Australian cyclist Cadel Evans has ignited the public's imagination with his "will he, won't he" nailbiting bid for Tour de France glory, driving interest in the sport to new highs.

To see what the fuss is all about The Weekend West decided to take a look at Perth's eclectic two-wheeled tribes.

Mountain Bikers, Fixed Gear Fans, BMX Bandits and Road Warriors - we've got them all, not to mention those who are proponents of the utilitarian and basketbearing roadster bicycle or the laidback recumbent, popular among the older set.

Bikes are back, baby, and this time it's serious.

Forget everything you knew about two wheels, a frame and handlebars, from bespoke to build-it-yourself and cheap-as-chips to top of the line, bikes come in all shapes and sizes and so do cyclists.

Technically, Perth's bike tribes all ride bicycles, but that's where the similarity ends. Whether you want style or efficiency, toughness or lightweight, all the trimmings or nothing but the bare essentials, there's a group to suit you.

And with the number of bicycles in Australia now outstripping gas-guzzling cars, there's never been a better time to give it a go and get on your bike.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS

If you like rugged terrain and are not averse to breaking bones, this is for you. The Perth Mountain Bikers travel far and wide in search of the best landscape for thrashing themselves and their bikes. The object is to get there and get there fast. These guys don’t need a gym; the hills and the forests are it. The MBs are muddy, rough-and-tumble and often found in Mundaring.

BMX BANDITS

You’ll fi nd them on dirt tracks or skate parks — anywhere there isn’t a road. From racing to stunts, there’s probably nothing these guys can’t do on two wheels. Some even do it without a bike seat. Skilled and often the owner of a broken arm or wrist, you’ll find the BMX Bandits from Byford to Balcatta on specially designed tracks. They may still be kids at heart but there’s not a Spokey Dokey in sight.

ROAD WARRIORS

Though Lance Armstrong called his autobiography “It’s not about the bike”, for this group it certainly is. Top-dollar wheels, carbon frames, the latest team lycra, padded shorts and shaved legs are a must for these chaps. The Road Warriors get up in the early hours of Sunday and pump their way around the river or through Kings Park. They then congregate at cafes sipping lattes and talking about “Le Tour”.

FIXED GEAR FANS
You might say the Fixies have become a fixture in Perth. While many may question why you’d want a bicycle with one gear and no brakes, for some it’s about the look — classic, minimalist, uber-cool. For others it is about showing off. Fixies count plenty of couriers among their number. You’ll spot them cruising around places such as Mt Lawley or the CBD, but for goodness sake don’t say the word “hipster”.