Melbourne Bicycle Centre

This one plays hot and cold.
The first time I wheeled my neglected bike in here with a flat tyre, the guy behind the counter eagerly grabbed it, thrust a cup of watery coffee into my hand, ran away and replaced the tyre, tuned the gears, oiled the chain, and was just generally awesome. Riding it after felt like I was riding a brand new bike.
As I have a penchant for breaking things it wasn’t long before I visited again to see if I could get a quick gear tune, obviously expecting an experience as delightful as the first. This time I was met rather coolly by another gentleman who asked me twenty questions before stating that ‘don’t do’ on the fly repairs like the one I had before, and that I would have to book it in. I retreated to the footpath, confused emotions whirling in my belly. My gears are still off.

Definitely my favourite bike shop. I never so much as walk maybe a meter into the shop before I’m greeted by someone asking if I need help. Even if I’m just browsing or admiring the cute vintage bikes, there is always someone there to help. The staff are pretty chill, attentive and efficient. They’ll even make you a coffee while you wait! Ha! Take that you other over-​priced hipster shops in Brunswick!
I think the products here are definitely well-​priced and they have ridiculous sales from time to time. It even helps that they have most of their products online so you can definitely check to see if they have what you’re looking for. They even design a few retro bikes which are very reasonable and super stylish. I’d definitely buy one if I didn’t already have a bike.
They definitely have great customer service and it’s not intimidating like many other bike shops might be. You can always tell when other shops are judging you for not knowing bike talk but they never do that here. Two thumbs up!

This place used to be run by two old quirky brothers and it was like going to the theatre each time you 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.

These guys are pretty well sorted. Wall to wall with bikes and bike paraphernalia (who would have thought all this in a bike shop!) and COFFEE (bet you didn’t see that coming).
Yep. Coffee. So when you come by to talk shop you can have a coffee while you do it. Talking bike shop in a bike shop.
These guys are very welcoming and it doesn’t matter if you know lots or little about bikes. They know it all and are situated in a very bike-​friendly area so it’s a good one to know if you blow a tire from all the mad wheelies you’re doing.
They have a wide range from the cheap to very expensive, a bike for anyone. The customer service here was great so my two-​wheeled boyfriend and I will be back.

This place is pretty big and usually well priced. The staff are all really friendly if a little lax about 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.

Inasmuch as an activity phobe can be a ‘fan’ of a bike shop, I am a fan of the Melbourne Bicycle Centre. Located just near the Smith Street/​Queens Parade junction, the Melbourne Bicycle Centre apparently stocks the largest range of bikes — spanning mountain, road, hybrid, flat bar road, BMX and kids — in Melbourne.
Granted, my knowledge of bike jargon may not stretch to many of the aforementioned bike varieties, but even as a cycle neophyte I can tell you that this is a damn good bike shop offering excellent service, a great range of bikes, and a uniquely convivial atmosphere.
I procured — or was bought — my first Melbourne bike from the Melbourne Bicycle Centre and its staff were as helpful, lovely and humorous as you could ask. This popular little bike shop also stocks a solid range of bike accessories — think locks, lights, helmets and bells — and offers repairs, services and technical advice. Just great.