue with ease.

Squealing Brakes

Squealing brakes are like a cry for help from your bike. The sound is caused by the brake pads not being properly placed on the rim, or due to the pads being worn. Be sure that the brakes are repositioned and adjusted, or have new pads fitted as soon as possible. No one wants to be on a bike if its brakes fail.

Sticky Gears

If you are finding it hard to shift your gears while out on a ride, it’s a sure sign that they have to be repaired. Normally, gear problems are caused by tension in the system’s cables and might need adjustment or have to be replaced.

If your bike is showing any of the above signs, it’s time to get it repaired. Contact our friendly and experienced bike mechanics for more information.

It is a sad fact that the cost of living in Australia only increases with each passing year. Finding creative ways and means to lower expenses and save money is one of the more reliable ways to manage a limited budget.

Beat the price hikes in petrol and public transport costs and make your bike your best friend. Compared to using public transport and driving to work, the costs of riding a bike are relatively low. For example, whereas the Myki system costs Melbourne residents an average of $37.60 per week, maintaining a bike amounts to around $20.50 per week in travel costs. Opt to ride a bike instead of driving and save money with these budget-friendly methods.

1.    Beat petrol price hikes

It’s no secret that petrol prices have been steadily rising in recent times. This is a result of high exchange rates, price increases in global crude oil, and high gross retail profit margins. Riding your bike to work and driving less means you can avoid the hefty fuel prices at the petrol pumps.

2.    Save on car maintenance expenses

Keeping a car on the road can be a drain on your monthly budget. Australian motorists can spend up to thousands of dollars every year in car-related expenses such as insurance, mechanical repairs, registration and toll fees.

3.    Avoid annual adjustment changes in public transport costs

Public transport costs can leave huge holes in a household budget. For 2018, Public Transport Victoria increased public transport fares by 4.7 percent. Ride a bike, and you not only pay less in travel costs, but you also avoid late transport, limited services, and long waits.

4.    Ditch the gym membership

Why pay pricey gym membership fees when you can exercise for free? Cycling to university or work offers savings in commuting expenses and provides desirable benefits to your mental and physical health.

Don’t let the increase in living expenses hold your household budget to ransom. Ease the financial pressure by finding smarter ways to save money such as riding your bike instead of driving a car.

Shopping around for a new bike or want to upgrade to a better model? Find your next commuter bike at Bikes.com.au today.

Bicycles are made up of many parts that are all dependent on each other. As a new bicycle owner, it is important to know the main and common parts so that you can easily identify what parts you need if anything feels amiss, or what you can do if your ride isn’t comfortable.

Bar Ends and Saddle

Bar ends are the extensions at the end of straight handlebars that allow for different/multiple hand positions. You need a high-quality set of bars that are properly fitted, as it will contribute a lot in terms of your performance and comfort.

You should expect the same performance from your saddle. If it’s not measuring up, the good news is that you can easily replace an old saddle with a new one without having to get a new bike. There are also various saddle designs for both male and female riders.

Brakes and Brake Pads

Brakes and brake pads are the devices used to slow down or stop a bicycle. Brakes are operated by the brake levers mounted on the handlebars.

It goes without saying, but your brakes and brake pads are the most important parts of your bike, and will go a long way in helping you to keep safe on the road. With powerful and predictable brakes and brake pads, you will be more confident in your bikes performance.

Wheelset

Bicycle wheel technology has come a long way in the last couple of years. These days you can have multiple wheelsets, each one suited for a specific biking activity. For example, you

can use a different set of wheels for riding on the road, and change the wheelset for a track race you have during the weekend.

Chainrings and Gears

Your bike can adapt to different roads and conditions because of the ability to change gears. The chain transfers the power adjusted on the gear to enhance the output of your bike, and you will use different combinations for the type of road you are riding on.

Pedals

When looking at the pedals you have on your bike, consider what sort of riding you will be doing. It is always best to have cleated pedals as you will lose the least amount of energy while pedalling. That being said you may not feel comfortable or confident enough to use that style of pedal so look for a good quality aluminium flat pedal with good quality ball-bearings that will roll smoothly so you get the best out of your pedal stroke.

If you’ve got any questions about bike parts or accessories, feel free to get in contact with us today.

Investing in a new mountain bike? One of the biggest choices you’ll be faced with is whether your bike should have clip pedals or flat pedals. There are dozens of conflicting opinions over which option is the safest, easiest to use, and the most affordable. Even worse, when you’re getting advice from fellow riders, it’s often difficult to get a truly objective opinion. To help you make the best choice for you, we’ve given some guidelines for clip and flat pedals, based on each one’s pros and cons.

Are you starting out or do you know your way around a bike?

To put it simply, clip pedals secure your foot on the pedal and flat pedals don’t. If you haven’t ridden in a while, or are new to cycling, you might find that flat pedals offer a safer ride. They make it easier for you to stop and start, as well as get on and off your bike. Having your legs free to stabilise your balance is reassuring if you aren’t confident in your ability to ride, mount, and dismount. A downside is that your feet are more likely to slip from the pedals. However, if you’re still getting used to biking it’s unlikely you’ll be travelling at speeds high enough to cause serious harm.

Where will you be riding your bike?

When it comes to more challenging biking activities, such as terrain and mountain biking, clip pedals can make a world of difference. When your foot is secured into a clip pedal, you’re automatically held in place. If you’re riding through rough mountainous areas that might require you to hop over or veer around various plant and rock obstacles, you’ll find it easier if you’re moving as one with your bike. Clip pedals have another advantage here, as they allow you to pedal in a more efficient way, using an even force of distribution. If your biking requires accurate timing, as well as being able to react quickly, this is the better option for you.

This is just a general guideline on what options suit which type of riders best and there are no rigid rules to what pedals a person should use. Ultimately, you’ll need to try both to make the final decision. Many people find that their choice of footwear makes as much of a difference here, so we recommend exploring the full range of clipless mountain bike shoes versus flat pedal shoes on offer while choosing a bike.

If you need more help with your choice of pedals, feel free to get in contact with our friendly staff today!

Though new forms of transport have continued to be developed over the decades, bikes have remained a popular vehicle amongst Australian communities. To the regular person who just wants a new bike for fitness or for commuting, they might all look somewhat similar. And this is true.

However, there are three main types of recreational bikes from which you can choose, with each having its own features that will affect the overall performance of your ride.

Let’s look at the three options to help you make a decision:

1. The Urban Bike

This is the quintessential “city bike”, designed and manufactured with the city in mind. Weighing in at 1.5kgs more than the flat bar bike, it is clear the city bike was designed to be robust. With this bike, you don’t necessarily have to be very careful with it since it doesn’t require much TLC. In saying that, we do encourage you to ride responsibly.

Its performance is therefore geared to durability.

1. The Flat Bar Bike

Think of this bike as the “sporty” one. Its lighter weight is designed with the purpose of providing speed over durability. This bike is perfect for fitness training, providing you with the speed and efficiency required for exercise. Since these are specifically designed for tarmac roads, there is no or little suspension — which ensures there’s no additional unnecessary weight.

Its performance is therefore geared to fitness and comfort.

1. The Hybrid Bike

Let’s call this one the “Jack of all trades”. This bike is built with a special focus in mind to enhance the overall ride, balancing the comfort and speed of the sporty bike while still boasting a good, sturdy frame. With suspension included in the hybrid bike, you can expect a great, speedy ride that will carry on giving beyond its years.

Its performance is therefore geared to versatility.

Now that you have a much better understanding of which bike will be best suited for your particular needs, purchasing one should be hassle-free. You can start on your journey now – wherever you ride takes you, enjoying the wind speeding past your face as you push on and experience freedom.

To find out more about the bike options available to you, check out our full range or call our bike experts on (03) 9529 3752.

Like most Australians, the winter took its toll and left you with little or no inspiration to go bike riding in the cold. If you’re just taking your bike out of storage now, you may have to follow these tips first before you go on your return ride.

These are the five essential things you must check on your bike before you ride:

1. Tyres

Air pressure will more than likely have deflated somewhat during the winter months. You will probably have to inflate them to a satisfactory pressure in order to ensure safe, comfortable riding.

1. Chain

If the chain is mangled or off its rotary, you will have to reset it. This could be a messy ordeal. The chain may need bike chain oil, especially if the bike has been sitting in the garage for these past few months. Apply some oil for lubrication.

1. Brake levers & pads

Brake pads must press tightly and firmly against the tyre rim when the lever is pushed. If it is loose, it needs to be replaced immediately. Both levers should engage when pressed. If they don’t, it could mean a problematic cable.

1. Spokes

If you lift your bike off the ground and spin each wheel you will see if it’s straight or not; if the wheel wobbles a bit, it means there is a problem with your spokes. Use a spoke wrench to tighten the spoke at the base.

1. Safety equipment

Check to see if the batteries of your bike’s lights and reflectors are still in working order. If you do not have rear reflectors, it may be a good and safe idea to purchase some immediately. Also, is your helmet in good order? Does it still fit you properly?

Once you have performed all the necessary safety checks, and you are happy with your bike, then by all means, go out and take it for a test ride. If it doesn’t ride as well as you remember, perhaps there’s something wrong with it that you cannot diagnose yourself. Or perhaps it’s merely just too old for the road, needs to be packed away and replaced with a newer model. Whatever the case is, contact one of Melbourne’s expert bike suppliers on (03) 9529 3752.