Australia Bike

[Iamscoobless]

Hi, I'm planning an expedition across Australia. Any thoughts on whether to transport a bike out there or whether it's better/cheaper to buy a bike in Australia?

[Aushiker]

In terms of buying and assuming you wish to purchase a touring bike the answer will in part depend on where you are flying into. Melbourne and to a lesser extent Sydney you shouldn't have to much problem buying a new touring bike, i.e., at least in Melbourne there are a couple of touring orientated bike shops.

However for example I am in Perth ... good luck here on getting a touring bike off the floor.

Also you may find our pricing quite a bit more than what you are used to in the UK.

To get a feel for the options I suggest checking out https://stkildacycles.com.au/ and http://abbotsfordcycles.com.au/ [Melbourne] and http://www.cheekytransport.com.au/main/touring/ [Sydney].

[simonhill]

First question is do you already have a bike, or will you be buying whatever?

Aushiker knows better, but my experience is that things like bikes are generally more expensive in Oz. I know a few Aussie cyclists and they often import their stuff, from the web, often from UK suppliers.

Also, remember that the pound has fallen something like 20% since Brexit. It hasn't completely worked its way through UK prices, but you will feel the full force if buying abroad. Also you should have more time in UK before you go to source exactly what you want and maybe a discount. In Oz you'll pretty much be buying what is available off the shelf and with no time to run it in.

Finally, lots of airlines that fly to Oz give you 30kgs of luggage and take bikes for free.

Out of interest, what do you mean by "across Australia"?

[Iamscoobless]

Thanks for replies. I'm planning Sydney to Perth next year but sounds like taking my bike from UK maybe best option.

[Warin61]

Touring bikes are also made in Australia .. one of the more popular ones is the Vivente World Randonneur
https://viventebikes.com/main/page_home.html
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 77&t=63295

If you already have your own .. getting a business class seat might get you more luggage .. at a look at the 'over weight' luggage options -buying extra on an economy ticket can be more expensive than getting business class ticket.

and Syd - Perth
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... =2&t=94817
there should be more threads that are relevant on that forum.

[simonhill]

Have you checked the prevailing wind direction. It depends on time of year, but most people I met doing the Nullabor were going west to east.

Excellent info online at bom.com.au check out their wind rose diagrams.

[Warin61]

Have you checked the prevailing wind direction. It depends on time of year, but most people I met doing the Nullabor were going west to east.

Excellent info online at bom.com.au check out their wind rose diagrams.

Ha Ha Ha... anyone crossing the Nullabor will have headwinds. Meeting someone coming the other way will have both say they have head winds. I'd be more careful of temperatures. If it is hot you may be best not riding from 11 am to say 3 pm.

[Aushiker]

At least for the Western Australia end I would be very much factoring in the wind ... Perth and the south-west of WA is known for being windy. We even have infamous winds, the Fremantle Doctor and the Albany Doctor [not so famous as to get is own wikipedia page ] [1] are two that come to mind.

Anyway for information on winds I suggest you refer to the BOM wind roses and for temperature data see http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/

[1] I can recall many an evening when I lived in the wheatbelt sitting outside supping on a beer, to hear a roar coming across the paddocks to moments later have anything blown all over the place and grabbing a jumper. That was the Albany Doctor. A blessing on a hot evening, not such a blessing if you had to ride into it .

You also need to consider that WA and the Nullabor are pretty flat so the wind tends to have free range across the paddocks and of course on the Nullabor a southerly is coming from Antarctic straight across the ocean into your face

My regular summer commute is south in the afternoon; 42 km of coastal riding into the Fremantle Doctor. Riding daily into a wind over summer which commonly blows at 40 km/h plus is not fun.

Personally I would be checking those roses

[simonhill]

I suspect Mr Warin has never experienced an Ozzie Northerly - like opening a industrial oven door, or a Southerly - the same but a freezer.

[Warin61]

I suspect Mr Warin has never experienced an Ozzie Northerly - like opening a industrial oven door, or a Southerly - the same but a freezer.

When swimming after work I would keep an eye on the sailing boats to the south. When more than 1 capsizes I would leave the water and make my way home to avoid the southerly buster with its drop in temperature and wind. Of course some times you could see it from the storm clouds.

Where I am the coastal sea breezes (morning and evening) dissipate as you go further inland. Don't recall feeling them in Boulder when I was there for a while.

OH .. one thing about going west to east, it is good for riding away from the setting sun .. but cover the back of your neck as it gets sunburnt before you realise it.