Team-BHP > Motorbikes > Bicycles


Reply
  Search this Thread
2,769,268 views
Old 15th September 2013, 19:15   #1651
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 397
Thanked: 688 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Hey guys, I need some cycle buying advice.
I have similar sentiments as alot of the people on this thread. I am sick and tired of going to a gym, and running/cycling looking into a mirror or a tv screen. To be brutally honest, its a sorry excuse for the real thing.My current gym subscription ends in some days. I did consider moving to a fancier gym and took a three day trial but I just couldn't convince myself to pay a discounted price of ~16-18k on a 6 month membership.
So, the whole idea of getting a cycle has been going around in my head for a while now, just to be able to have the open sky above me more than anything else. To be used for exercise, losing some weight and for nearby commutes in the locality.
I have had a Hero Ranger Swing 15 gears in the past. (circa 2005), bought it for 3800 bucks. Stopped using it many years ago. It was terrible to say the least, something kept going wrong with it.
I understand cycles have become much better now. As of now, I am not at all willing to spend a lot of money on a cycle, atleast initially. Contrary to the advice being given to buy what you can almost not afford. hahaa.
I have a budget of 15k, plus minus a bit for basic accesories. The cycles on my mind are Firefox Roadrunner,FF Rapide S,Hercules ACT 110s. I believe there's a brand called Montra which has a good hybrid in the same price range mentioned. A little research yielded a lot of people saying, the entry level bike one should go for with eyes closed is a rockrider 5.0, but is it available in ncr anymore?
What do you guys suggest? I am 5-7 and 70 kgs.I am looking at hybrids only. I don't want to constantly have to fiddle with whichever cycle I buy. So a good service/aftersales is important. Preferably nearby. There are two firefox stations in my vicinity. One at ghitorni and one in a mall. Which is a good store in Gurgaon to go to?
promit is online now  
Old 18th September 2013, 00:00   #1652
Senior - BHPian
 
fiat_tarun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pune / Mysore
Posts: 1,932
Thanked: 3,761 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Guys, need some advice on the Btwin Kemmel from Decathlon. I've always wanted to start cycling again(after school cycling !) and have finally decided to buy a basic bike. My budget is 8k and I was initially into buying the Hero / Hercules bikes with dual shocks, disc brakes and the likes. A little research told me to stay away and now I have narrowed it down to the Kemmel. The store nearby quoted 7999/- for this bike.

Is this good for casual biking ? I will be using it on a few broken / bad roads quite a lot and hence looking at an MTB. Any other alternative.

I really can't increase my budget right now...

Last edited by fiat_tarun : 18th September 2013 at 00:01.
fiat_tarun is offline  
Old 18th September 2013, 00:35   #1653
BHPian
 
nareshov's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 301
Thanked: 241 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

@fiat_tarun: test it out along with the rockrider 5.0 and make your choice.
nareshov is offline  
Old 18th September 2013, 09:58   #1654
Senior - BHPian
 
fiat_tarun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pune / Mysore
Posts: 1,932
Thanked: 3,761 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by nareshov View Post
@fiat_tarun: test it out along with the rockrider 5.0 and make your choice.
Thanks. I shall check out the rr 5.0 as well. Is 8k the going price for the Kemmel ? Any idea on the rr pricing as well ?
fiat_tarun is offline  
Old 18th September 2013, 11:30   #1655
Senior - BHPian
 
phamilyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 5,968
Thanked: 4,635 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by promit View Post
Hey guys, I need some cycle buying advice.
I have similar sentiments as alot of the people on this thread. I am sick and tired of going to a gym, and running/cycling looking into a mirror or a tv screen. To be brutally honest, its a sorry excuse for the real thing.My current gym subscription ends in some days. I did consider moving to a fancier gym and took a three day trial but I just couldn't convince myself to pay a discounted price of ~16-18k on a 6 month membership.
So, the whole idea of getting a cycle has been going around in my head for a while now, just to be able to have the open sky above me more than anything else. To be used for exercise, losing some weight and for nearby commutes in the locality.
I have had a Hero Ranger Swing 15 gears in the past. (circa 2005), bought it for 3800 bucks. Stopped using it many years ago. It was terrible to say the least, something kept going wrong with it.
I understand cycles have become much better now. As of now, I am not at all willing to spend a lot of money on a cycle, atleast initially. Contrary to the advice being given to buy what you can almost not afford. hahaa.
I have a budget of 15k, plus minus a bit for basic accesories. The cycles on my mind are Firefox Roadrunner,FF Rapide S,Hercules ACT 110s. I believe there's a brand called Montra which has a good hybrid in the same price range mentioned. A little research yielded a lot of people saying, the entry level bike one should go for with eyes closed is a rockrider 5.0, but is it available in ncr anymore?
What do you guys suggest? I am 5-7 and 70 kgs.I am looking at hybrids only. I don't want to constantly have to fiddle with whichever cycle I buy. So a good service/aftersales is important. Preferably nearby. There are two firefox stations in my vicinity. One at ghitorni and one in a mall. Which is a good store in Gurgaon to go to?
RR5.0 doesnt sell in NCR. Don't even bother.

Please goto cyclofit (ghitorni) for a good range - look at GT/Mongoose as well. Montra is Oh-kay. Being a BSA brand, I don't trust them as much as a GT/Mongoose/Schwinn. They would cut costs on BB/hubs/chains etc even while using standard derailleurs etc.

More than the bike, join groups like https://www.facebook.com/groups/Pedalyatri or their google group. Riding daily is the best way to make use of one's bike. Else unlike a treadmill, u cant even hang undies on a bike - so no alternative uses!!

as for the bike - buy the best bike you can almost NOT afford.
phamilyman is offline  
Old 21st September 2013, 12:17   #1656
BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MH04
Posts: 154
Thanked: 290 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by madhu33 View Post
My email address is
===== May be i can visit both Decathlon as well as this firefox store and decide.
@madhu33, so have you got your bike yet? Which one?
sumithb is offline  
Old 21st September 2013, 12:43   #1657
BHPian
 
madhu33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 350
Thanked: 298 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by sumithb View Post

@madhu33, so have you got your bike yet? Which one?
Hi sumith ,no man not yet. Family commitment kept me tied up whole weekend. The bike purchase has taken a back seat for the moment . But surely will get one soon.
madhu33 is offline  
Old 22nd September 2013, 22:38   #1658
Senior - BHPian
 
fiat_tarun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pune / Mysore
Posts: 1,932
Thanked: 3,761 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by fiat_tarun View Post

Thanks. I shall check out the rr 5.0 as well. Is 8k the going price for the Kemmel ? Any idea on the rr pricing as well ?
I finally picked up the Btwin Kemmel. The Rockrider 5.0 was coming to 10k here in Chennai and I could not stretch my budget. Got the Kemmel at 7990 with some free accessories (bell, side stand, lock & mud guards) + 2 free services.

Decathlon Bangalore is selling the same bike at 7k, but no accessories and carting it back to Chennai would have been a problem

The bike feels good so far, although I've hardly used it much. The brakes feel really good. The ride is quite harsh on broken roads.

Hope the enthusiasm lasts and I cycle regularly!
Attached Images
 
fiat_tarun is offline  
Old 28th September 2013, 10:48   #1659
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 397
Thanked: 688 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by phamilyman View Post
Riding daily is the best way to make use of one's bike. Else unlike a treadmill, u cant even hang undies on a bike - so no alternative uses!!

as for the bike - buy the best bike you can almost NOT afford.
Would you know of someplace where I can rent a cycle in gurgaon? I want to rent a decent one for 2-3 days to get a feel of cycling before going ahead and buying one.
promit is online now  
Old 28th September 2013, 14:15   #1660
BHPian
 
namit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Delhi
Posts: 402
Thanked: 55 Times

Hey promit

I am too similarly confused and not a bad idea to rent and try before buying one
Where are you in Gurgaon ?
namit is offline  
Old 29th September 2013, 05:06   #1661
Senior - BHPian
 
phamilyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 5,968
Thanked: 4,635 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by promit View Post
Would you know of someplace where I can rent a cycle in gurgaon? I want to rent a decent one for 2-3 days to get a feel of cycling before going ahead and buying one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by namit View Post
Hey promit

I am too similarly confused and not a bad idea to rent and try before buying one
Where are you in Gurgaon ?
a. renting isnt cheap - normally 500-600/day or so for a GOOD cycle. check with Supreme IF they do it: https://www.facebook.com/supremecycle - itsnot common in GGN. BLR u can, easily.

b.Plus the concept is a failure. To take a crass example as a married man - no amount of dates with your girl friend will prepare you for the transformation post marriage. ergo, unless you rent a good bike, have good riding buddies, you won't get a true feel of things.

Best option - find a relative / friend who cycles a lot (or atleasthas multiple cycles). Borrow his/her spare cycle, find out a good local cycling group (or take the bike there) such as pedalyatri, ride with them for a week or two atleast, and ONLY then can you decide. Renting can just be a very expensive way to get more confused and reduce your budget! By yourself you can't even know if you're doing it wrong, or force yourself towakeup at 5 everyday

/my MTB went to two relatives in the exact same fashion, and then they got inspired to buy their own bikes.
phamilyman is offline  
Old 29th September 2013, 13:57   #1662
BANNED
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 213
Thanked: 34 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by phamilyman View Post
a. renting isnt cheap - normally 500-600/day or so for a GOOD cycle. check with Supreme IF they do it: https://www.facebook.com/supremecycle - itsnot common in GGN. BLR u can, easily.

b.Plus the concept is a failure. To take a crass example as a married man - no amount of dates with your girl friend will prepare you for the transformation post marriage. ergo, unless you rent a good bike, have good riding buddies, you won't get a true feel of things.

Best option - find a relative / friend who cycles a lot (or atleasthas multiple cycles). Borrow his/her spare cycle, find out a good local cycling group (or take the bike there) such as pedalyatri, ride with them for a week or two atleast, and ONLY then can you decide. Renting can just be a very expensive way to get more confused and reduce your budget! By yourself you can't even know if you're doing it wrong, or force yourself towakeup at 5 everyday

/my MTB went to two relatives in the exact same fashion, and then they got inspired to buy their own bikes.
Absolutely.

Buy a decent bike, ride it and if you find that you don't care for cycling, sell the bike at a loss, which will be less than a rental.
kumar2007 is offline  
Old 29th September 2013, 22:14   #1663
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 397
Thanked: 688 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by phamilyman View Post
a. renting isnt cheap - normally 500-600/day or so for a GOOD cycle. check with Supreme IF they do it: https://www.facebook.com/supremecycle - itsnot common in GGN. BLR u can, easily.

b.Plus the concept is a failure. To take a crass example as a married man - no amount of dates with your girl friend will prepare you for the transformation post marriage. ergo, unless you rent a good bike, have good riding buddies, you won't get a true feel of things.
Okay, fair enough. Makes sense

Quote:
Originally Posted by namit View Post
Hey promit

I am too similarly confused and not a bad idea to rent and try before buying one
Where are you in Gurgaon ?
I put up in DLF Phase-1 and I go to Saket for college. So anywhere in and around Gurgaon or South Delhi would have been convenient for me. Apart from the Supreme Cycles mentioned above, I found another guy on Cyclop group on facebook. It's about 400 bucks a day, and a 3-5k security deposit depending on cycle. After Phamilyman's post it doesn't seem very feasible anymore.Anyway I'm still sitting on the fence. Let's see how it goes. Where in delhi/gurgaon are you based?
promit is online now  
Old 30th September 2013, 08:02   #1664
Senior - BHPian
 
phamilyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gurgaon
Posts: 5,968
Thanked: 4,635 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by promit View Post
I put up in DLF Phase-1 and I go to Saket for college. So anywhere in and around Gurgaon or South Delhi would have been convenient for me. Apart from the Supreme Cycles mentioned above, I found another guy on Cyclop group on facebook. It's about 400 bucks a day, and a 3-5k security deposit depending on cycle. After Phamilyman's post it doesn't seem very feasible anymore.Anyway I'm still sitting on the fence. Let's see how it goes. Where in delhi/gurgaon are you based?
Alternatively,u can check with firefox/track n trail - they occasionally have promotional rides where they hire out bikes!

i was in sohna road till 20 days back. now in chennai!!
phamilyman is offline  
Old 1st October 2013, 13:31   #1665
Senior - BHPian
 
Equus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,123
Thanked: 422 Times
Re: The Bicycles thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by fiat_tarun View Post
I finally picked up the Btwin Kemmel. The Rockrider 5.0 was coming to 10k here in Chennai and I could not stretch my budget. Got the Kemmel at 7990 with some free accessories (bell, side stand, lock & mud guards) + 2 free services.

Decathlon Bangalore is selling the same bike at 7k, but no accessories and carting it back to Chennai would have been a problem

The bike feels good so far, although I've hardly used it much. The brakes feel really good. The ride is quite harsh on broken roads.

Hope the enthusiasm lasts and I cycle regularly!
Hey Tarun,
Isnt this a mountain bike? Where do you ride it normally?
Why did you choose a mountain bike if you want to stick to city limits?

I am also getting interested.. But want to start with a hybrid bike.
Equus is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks