Cycling in Melbourne Australia

City bikes

Where can I buy a City Bike. I mean like the one in the pic on the front page, but for a male.
It seems the rest of the civilized world has plenty of these, Europe, Japan, China.

Some are quite expensive and make a statement, while others are just plain practical.

I want one, please help.

Tags: bike, city

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Permalink Reply by Matt Holden on June 5, 2008 at 12:27am: Check out this place in St Kilda -- should be just the ticket:
The Classic Bike Shop; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt Holden on June 5, 2008 at 12:28am: In fact, that looks like one of their bikes on the front page ...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChrisS on June 5, 2008 at 12:36am: Can't remember were I nicked the image from. Speaking of the Classic Bike Shop in St Kilda, the owner has been up to some interesting stuff in his recent travels.

Rob rocked up on this beautiful steed during last weeks Ride of Silence, he purchased it from CBS.

If you really want something similar but slightly cheaper, head over to Human Powered Cycles and see whats in the yard.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on June 21, 2008 at 1:16am: Could be a Pashley Princess .... :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ChrisS on June 21, 2008 at 1:53am: Dead ringer.

Want!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on June 21, 2008 at 6:55pm: ... me too! Well, a mens please!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hielke on June 5, 2008 at 12:45am: Hi Ritsardo,

It all depends on your budget, how well you treat your bikes and how heavy you are. If you want cheap, you keep her in a garage and are light and nimble, then the place in St Kilda is definitely the place. If you want higher end components (hub dynamo, shimano roller brakes, etc), something that will last for a few decades (my own bike is more than 50 years old and in original state - think of the savings!) and can handle abuse/chunky riders then go talk to Peter Santos at www.psbikes.com.au. He sells Velorbis. I don't know how much they retail for, but expect something between $1000 and $2000 (sorry about the wide range). Velorbis is Danish, but their bikes are made in Germany and they market them as Brittish. Go figure.

Good luck on your purchase.
Hielke; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on June 5, 2008 at 12:01pm: Thank you all for your suggestions.

The Velorbis importer replied to an enquiry and I think the Churchill was around $1800 or so.
The indian made Avons are OK, I see a few of them around, and I recently came across a swedish brand, Skeppshult that look like similar quality to the Velorbis, I await advice of the price.
Bottechia get close, and a bit cheaper than the other European bikes, but the riding position is bit like a mountain bike and I am looking for a more upright riding position.

Cheers; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hielke on June 5, 2008 at 12:19pm: I don't know the Bottechia. I have seen the Skeppshult at last year bike festival on the Yarra, organised to coincide around the bay in a day. The Skeppshult is also big $$ I think, similar to the Velorbis. Very nice and beautiful bike, but no fully enclosed chain case (which is something I always look for but maybe unimportant to you). Another contender is the Kronan (http://www.kronancycles.com.au). This is the old Swedish army bike. They were popular in Amsterdam for a while because they are plain, (used to be) dirt cheap and so basic that nothing could really break. Not sure if they are still cheap, but the hype is definitely over. From the picture on the Oz version website they seem to have tricked it out with some hub gears and other gimmicks. I don't know what they are asking for them, but you should make your own judgement about what is value for money. I would organise a test ride for any of the bike mentioned. Usually you can tell within 10 seconds if a bike is good or not. Cheers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on June 8, 2008 at 11:00pm: Hielke, thanks for your information.
I wasn't aware the Kronan was avail in Melb. Might have a look during the week.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on July 30, 2008 at 12:28am: Had a ride of a Kronan. Nice ride. But a bit rustic in build and a bit expensive, I feel.
I ended up with a Giant Cypress City for $495 from Ivanhoe Cycles.
It's OK, 8 hub gears, chain guard, decent saddle. Put a rack on the back and away I go.; ▶ Reply to This