cycles and cycling

Cycles and Cycling

www.DeepakMalani.inMay 2012

Objective and Goal

• Objective– To picturize cycling scenario; availability and usage

• Goal– To evolve a wishlist of a cycle encouraging mass

use

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

Bike Weight v/s Price

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

Derailleurs

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

1x5, Grip

3x7, Grip/ Thumb

3x8, Thumb

2x7, Grip

Single speed

Bike Type

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

C/M-Hercules Series

C-Photon

H-RidgeR-Fomas

C,R-BSA Mach

M-Btwin

H-ActRyder, Firefox

H – HybridM – MTB R – Road C – City

M-Roadeo

M-Octane

Tyres

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

H-700x35Medium tread

26”x45

700x35 Mach M-26”x45,

knobby

Suspension

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

M-Rear, spring !?

H-Front

M-Full

H – HybridM – MTB

Quick Release

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

Rear only

Front & rear

What does it mean ?

Frame Size

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

17”-25” / Wide range

Limited sizes / Fixed size

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

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

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

What is missing in overlaid charts?

3000 6000 10000 15000

21kg

18kg

15kg

13kg

Light weight <14kgBudget < 6500Choice of frame sizeLesser frictional lossReliabilityQuick Release

Wishlist

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

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

Possible Specifications

• Fenders: Optional• Rear seat: No, Single rider– Provision to install pannier

• Suspension: No• Quick release: preferable• Frame Sizes: Multiple– Age group: 10+

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

Todo

• Do a detailed market survey• Engage with cycling communities• Innovate– Design– Material Technology– Manufacturing Technology– Marketing– Customer Service

• Experiment and take risks

What does TI think about this?

Acknowledgements

• Bikeszone, Sheldon Brown• Bangalore

– Bangalore Bikers Club– BumsOnTheSaddle– IISc Bikers Network– Decathlon

• Mumbai– Bandra cycling club– Lakecity Pedalers

• Hyderabad– TheBikeAffair

Cycles and Cycling

www.DeepakMalani.inMay 2012