The brands on display include Hero, Hercules, BSA, Raleigh, Bianchi, Adidas, Firefox, Trek and, hold your breath, world renowned motorcycle company Ducati.
Besides glitzy cars and bikes, there is another set of wheels that is all the rage at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. Cycles, both Indian and foreign, that will burn a hole in your pocket.
The brands on display include Hero, Hercules, BSA, Raleigh, Bianchi, Adidas, Firefox, Trek and, hold your breath, world renowned motorcycle company Ducati.
“Cycles are no longer a poor man’s ride. They’re fast becoming lifestyle products,” says Ajit Gandhi, head, marketing, Firefox.
“People are buying cycles for different purposes, from health and fitness to stunt performances. Also, there are people, like IT guys, who want to be perceived as more environmentally aware.
“These days, cycles are being designed according to international specifications so that they can be exported as completely knocked-down kits, where they only have to be assembled at the retailer’s end.”
There’s also a choice now. “Earlier, there were roadsters, which were black cycles, and everything that wasn’t black was called fancy,” says Ritesh Arora, assistant general manager, Adidas Project, which was set up in collaboration with Hero Cycles Limited.
The variety is also in price. Cycles start from Rs5,200 and go up to Rs2,40,000.
Besides all-terrain bikes — which are a combination of city and mountain bikes with tyres that are lighter in the middle section and have anti-skid grip for the outer — you can also get yourself mountain terrain bikes with thicker anti-skid tyres, a stronger frame, heavier suspension and more gears to facilitate uphill and downhill rides.
There are also city bikes or hybrid bikes, which are meant only for the city, with thinner tyres, a wider saddle, a comfortable frame and handlebar, and fewer gears.
The folding category consists of cycles that can be stowed away in the car’s boot.
While most cycle-makers have unisex models, Firefox boasts of women-specific designs.
“Premium cycles are here to stay,” says Arora, whose Hero Cycles Limited has six cycles at the auto expo from the octane series: Astra, Estess, Spear, Recra and Octane MTB.
“This market is growing at the rate of 25% per annum and several companies are taking initiatives to encourage people to start cycling to work, instead of driving,” he adds.
Little wonder that sports goods makers such as Adidas and Reebok have entered the arena. With Adidas launching its first model, Adidas Genius, a mountain terrain bike, at the auto expo, can Reebok be far behind?
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