Best Cycle Brands in India: Your Complete Guide [December, 2023]

Bicycling is an exciting yet sustainable way to navigate the bustling streets of an urban jungle. Not only does it promote a healthy lifestyle, but it also contributes to reducing pollution and congestion. With the increasing popularity of cycling in India, numerous brands have emerged, offering a wide range of bicycles to suit different needs and budgets. Let’s take a look at the best cycle brands in India, which are sure to make your ride a memorable one.

How to Select the Best Cycle Brand in India

Here are some tips on choosing a good bicycle brand in India:

• Check owner reviews and ratings – Opt for cycles from brands with overall positive customer feedback.
• Purpose – Road, mountain or hybrid cycles for fitness, commute, trails etc.
• Budget – Cycles range from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 15,000. Set a budget before buying.
• Frame size – Choose as per your height to ensure comfortable riding position.
• Assembly – Many brands offer 85%-90% assembled bikes for quick use.
• After-sales service – Check brand’s reputation for spares and post-purchase servicing.

Comparison of Top 10 Best Cycle Brands in India

Top 10 Best Cycle Brands in India

1. Hero Cycles

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Founded in 1956, Hero Cycles is the largest cycle manufacturer in India with a wide range of models.

Key models reviewed:

• Hero Ranger 27.5T (Rating – 3.8/5)Single speed MTB priced at Rs. 4,499. Reviewers find it ideal for fitness and daily commute up to 10km. Sturdy steel frame and easy assembly.
• Hero Sprint (Rating – 3.9/5)Kids cycle suitable for 5-10 years age group. Available in attractive colors. Durable and stable on uneven roads.

Our Take: Ideal for beginners looking for their first cycle for short fitness rides and daily usage under Rs. 5,000. Known for durability and low maintenance.

2. Leader Cycles

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Leader offers a variety of road, MTB, kids bicycles at budget pricing.

Key models reviewed:

• Leader Spyder 27.5T (Rating – 3.8/5)Single speed MTB for Rs. 4,499. Reviewers recommend it for teenage boys for neighborhood cycling.
• Leader Scout MTB (Rating – 4.1/5)26T single speed cycle for ages 10+ with 18 inch steel frame. Favored for uncomplicated design and easy handling.

Our Take: Affordable and fuss-free cycles for teenagers and adults starting under Rs. 4,500. Suited for fitness routines within 5-10km radius.

3. Urban Terrain

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Known for its affordable yet feature-rich MTB, hybrid and road cycles.

Key models reviewed:

• Urban Terrain UT5001S27.5 (Rating – 4.3/5)27.5T MTB with disc brakes priced at Rs. 6,599. Users praise its stability on trails and responsive disc brakes.
• Urban Terrain UT7001S26 (Rating – 4.2/5)Single speed cycle with accessories kit for Rs. 4,999. Recommended city cycle for commuting 3-5kms.

Our Take: Versatile cycles for daily commute under Rs. 7,000. Also offers premium MTBs for enthusiasts with free diet and tracking app.

4. Lifelong

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Lifelong offers road, MTB, kids cycles with 85% pre-assembly for quick usage.

Key models reviewed:

• Lifelong Pro-180 27.5T (Rating – 3.9/5)26T single speed MTB for Rs. 4,499. Ideal for neighborhood cycling for age 14+ years as per reviewers.
• Lifelong Tribe 20T (Rating – 4.0/5)Kids cycle for age group 5-8 years priced at Rs. 3,999. Parents recommend it for stable handling.

Our Take: Convenient option for riders looking for easy assembly and usage straight out of the box. Ideal for teenage fitness routines.

5. Firefox

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Known for its extensive range of affordable and durable road, MTB, kids, hybrid cycles.

Key models reviewed:

• Firefox Rocket 16T (Rating – 3.9/5)16 inch kids cycle priced at Rs. 3,699. Reviewers mention smooth gearing and stable handling by kids aged 4-8 years.
• Firefox Flash (Rating – 3.7/5)26T hybrid cycle with front suspension and disc brakes for Rs. 12,000. Owners recommend it for daily commute and fitness.

Our Take: Offers versatile cycles with quality builds for regular riders focused on value for money under Rs. 15,000.

6. BSA Cycles

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BSA offers stylishly designed and affordable bicycles for kids and adults.

Key models reviewed:

• BSA Ladybird (Rating – 4.0/5)Girls cycle with basket for Rs. 3,999. Reviewers recommend it for young girls for neighborhood cycling.
• BSA Mach 1.0 (Rating – 3.9/5)Affordable hybrid cycle from BSA suited for city commute under Rs. 5,000. Owners praise its smooth gear shifts.

Our Take: Budget-friendly cycles for teenagers and adults focused on attractive design and basic features for short rides.

7. Avon Cycles

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Known for its wide range of road, MTB, kids, hybrid cycles at multiple price points.

Key models reviewed:

• Avon Eco (Rating – 4.1/5)Single speed city cycle for men and women priced at Rs. 5,499. Owners love its stability and front basket for grocery trips.
• Avon Neo Sport (Rating – 4.0/5)18-speed hybrid cycle from Avon praised for lightweight frame and smooth steering by reviewers.

Our Take: Reliable bicycles from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000 for regular city commute, trails and long distance rides.

8. Atlas Cycles

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Atlas offers durable and long-lasting road, hybrid cycles ideal for Indian roads.

Key models reviewed:

• Atlas UTC-26T (Rating – 4.0/5)26T 18-speed cycle from Atlas priced at Rs. 7,295. Reviewers mention its comfortable seating and reliability on uneven roads.
• Atlas Randonneur (Rating – 3.9/5)Single speed road cycle known for sturdy steel frame and vintage design. Owners use it for morning fitness rides.

Our Take: Time-tested Indian bicycle brand focused on low-maintenance bikes with decades-long durability.

9. Hero Kyoto

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Known for its affordable and long-lasting road and hybrid cycles.

Key models reviewed:

• Hero Kyoto 26T (Rating – 3.7/5)Single speed hybrid cycle priced at Rs. 5,199. Reviewers recommend it as a durable fitness cycle for new riders.
• Hero Sleek 18T (Rating – 3.5/5)Lightweight hybrid cycle for women suited for city commute under Rs. 5,000. Owners like its adjustable saddle height.

Our Take: Beginner-friendly and low maintenance hybrid cycles focused on basic features for neighborhood rides.

10. Hero Blast

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Hero Blast offers a wide selection of bicycles for kids and teenagers.

Key models reviewed:

• Hero Blast 16T (Rating – 3.9/5)Feature-rich kids cycle for age 4-8 years priced at Rs. 3,699. Parents recommend it for training kids to cycle.
• Hero Blast 20T (Rating – 3.8/5)Single speed kids cycle suited for neighborhood cycling by age group 7-10 years. Reviewers praise its durability.

Our Take: Top brand for safe, stable and attractively designed bicycles to teach kids cycling and improve riding skills.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Select the Best Cycle Brand in India

Follow this guide to pick the ideal bicycle brand in India for your needs:

• For a first cycle for teenagers under Rs. 5,000 – Hero, BSA, Leader, Firefox
• For daily neighborhood rides under Rs. 10,000 – Hero, Avon, Urban Terrain
• For trail mountain biking under Rs. 15,000 – Firefox, Hero, Urban Terrain
• For kids learning cycling skills – Hero Blast, BSA, Firefox
• For a very durable and fuss-free bicycle – Atlas, Hero
• For premium road cycles above Rs. 25,000 – TI Cycles, Giant, Trek

We hope this guide helps you pick the perfect cycle from a reputed brand! Do check out the latest owner reviews before making a purchase decision. Let us know if you need any other inputs to choose your ideal bicycle.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Cycle Brands in India

The following factors were considered when compiling the list of top cycle brands:

• Quality of bicycles and accessories
• Product reliability and durability
• Use of technology and innovation
• Customer satisfaction and brand reputation
• Market share in India
• Manufacturing in India
• Accessibility of dealer and service networks in India
• Success in racing and sponsorship in India

Remember, this list may vary depending on different sources and their specific criteria.

FAQs about Best Cycle Brands in India

Q. How do you use gears on a bike?

Ans. To change gears, use the shifters on the handlebar. The right shifter adjusts the higher gears, and the left one adjusts the lower gears. While changing gears, pedal softly and maintain your balance.

Q. Which is the best quality cycle in India?

Ans. The Hero brand is known for offering high-quality cycles in India. Its range of single-speed and multi-gear bicycles are efficient choices for daily usage.

Q. What muscles does cycling work?

Ans. Cycling works all major muscles in your body, especially those in your lower body such as your hamstrings, calves, and quadriceps. It strengthens these muscles without putting too much strain on your joints.

Q. Which cycle brand is best in India?

Based on popularity, reviews and product quality, some of the best cycle brands in India include Hero Cycles, Avon Cycles, Atlas Cycles, BSA and Firefox. Hero Cycles is the largest cycle manufacturer in India with a wide range of models at budget friendly prices. Avon and Atlas also offer durable and reliable cycles. Firefox is known for its extensive range across categories.

Q. Which is no 1 cycle company?

Hero Cycles is considered the #1 cycle company in India. Founded in 1956, it is the largest manufacturer, seller and exporter of cycles in India. Hero Cycles has several manufacturing units and offers a wide range of cycles for men, women and kids. Known for their trusted quality and service across India.

Q. What are the famous cycle brands in Chennai?

Some of the most popular cycle brands sold in Chennai include Hero, TI Cycles, Firefox, Avon, Atlas, BSA and Hercules. TI Cycles is based in Chennai and offers high-performance road and MTB cycles. Hercules and Firefox bikes are also readily available across cycle shops in Chennai.

Q. Which are the Italian bicycle brands in India?

Some renowned Italian bicycle brands available in India include Bianchi, Pinarello, Wilier Triestina, De Rosa and Colnago. These brands specialize in high-end, racing and premium cycles favored by professional riders and enthusiasts. The pricing is usually upwards of Rs. 70,000.

Q. Which is the No 1 cycle in India?

The Hero Ranger DX is considered one of the most popular bicycles in India. This 27.5T single speed cycle from Hero Cycles sells in high numbers across India owing to its reasonable pricing of approx. Rs. 5,000, trusted brand name, and suitability for fitness routines and daily commute.

Q. Which cycle is good for daily use?

For daily city commuting of under 10kms, single speed cycles from brands like Hero, Hercules, Avon and Atlas are good. They require minimal maintenance and are designed for Indian roads. Geared hybrid cycles from Firefox, Urban Terrain are also ideal for daily usage with smooth gear shifts.

Q. Which cycle is best quality?

Some cycles considered to have the best build quality and performance include road bikes from TI Cycles, Scott, Trek, Giant. Mountain bikes from brands like Firefox, Trek, Giant and entry-level cycles from Decathlon are also known for their quality engineering and components.

Q. Which cycle is best gear or gearless?

For new cyclists, a single speed gearless cycle is easier to use and maintain. Brands like Hero, Hercules, Avon offer reliable single speed cycles. For experienced riders and cycling beyond 10kms, geared cycles from Trek, Giant, Firefox provide better speed and control.

Q. Which gear brand is best for cycle?

Shimano and SRAM are the most renowned gear brands for cycles globally. Within Shimano, the mid-range Shimano Tourney and higher-end Shimano Altus gears offer smooth shifting performance in Indian bikes from Hero, Firefox, Trek etc.

Q. Which is the oldest cycle brand?

The oldest bicycle brand still functioning in India is Atlas Cycles, founded in 1951. They are known for their timeless models like Randonneur, Optima and offer single speed to 18-speed bicycles renowned for durability and steady performance.

Q. Which is the fastest cycle company?

Some cycle companies manufacturing among the fastest racing and road bikes include Giant, Merida, Cervelo, Pinarello, Trek, Specialized, Colnago etc. These brands specialize in premium lightweight bicycles used by professional cyclists and enthusiasts.

Q. What is the largest cycling brand?

Giant Manufacturing is the world’s largest bicycle manufacturing company based in Taiwan. In India, Hero Cycles is the largest cycle brand with over 20 manufacturing units and annual sales of over 6 million cycles across road, hybrid, kids categories.

Q. Which is the old bike brand in India?

The oldest and original bicycle company in India is Atlas Cycles, founded in 1951. They manufacture timeless roadsters and city bikes that have remained popular in the country across generations. Other older brands that have withstood changing trends include BSA, Avon Cycles and Hero Cycles.

Q. Which is Indian bike company?

Some prominent bicycle brands that are Indian in origin include Hero Cycles, Avon Cycles, Atlas Cycles, TI Cycles, BSA and Hercules. These veteran brands design and manufacture bikes in India and also export worldwide. Most production is based out of Ludhiana, Punjab.

Q. How many cycle brands are there in India?

There are over 50 domestic and international bicycle brands selling cycles in India. The major homegrown players include Hero, Avon, Atlas, BSA, Hercules, TI Cycles, Firefox etc. International brands like Giant, Trek, Specialized, Scott also have a significant presence.

Q. Who is the king of cycle in India?

Hero Cycles can be considered the king or leading player in India’s cycle market. With over 20 manufacturing units, 6 million annual cycle sales and 50% market share, they are the undisputed leader. Started in 1956, Hero Cycles continues to be India’s largest cycle brand.

Q. Which is the largest cycle brand in India?

Hero Cycles is undoubtedly the largest bicycle brand in India with over 50% market share. Headquartered in Ludhiana, Punjab, they manufacture over 19,000 cycles daily across road, hybrid, MTB and kids categories. Known for their wide dealership network and affordable cycles.

Q. Why cycles are costly in India?

One of the key reasons bicycles remain more expensive in India is that over 90% of components like gears, chains, handlebars etc need to be imported, leading to increased costs. High-end bikes are expensive as brands need to keep margins profitable despite import duties and taxes on imported parts. Local manufacturing of parts at scale can help reduce costs in future.

Conclusion:

While cycling might seem like a simple activity, it can be intimidating if you haven’t done it for a while. However, once you get started, you’ll find that it’s a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you’re cycling for fitness, commuting, or leisure, choosing the right bicycle from the best cycle brands in India is crucial. Take your time to research and make an informed decision. Happy cycling!