Buying Guides and Advice
Buying Guides and Advice
Exercise Improves Work Performance
This year 99 Bikes participated in Tour de Office to raise money for Diabetes QLD. Our staff took turns to ride for fun in the Brisbane office to clock-up as many kilometres as possible. It has been shown that 30 minutes of exercise a day can significantly improve your health, well being, and productivity at work. Our staff are all passionate about health and fitness, especially cycling, so it was an easy project to be a part of. We find our staff are happier and more productive due to being encouraged to participate in daily exercise with our ride to work bonus. Michael, featured in the photo, is our new Parts Category Manager, and is having a morning spin before work. He recently got a promotion from being a sales consultant at our Indooroopilly store showing everyone what's possible with our philosophy of "Brightness of Future". -Tom 99 Bikes Careers
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Brads Transition From Traffic Jams To Bikeways
Written by Brad, one of our four sponsored riders in the Commuter Challenge. "It was very easy for me to fall into the pattern of driving to and from work" As this is my first blog I would like to start by saying a big public thank you to 99 Bikes for selecting me to be a sponsored commuter. The people at 99 Bikes have gone out of their way to create a create team of the 4 of us and already we are in full swing of encouraging each other to push on and rack up the km’s on the way to and from work. So why have I decided to commute by bike? I have always enjoyed driving, and it was very easy for me to fall into the pattern of driving to and from work as I have a secure car park at each end. But I realised that I was spending a lot of time sitting in traffic, especially on the way home. There were times that the heavy traffic provided entertainment. Namely when the Gabba had cricket finishing on a summer afternoon and I got to watch heavily inebriated people try to make their way home. But for the most part I felt like everyone else in slow traffic. Frustrated. It was certainly not the best way to finish a day. I have always been an avid cyclist. In the past my bikes have all been mountain bikes. Currently I have an All Mountain bike, with 140mm front and rear suspension it is really too heavy for commuting, but the gearing for hills is great and punctures are not a problem. It also allowed me a 50minute bike commute all the time. My usual drive was 45minutes – 1 ½ hours traffic dependant. Once I knew that I enjoyed the commute I gave the Commuter Challenge a shot. And to my surprise and luck I was provided this bike from 99 Bikes. The Cube Touring Hybrid 400. Cube Touring Hybrid Active 400 For me it is the perfect bike. I can fit all my work gear each day, it rides like a mountain bike but it certainly is not as taxing to ride as the big all mountain bike was each day. So now my morning ride is along some of Brisbane’s brilliant bike way system. And it is a really pleasant way to travel. I do have segments of my rides that are alongside cars, but the majority of my journey is either bike path or suburban roads. The following photos are some of the views taken on my usual morning route into the city. Taken from the Riverside Expressway looking to Southbank on the ride home. Taken from Eagle Street Pier on the ride home. So far I am finding I much prefer the cycle-commute to driving in, despite having no choice to drive some days. I am looking forward to commuting through winter and the crisp mornings, and am really liking that the summer heat has started to drop off. And really enjoying time on the Cube which is turning out to be a brilliant bike to ride. – Brad
Inspiring Young Mechanics With Traction
On Sunday 16 July 2017, 12 bike mechanics and staff from 99 Bikes took part in TRACTION's mentoring program at Capalaba and West End. The young people that attended learnt about specific technical and mechanical topics, and what it's like to work in the bicycle industry. TRACTION aims to help young people develop practical skills, communication, and life skills through it's Bicycle Build Programs, among others. It is also one of the organisations supported through 99 Bikes' Earning to Give program. At the end of each financial year, each employee of 99 Bikes contributes 1% of their earnings to a charity of their choice. In 2016, TRACTION received 84 new bicycles through the program, equivalent to approximately $10,000 in value. TRACTION has been selected as a beneficiary of Earning to Give again this year, and the Technical Sessions lead by some of the company's specialist Bike Mechanics was appreciated by all that attended.
Customer Story Hel
What motivated you to start riding? When I was pregnant with my 2nd child I found a lump in my breast. I was told it was ok. Some years later I was diagnosed with severe depression. With a young family it was crucial that life must go on but it was never easy. The month after my 40th birthday I started another journey of operations and cancer treatment. Not just one cancer. I reminded myself to keep breathing. My family reminded me that we stick together and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. After all the surgery, poking and probing was over I had so much to do in life! I embarked on a journey to appreciate my family, the world and make my body strong and healthy. The perfect sport was riding my bike! I can ride with my family and friends. I started out ever so slowly on a mountain bike and enjoyed the challenges it presented. Trees in the way, powerful men trying to get around me on skinny trails, hills that seem to go on forever, drops that try and fling me over my bars. What positive impact has riding had on your life? I thought riding a mountain bike would be easy. I bought a bike and I turned up for my first ride in a forest. Oh and did I say, it was also a race?!... I got through that challenge. Next challenge was to try bike shoes that clip to my pedals. No point in mucking around I waited for another race of course! After so many falls I could no longer feel my swollen knees, I knew I was hooked. My self esteem started to pick up off the ground and fitness started to appear in my life. So did laughter, tumbles, bruises and fabulous friends. I love the sound of the air rushing in my ears, I love the feel of my bike back tyre skidding as I arc around a berm. I love the feel of my heart beat as I stand up off the seat and tackle a hill. Oh and of course I love the satisfaction of passing a male rider who only a couple of years ago would wait patiently for a passing point around me. Most importantly I love that cycling is a family sport. It's terrific to see young dirtmasters out on the tracks with their little bikes and its ever so inspiring to see older retired folk staying active and enjoying the wonderful outdoors that we have. My training has taken another step forward with the purchase of a road bike last month. This was to replace my youngest daughter leaving home. To help with that terrible empty nest feeling. To remind me that I am only as old as I feel. I love how I can ride fast and so lightly. I have another group of terrific friends in my life now. They are called the Friday Morning Town Bunch. It's worth it to get up at 5am on a Friday and push out 45km before the world's best coffee and then off to work for the day! And the others in my family? Well, in two weeks my youngest daughter will head to Switzerland for a mountain bike training camp and then onto Norway for the World Champs. Me proud? YOU BET! Why would you recommend riding to others? How can I answer this in less than the length of a paperback book?! Riding is the most exhilarating sport! It's terrific for those with bad hips and knees. It's perfect for young children and their families. Australia has the best environment. Plenty of open roads and roaming forests. You can start off slow and build up your fitness. You can start off with lots of wobbly bits and if you persevere you will have the hottest body! If you enjoy friendship, the outdoors, mild exercise, laughter and perhaps need a boost to your enjoyment of life, your self esteem and your physique, then you'd better go buy a bike. There will be a friend waiting just around the corner ready to join you... BE WARNED. It's totally addictive."
Cycling Without Age
Each Year at 99 Bikes we donate the equivalent of 1% of employees wages to a charity of their choice. The donation amount is on top of wages, not deducted from, that way every hour our team works is money towards a charity they care about. Since 2016 we are proud to have donated over $2.8 million to charities of our team's choice across Australia and New Zealand. Cycling Without Age is a charity that aims to help seniors & people with disabilities experience the freedom of riding on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and it was nominated to receive a donation in 2024. This particular Cycling Without Age group started in late 2024 and families that experience their service say that their loved ones experience improved moods and joy. For some people, the ride with Cycling with Age may be their only outing they have that week and the relationships built between passengers and volunteers foster an uplifting and inclusive community. There's a feeling of freedom that a bike ride gives people. We were stoked to hear that with our team's donation they were able to purchase supplies to help operations such as: two-way radios, spare tyres, inner tubes, bike accessories, new seats, loading ramps, first aid kits, tarps, ratchet straps, ropes, blankets, volunteer supplies & more! Tracey, a volunteer for the charity said that these purchases "have enhanced the safety, comfort & sustainability of the service, ensuring they can continue bringing joy, freedom, connection & inclusivity to the community." With a mission so closely aligned to our own we couldn't be prouder to be supporting more people to experience the freedom of riding.
Brakes Buying Guide
There are four main types of brakes on the market, and they all offer great stopping power for different types of riding. V-Brakes have long arms that bolt to the fork, disc brakes are discs that attach to the hub, while Caliper brakes use the rim as the contact point for the brake pads. V-Brakes V-Brakes are often found on older mountain and road bikes, but many newer bikes still use them as they are inexpensive compared to some other types of brakes but still offer excellent stopping power. V-Brakes are characterized by their long arms that bolt to the fork and use cable leverage between them. They perform very well in wet, muddy conditions and are easy to install and set up. Many are also designed so that you can remove a small pin and slide out the old pads for replacement. See All Brake Parts Disc Brakes Disc Brakes are excellent because of their unparalleled stopping power in all weather and terrain. They are usually found on mountain bikes for this reason, but increasingly cyclocross bikes as well as some road bikes have begun to be produced with disc brakes. Disc brakes must be used with special wheels as they rely on a rotor that is bolted onto the wheel as their braking surface. Disc brakes come in two main types, mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical discs use a cable to stop, and hydraulic use fluid. Hydraulic disc brakes have incredible control and stopping abilities, but mechanical are less expensive and easier to maintain yourself. See All Brake Parts Caliper Brakes Caliper Brakes are most often found on road bikes. They are lightweight and use a single bolt on the fork for installation. Caliper brakes use the rim as the contact point for the brake pads, and the pads are easy to install and remove. When removing wheels from Caliper brakes many Calipers have a small switch you can flip up to widen the space between the pads making it easier to take the wheel off. They you just flip it back down again when the wheel is back on.Cantilever Brakes are similar to V-Brakes but share the force of the cable between them. They are most popular with cyclocross riders because due to the design of the arms and cable system, they don't get as much mud build up as some other types of brakes and still have excellent stopping power. The pads are usually cartridge style making them easy to remove and replace. See All Brake Parts
Competition Winners Chris Rebecca
Earlier this year we ran a competition to send two people who donated towards Qhubeka to South Africa. Overall, the campaign raised over $10 000! This is the second major contribution from 99 Bikes to Qhubeka, following the $29,933 donated by 99 Bikes employees last financial year. For every $250 raised, Qhubeka is able to provide not only a new bike, but the surrounding incentive programs designed to improve educational, environmental, and social outcomes in South Africa. Chris and Rebecca Williams were the lucky winners of the competition and they were in South Africa to take up their prize in early May, which included return flights from Australia to Cape Town, six nights' luxury accommodation in Cape Town, and touring through game reserves and famous wine regions. Here are some thoughts from Chris and Rebecca on their experience: "My brother is a keen road and mountain biking enthusiast," says Chris. "He loaned me a road bike to see if I would also catch the biking bug. I needed a helmet and the guys at 99bikes Kawana were very helpful. My initial purchase put me onto the 99bikes email list, which is how I received notice of the competition." Having made a donation to Qhubeka, Chris was entered into the competition. "We love what Qhubeka is doing," he says, explaining why he chose to donate. "Bec and I have also seen firsthand, the impact of giving bikes to individuals and families in need. Giving bikes really can change lives!" Asked how he felt when he discovered he'd won the competition, Chris replies, "Shocked! Couldn't believe it! Even during the trip we would wake up and say to each other, 'Is this for real?'" One of the couple's highlights of their trip was a bicycle distribution in Paarl. "50 bikes were given to a neighbourhood watch patrol to more effectively keep crime down and keep the community safe," says Chris. "The joy on the faces of some of the older recipients some hadn't ridden a bike in 40 to 50 years was priceless. We all rode around on their new Qhubeka bikes and it was like everyone became a kid again. Some had never ridden a bike before. It was a delight to be a part of such a special day." He notes that eating sheep's head (known in South Africa as a 'smiley') with a local family in a very poor community will be hard to forget, as will their safari, seeing the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo), and a personal encounter with cheetahs. "Cape Town is such a beautiful and amazing city," Chris says. "We are extremely grateful to 99 Bikes and Qhubeka for this prize. Special thanks to Wayne Patterson at 99 Bikes, Ian Mills at Qhubeka and Gareth Hardres-Williams of Mammoth Safaris." This article was originally posted by Qhubeka
Customer Story Wade
What motivated you to start riding? I was 42 years old and 139kg. Morbidly obese with high blood pressure and suffering depression. I needed to change my life. Running was not much of an option for my knees and I'd always loved cycling. What positive impact has riding had on your life? On my first ride I literally fainted due to a lack of fitness and exhaustion. It was a ride of 30km. It took me two weeks to get back on the bike. The more I rode, the more the weight began to drop off, and the more weight I lost, the more I began to ride! I've now lost 30kg and ride upward of 140km per week. I used to get off and walk up the slighted incline. Now I get out of the saddle and power up them. I love using my bike to commute so much that I detest having to drive in traffic and I'm all about beating my PR's on my Strava segments now. As for the high blood pressure...well it has decreased along with my medication. I'm happier and bounce around the office all day when I ride. Why would you recommend riding to others? I recommend it every day and have convinced at least three (so far) of my friends to dust off or buy their bikes and join me on the bike paths. I even have my wife out every weekend for a loop around the Brisbane River and she loves it!
Cruiser Bikes Buying Guide
Cruiser bikes are classically styled, simple and comfortable - perfect options for around town riding and commuting. Cruiser bikes have a relaxed, upright riding position, which makes them comfortable and easy to ride (particularly at low speeds). Cruiser bikes often have only one or a few gears, making them very simple to ride and extremely easy to maintain. Cruiser Bikes They're available in a huge range of colours and styles. They feature wide, comfy tyres, and raised handlebars making them a cruisy option for getting around the neighbourhood. Available in single, 3, or 7 speeds if your legs or suburb require some extra gears. Their retro good-looks, low maintenance, easy riding and cheap price point has seen the cruiser become a popular option for trips to the park, beach, pub, shops and more. See All Cruiser Bikes Vintage cruisers are available in mens and womens specific frames. They typically look like the retro styled bikes one would typically associate with Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Beach cruisers typically have a different shaped frame, and much bigger, sweeping handle bars. Typically seen on flat paths running along the beach front, they are designed for easy handling with an ice cream in one hand or a surfboard hooked up to the side. See our range of great value cruiser bikes in a range of fun colours from brands such as Pedal, Merida, Schwinn, Radius, Apollo and more.
Computer And Heart Rate Monitor Buying Guide
Whether it's riding for fun, fitness or competition, at the end you the day you're exercising. To make the most of any form of exercise, you need to be aware of the length, quality and intensity of your activity. Starting at less the $30, there's a great selection of bike computers suited to all styles of rider. Entry level A basic cycling computer is perfect for the avid leisure rider, as it records and displays trip distance and speed. This helps you know how far you're riding and when to service your bike. See All Entry Level Cycling Computers Mid Level As you move up in price, computers and watches are suited to riders with more specific training goals. Bike computers generally become wireless and offer additional functions. No cable means no wear-and-tear and a longer lifespan. More functions include average and max speeds, cadence etc. Cadence is your pedalling revolutions per minute, which aids effectiveness of both constant and interval training. See All Mid Level Cycling Computers Heart rate monitors provide an extra level of insight into your performance and training load. These models pair with computer software for the ability to download and conduct more detailed analysis of training data. Cadence sensors allow you to measure your pedalling rate, or the number of revolutions of the crank per minute. Cadence is related to, but separate to overall speed. Knowing your cadence can help you with gear selection, and generally working towards improved pedalling efficiency. A power meter is a device that measures power output of the rider at each pedal stroke. This provides feedback on actual physical output, and is used in training and racing by high performance cyclists. Whether it's riding for fun, fitness or competition, at the end you the day you're exercising. To make the most of any form of exercise, you need to be aware of the length, quality and intensity of your activity. Starting at less the $30, there's a great selection of bike computers suited to all styles of rider.
Car Racks Buying Guide
Car racks are a fantastic investment that allow you to easily transport your bike to locations beyond what you'd be able to reach if setting out on a ride from home. Many people think that bike racks are expensive or too difficult to attach to their car, however car racks are cheaper and easier to fit than you might think! When selecting a bike rack, there's three main questions to ask yourself. How many bikes do you want to carry? How will you attach it to your car? What's your price range? Trunk Racks So you've got no tow ball, no hitch, and no roof rails? You can still strap some racks to the back - this might also be an option if your car has a spare tyre but no tow ball. These racks are great for travelling short distances. See All Trunk Racks Roof Racks Great for long journeys as they are extremely secure, and allow for greater visibility as rear vision is not impeded. Can easily carry 2 or 3 bikes, a great option if your car has roof rails. See All Roof Racks Tow Ball Racks The most common fitting types, and also the easiest to install. They are very secure, and generally allow you to carry a greater number of bikes. They also come in a variety of styles to suit your needs. The A-Frame style will allow you to tow a trailer. These come in a 'straight' or 'boomerang' style base, with the 'boomerang' accommodating for cars with rear-mounted spare tyres. See All Tow Ball Racks
Bmx Gear Buying Guide
Having the right parts and gear on your BMX bike can make all the difference, whether you're at the skatepark or riding street or other terrain. They can also be a way to add your personal style in your bike, with parts available in a rainbow of colours. Grips Grips for bmx bikes are usually long and ribbed to make sure your hands don't slip off when you're ripping tricks in the bowl. They often come in lots of funky colours and have a rubber bit around the end closest to the center of the handlebars to keep your hands in place. See All BMX Gear Pegs Pegs are hard metal tubes that bolt onto each side of either the front or the back wheel. They are great for doing tricks like stalling, and also for giving friends a lift on the bike (with a helmet of course). See All BMX Gear
Health Benefits Riding Ebikes
Electric bikes are fast, fun and help us ride for longer distances than ever before. It's no surprise their popularity is going through the roof! However, a niggling doubt may remain for some: is riding an electric bike really cycling? If you really want to improve your fitness, should you just stick to a regular bike? An electric bike, also known as an ebike, gives you extra power when you're cycling by assisting you with an electric motor. And this is where possible misconceptions arise. After all, if the motor is doing the hard work, then riding an electric bike surely can't be considered physical activity and healthy living. Right? Science has the definitive answer. After examining the physical, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and psychological effects associated with electrically-assisted pedalling, some studies have reached a clear conclusion: riding an electric bike does improve your fitness. But to what extent? Studies conclude that riding ebikes is a beneficial physical activity of at least moderate intensity. This means that the physical activity that you do while riding an electric bike may be lower than when riding a conventional bike, but is still beneficial for your health and more intense exercise than, for example, just walking. Other health benefits of the electric bike are: Reduces Inactivity Many people, given the choice, will always take the car instead of riding a bike. Some people, for a number of different reasons, are not keen or not able to ride a regular bike. An electric bike can help change that, as it makes it easier than ever for a physically inactive person to start riding and therefore improving their cardiorespiratory fitness. Reduces Impact The pedal-assist system of an electric bike can reduce the impact and the stress on certain areas of the body. This is especially beneficial for people who have troublesome knees or thighs. Great For All Ages & Level Of Training No matter what age you are or how much you've trained before, an electric bike has that amazing power-boosting capability that can help you conquer challenging terrains and inclines with ease. Longer Rides You know your electric bike will be there for you when you need it most! It can encourage you to go for longer rides with new found confidence, and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors for longer periods of time. Mental Health Benefits "Mens sana in corpore sano" (healthy mind in healthy body). Being outdoors, moving your body, enjoying an activity with friends or family, or even joining a cycling club. These are only some of the reasons why riding an electric bike has great benefits for your mental health. Eco Friendly Ebikes are not just beneficial for your health, but for the health of our planet! All bikes are a fantastic ecological means of transport, but electric bikes have become a real alternative for replacing the car on the daily commute. There are other benefits of electric bikes that are not directly related to your health, but are still very important, like saving money! In the long term, riding an electric bike will save you money, especially if you use it to replace public transport and reduce use of your car. The great news is the range of electric bikes available in the market is only increasing, which means it's easier to find ebikes and batteries that offer great value for money. Almost every aspect related to electric bikes, from the frame to the battery and motor , has evolved greatly. The modern electric batteries have way more power than even just a couple of years ago, and, at the same time, are smaller and lighter. Charging them is also faster and easier. The frames of the ebikes are also lighter but still strong enough to withstand the weight of the typical components of an electric bike. Check out our huge range of electric bikes to find a fun electric mountain bike , a practical electric hybrid bike or a beautiful electric cruiser bike , and start enjoying great health benefits! Shop Electric Mountain Bikes Shop Electric Hybrid Bikes Shop Electric Cruiser Bikes
