BikeRadar: New Contend is a Champion! BikeRadar has posted a new review of the 2017 Contend road bike, giving it a near perfect score of 4.5 stars (out of 5) and praising the ALUXX aluminum-framed bike for its light weight and all-rounder ride quality. Comparing it directly againt othe... Matthews Wins Pais Vasco Opener! Michael Matthews scored his first win as a member of Team Sunweb Monday, sprinting to victory at Stage 1 of the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco stage race in Spain. The 26-year-old Aussie delivered on a strong effort by the team, which helped chase down the day’s main breakaway and set up their leader... Jackson Scores Podium at Crankworx Rotorua DH! American Eliot Jackson wasted no time scoring his first major podium result as a member of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team, opening the 2017 season on a high note at the Crankworx Rotorua DH race in New Zealand. Jackson piloted his Giant Glory Advan...Welcome to the Australian Sports Commission
Shop online at the AIS Shop Play by the RulesWe're sorry, but we could not fulfill your request for /classified/for_sale on this server. An invalid request was received from your browser. This may be caused by a malfunctioning proxy server or browser privacy software. Your technical support key is: 36b3-2f13-1756-6707 You can use this key to fix this problem yourself. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, please contact admin at global-riders.net and be sure to provide the technical support key shown above.Mountain bike orienteering (MTBO) is a navigation sport suitable for participants of all ages and abilities. Like foot orienteering, the idea is to navigate your way around a series of checkpoints (controls) using a map and compass. Unlike foot orienteering, the idea is to ride a bike! The main difference is that in Australia, mountain bikes have to stay on tracks, so the style of navigation can be quite different to the cross-country navigation used in foot orienteering.
Several courses are available, ranging from 10-30km in length. At the top end of the field, competitors need good technical bike handling skills and the ability to navigate at speed. However, the shorter courses are easily achievable by beginners, non-mountain bikers and families. Why not take part in the WA State MTBO League, part of the standard event series. Read more about the MTBO State League and Mountain Bike Orienteer of the Year.Required equipment: mountain bike or decent hybrid bike map (provided by the organisers) map board to attach the map to your bike (can be hired at events) compass (can also be hired at events) water bottle or hydration pack spare tyre, pump and other bike tools Upcoming Events: MTBO events and dates are also listed below and are part of the main OWA events calendar.There's no doubt about it – biking's definitely having a moment. If you're thinking about joining the ever-increasing ranks of commuter cyclists, finding the right bicycle can be an overwhelming task.
With so many models on the market and plenty of hype and technical jargon from salespeople, it's easy to get lost. We'll tell you what you need to know to get a good quality bike, without the unnecessary extras: First up, choose a bike that's a good fit for the kind of riding you'll usually do. So for example, if you're going to be riding in the predominantly in the city you won't want to get a mountain bike. A common mistake people make when buying a bike is getting one that tries to do everything. For cycling newbies, we recommend an upright bike style. It's more comfortable and gives you more awareness on the road. While it's common to see riders with speedy drop-handlebar road bikes on the commute, they're not designed for stopping and starting. Their low riding position also makes it much harder to keep an eye on the traffic. But that doesn't mean you're stuck with just one style. The upright commuter bike range has a few types to choose from. Often come with accessories such as a rack, mud guards and lights.
They're a wallet-friendly option – bike accessories can add about $200 to the total if you purchase them individually. Similar to a drop-handlebar road bikes, but with flat handlebars, these are suited to a longer, speedier commute. Good if you're only commuting about five kilometres and want a relaxed ride. These are good if you're commuting by train and only want to ride part of the way. See more in our folding bikes buying guide. These are either pedal assist (helps the rider pedal) or throttle-powered (no pedalling required). If you're likely to be slogging up hills or travelling longer distances this may be the option for you. See our electric bikes test. You can also buy conversion kits to turn your current bike into an electric bike. Getting the correct frame size is essential to a good ride. One that's too big or small will compromise on feel and comfort. There are plenty of specialist fitting services on the market, but if you're just looking for a basic city bike, look for a model where most of the weight's carried by your feet and bottom, not your hands.
What the frame is made out of will also impact your ride. Common on classic bikes such as the Dutch step-through. Not common on city-style bikes Many modern bikes come with 27 gears - much more than you'll need for commuter riding. In the city, five to eight gears is plenty, although more may be useful if you're riding in a hilly area. Additional gears will cost more, add weight, and increase maintenance issues. Gears come as part of a groupset. This includes everything making up the gears (front and rear derailleurs, cassette, chain, cranks and shifters) as well as the brakes. Each groupset manufacturer makes different grades (from entry-level to pro) for both mountain and road bikes (commuter bikes can fall into both categories). As the grades improve, groupsets get lighter, have more gears, are more durable and perform more efficiently. But if you're in the everyday commuter group, you probably won't notice much difference between low-end and high-end groupsets.
As long as the gears are kept clean and looked after properly, a lower-end groupset is fine. Internal hubs – where the gear system is inside a covered chamber – are a good option for everyday cyclists. They're low maintenance, and gears can be shifted while you're stopped. On the downside, they make it fiddly to remove the wheel if you have a flat tyre, and can be pretty bulky. There are a few things to consider to get the right wheels for commuting. Double-walled rims are stronger than single-walled ones. A higher spoke count is better if you ride on bumpy paths. Quick-release wheels make life easier if you have a flat or want to throw your bike in the boot. On the downside, they also make it easier for someone to steal your wheel. Choose a slightly wider wheel over a slick road bike tyre for commuting. They're less likely to puncture and will give you more traction. If you're riding on the road, avoid knobbly mountain bike tread - it's meant for off-road biking, not city commutes.
Quality might not be noticeable at first, but low-end tyres (that often come on new bikes) are more likely to puncture and wear out faster. Look for tyres that are marketed as being 'puncture resistant' - they'll reduce your risk of a flat. The same goes for riding with the correct tyre pressure. Some bike accessories are essential for your ride, but which ones exactly? We believe the following are worth the cash: The comfort of these three things can have a big impact on your ride. For city riding, avoid pedals that clip in, because you need to be able to stop regularly. If the bike doesn't come with a rack, check you're still able to attach one. Various companies make luggage for cyclists designed for use either on or off your bike. Even if it isn't raining, water on the road can splash up from your tyres and onto your clothes. This almost goes without saying, but in case you need a reminder, you must wear a helmet with an Australian Standards sticker.
You'll also need to have a bell fitted to the bike. If you'll be riding at night or in low light, you'll need a front white and rear red light that are visible for 200 metres. Some lights can be charged by USB, others have batteries. If you're into green power, some bikes come with dynamo hubs, which are pedal-powered lights. See our bike lights review for more information. Construction sites aren't the only place for fluoro vests – they're also important for safe cyclists. If you're leaving the bike out in public, we recommend buying a D-lock, You'll also need a floor pump for home use (easier to get tyre pressure right) and a hand pump for the road. Levers make it easier to change tyre inner tubes - and repairing tubes costs less than buying new ones. See more on bike accessories. If you cycle regularly, insurance is worth considering. Sign up as a member with your state cycling body and they'll usually provide personal injury and public liability insurance, plus income protection in case of an accident.
This insurance generally won't cover your bike, though, so if it's a pricey ride there are a range of ways to insure your bike for theft or an accident. Find out more in our bike insurance buying guide. Depending on how much you ride, you should get a bike serviced every six to 12 months. Cleaning your chain regularly will reduce wear and tear, and ultimately repair costs. It's worth signing up to a bicycle maintenance course to learn the basics. If you've made the decision to start riding to work, or even part of the way, it pays to plan your route. The most direct route isn't always the safest or the quickest. Consider hills - it's often easier to ride further on a flatter ride. While main roads can be the most direct, unless they have bike paths, using backstreets often means a safer and more pleasant journey. There are various digital route planners that can help you find safter routes and bike paths. Two we've tried are: Expect to pay around $400-500 for a good quality city-style bike.