1. Cycles and Cycling
www.DeepakMalani.in
May 2012

2. Objective and Goal
• Objective
– To picturize cycling scenario; availability and usage
• Goal
– To evolve a wishlist of a cycle encouraging mass
use

3. Parameters
• Bike Weight, Price, Type, Tyre size, Gears and
Shifters, Frame size & availability, Suspension,
Quick release, Brakes
• Brands considered
– BSA, Hercules*, Hero*, Firefox, Fomas, Btwin
• Price range analyzed
– 4000 to 15000
PS: Each of * brands have a large range of cycles targeting Boys age group.
These slides analyze Adult cycles

4. Bike Weight v/s Price
21kg
18kg
15kg
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

5. Derailleurs
21kg Single
speed 1x5,
Grip
2x7,
18kg Grip
3x7,
Grip/
15kg Thumb
3x8,
Thumb
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

6. Bike Type H – Hybrid
M – MTB
R – Road
C/M-Hercules C – City
21kg Series
C,R-BSA Mach
C-Photon
18kg
H-Ridge
R-Fomas
15kg
H-ActRyder, Firefox
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

7. Tyres
21kg 26”x45
18kg 700x35
Mach M-26”x45,
knobby
15kg
H-700x35
Medium tread
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

8. Suspension H – Hybrid
M – MTB
21kg
18kg
M-Rear,
spring !?
15kg H-Front
M-Full
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

9. Quick Release
21kg What
does it
mean ?
18kg Rear only
Front
15kg & rear
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

10. Frame Size
21kg
Limited sizes /
Fixed size
18kg
15kg
17”-25” /
Wide range
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

11. User Demographics, Usage
• Urban
• Age group: 5-15
– Recreational, commuting to school, grocery shop
– Available cycles target trendy styles (limited substance!)
• Age group: 15-20
– Learn & Ride Motorbiking(even without license),
– Commuting on cycle perceived to be inferior, Boyish
• Age group: 21-30
– Rides only if passionate about cycling
– Minimal or occasional use for commuting to workplace
– Finds difficult to invest in a costly bike
• Age group 30+
– Fitness quotient, can usually invest in a costly bike

12. Why many people are interested but
do not commute on cycle?
• Safety
– Indian roads, traffic are not conducive for daily, regular
riding
• Temperate Zone
– Its a sweaty affair to ride during sunny days with heavy
bikes
• Limited reliability for longer distances
– Insensitivity to self-repair
• Complexity factor

13. What compromises do we make?
• Do not buy appropriate frame size
– Some manufacturers think one-size-fits-all
• Do not adjust seat height suitably
• Insensitive to (self)maintenance
– resulting into regular breakdown or tougher riding
• Rear suspension creates more bad experience than
good
• (Low-budget) heavy-weight bikes do not sustain our
interest, limiting our riding distance

14. What is missing in overlaid charts?
21kg
Light weight <14kg
Budget < 6500
18kg Choice of frame size
Lesser frictional loss
Reliability
15kg Quick Release
13kg
3000 6000 10000 15000

15. Wishlist
• Weight <14 kgs
• Cost < INR 6500
• Age group: 12+

16. Possible Specifications
• Frame, Rim, Seat post: Aluminium (Alloy)
• Handle bar: Upright, Non-aggressive
• Brakes: V-brakes
• Derailleurs: Single speed
– Optional: 6 speed
• Tyres: 700x35
– Imp factors: Reliability, Tough road conditions
– Reduce friction losses
– e.g. Continental Double Fighter

17. Possible Specifications
• Fenders: Optional
• Rear seat: No, Single rider
– Provision to install pannier
• Suspension: No
• Quick release: preferable
• Frame Sizes: Multiple
– Age group: 10+

18. Possible Specifications
• Quality seat post, chain
• Handle bar
– Optional: Design for replaceability with drop bars
• E.g. Hero Thunder MTB was a budget
aluminium bike with rear derailleur

19. Todo
• Do a detailed market survey
• Engage with cycling communities
• Innovate
– Design
– Material Technology
– Manufacturing Technology
– Marketing
– Customer Service
• Experiment and take risks

20. What does TI think about this?

21. Acknowledgements
• Bikeszone, Sheldon Brown
• Bangalore
– Bangalore Bikers Club
– BumsOnTheSaddle
– IISc Bikers Network
– Decathlon
• Mumbai
– Bandra cycling club
– Lakecity Pedalers
• Hyderabad
– TheBikeAffair

22. Cycles and Cycling
www.DeepakMalani.in
May 2012