To get a bike in Pokémon Ruby quickly, you need to progress through the game until you reach Slateport City, obtain the Devon Parts, and then head to the Bicycle Shop in Cerulean City to exchange them for your chosen bike.
The journey to acquiring a bike in Pokémon Ruby is a rite of passage for any aspiring trainer. It’s more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a key that unlocks faster travel across the vast Hoenn region, opening up new routes and opportunities. Many players wonder, “How do you get a bike in Pokémon Ruby fast?” This guide will break down the process, offering clear steps and insights to get you cycling through Hoenn as efficiently as possible.
The Importance of the Bicycle in Hoenn
Hoenn is a region teeming with islands, winding paths, and vast stretches of land. Walking everywhere can become tedious, especially when you need to backtrack or explore extensively. The bicycle dramatically cuts down travel time, allowing you to revisit areas for items, rematch trainers, or simply explore at your own pace. The introduction of two distinct bike types—the Acro Bike and the Mach Bike—adds another layer of strategic depth, with each offering unique advantages for navigating specific terrain.
Deciphering the Bike Options
When you finally reach the point where you can choose your bike, you’ll be faced with a decision: the Acro Bike or the Mach Bike. Both are excellent, but they cater to different playstyles and challenges.
The Acro Bike
The Acro Bike is known for its agility and unique maneuvers. It allows you to perform wheelies and hop over small obstacles.
- Wheelies: Holding the B button while moving allows you to perform a wheelie. This doesn’t increase your speed but looks incredibly cool and is sometimes required for certain actions or pathways.
- Hopping: With precise timing, you can hop over small gaps or ledges. This is crucial for accessing certain areas or finding hidden items that are otherwise unreachable.
The Acro Bike is particularly useful for trainers who enjoy meticulous exploration and finding every secret. It’s also beneficial for navigating areas with many small, uneven terrain features.
The Mach Bike
The Mach Bike is all about speed. It allows you to travel significantly faster than walking, making long journeys a breeze.
- Speed Boost: The Mach Bike has a speed boost feature. By tapping the direction button repeatedly, you can build up momentum and travel at a much higher velocity.
- Maneuverability: While fast, it can be trickier to control, especially on narrow paths or when making sharp turns.
The Mach Bike is the preferred choice for players who want to speedrun through the game, quickly revisit locations, or tackle long stretches of empty terrain. It’s invaluable for getting to specific destinations without delay.
The Journey to the Bicycle Shop
Getting your hands on either of these bikes involves a specific quest chain that begins early in your Pokémon Ruby adventure. It’s a multi-step process that requires you to travel to different towns and interact with key characters.
The First Steps: Littleroot Town to Dewford Town
Your journey begins in Littleroot Town. After receiving your starter Pokémon and your first Pokédex from Professor Birch, you’ll venture out to explore. The initial goal is to reach Petalburg City. However, the quickest route to the bike involves a detour.
- Route 103: You’ll initially battle your rival on Route 103. After this, you’ll want to head east towards Route 102, and then south towards Petalburg City.
- Petalburg City: In Petalburg City, you’ll meet Wally and help him catch his first Pokémon. You’ll also encounter your father, Norman, the Gym Leader. While Petalburg is important, you don’t get the bike here.
- Route 104: From Petalburg, head north along Route 104. This route leads to Rustboro City. You’ll encounter various trainers and wild Pokémon.
- Rustboro City: This is the first Gym City you’ll visit. After defeating Roxanne, you’ll need to continue your journey.
The Crucial Detour: Route 116 and the Devon Corporation
The key to obtaining the bike lies in assisting the Devon Corporation. This powerful company plays a significant role in the Hoenn region’s development and research.
- Route 116: After leaving Rustboro City, head east onto Route 116. This route is known for its cave and encounters with Team Magma (or Team Aqua, depending on your version).
- Encounter with the Grunt: On Route 116, you’ll find yourself in a situation where a Team Magma/Aqua grunt has kidnapped a scientist from the Devon Corporation. You’ll need to confront and defeat this grunt.
- Rescuing the Scientist: Your mission is to rescue the kidnapped scientist. After defeating the grunt, the scientist will be freed and will express his gratitude. He will mention that he needs to return to the Devon Corporation.
- Returning to Rustboro City: Accompany the scientist back to Rustboro City. He will then head to the Devon Corporation building.
Obtaining the Devon Parts
Once the scientist is safely back at the Devon Corporation headquarters in Rustboro City, he will reward you.
- The Reward: The scientist will give you Devon Parts as a token of appreciation for your heroic act. These Devon Parts are the crucial item you need to acquire your bike.
The Journey to Slateport City
With the Devon Parts in hand, your next major destination is Slateport City. This bustling port city is a hub of activity and a significant landmark in the Hoenn region.
- Route 117: From Rustboro City, you’ll need to head back east along Route 116, and then south through Route 117. Route 117 is unique as it houses the Pokémon Day Care.
- Route 118: Continue south on Route 118. This route is known for its bridges and the appearance of Surf when you eventually gain access to it.
- Route 119: Progress further south. Route 119 is a long route with abundant tall grass and a waterfall. You’ll also find the initial location of the Contest Hall here.
- Route 120: Continue south. This route has some interesting terrain and leads to Fortree City, but for the bike, you’re headed towards Slateport.
- Route 110: The most direct path to Slateport from the general area of the initial routes after Rustboro will involve navigating through Route 110. This route is characterized by its cycling path and the intersection with the south-north paths.
- Arrival in Slateport City: You’ll eventually arrive in Slateport City. This vibrant city is home to a large market, a museum, and the local Gym.
Delivering the Devon Parts
In Slateport City, your objective is to deliver the Devon Parts to Captain Stern.
- Captain Stern’s Location: Captain Stern can usually be found in the Slateport City Museum. The museum is a prominent building in the city.
- The Delivery: Speak with Captain Stern and hand over the Devon Parts. He will be very grateful for your assistance, as these parts are essential for his research and projects.
The Unexpected Journey to the North: Goldenrod City
This is where things might seem a little counter-intuitive for players familiar with other Pokémon regions, but it’s crucial for Pokémon Ruby. The Bicycle Shop where you obtain your bike is not in Hoenn. Instead, you need to travel to Goldenrod City in the Johto region.
Wait, Goldenrod City? Yes, that’s right. While the Devon Parts are obtained in Hoenn and delivered to Captain Stern, the actual acquisition of the bike is a bit of a crossover event. This is a unique aspect of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire that links them to the Johto region, though not in a way that requires you to physically travel to Johto in the traditional sense of the game’s progression.
Let’s clarify this point, as it’s a common source of confusion. The original Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games (and their remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire) do not involve traveling to Johto for the bike. The Bicycle Shop is located in a Hoenn city. My apologies for the previous misstatement; it seems I’ve conflated this with information from other games or perhaps an older version of the game’s mechanics.
Correction and Clarification:
The Bicycle Shop in Pokémon Ruby is located in Cerulean City. However, this is also incorrect. The Bicycle Shop is located in Fortree City in Pokémon Ruby.
Let’s retrace the steps for the correct Hoenn-based bike acquisition:
- Obtain Devon Parts: As detailed above, you get the Devon Parts by rescuing the scientist on Route 116 and returning him to the Devon Corporation in Rustboro City.
- Deliver Devon Parts to Captain Stern: In Slateport City, deliver the Devon Parts to Captain Stern in the Museum.
- Captain Stern’s Request: After you give Captain Stern the Devon Parts, he will thank you and mention his work. He will also inform you that he is heading to New Mauville.
- New Mauville: You will eventually need to visit New Mauville yourself as part of the story, which is a power plant located off the coast of Route 110.
- The Bicycle Voucher: After completing certain story objectives involving New Mauville and progressing further in the game, you will eventually be given a Bike Voucher (sometimes referred to as a “Bicycle Voucher”). This voucher is what you use to claim your bike.
- Fortree City Bicycle Shop: You take this Bike Voucher to the Bicycle Shop located in Fortree City. Fortree City is a city built within trees, and its Gym Leader is Winona.
- Choosing Your Bike: Upon presenting the Bike Voucher at the Bicycle Shop in Fortree City, you will be given the choice between the Acro Bike and the Mach Bike.
This is the correct sequence of events for obtaining your bike in Pokémon Ruby. The confusion with Goldenrod City likely stems from the presence of a prominent Bicycle Shop in that Johto city in games like Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
The Way of the Bike: Mastering Your New Wheels
Once you have your bike, it’s time to get acquainted with its capabilities. The Way of the Bike, as it were, involves learning how to use its speed and maneuverability to your advantage.
Navigating Cycling Road
Hoenn features a dedicated path for cyclists: Cycling Road. Located on Route 110, this long, elevated path is specifically designed for bike travel.
- Speed is Key: Cycling Road is a perfect place to practice using the Mach Bike’s speed boost. The long, straight sections allow you to build up maximum speed and zip through the area quickly.
- Trainer Battles: Be mindful that trainers on Cycling Road are eager for a battle. You can often trigger battles by simply riding past them.
- Access to Areas: Cycling Road connects various parts of the region and is essential for progressing through certain segments of the game.
Tips for Getting Your Bike Fast
To expedite the process of acquiring your bike, focus on completing the necessary story progression efficiently.
- Prioritize Story Quests: Whenever you encounter a character who needs help or has a quest for you (like the Devon scientist), prioritize assisting them. These quests are often prerequisites for advancing the main storyline and unlocking new items, like the Devon Parts and the Bike Voucher.
- Efficient Route Planning: Try to move through routes with a clear objective. If you know you need to get to a specific city or find a particular item, chart the most direct course. Avoid getting sidetracked by optional battles or exploration until you have your bike, unless it’s absolutely necessary for progression.
- Use Fast Travel: As you unlock new towns and cities, make use of the Pokémon Centers that offer Fly services. This can save you significant travel time between distant locations.
- Don’t Delay in Slateport: Once you have the Devon Parts, make heading to Slateport City a priority to deliver them to Captain Stern. This action triggers the events that eventually lead to you obtaining the Bike Voucher.
- Check Fortree City: Once you’ve progressed sufficiently after delivering the Devon Parts and are aware that the bike is available, make your way to Fortree City to claim it.
What If I Accidentally Chose the Wrong Bike?
A common question is, “What if I chose the Acro Bike but really wanted the Mach Bike, or vice versa?” In Pokémon Ruby, you only get one bike. You cannot switch your choice later. Therefore, it’s wise to consider which bike best suits your current playstyle and upcoming challenges.
- Early Game: The Mach Bike is generally more beneficial for quickly traversing the large world and reaching new areas.
- Later Game Exploration: The Acro Bike becomes more valuable for exploring specific caves or areas with unique pathways that require precise maneuvering.
However, the game is designed so that you can complete it with either bike. If you find yourself regretting your choice, the best approach is to simply continue playing. You might find that the bike you chose is more useful than you initially thought, or you can adapt your strategy to its strengths.
Table: Key Locations for Bike Acquisition
| Location | Significance |
|---|---|
| Rustboro City | Devon Corporation Headquarters. Where you return the rescued scientist. |
| Route 116 | Location of the kidnapped Devon scientist. |
| Devon Parts | Item received for rescuing the scientist. |
| Slateport City | Location of Captain Stern, to whom you deliver Devon Parts. |
| Fortree City | Location of the Bicycle Shop where you exchange the Bike Voucher. |
| Bike Voucher | Item required to obtain your bicycle. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I get the bike before reaching Slateport City?
A1: No, you must reach Slateport City and deliver the Devon Parts to Captain Stern to progress the storyline towards obtaining the Bike Voucher.
Q2: Do I need to pay for the bike?
A2: No, you do not need to pay money for the bike. The Devon Parts and the subsequent Bike Voucher are given to you as rewards for story progression.
Q3: Which bike is better, the Acro Bike or the Mach Bike?
A3: Both bikes have their advantages. The Mach Bike is faster for general travel. The Acro Bike is useful for specific puzzles and shortcuts that involve hopping over ledges. Many players prefer the Mach Bike for its speed.
Q4: Where is the Bicycle Shop in Pokémon Ruby?
A4: The Bicycle Shop is located in Fortree City.
Q5: What happens if I don’t rescue the Devon scientist?
A5: If you don’t rescue the scientist on Route 116, you won’t receive the Devon Parts, which are essential for progressing the story and eventually obtaining your bike.
Q6: Is there a way to get both the Acro Bike and the Mach Bike?
A6: In Pokémon Ruby, you can only receive one bike. You’ll have to choose between the Acro Bike and the Mach Bike at the Bicycle Shop in Fortree City.
Q7: How long does it take to get the bike?
A7: By following the main storyline efficiently, you can typically obtain your bike after you have defeated the third Gym Leader and completed the events in Slateport City. This usually occurs around the mid-game point.
Q8: Does the bike help me beat Gym Leaders faster?
A8: The bike itself doesn’t directly help in Pokémon battles. However, by allowing you to travel faster, it helps you reach Gyms and other important locations more quickly, thus speeding up your overall game progression.
By understanding these steps and focusing on the critical path, you’ll be able to get your bike in Pokémon Ruby quickly and enhance your journey through the vibrant Hoenn region. Happy cycling!