Phillip Hopkins, owner of Kingston Foreshore Cycles, one of Canberra’s most recommended bike shops. Photo: Supplied.
Cycling brings such a sense of freedom and in Canberra turning your wheels is easy on our excellent network of off-road paths and routes with fabulous scenery.
The benefits of cycling, especially during these challenging times, are enough to make your head spin. It’s healthy, fun, easy to fit into your daily routine and available to all ages and personality types. Some cyclists are serious commuters, some ride for leisure, some travel great distances exploring the environment around them, and some compete in elite challenges at paces that take your breath away.
Key to enhancing your cycling experience is having the right gear and apparel—whether you’re new to the sport or have been riding for years—but with so much available on the market, deciding what’s right for you can be daunting. That’s why it’s worth talking to experts about your needs.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a bike shop, and share where to find the best in Canberra.
What to look for when choosing a bike shop retailer
Finding the right bike shop is essential to improving ride quality and the longevity of your bike. So what’s important when choosing where to go? It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a bike shop.
- Attentive and caring. You want a retailer who cares and listens to understand your needs, so you end up with a bike and gear that suits. Make sure the retailer is willing to answer your questions and provides advice based on the level and type of cycler you are.
- Helpful to novice cyclists. You shouldn’t feel intimidated when walking into a bike shop because you’re not an expert. Choose a retailer who knows you don’t have all the knowledge they do. Expert retailers are willing to help novice cyclists with as much enthusiasm and dedication as they are cyclists with a bank of knowledge.
- Proactive with tips. While a bicycle is basically a simple machine, it needs to be cared for. With straightforward preventative measures, a quality bike will give years of joy. It’s important to choose a retailer who will give you essential tips, like the need to keep drive trains clean, so gears are less likely to lose adjustment and components last longer.
- Support and advice. Staff should take time to listen carefully to your needs and share expert advice. They should be willing and able to help and be honest about what you require. They should also share tips that will empower you to embrace and enjoy the sport.
- After service. You don’t want to buy a bike or other gear and not be supported post-purchase. Make sure your bike shop is willing to have you pop by to ask questions after you buy or provide answers over the phone. Also make sure they have a service arm in case you need it.
The best bike shops in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 19 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintain a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Ion DNA
If you enjoy the thrill of traditional cycling, you are bound to love the experience that electric bikes offer! If you have never considered an e-bike option, you will be pleased to know that they offer the same great benefits as traditional bicycles. They are a cost-efficient way to get around, allow you to improve your health, and foster connectivity to the community.
Where electric bicycles come into their own is with their added benefits. The real advantage of e-bikes is that they provide a more comfortable ride. Whether climbing up hills, cycling with an existing health condition, or for a perspiration free morning commute, they are an attractive biking option.
To experience these benefits for yourself, pop in for a visit at Ion DNA. After first opening their doors in 2018, locally owned Ion DNA, was founded by former rally driver Rob Ogilvie. As Australia’s first dedicated all-electric vehicle showroom, they are bursting with the latest e-innovations.
Ion DNA is an electric enthusiast’s dream, featuring the full spectrum of everyday e-mobility solutions, from cars, to scooters, skateboards, and bikes. When it comes e-bikes, this team are the real experts. Boasting all the insider knowledge, minus sales pressure, they offer a refreshing change and a relaxed customer approach.
To see how electric biking can change your cycling experience be sure to visit Ion DNA.
Sinch 9 shared this review on Google, “Highly recommended! …. The show room has a great range of electrical vehicles from big too small. Friendly and knowledgeable staff that will go out of their way for customers which is rare these days.”
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Back Bone BMX
Since first opening their doors over fifteen years ago, Back Bone BMX have built a formidable reputation as Canberra’s BMX experts. You will find this gem right next to Belconnen skate park, featuring all the best bikes, parts, and accessories that BMX has to offer.
There is more to this team than purely retail, they are also heavily entrenched in the local BMX community. Whether it be coaching kids or building jumps they are helping to grow the sport from the ground up. For specialised gear for all your BMX needs look to Back Bone BMX.
Beagle Nose shared this glowing review on Google, “Best place for BMX. Great service. Small locally owned business that does a lot to support the local community. Highly recommended.”
Kingston Foreshore Cycles
Proudly locally owned and operated, Kingston Foreshore Cycles offers personalised bicycle services to riders of all skill levels and ages.
Conveniently located within Kingsborough Village, their beautiful store is home to a myriad of bikes, accessories, parts, and apparel, all designed specifically with cycling in mind. And, should your wonderful wheels need repairing, no job is too big nor too small for this crew.
With a personalised and tailored service approach you are sure to feel right at home. For expert staff with a passion for all things bikes look to Kingston Foreshore Cycles.
Nick Burrows had this to say on Google, “Best bike shop in Canberra. Super helpful and friendly. Great advice and service.”
Trek Bikes Majura Park
Globally renowned Trek Bikes were borne from heritage founded on the principals of craftsmanship and rebellion. Fast forward forty odd years and you can now find this prestigious brand nestled right next to the Majura Parkway.
Trek Bikes Majura Park is a leading destination for the latest products from the best brands, top-notch service, tune ups, and professional bike fit services. As passionate advocates for the local cycling community, Trek Bikes Majura Park are known for supporting events and clubs in the Canberra area.
Krys Hinds shared this great feedback on Google, “The team at Trek – Majura park have consistently gone above and beyond expectations to help us out. Great customer service, great knowledge.”
Tune BikeWorks
Tune BikeWorks have built a stellar reputation for their bicycle repairs and maintenance offering.
With a collective 30+ years of industry experience, this team are known for their bicycle mechanical skills. Whether its solving problems, providing periodic upkeep, or refurbishment they have it covered.
For exceptional repairs on your beloved bike, look no further than Tune BikeWorks. New, old, big, small, fast or slow, whatever the bike they will have you pedalling in next to no time!
Courtney Brown shared this great review on Google, “Such a cool shop, customer service is A1. These guys really know their stuff and have a very wide range of parts and accessories in stock. Highly recommend.”
On the hunt for the best ways to commute around Canberra? Check out our articles on the best electric skateboard shops, the best electric scooter shops and servicing, the best electric bike shops and the best places to buy electric cars in Canberra for some great recommendations!
Your experience with bike shops in Canberra
Thanks to our commentators who have provided insightful feedback on the best bike shops in Canberra. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the bike shops listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
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Switched on Cycles, best for ebikes :)
Adams Bikes Hume. Best service
Bike Culture, Gungahlin. Great friendly service
No love for Pushys? 12 months ago I went to get my first emtb. Asked for a quote from Pushys and Onya. Pushys got back to me in an hour. Still waiting for Onya lol.
Aaqil you might need this
Yep cycle surgery
Adams bikes are excellent.
Bike Culture in Gungahlin &/or Belconnen. Great service & knowledgeable staff🤗
Nobody does servicing as well as Monkey Wrench
Adams bikes has been great
Monkey Wrench in Hackett for sure
BEST bike shop in Canberra is a vintage feel, fantastic find in Kingston, in the Kingsborough Village on Parbery St. With a wonderful old school feel, not your standard accessories and a wonderful array of bikes, going to this shop is a wonderful adventure. It might be small but it is full of cycling treasures. With bikes from the little to the big, including Surly and Brown Jersey this is not your average bike shop. Run by the ever smiling Phil Hopkins who himself is a treasure trove of information about all things cycling, Phil is also a creative local bike photographer catalogueing his daily cycle adventures in ways that are breathtaking Phil and his son are wonderful mechanics and will keep your bike running beautifully. NO hard sell, just a genuine love of what he they do, Kingston Foreshore Cyclery is a must to visit..
Cycle Surgery in Florey
Simon is the best he can repair anything he has been servicing my bikes for years
Bike99 in Mitchell. Paul and Sam are terrific.
99 bikes in Mitchell and Adams bikes in Hume, both great service, range and knowledgeable, helpful staff
My Ride Woden, excellent sales and service, numerous, knowledgeable just wish they would shave 😄
Humerous
Kingston Foreshore Cycles – Phil is great whether you just need a quick service or looking to upgrade your bike.
Switched on Cycles in O'Connor; everytime! for new, used or your bikes service/ tune-up.
monkey wrench,
fixed by ryan
& missing link
https://www.missinglinkbikes.com.au/
I just got an e-trike from Cookies Cycles in Franklin. My first bike in 30 years!
There aren't too many available, apparently the NDIS is getting them for some clients, and they are made overseas so of course there are supply problems right now.
Dave was super-helpful and made sure I knew all how to work it and ride it and fit the seat height and the handlebars and everything.
And it would not fit in my car so they delivered to my house in the evening.
Very nice shop, comforting, specialising in e-bikes but very competent with other bikes, from the conversations with other customers.
Also not full of trendy expensive clothes. This shop is about the bikes.
I would definitely recommend Cookies to anyone looking to set up on a bike again after a long break.