Cycle Buying Guide: Best Bicycles in India

Welcome to BicycleXP. When I started cycling a few years back, there were a lot of issues that troubled me, But the main question I struggled with was, how to choose the right Cycle in India? So I decided to put together this Cycle Buying Guide for Beginners in India. The article will cover all the basics that you need to know. The things you should consider and how much should you spend on your first bicycle.

Warning – This is a fairly long post. If you are just looking for a quick recommendation on a good bicycle that you can buy online, I suggest you go for this Model by Montra. This bicycle is available for both Men as well as Women. I recommend you also check out user reviews and price on Flipkart too, before buying online.

Cycle Buying Guide:

 

Which is the Best Bicycle in India? Which One Should I buy?

Sorry to break your heart. However, there is no single right answer to this question. There is not one bicycle that will suit the requirements of all the beginners in India. It all depends on your needs and objectives.

I would first suggest you get a piece of paper and write down answers to the question in the section below.

Once you do that, you will have a good clarity on the type of bicycle you need buy. This may even help you narrow down your choices to two/three bicycles. You can finally buy one of them.

 

Sure, What factors to consider before buying a bicycle?

  • Your needs and usage as a Cyclist:

This is the most important factor while deciding what type of bicycle you need. So spend some time jotting down what your objectives are. Mainly the usage can be divided into four major categories as below:

I will also suggest a bicycle type that is most suited for that requirement. The article will also discuss types of bicycles in details later.

  1. Exercise or Casual rides near your home to remain fit – Ideally, buy a Hybrid bicycle.
  2. Commuting to Work, School or College – Hybrid Cycles, These bikes are lighter compared to MTBs and more comfortable compared to Road Bicycles.
  3. Long distance rides (Endurance or Race) -Road Bikes
  4. Off Roading / Riding on Trails etc – Mountain Bikes or MTBs

 

  • The height of the Cyclist – How to decide bicycle frame size?

Your height and the inseam length (Leg length), will help you decide the right bicycle size for you (Frame size). Choosing the right cycle frame size will not only help you ride more efficiently but will also reduce chances of injury. You can use this guide to narrow the right bicycle frame for you.

Most eCommerce sites will show the ideal rider height on the product info page. You will just have to look a bit carefully to find that information. I would strongly suggest you verify this information before you buy the cycle online.

Still confused? Go over to your local bicycle shop. Try out a few bicycles.

It does not matter if they do not have the exact same model that you are looking for. This will help you get a better idea of the frame size that will suit you. You can come back and place the order online. You might even get a better deal at the local shop.

 

  • Riding conditions

Go have a closer look at the general areas/roads you will be riding your bicycle on. How good or bad are they? Generally, these are the things you should keep an eye on:

  1. Are there any steep climbs or declines. Do you stay in a hilly area? Or are there too many bridges along the road you to plan to commute on? – If yes, you should consider a bicycle with gears.
  2. Are there too many small potholes (That you won’t be able to navigate?) is there a patch of road which is not laid down correctly? – Buy bicycle with front suspension (Only if you think the going will be really bad)

 

  • Budget

We now come to the most tricky part of the selection process. How much money will I be spending?: )

The fact is that the best quality bicycles will cost you a lot of money (In the range of few lakh rupees). However, I also do believe that you can buy good bicycles cheap (If you set your expectations right)

A lot of people think that they should buy the cheapest bicycle now and later upgrade to a better bicycle if they decide to continue cycling. I would suggest you do the other way round. Get a good bicycle now, if you decide not to bicycle after a few months, you can sell it off and get some of your money back, This is a better strategy because:

  1. If you invest a good amount of money in something, you tend to take it more seriously.
  2. Good bicycle = Better quality ride. Chances of you enjoying and continuing with cycling increases
  3. Good bicycles are easy to sell (Compared to a cheap one) – This is just for a backup plan 🙂
  • What does a higher budget get you?
    • Comfort – Better saddles, which give you a comfortable ride.
    • Braking performance – Disc brakes by default don’t mean better braking. A lot of expensive bikes don’t use disc brakes (mainly to save weight) but perform at par with discs.
    • Tyres – Better quality tyres means less rolling resistance and better grip.
    • Frame – Higher budget gets you lighter frames that are designed for performance. Better quality materials like Aluminium alloy,  Carbon fibre etc
    • Other Components – A lot of other better quality components like suspensions.
    • Low/No Maintenance – Good bicycle requires really low maintenance from you. If you treat them well, they will serve you great for years.

 

Types of Bicycles – Which one to Select?

1. Mountain Bikes or MTBs

Mountain bikes are defined by the thick tyres that they have. These bicycles are built to be ridden over rough surfaces, mountain trails, offroad paths etc. Generally, these cycles would have a flat handlebar and at least a front suspension to negate the rough terrain.

Mountain Bike Buying Guide India

These bicycles look really macho and are fun to ride. Mostly, if you ask any teen, he/she might prefer an MTB over a Hybrid.

Pros – These bicycles are sturdy and can take you over almost any surface. The grip is better due to a larger tyre width.

Cons – MTBs are heavier to a comparable road cycle. These bicycles require a lot more effort when ridden on roads. Slower compared to other types of cycles on road.

 

2. Road Bicycles

These cycles are defined more by the super slick tyres that these bicycles use. The other defining factor is the drop handlebars. These bicycles are built to ridden over smooth, well-paved roads. The frame of the bicycle is designed for speed and efficiency. Most leading brands would have products that are aerodynamically perfect.

How to choose a Road Bicycle

There are variations of road bicycles, which are designed for more comfort and meant for touring. The bicycle let you travel long distances at a greater speed.

Pros – These bicycles are super light and are designed for speed.

Cons – Not everyone finds its bent over riding position comfortable. Not suitable for bad roads.

 

3. Hybrid Cycles

There are crossovers of mountain & road bikes. These cycles try to capture best of both worlds, MTBs and Road Cycles. These bikes have padded, more comfortable saddles and straight handlebars like the MTBs but have slightly thinner tyres.

Also, ReadBest Hybrid Cycles in India.

Select best bicycle to commute India

There are multiple variations available in Hybrid bicycles. The most common ones are the comfort bikes, which have raise handlebars. This helps the rider remain in an upright position while riding them.

Pros – They are an ideal bike for beginners. Can be ridden over multiple different terrains.

Cons – Specialised bikes perform better compared to them on a specific terrain.

 

 

So, Which are the Best Bicycles in India?

I reviewed the specifications of 100’s of bicycles available in India. Spend numerous hours to come up with this list of best bicycles for Adults & Kids in India 2018.

Since this is a very generic list, I have included bicycles from various categories. However, I am soon planning to come up with a detailed list of bicycles for specific requirements.

 

This is how the comparison table is structured:

  • The first two bicycles are specifically meant for women.
  • The next three are hybrid bicycles. These can be used on roads to commute (For work, grocery etc).
  • After that, we have 3 MTBs. These bicycles can be used on hard-trails to offload.
  • Last two cycles are built for speed. If this is your first bicycle in a while, I would not suggest you choose amongst these.

 

These bicycles are then further classified as further: 

  • Beginners (Super Cheap) – Go for these bicycles if you want a cost-effective yet quality riding experience. These are good bicycles for someone who is taking up cycling now. Start with these bikes and then upgrade to an expensive one later as your interest & cycling radius grows.
  • Regular Use (Budget Bikes) – These cycles are best suited for people who regularly use their bicycles. These people also have some experience in maintaining their cycles or doing minor fixes to them. They would use their bicycles for a short trip to work every day or a frequent weekend gateway to a suitable place where they can enjoy their rides.
  • Semi-Pros (Good Bicycles) –  These users would have a bicycle at two in the garage. They can easily service their bicycle on their own. These users also frequently do 30+ km rides (Along with their regular usage)

 


Related Articles:

Bicycle Brands in India   |   Best Fat Tyre Cycles in India  |  Best Electric Bicycles


 

Quick Tip – Buying cycles online

Always check the frame size on the product page before you place your order. It will clearly help you decide if it is the right bicycle for your height.

If the frame does not match your height, search for the same model on Flipkart/Amazon (You might find the frame size listed as separate product)

These cycles are shipped in a semi assembled state. You should get the tools need to assemble it in the package. You assemble it on your own (You will need some patience if it is your first time doing it 🙂 ) or get it assembled by a local cycle shop.  However, I will suggest you take this up as a weekend project.

It is not only fun to assemble the bike on your own but you will also learn a lot about your bicycle this way.

 

Review of Top Bicycles:

 

1. Mach City iBike W:

One of the few really good beginner bicycles available in India for Women. The quality of the build is really good. A steal for the price you are paying.

This is a fixie (Non geared) bicycle. This cycle is also available in Black on Flipkart.

Mach City iBike W - Best Bicycle in India

Check live price – Flipkart

Key Features of the Cycle:

  • As said above, this cycle does not come with any gears. It is good in a way. This makes the bike a bit lighter
  • The frame of the bicycle is made out of lightweight steel
  • There are no shock absorbers (Rigid suspension)
  • Stand nylon 26-inch tyres

Who should buy this cycle:

  • As the name suggests, this bicycle is meant for women.
  • Good bicycle for someone who wants to take up cycling to keep fit.
  • It is very comfortable to ride this cycle. The bicycle can
  • You can use this cycle to commute short distances.

 

2. Montra Trance W:

Montra is known for their good looking bicycles. This particular model is not far behind.  The black and purple coloured bike looks really good.

There is a couple major difference between the two ladies cycles that I have featured. The first being that this is a geared cycle. The second is the build quality. This bicycle frame is made up of aluminium alloy.

This bicycle has a flatter handlebar. This makes it perfect bike for a daily commute or a long ride over the weekend.

Montra Trance Women - Cycle Buying Guide India

Check live price – Amazon

Key Features of this cycle are:

  • The bicycle frame is made out of aluminium alloy (Lighter compared to steel frames)
  • The product comes with 21 gears. The cycle uses Shimano front & rear derailleurs (3×7 speed gears)
  • It uses V brakes on both front and rear tyres.
  • The cycles also have a front suspension to give you added comfort on rough roads.

Who should buy this cycle:

  • Women with a bit experience riding bikes.
  • You can easily ride it fast during your weekend trips.
  • You can commute to work/college on daily basis with ease.

 

 

3. Mach City iBike:

This is a counterpart to the first cycle I covered. This model is also called iBike but its built for adult men. It is available in three colours on Flipkart (Blue, Red & Grey).

This is a perfect bicycle for beginners in India. It is not very expensive (Click on the link below the picture for current price online).  You can go for a ride in your nearby parks or jogging tracks. You can also commute to nearby places. The ride quality of the bike is really good. Especially if you think of the price of the cycle.

Mach city iBike Adult Men - Top 10 cycles in India

Check live price – Amazon

 

Key features of this bicycle are:

  • Equipped with 21 gears (Shimano). The shifting mechanism used in easy fire thumb shifters.
  • The frame is made out of lightweight steel.
  • Both, front and rear tyres, come with wire brakes.
  • Both the front tyre as well as seat have a quick release system

Ideal for:

  • Good cost effective cycle for first-time buyers
  • You can use it for casual rides as well as short commuting.

  Related Articles – Best Bicycles in India by Price

Under 30000   |   Under 20000  |   Under 10000  |  Under 5000


4. Montra Trance Pro:

This is one of my personal favourites. This bicycle performance as well as some of the expensive foreign brands. However, it is not as expensive. This bicycle is multipurpose. You can really ride it hard at high speeds or you can use to manoeuvre yourself on the busy roads.

 

Montra Trance Pro - how to choose the right Cycle in India

Check live price – Flipkart | Amazon

Bicycle Specifications:

  • The frame of the cycle is made up of lightweight aluminium alloy.
  • The tyre size is 29 inches
  • It comes with a rigid suspension. This ensures you require less effort to ride it for a longer distance. However, if the roads are bad, this can cause inconvenience to you.
  • The weight of the bike is 13 Kgs
  • Tyre – Montra 700 x 35c

This bicycle is suitable for:

  • A perfect bicycle that you can use your daily office commute. You can also use it on your leisure trips over the weekend. Recommended bike for someone who uses a bicycle on a regular basis.

 

 

5. Giant Escape 2:

This is the foreign brand in the list so far. If you have enough money and a passion for bicycling. This is the brand and product you should be buying with your eyes closed. Giant bicycle brand is the largest producer of bicycles across the world. They also manufacture bikes for all globally renowned cycle brands.

 

Giant Escape 2 - Bicycle Buying Guide IndiaCheck live price – Flipkart

Technical Features of the bike:

  • The frame is light. Made up of aluminium alloy.
  • Tyres are 28 inches in size.
  • Comes equipped with 24 gears with thumb shifters (Shimano)
  • Giant has built this bike for speed. It does not have any disc brakes or suspensions to add weight to the bike.
  • Tyre used is S X3 – 700×32 (The tyre has puncture protection)
  • The overall weight of the cycle is 12.37 Kgs

This cycle is suitable for:

Cycling enthusiasts. Someone who has been riding regularly for a few years now. I say this because of two reasons. First, this bicycle is expensive. If you are investing your money into something, you should have the passion to enjoy the same. Second. you need some experience to enjoy the ride quality.

 

6. Hercules Roadeo A375:

This is an entry level mountain bike by Hercules. Hercules is known for their MTBs and has a wide range of options in this particular category. Roadeo is considered amongst the best selling bicycle range in India. The bicycle looks really sporty and fun. The black and yellow colour combination really make it stand out.

Hercules Roadeo A375 - Best beginner bicycle in India

Check live price – Flipkart | Amazon

Technical specifications of the bike:

  • This cycle is equipped with 21 gears (Shimano) with comfortable thumb shifters.
  • Both front and rear tyres have disc brakes.
  • 25-inch tyres
  • The frame is made out of aluminium alloy

Who should buy this:

A beginner who is looking to get fit. Mountain bikes are great for exercising in the morning/evening. The ride quality is great. Even if you are cycling after a while, you will find this bicycle easy to use. You can even take it for a quick off-road ride too.

 

 

7. Montra Helicon Disc:

This bicycle not only looks like a beast but performs like one too. The ride quality is great. The tyres really grip hard to the road. You can use it on off-road trails or in the city. It will handle any type of surface with easy.

Montra Helicon Disc

Check live price –  Amazon

Bicycle Specifications:

  • The wheel size of the cycle is 27.5×1 Inch
  • The frame is made out of aluminium alloy
  • Comes with 21 speed Shimano gears
  • Both the wheels have disc brakes. However, it does not come with any suspensions (Suspensions actually make MTBs harder to ride – I personally prefer a bike with no suspensions)

 

 

8. Merida Big Seven:

This is the second foreign brand in my list of best bicycles in India. It is a Taiwanese company. The company has been making bicycles for over 40 years now. The company is known for its quality and designs.

This is more product which you can buy with your eyes closed if you have the budget.

 

Merida BIG SEVEN India

Check live price – Flipkart | Amazon

Bicycle specifications:

  • Aluminium alloy frame. This helps keep the weight of the MTB down. This cycle weighs around 14 Kgs
  • Comes with 27 Shimano gear system.
  • The wheel size is 26 inches.
  • The cycle has wire brakes on the front wheel. While the rear wheel uses a disc brake.
  • The bicycle also has front suspensions

 

The last two bicycles in our list of top 10 cycles in India are proper road bikes (You may call them race bikes). I would not recommend any beginner to buy them for two main reasons.

  1. These bicycles are built for speed and not comfort. So if someone is not used to riding these bikes, will find it difficult to use it for a long time.
  2. If you are not careful (or knowledgeable) enough about posture while riding, you can easily hurt your back while riding them over a period of time.

 

9. Montra Unplugged:

If you love a nice breezy ride on the road, this is the bicycle for you. It is lightweight and handles the road really well. However, if the road condition is really bad, you will face issues with this cycle. You can easily clock 10+ kilometre rides on this bicycle.

The bicycle also looks really good with blue decals on the black body frame.

 

Montra Unplugged

Check live price – Amazon

Key specifications:

  • 6061 aluminium frame.
  • Comes with a 7 speed Shimano gear system (RD-A070 &   FD-A070) with easy shifters
  • It comes equipped with a double wall alloy wheel rim
  • The cycle has a Promax drop handlebar

This bicycle is ideal for:

An experienced cycling enthusiast. Someone who uses a bicycle on a regular basis for long distance within a city. Say if you bicycle to your office every day (Over 6 to 10 Kms) this bicycle is good for you. The only limitation is that the roads you ride on should not be really bad.

 

 

10. Cannondale Caad8 Claris:

This bicycle will surely quench your thirst for “need for speed”.  The cycle is nicely designed. You can easily use this bicycle for your intercity tours. The bicycle is super light and the rolling resistance compared to the Montra Unplugged above is next to nothing.

 

Cannondale cadd8 claris - best bicycle in india for adults

Check live price – AmazonFlipkart

Technical Specifications:

  • The bicycle comes with 18 gears (Shimano) with easy fire thumb shifters.
  • The cycle is fitted with Schwalbe tyres – Model Lugano
  • The frame of the bicycle is made out of 6061 aluminium alloy
  • The handlebar is Cannondale C4 Compact, again made using 6061 alloy

This bicycle is ideal for:

A pro rider. Someone who takes part in cycling tours on a regular basis.

 


Looking to Buy Bicycle for Kids – Refer our guides:

Best Cycles for Kids  |   Tricycle for 2-Year-Old |  Bicycles for Girls


 

Comparison: Top 10 Cycles for Adults in India 2018

 

I have also compiled the list of bikes I shared above in the table below.

 

Bicycle ModelTypeSuitable ForFlipkartAmazon

Mach City iBike W

Womens' CycleBeginners

Click Here

Click Here

Montra Trance W

Women's Bicycle

Regular Use

Not Available

Click Here

Mach City iBike

Hybrid City Bike

Beginners 

Click Here

Click Here

Montra Trance Pro

Hybrid City Bike

Regular Use

Click Here

Click Here

Giant Escape 2

Hybrid City Bike

Semi Pros

Click Here

Click Here(Older Model)

Hercules Roadeo A375

MTB/Hardtrail Cycle

Beginners

Click Here

Click Here

Montra Helicon Disc

Mountain Bicycle

Regular Use

Not Available

Click Here

Merida BIG SEVEN

MTB/Hardtrail Cycle

Semi Pros

Click Here

Not Available

Montra Unplugged

Road Cycle

Regular Use

Not Available

Click Here

Cannondale Caad8 Claris

Road Cycle

Semi Pros

Click Here

Not Available

 

 

How to assemble a bicycle bought online?

Even though the assembly remains similar, no two cycles models are the same. Even if they are from the same brand. Your package should contain tools to fix the parts as well as a manual which will guide you through the process (Most bicycles come with this pamphlet)

However, if you are totally new to this. You can watch the video below by Hero Cycles. This will help you get some idea of how the assembly should be done.

 

I hope this cycle buying guide on the choosing the best bicycles for Adults in India, was detailed enough to help you select the right one for yourself. If you still have any questions, write to me in the comments section below. I will try my best to answer them.

Also, what do you think of this list of the Top 10 cycles in India? Are there any specific cycles that you think should have made to this list in 2018?

74 Comments

  • Sujit kadam

    Hi,
    I like your page, it is very helpful.
    Is the Hercules roadeo A200 is good for the daily use of 4 to 5 km.
    Or in that budget will you suggest better optons.

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Sujit,

      Glad you found BicycleXP useful 🙂

      I will not suggest a dual suspension bicycle (Which A200 is) – Instead, go for a bicycle with no suspension. If you think the roads are bad, you can go for a cycle with front suspension. You can easily cover a distance of 4 to 5 Kms on it.

      You can consider Roadeo Hardliner – Check the latest price here

      Let me know if this helps 🙂

  • Ranjith

    Hi,

    Thank you for the detailed and informative review. This is the best cycle buying guide I have come across so far.

    I live in Mumbai and wanted to buy a bicycle for casual rides inside the residential community and near by areas.

    Is the BTWIN Triban 100 Road Bike with a flat handlebar suited for the requirement?

    Looking forward to hear from you.

  • Fauza Pandher

    Your review is very informative and the comprehensive study about bicycles is excellent. In my younger days I used to travel by bicycle for about ten kilometres daily. But for nearly 27 years I have not ridden any bicycle. I am now 53 years 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 115 kgs. Now I want to do cycling for my health and leisure, so please advise me some good bicycles. Thanking you in advance. Good bless you.

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Sir,

      First of all, I would like to thank you for your kind words and congratulate you on your decision of taking up cycling again 🙂

      I believe you can go for any of three Montra Hybrid bikes with Large frame size – Trance Pro, Helicon Disc or Blues. ( Click Here to view the exact models I suggested)

      The hybrid bicycles I mentioned above will help you in the following ways:
      – Large frame size, right for your height
      – 700X35C tyres. Thin tyres will have lower resistance, helping you ride it with ease
      – Lightweight alloy frame
      – 21 gears to help you navigate ups and downs
      – Good quality brakes

      I hope this helps!

      Have a good day.

  • Velan

    I would like to buy a cycle use to go office which would around 30KM up and down. Please suggest me a suitable one. It should be round 10K.

    Velan

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Velan,

      Opt for the Mach City iBike. It is a really good bicycle in your budget. Check out all the options on Amazon – Click Here.

      It is light, comfortable and good for commutes in the city.

      Cheers!

  • A man in his late-30s

    Hello.

    1. Though BicycleXP has a separate article on the top HYBRID cycles, it has no such article on mountain bikes as yet.

    Kindly upload a list/article on the top 5 MTB cycles under Rs 20,000 available in India.

    2. Suggestion: BicycleXP could start including relevant review videos along with the particular cycles.

    3. Keep adding new articles MORE FREQUENTLY!

    • bicycleXP

      Hi,

      Noted down all your points.

      I will certainly be adding more articles, especially on MTBs soon. It takes a lot of time and energy to research each bicycle and come up with the review. I hope you appreciate the effort 🙂

      If you do have any specific requirements or query, you can leave a comment and I will try my best to help you.

      Have a great day!

  • Shiva

    I am 88kg and 5.8ft and my Goal is to ride 10 to 15kms long ride for fitness and endurance purpose… so which cycle u suggest me if my budget is between 20 to 25k in India…

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Shiva,

      Go for the Montra Trance Pro shown above. It is available on both Flipkart as well as Amazon and is well below the budget you specified. Refer the table mentioned in the article above for more details.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers!

  • Kailashnath K

    Hai my height is 5.8 feet and my leg height is 3.5 feet till hip
    WY weight is 86 kg
    I want to by cycle for going office it’s around 15 km up and down road is fully high way only road is good
    I want to reduce my belly also so plz suggest me a good cycle price in no mater
    I read your article fully in website plz suggest me thank you
    Am kailashnath from tamilnadu

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Kailashnath,

      If budget is not an issue. I will strongly recommend the Giant Escape. It is currently available on Flipkart. Check the table in the article above for a link to the exact product.

      Have fun riding.

      Cheers!

    • bicycleXP

      Hey,

      Not an issue. Montra Trance Pro is a great product well under Rs. 20,000. It is available on both Flipkart & Amazon. You will find the links to the same in the table above.

      Cheers!

  • Raghavendra G

    Hey great website and awesome informative content.

    I am stuck deciding between Montra Trance models and Montra Helicon. Am planning to use it for commute to the office(a bit bumpy roads) and an hour ride on weekends.

    Budget is not an issue. Which do you feel is better?

    Also is ordering from Amazon safe or an offline store is better?

    If Amazon,how do we choose the size.

    Thanks in advance for your reply 🙂

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Raghavendra,

      I prefer the Trance Pro slightly. However, it is also a matter of personal choice. Go with the bicycle you like the most.

      The drawback of buying from Amazon or Flipkart is that you have to assemble a few parts of the bike yourself. If you don’t mind doing that, I find no other issues ordering online. I actually enjoy assembling the bicycle myself.

      I would suggest, go with the option that gives you to the best deal.

      Regards.

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Bala,

      Munich is a good option. I recently tried it out. I have been suggesting the same in comments. However, I still need to include it in some of my articles.
      You should be able to find the link to the same here.

      Cheers!

    • bicycleXP

      Ni Nitesh,

      I am assuming you are referring to this particular model. I haven’t personally ridden this bicycle but the overall specs look good. I am also very happy with the quality of Montra brand so I assume this model will have the same build quality.

      My only concern is that this model has a front suspension. Go for it only if you think you really need it. Else you can opt for other good models like the Trance Pro or Helicon Disc (Links in the article above)

      Have fun riding!

  • Sumit

    Hi,

    Your website is a sea of information on cycling, yet i am not able to make my decision to buy a cycle for my self so i request you to please pitch in and advance apologies for bothering you.

    1. I am 5,11 and weigh 75Kgs
    2. Ride cycle in my school days, now I am 27 years old and planning to start it again.
    3. Aim is to ride 20-25 Kms daily and on weekends 50 KMs.
    4. Also once in a year, planning to go to my home town on bicycle, which is 250 Km away from my current city.

    My last requirement may sound bit unrealistic being a beginner, but i am aiming to do it in stretches after having enough practice locally.

    Please suggest my a suitable cycle which can meet aforesaid requirements. I am ready to spent max 18K.
    Also, as per articles on your website i think road bike will be suitable for my need or what do you suggest !!

    Thanks in advance,

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Sumit,

      It is always good to aim high. I am sure you will be able to accomplish your dream of cycling back to home one day.

      However, I will suggest you buy a good hybrid cycle and not a road cycle. Hybrid will be able to provide you with the comfort you need to cycle daily. A few years down to link you can aim at buying an expensive road cycle.

      I will suggest you buy Montra hybrids. One amongst three models listed here on Flipkart.

      You should be able to get a really good discount today post 9 pm. Buy the one that fits your budget post the discount. The cheapest of them Montra Trance Pro is already inside the budget you provided.

      I hope this helps. Have fun riding.

  • AMAN BHATIA

    Hi

    I am 42 years old,over 6ft and 67kg and got inspired to bike when I bought cycle for my daughter.
    I ended up buying 29inch kross explorer(guess it is MTB)
    While m enjoying but I am tough times as below :
    1. My pelvic area is extremely uncomfortable after riding.pls suggest right seat or seat cover.i used 2 seat covers -gel cover and btwin memory foam over it double cover

    2.unable to figure correct seat height and angle

    Pls suggest

    Thanks

    AMAN BHATIA

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Aman,

      Happy to see you take up cycling.

      Soreness can a because of incorrect bicycle frame size, wrong posture or incorrect seat height too. I suggest checking my article on cycling tips (Use the link). Make sure you watch the video on adjusting seat height.

      Alternately, do visit a decathlon store in your site. The staff there can help you understand the right frame size for you.

      All the best!

  • Sujith

    Hi,

    I am bit confused about Montra Helicon Disc and BTWIN Rock Rider 520. I am more concerned about the parts availability and economic nature.

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Sujith,

      Both are very different models. Helicon Disc is a hybrid while Rock Rider is an MTB. Just check if TracknTrails and Decathlon store is available in your city, if yes can call them up to confirm the availability of parts for respective models. You can then safely place your order.

      Cheers!

  • Vishal

    Hi Sir, great article, thanx for the same.
    I am 38 yr, 90kg weight and 6 ft tall, looking for a bike for fitness and weight loss if possible, looking for a geared cycle in 10k budget, you suggested Btwin and Mach City, but when I visits to local shop, most of the dealer suggest me, Kross Eco bike without gear for my height, they says it is more comfortable then Mach city and it has disk break and front suspension as well in 8k and they will install shimano 7 gears in extra 2K, so it will be best option in 10k, I am confused, can we trust Kross bike, should we add gears in non geared bike, is it ok or not, or should I go for Mach city/Mach city Munich only.

    I visited Decathlon but found those bikes boring.

    Or should I buy gear less one only,

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Vishal,

      Don’t buy a bicycle with suspension in this price range. You won’t enjoy the ride after a few days. Worst even would be if you would need to spend money on repairs. I would still recommend the Mach City. If you decide to opt for anything else, go with gears and avoid suspensions in budget bikes.

      Cheers!

  • Ankan

    Hii,
    Myself Ankan from kolkata, I found your articles are superb. Am 27 years old and want to buy a new cycle for commute to work. I already have a hybrid cycle of avon which is 8years old. Roads are not good here in my locality, please suggest a good cycle sir, I can afford 15 k . And my weight is 86 kgs.
    daily cycling will be within 10 kms.
    Thanks in advance.

  • Harsha

    Sir,
    Thank you for taking time and doing a marvelous job in explaining what kind of cycle i should buy.
    I was really worried regarding which cycle to buy as
    1. the costs have increased by 10 fold since the last time I brought my cycle
    2. It became a science now. All I had to do when I was a kid is to select the color and a cool model which is similar to whay friends were using.

    I have a Decathlon store nearby and went to check hybrid cycles around 10k and I really liked BTWIN Riverside 120. Now, this cycle shoots across the budget I had in mind. It’s costing me around 15k with all the accessories.

    I request you to suggest whether I can go for this, even though it is out of my budget or would the mach city iBike does the job.

    The only reason I considered BTWIN Riverside is because I have the store nearby and I don’t think there is an official store where I can go to to maintain mach city iBike.

    Thanks a million!

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Harsha,

      You made a very valid point, there is a lot of thought that goes behind cycling now a day. I still remember the first cycle I bought, I bought it mainly because I was able to rest my feet on the pedals and I like the colour and the graphics on the bike 😀

      If you are planning to buy your cycle offline, Decathlon & “Track and Trail” are two chains that I would surely recommend.

      If Decathlon is the only option, go for the Riverside. You can cut down some cost by doing away with some accessories that you don’t need. You can always go back and buy some additional accessories later on.

      If you are comfortable buying online, you can definitely opt for Mach city. Remember, you will have to do some assembly yourself.

      Have fun riding!

  • Shaikh Aman

    Hi man…..I can see you’ve got a pretty good blog here.
    I have just started blogging about cycling.
    I don’t know much about blogging yet.
    It would be great if you help me with some beginner tips.

  • Phani

    Hi,
    Your article is an encyclopedia for all the cycling lovers. Appreciate all the hard work that you have put in to provide the requisite info.

    Inspite of so much info provided would still like your preference of which bike you would suggest for a beginner… The purpose is for exercising and fitness.

  • Subhrajit Karmakar

    Sir, A nice guide to follow… i’m advanced user and like to cycle a lot (maybe more in future)…
    after reading the whole article, I have a confusion between Hercules Roadeo A50 and Hercules Roadeo A375… Similar in features but the later has rear disk brake..
    what should i buy???
    i need a bicycle enough to handle indian roads(plain road less holes more)… daily i ride about 10-15km…
    also the budget is tight under 10k…
    thanks in advance…

  • Deelip

    Hi, I am planning to buy a bicycle to my son(14 years/5’6”/daily 5 to 7 kms running) please help me with below
    1) Should i go for steel or alumin body
    2) and frame size 26 or 27.5 inch
    Regards

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Deelip,

      1. An aluminium alloy frame is better since it is lighter in most cases compared to a steel frame and also does not rust.
      2. I assume you are referring to wheel sizes. For now, a 26 Inch wheel MTB would do well for your kid. The frame size of the bike will be 17.5/18 inches for the height you mentioned.

      To make it easier, opt for this bike if budget is no constraint. It has an aluminium frame, great design and build quality. If you have a tight budget, opt for this bike by Hero. It has a steel frame but is very robust and should easily last a few years. Kids would anyways want an upgrade post that.

      I hope I was help you with your purchase.

      Have a great day!

  • Janarthanan S

    Hi bicycleXP,

    Your post was awesome for a beginner like me. I read your full post and came to a conclusion that Montra trance pro suits my need. My need that I will be using bicycle for my work commute which will be 35km up and down, the road is pretty bumpy and many bridge construction is also going on the way.

    Yesterday after reading your blog, I went to local track and trail shop and ask for their recommendation to ensure I am right. They suggested Trance and Madrock in Montra, the they also suggested Machcity Munich 21 speed. Among these only Madrock and Trance has front suspension, Trance pro and Munich 21 don’t have suspension.

    Which one should I choose?

    Thanks

    Janarthanan S

    • bicycleXP

      Hi Janarthanan,

      I am glad you found this guide useful. Since you have a good store that you can access nearby, I would recommend try all the bicycles out and pick the one that you find the most comfortable.

      Trance is a hybrid and Madrock is MTB. For the distance you plan to ride, a hybrid bicycle would be the best bet. Also, front suspensions add a bit a resistance. So if you really think the roads are bad and you do need a suspension, go for it.

      Else, a hybrid with a rigid frame (No suspension) would be the bike of my choice.

      p.s. – Do check online before you buy at the store. You might get a good deal sometimes

      Cheers!

  • Adam

    Hi, I wanted a cycle for long rides on roads approx 30 – 40 km, I have a height of around 5’10”. And also I’m on a tight budget , could u suggest something for around 10k.

    How’s the Btwin Riverside 100, Mach city ibike 7 speed or Hercules rodeo rampage or rodeo A50 ( discounted rates on Flipkart) for long distance riding?

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