cycles and cycling
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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