Malvern Star

In 1903, Tom Finnigan revolutionised the Australian cycling industry by founding Malvern Star, a cutting-edge bicycle shop inspired by the leafy east-Melbourne suburb of Malvern where the store was opened.

His mission was simple: to support the local cycling community and create quality bicycles for all Australians. More than a century later, we’ve made it our mission to honour Malvern Star’s rich heritage and carry forward its legacy as a recognisable and cherished brand for Australian families.

From its beginnings, Malvern Star set out to deliver more than just urban city style, offering a more traditional and unique riding experience for the recreational rider, a trait for which the brand is known today. In 1920 a young man by the name of Bruce Small invested his life savings, around 200 pounds, as a deposit for Malvern Star Cycle Works on Glenferrie Road, purchasing the business from Finnigan as he moved into retirement.

Many thought he was mad. Little did they know this decision would lead Small to become a pivotal figure in Australian cycling as one of the sport’s great entrepreneurs. Malvern Star grew and began fostering the cycling community by sponsoring local races and riders. In 1921, a 17-year old telegraph messenger finished third in one of these races. Small, through fate or faith, offered the boy a job at his bike store. The boy was Sir Hubert Opperman and this moment would mark the beginning of a prosperous relationship, taking both names to the world stage.

Malvern Star made history by backing the first ever Australasian Team to ride the Tour de France in 1928. Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman headed this Malvern Star team, with Small taking this opportunity to advance Malvern Star’s presence on a global level. In 1934 Opperman and Small returned to Europe where Oppy broke five world cycling records, stamping his reputation as a bona fide champion.

Malvern Star is the brand which generations of Australians were proud to call their own. And it remains an intrinsic part of Australian life – designed and built for local conditions.

Today the same ideals that forged Tom Finnigan’s fledgling brand more than 100 years ago sit at the heart of the Malvern Star of today: bicycles offering the ideal balance of performance, style and comfort. With a vast range of road bikes , mountain bikes , urban and trekking bikes , women’s bikes , and kid’s bikes .