[Sebring]

The Specialized is robust in the sense it doesn't require any maintenance. That makes it VFM. I own the Sirrus, and it goes on and on. In Bangalore Bums On Saddle service it and there is a 'Company outlet' too. Giant has a service station, so does Scott - but no idea about Cochin. Salt in the air over there should make the cycles age faster too (which we dont face in Bangalore).

Originally Posted by evilmessiah

Not at all sure where I can service Cannondale, ,Fuji, Specialized and Trek bikes.

[sanjbmw2001]

Originally Posted by evilmessiah

Hello everyone.. I've been on the fence for getting a new bike for a very long time. I plan to use it for daily morning rides and commutes, if possible. I've tried hybrids and MTB-s, but haven't checked out road bikes- not decided on which one to go for. I'm on the heavier side and almost 6'- I think I'll be needing a L or XL sized frame depending on the manufacturer. Instead of a fixed budget, I'm more or less on the lookout for a VFM buy than lower cost outright. So, I had considered the following options:..............

Seeking your advice on the above listed models, the ones at the last paragraph, whether to go for hybrids or MTB-s and whether to venture into the entry level road bikes category at all for commutes and daily rides.

Thanks for your patience- had a ton of these doubts in me for the longest time and couldn't find direct answers to these anywhere.

Your first sentence says you are getting into cycling slowly, my suggestion would be to get something economical, like the first 2 option mentioned. Then as you progress in cycling (provided you continue to cycle) then you may look at an upgrade.
Spend 10-15K to get used to cycling then you'll understand what you are after in a cycle. This will help you fine tune your requirements and get the right cycle.

On the maintenance front, you do not need a authorized service center, any competent business shop can service the bike be it Indian or imported.

Hope this helps.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by evilmessiah

Hello everyone.. I've been on the fence for getting a new bike for a very long time.
Thanks for your patience- had a ton of these doubts in me for the longest time and couldn't find direct answers to these anywhere.

You have a ton of choice and you seem to have done a lot of analysis with clear (and yet conflicting) views on the options so I won't make it tougher.

Here's my views (strictly IMO) that I have shared with several of my friends and converted them from thinking-on-the-fence status to doing brevets within a few months

- Most important rule. Test ride the bike. Then decide.
- Investments in cycling is like a vicious cycle; the more you invest, the more you feel indebted to cycle; and it goes on like that
- Hybrids for starters, always. Even more in cases like these when the majority of riding is going to be on roads. MTBs and road bikes are specialist bikes for advanced phases, it's only in India that we seem to prefer MTBs for city riding for novices.
- Good brands give you good bikes; and if you don't have a cash crunch/limit (which I'm guessing you don't) so I'd ignore the Indian options for now. There are few excellent ones - Hercules ACT 110, the Montra hybrid (to an extent) and maybe the Btwin hybrids, but any day I'd say the Specialized, Cannondales, Treks and similar over the Hercules & Firefox lots. Also the foreign brands resell well, in case it doesn't work out.
- Used bikes if and only you have someone who can validate the condition of the components of the bike in person; else go for new bikes.

In the end, enjoy the experience. It's like buying a car - you don't really regret the experience, do you?

[evilmessiah]

Originally Posted by Sebring

The Specialized is robust in the sense it doesn't require any maintenance. That makes it VFM. I own the Sirrus, and it goes on and on. In Bangalore Bums On Saddle service it and there is a 'Company outlet' too. Giant has a service station, so does Scott - but no idea about Cochin. Salt in the air over there should make the cycles age faster too (which we don't face in Bangalore).

Hey, thanks a lot for replying. There are no dedicated service stations for Scott, Specialized or Giant in Cochin, but as sanjbmw2001 said later, there are certain shops like Kavita Cycles or Trackandtrail that might do the servicing for me. You're right about the salt situation here in Cochin- it does make cycles age faster. Cycling in Bangalore should be pretty awesome- the air in the mornings is special in certain areas.

Originally Posted by sanjbmw2001

Your first sentence says you are getting into cycling slowly, my suggestion would be to get something economical, like the first 2 option mentioned. Then as you progress in cycling (provided you continue to cycle) then you may look at an upgrade.
Spend 10-15K to get used to cycling then you'll understand what you are after in a cycle. This will help you fine tune your requirements and get the right cycle.

Thanks a lot for replying. You're right- I'm just getting started. I used to cycle a lot when I was a kid, but I've been out of the game for years. Miss it badly. I was thinking on the lines of what you had suggested- start off small and progress up to better ones.

Originally Posted by sanjbmw2001

On the maintenance front, you do not need a authorized service center, any competent business shop can service the bike be it Indian or imported. Hope this helps.

This was really helpful. The shops that I checked out weren't entertaining bikes that were bought from elsewhere while some are alright servicing the brands they themselves sell. I'll try to look more into this.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

You have a ton of choice and you seem to have done a lot of analysis with clear (and yet conflicting) views on the options so I won't make it tougher.

Here's my views (strictly IMO) that I have shared with several of my friends and converted them from thinking-on-the-fence status to doing brevets within a few months

- Most important rule. Test ride the bike. Then decide.
- Investments in cycling is like a vicious cycle; the more you invest, the more you feel indebted to cycle; and it goes on like that
- Hybrids for starters, always. Even more in cases like these when the majority of riding is going to be on roads. MTBs and road bikes are specialist bikes for advanced phases, it's only in India that we seem to prefer MTBs for city riding for novices.
- Good brands give you good bikes; and if you don't have a cash crunch/limit (which I'm guessing you don't) so I'd ignore the Indian options for now. There are few excellent ones - Hercules ACT 110, the Montra hybrid (to an extent) and maybe the Btwin hybrids, but any day I'd say the Specialized, Cannondales, Treks and similar over the Hercules & Firefox lots. Also the foreign brands resell well, in case it doesn't work out.
- Used bikes if and only you have someone who can validate the condition of the components of the bike in person; else go for new bikes.

In the end, enjoy the experience. It's like buying a car - you don't really regret the experience, do you?

The conflicting part is because of two things- the condition of roads here and my weight I'm actually more interested in hybrids than MTB-s. I guess the recommendations for MTB-s here in India might be due to the pathetic nature of roads here. Considered the Firefox Target purely because it is the cheapest and it is owned by my neighbor. The only reason why I'm balking at buying the good foreign bikes is because I'm not completely sure whether I'll like to go the specialised route of MTB-s or road bikes or whether I'll stick to hybrids.

So far, my choices seem to be the in the order of the used Montra Blues, the used Firefox Target, Specialized Sirrus and Trek 7.2 FX. The problem with being in a place like Cochin is that test rides for the nice foreign hybrids aren't widely available. Still, I'll be searching for some shop that would be accommodating me. Had checked out Decathlon at Kalamassery for the Btwin lineup- the salesman there didn't seem to be too enthusiastic or helpful. Had a short ride of the RR520, but that didn't tell me anything apart from the fact that I wasn't a big fan of the shifter which seemed to be on the smaller side (I had no issues with that of the Target or the Blues).

I can understand why the foreign brands would be better than the domestics- the increased price would be justified in better frames, geometry, lesser weight and better materials, fit and finish. Could you elaborate as to why the Montra hybrid is good to an extent? The Hercules ACT110 seems to be recommended by quite a few here, including someone like doc who seems to like it a lot.

[ebonho]

@evilmessiah

I'd suggest an Indian bike in the 15-18k bracket.

A hybrid with good aero wheels if possible. 700c obviously. Flatbar road hybrid. Not the sprung fork MTB type.

Road tyres anywhere from 28c (not if you are over 90 kilos though) to 32-35c max. No wider.

A rigid fork. Steel would be better than alloy. You won't get carbon at this price. Curved better than sporty straight.

Has to be a triple crank. Prefer road gearing 48-38-28 over MTB gearing 44-34-24.

Trigger shifters over grip shifters anyday. Prefer metal over fiber levers.

Straight bar over riser (my personal preference). Get barends.

8 speed would be better than 7. If for nothing else you get wider ratio combination cadettes over the standard 14-28 freewheel for the 7 speeds.

Get the best frame. Wheels no. 2. Nothing else really matters as close to these two. People make the mistake of going for bling and gadgetry (gears, shockers, etc) and lose the important ones.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Doc

[sparameswaran]

Hi,
I am considering getting a bicycle because I have been advised to cut down on my jogging by my orthopedician because of repeated foot injuries.

I will be riding only on paved roads in and around Pondicherry and intend to do cycling as a fitness option (rather than a competitive sport).

I was suggested the following models by 'choosemybicycle' staff.
I am OK spending up to ₹15000/- for the cycle.

https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...lti-speed-2015
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...ss-bolt-28-21s
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...on-2-6-6-speed
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...patrol-6s-2017
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...adrock-26-2018
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/b...fox-patrol-21s

I have no experience with cycles, except for having had a BSA SLR during my school days (before 1995).
Does the above mentioned models suit me? Which among them? Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

[eyesice]

If you can spend upto 20k, Btwin sells an entry level road bike called Triban 100. It comes with a 7 speed index shifter. But I believe riding on Pondicherry hard requires you to change gears that often.

If you really want to keep changing gears frequently, Montra Trance Pro / Firefox Rapide is a great choice for that price.

[ninjatalli]

Has anyone recently or in the past transported a cycle (boxed up) through train or the bus domestically?

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Has anyone recently or in the past transported a cycle (boxed up) through train or the bus domestically?

Not very recent but last year sent a Honda Aviator and an old cycle through VRL Volvo from Mumbai to Kolhapur. Cycle wasn't boxed up, but just ensured that it was secured properly in the belly.

I had my cousin unload both of them at the official stop itself rather than take the cargo all they way to their parcel office and collect it from there. Ideally if you can find a bus that has the first and last stops across your source and destination cities, nothing like it.

An uncle of mine had transported his cycle on an ST bus from Ratnagiri (IIRC) to Pune but he was travelling in the same bus. Cycle had to be loaded up the roof by ourself.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

Ideally if you can find a bus that has the first and last stops across your source and destination cities, nothing like it.

Awesome! Yes, have to get my cycle from Bombay to Chennai; there are several Volvo buses but I'm edgy considering this is an expensive road bike. I'm going to box it up from a nearby store for sure.

Another option I'm considering is to take it on the flight; haven't done it in the domestic sector though. Will be researching it up.

Now if my firm gave me a break, I'd rather just ride it along spread over a week

[im_srini]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Have to get my cycle from Bombay to Chennai; there are several Volvo buses but I'm edgy considering this is an expensive road bike.

Hi, I wouldn't trust any transportation service with an expensive bike, it's basically a lottery. They wouldn't understand it's value & in their eyes, the bike would be worth just it's transportation fee.
Even if the bike's in a box, unless it's guaranteed to be transported vertically, the chances of derailleur or even frame ( gasp ! ) misalignments are high.

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Now if my firm gave me a break, I'd rather just ride it along spread over a week

Nice thought, especially given the weather this time of year
That said, if it were me, I'd just box it up & put it in the back of my car, or on the top of it, & drive it down.

[eyesice]

Can someone suggest me a decent pair of pedals with toe clips? I saw this from decathlon - https://www.decathlon.in/p/8487128_5....html#/3-254-_
Can I install standard toe clips on this pedal? Any other suggestions?

P.S : I don't want to go for clipless just yet.

[poised2drive]

Query to Bicycle Gurus :

I am thinking to buy a bicycle for daily commute and for fitness as well as my office is quite near . My daily travel would be around 10 KM tops though I am thinking to take rides in 20 KM radius.

The ride would be on unpaved roads or paved roads full of potholes and occasional highway rides.
I am 5'11 and weigh around 100. I am thinking of Mountain Gear Bike due to road conditions and my weight.

The guy from Decathlon suggested ST100 that costs 20k .

But before spending 20k , I wanted to know what other possible options I have from other brands and how VFM the Decathlon cycles are.
Any other tips and suggestions regarding Cycling and brands are welcome.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by poised2drive

Query to Bicycle Gurus :

I am thinking to buy a bicycle for daily commute and for fitness .The ride would be on unpaved roads or paved roads full of potholes and occasional highway rides.

ST100 is VFM product, has good Sutour XCT suspension and decent specifications. MTB though suited for unpaved and rough roads, reduces rolling speeds due to block pattern tyres.

This is where hybrids shine, for you try out Riverside range from BTWIN.
Regarding other brands, please check Montra, Fantom, Schnell to find bikes within your budget and requirement.

There is another interesting option that you can consider - Hero Ezephyr
This is light weight ebike with 25kms range and costs just 27k on road.

[shipnil]

Guys, this might have been discussed earlier. When it comes to dry lubes, I hear only imported lube names like finishline, muc off etc. Are these the only ones available? Don't we have any Indian product available? It would be cheaper since no customs would be applicable.