We sell/service and restore vintage bicycles in Northcote. The term is more closely equivalent to the English phrase "What a waste".
Mottainai (もったいない, 勿体無い) (pronounced moht-tai-nai) is a Japanese term meaning "a sense of regret concerning waste when the intrinsic value of an object or resource is not properly utilized."[1] The expression "Mottainai!" can be uttered alone as an exclamation when something useful, such as food or time, is wasted, meaning roughly "Oh, what a waste!"
Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai visit
03/11/2020
Yep, that's right, we're glad to finally be back!
Open as normal -Tuesday to Saturday, with bookings being essential due to space constraints and covid safe guidelines. So please call or Email before coming in:)
Stay safe & keep pedalling!!
Lockdown Stage 4 Update
Well, here it is, stage four lockdown. Let’s hope that the next six weeks achieve good results at lowering case numbers so we can think about the return to some kind of semblance of normality!
Mottainai Cycles will be remaining open for service and repair only – please call us before coming in. We will not be accepting any walk-in jobs so even if it’s a tube change you’re after then please, please call first. All jobs that are not service or repair will be temporarily on hold. We will be considering how we can offer custom bikes and wheel builds with contactless pickup (for those within 5km) or delivery – details on that to follow in the next few days.
Contact details are as follows (and the same on our contact page/Google):
O481254643 (replace O with 0 for anti spam) or O448628143
Email [email protected]
Hours are currently variable depending on bookings, we are still as usual closed on Mondays. Call us Tuesday-Saturday 1030-1730.
All pickups and drop offs will be contactless and we are not allowing any customers in the door. We will still be accepting cash as well as EFTPOS because times are hard enough for some without being refused goods and services for only having cash. As over the last stage of lockdown we will not be open for browsing – you can find some of our bikes on over on Instagram and contact us (details above) for more info.
Stay safe and sane out there and wear your mask!
Mottainai Cycles X
12/03/2020
Finally!! Come and say hi at our new Northcote workshop! We look forward to servicing, restoring and custom building your beautiful bicycle.
09/02/2020
As you may know we're moving the shop over the next two weeks to Northcote (address to come) and we're looking for anyone who can help out with some driving. So if you've got the time and fancy lending a hand with moving some boxes, bikes or frames, then please give us a shout. Thanks immensely!!
30/01/2020
It’s a new year and new decade and a new home in the pipeline for Mottainai. We’ve had a great time here in Collingwood and sadly we must leave to make way for a new luxury apartment development (there goes the neighbourhood!). As of today (25th of January) we’ll no longer be booking jobs in, hiring bikes, or selling from the floor at 23 Johnston. We are planning a garage sale – time permitting – which will be advertised on Facebook and Instagram, so keep an eye out for that!
As for our next home, well, stay tuned for updates here and on the socials. We’ll be announcing a new address and opening day as soon as we’ve got it all locked in. And we will be staying in Melbourne’s inner north!
If you have a bike with us that needs to be picked up or have your eye on one from the shop floor then give us a ring, we will be packing up but still here for around a week.
Sorry for any inconvenience and watch this space for updates.
Thanks for all the good times in Collingwood and hope you all have a great 2020. See you in our new home!
22/01/2020
Hi everyone, we are coming to that time..... last chance to grab a bargain before we have to relocate. Prices are as low as we can go on everything. Cheers from Mottaiani crew
Massive moving sale all of Jan, we must clear as many bikes, frames and parts as possible. We are shifting location end of January. No reasonable offer refused, grab yourself a bargin in the new year. Happy New year from the Mottainai crew💚💚💚
We re-open from the 6th Jan at Mottainai, happy new year !!!!!
12/12/2019
Pre Xmas sale, we need to sell as much stock as possible as we have to move in Jan. No reasonable offer refused on complete rebuilt bikes, frames and parts. Grab yourself a bargain at Mottainai Cycles.
18/10/2019
We are having a moving sale for the next two months, prices on all our bike's are at the lowest we can go, no reasonable offer refused. We are still searching for a new place as well, any suggestions appreciated.
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 5:30am |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 5:30pm |
| Saturday | 10:30am - 5:30pm |