A down to earth and customer-focused independent bike retailer…read more Good things: - Engaging and conscientious staff - Variety of bike types and brands - Central location Not so good things: - Lack of test ride venues - Shop can be crowded when busy Had a run of good experiences with these guys. Although they didn't have a bike that suited me when I first went in, they gave a lot of options and test rides and didn't push the sale when I decided not to buy. The bike I got elsewhere has gone in a couple of times for troubleshooting since, and the Cycles Galleria team has been great. They're not snobby toward commuter riders and noobs on a budget the way some bike places are, and seem genuinely keen to help customers get the most out of their ride. Despite the trend toward single brand shops in Melbourne (e.g. Specialized), Cycles Galleria appears to have a handpicked selection from several manufacturers, ranging from cute hybrids with baskets and kickstands up to sleek full carbon road and cyclocross bikes, plus some innovative belt drive commuters. Their prices are very competitive even though the rent must be horrendous in a city mall, and they'll consider price matching where it's reasonable. As another reviewer suggested, CBD traffic isn't great for test riding bikes, although at quieter times of day the area is perfect for trying out climbs and descents. The small-ish shop floor also tends to crowd when customers are browsing and a few people have bikes lined up for service. Overall, Cycles Galleria stands out for customer service in a market that seems to be moving toward high-volume warehouse retailers and elite racing specialists. Highly recommended for novice riders like myself who need good technical advice above and beyond the usual sales pitch.

Friendly and professional advice (best price in the city) The only bad thing is there is not much…read morespace to test ride the bikes.

I've recently purchased a new bike after my last beautiful red bike was stolen *shakes fist at sky,…read moreloses faith in humanity*. However, upon my first ride I realised something was not quite right... My back brakes were sticking making for a slightly challenging pedal. I rang the distributor of this particular bike and was told it was a two-week wait to get it looked at. TWO WEEKS?! Ain't nobody got time for that. So I set off down Lygon Street, hoping that the friendly fellow at Bikes Please might be able to help. He did. Upon looking at my bike he instantly knew what was wrong and took it into his shed. 10 minutes later he rode back out, pumped up my tires, tweaked a few gears and sent me on my way. "But let me give you money!" I screamed. He would only take $5 off me, saying it was an easy gig and he couldn't possibly charge me anymore. Easy or no, that level of customer service has ensured that I will be a repeat customer to Bikes Please anytime something goes wrong. A general fix-up of your bike will only set you back around $35 regardless. Fast, efficient and friendly are three unbeatable characteristics of any local business. Bravo.

I recommend Ray's Bikes to anyone in the market for a new bicycle. They stock some very nice bikes…read morefor really competitive prices. The staff were super knowledgeable, happy to give tips and answer any questions that I had along the way. The atmosphere is friendly and interested, which is great because I'm easily put off when I go into a store and I feel like I'm being pushed into a sale or buying extras. I ended up walking out of the store with the bike that I had enquired about on the phone, with a lot of confidence in my purchase, and a few freebies that had been thrown in as well! Highly recommended, and will be going back myself for future purchases.

Now I've heard some mixed reports about this joint but my experiences have been good…read more The shop stands proud on the corner of the Capital City Bike Trail and Nicholson Street -- a prime spot for a bike shop -- and they fill a large space that used to be a failed chain video store. My dealings with Velo centre around the fact that I and my partner ride what would be accurately described as 'old bangers' and they generally need a bit of work. I've taken our bikes in for minor shit like broken chains and the likes and they've fixed them for free or very little money. The best bit is that they don't pull that 'you really should upgrade' kind of bollocks and they don't strike me as the usual bike shop wankers. Also of note is that they do a discount for RRR subscribers, which I am and ever will be. Any business that does all right by RRR is all right by me yo. They'll also give you a Metcard or replacement bike while yours gets fixed! Sick!

Velo was the first place I visited on the hunt for a new bike last year. The staff there were…read morefriendly and thorough when it came to matching a bike to my size and providing general advice. After a few more days of hunting around Melbourne, I was compelled to return to Velo - they were easily the most generous with their time and knowledge and happy to price-match on a bike i'd seen elsewhere for a little less. I've ridden the bujeezus out of my bike since that day and they've always resolved any issues with minimum fuss. Friendly and insightful staff and a solid range of accessories, plus the location couldn't suit us any better.

There is a true cycling culture in Melbourne. Some ride for green peace reasons, some do it to get…read morefrom A to B, others ride for exercise and some just ride for fun. It's an amazingly healthy sport after all and with a bike from the Classic bicycle shop, journeys will be so stylish too. The Classic bicycle shop specialises in early 1900's European designed bicycles and carries a full range of authentic single speed and 3 speed bicycles in different styles, sizes and colours. They also carry a great selection of period accessories and parts so you can look the part completely. Check out the full range of vintage and retro style ladies and men's bikes in a multitude of heritage shades like Black, Cherry Red, British Racing Green, Royal Burgundy and Cream. Choose a basket or leave it out, it's up to you. Either way, your bicycle adventures will be so much more fun with a classic bike.

Whoooeee! The bikes here will make you want to pedal along with flowers or a baguette in your…read morebasket and park your bike under a tree to do some reading in the sun. This small store on Grey Street is filled with vintage bikes featuring horns, baskets and comfy seats. They are a good investment considering this city is very bike friendly and you want to be stylish while you ride! I like 'em even more because I heard they donated two beautiful bikes to Sacred Heart Mission a few doors down. I'm a sucker for pay-it-forward stories, so good on you, Classical Bicycle Shop!

Cannot rate this company high enough. Would give it a 10. Rented a bike a year ago and this week…read more Gave them my Bike's measurements and the pressure I wanted in each tire and was delivered to my hotel exactly as specified. The team there could not be nicer.

From the owner: Travelling interstate or international to Melbourne and want to keep up your training schedule or…read moretake in the best road cycling that Australia has to offer? 10Bikes offers experienced cyclists who travel to Melbourne a quality 'ride' delivered to them, set up and ready to go. It's short term bike rental made easy.

This place is pretty big and usually well priced. The staff are all really friendly if a little lax…read moreabout service at times. They have a massive selection of bikes and the bike mechanics in my experience are more prone to discuss options for bike maintenance and fixes than the usual mechanic. As such I think if you are on the look out for a bike they are well worth checking out. The only criticism I have with their bike tune-up service is that they require you to leave your bike with them for a week which can be pretty troublesome if you use your bike to commute most days.

This place used to be run by two old quirky brothers and it was like going to the theatre each time…read moreyou went in. Obviously business has been good here and the money has brought change. The staff are relatively friendly, but it's not quite theatre. Stuck in a very quite pocket of Clifton Hill, this old shop is packed to the rafters with bikes. A huge number are piled along the centre of the store and the rest hang from the roof. There are accessories galore, with anything that you could need. They also have a few mechanics on hand, constantly doing repairs and servicing. The steps into the shop have a nifty home made ramp to wheel your bike up and down. I took by bike in last week to be looked at as my gears kept jumping. I showed the technician and instead of booking it in and taking my cash, he advised me how to simply fix it. I guess he saved me $70 for a service.

The position for Smith Street cycles seems to be a short lease venture location, as the previous…read more3-4 ventures haven't lasted longer than 6 months. Smith Street cycles seem to be bucking the trend as it continues to serve the local cycle enthusiasts. The massive factory esque store has a huge number of new bikes for sale. There is also a decent size mechanics area where you can get you bike fixed or serviced. The choice of bikes is not large, as there seems to be more of a focus on quantity of a certain style. The actual space seems a little too big for the store. The walls are fairly bare and it doesn't have a lived in feel that most other bike stores have. The sales staff seem cool and willing to help, but don't try and ask a mechanic for help as I did, otherwise you're likely to have your head ripped off by the guy in charge, maybe it was just too early on a Sunday morning.

Smith Street Cycles is a massive bike store with a big variety of bikes on offer. The shop is in…read moresome serious need of repair (note the mouldy inflatable kids pool in the window that appears to be there for the sole purpose of catching water from their leaky roof), but that is no reflection on the quality goods that they sell. The staff are quite helpful and give solid advice about bike repairs and maintenance. My only criticism of Smith Street Cycles is the fact that, for such a large store, they only have a very small selection of bike-related equipment. For instance, they only sell one kind of bike light (it's a good quality one, but doesn't provide much in the way of consumer choice).

After spending about a month trapsing between bike shops, being given ridiculously expensive…read moreoptions that were unviable money grabs, making calls, sending emails and being told by custom bike makers they weren't interested, as a heavy rider it was almost impossible for me to find a bike, let alone someone who was willing to take an extra moment to talk to me to get a custom setup done. I finally discovered Pista Bikes, and was surprised that not only did their mechanic, Paul, actually acknowledge me, but spent the next half an hour just discussing viable options for me to get myself riding. Within the next half an hour, calls and inquiries were made and quotes were delivered for a reputable frame and custom wheels. Given I approched them during the Christmas/New Years rush, I didn't expect anything to happen quickly, but despite that, John and the team had the wheels in store and fitted to the bike within a week of me making a deposit on the bike, to which they even gave a credit for the original wheels to cut the cost down for me. The teams knowledge, expertise and overall customer focused attitudes make them an absolute 5 star rating. So as a shout out to these guys, and anyone else who may have had trouble in the past getting something to suit you, definitely come see them. They'll sort you out. Couldn't give them a higher recommendation. Thanks guys, Damien.

Small, personal shop, all the time needed by John and the team for even small things. Always feel…read morewelcome and now my go to shop Prahran/South Yarra. No sales push, but good practical ideas from diverse bike riders working there. prepared to refer on if don't have very specialised stuff.

My pair of him sneakers were on their way out and i needed a new pair asap!…read more Sports Junction stuck out to me, the vibrant coloured sneakers in the front window called out to me. Inside there was a huge variety of colourful designed sneakers for all sporting needs whether basketball or running etc. I was greeted by staff and asked about what type of shoe i was looking for. They were helpful and genuinely knew about what shoes goes best. The store is located on bustling swanston street and usually has a lot going on so take a look around the store and someone will eventually get to seeing you.

There is a period in my life that I am not proud of. I went through a 'stage' in which I only wore…read moreConverse sneakers... I owned 22 pairs of them in varying colours and shapes. Where did I get so many pairs of Chucks? Sports Junction. They always have the latest designs as well as the old classics, and even a few that I had never seen before. Sports Junction also stocks comfy shoes from all brands and they are conveniently located on Swanston street (and another on Elizabeth!) So if you suddenly have a craving for some brightly coloured, comfy sneakers now you know where to head (or you can borrow one of my 22 pairs.)