I am not enthusiastic about riding a cycle. With all the pollution and danger of being side swiped by unruly drivers and being bullied by all motorized riders to give way , the only place you can ride peacefully is within your gated community or in some far off suburbs. Riding cycle in city definitely feels like a chore.
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The worst part about riding a bicycle is that my rear started to hurt. I really loved riding but stopped because of this. I tried changing the seat but that didn't work that well. Does anyone know a solution?
Wear cycling shorts. Seat should be hard. No gel padding etc.
Oh. Thanks! I plan on starting riding soon. My old bike became a pile of junk because I live in a humid area, so I will have to buy a new one. Can't wait to start again :D
@Cyclist & Other Cyclists ![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
I am thinking of Cycling for weight loss and fitness. Need suggestions.
Purpose - Weight Loss (primarily) and to be fit and active. I agree that Cycling may not be the best option rather running is adviced. I generally go for a 30 mins walk (either in Treadmill or outside) and 10 mins jog (max![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
) and doing it since few years and helps me maintain the weight. But it takes a lot of motivation and at times get bored as well to do alone. So, Cycling can be more fun and less tiring than running.
Usage - May try and do 30 - 45 mins daily and couple of hours in weekend. Otherwise, short trips to meet friends or to go to shop etc.
Budget - Not much. Thinking of B'Twin My Bike as that is the cheapest (4.5K) as I am not sure of the long term usability at this point in time. Maybe, I would become enthusiast too, to be optmistic. But if that's not recommendable, can stretch a bit to get a better one. But just a bit!
Gear Vs Fixed - Considering the purpose and usage and of course budget, which one would you suggest? I am thinking Fixed should be good enough but I hear general opinions to be otherwise. So I would love to hear expert opinions. If geared, then -
I am thinking of Cycling for weight loss and fitness. Need suggestions.
Purpose - Weight Loss (primarily) and to be fit and active. I agree that Cycling may not be the best option rather running is adviced. I generally go for a 30 mins walk (either in Treadmill or outside) and 10 mins jog (max
) and doing it since few years and helps me maintain the weight. But it takes a lot of motivation and at times get bored as well to do alone. So, Cycling can be more fun and less tiring than running. Usage - May try and do 30 - 45 mins daily and couple of hours in weekend. Otherwise, short trips to meet friends or to go to shop etc.
Budget - Not much. Thinking of B'Twin My Bike as that is the cheapest (4.5K) as I am not sure of the long term usability at this point in time. Maybe, I would become enthusiast too, to be optmistic. But if that's not recommendable, can stretch a bit to get a better one. But just a bit!
Gear Vs Fixed - Considering the purpose and usage and of course budget, which one would you suggest? I am thinking Fixed should be good enough but I hear general opinions to be otherwise. So I would love to hear expert opinions. If geared, then -
- Why? Considering purpose and usage.
- How many gears? I hear a lot of options and I am naive on this.
- Suggest some rides
Way to go, I say. The trick is in getting the habit integrated into daily/weekly life. For e.g. Drop of children to school or buying daily milk / newspaper or office commute (short enough distance) or some similar activity. So that you don't have to force yourself to use it. I would say, buy a cheap, basic, easy to ride one.
If things do not work out, there is always olx after 12 months!
My boss did purchase one for daily commute (4 kms). But couldn't use it in Bangalore traffic & hence had to abandon it.
If things do not work out, there is always olx after 12 months!
My boss did purchase one for daily commute (4 kms). But couldn't use it in Bangalore traffic & hence had to abandon it.
Yeah, that's the Idea. Plus do some long rides (don't know how long it can be and depends on some company) on weekends.
True, but most often you lose much when you sell off.
Can't ride cycle because of Traffic?![[surprise]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Surprise.gif "Surprise [surprise]")
Well, not to be surprised for Bangalore.
True, but most often you lose much when you sell off.
Can't ride cycle because of Traffic?
Well, not to be surprised for Bangalore.The most distance covered by me was 18kms, 25 years ago! Now I don't think I can even manage a small uphill. And this desire (longer rides) calls for the budget to be increased, calls for a proper geared bike. And also a cycle mount on the car.
Cut losses & move on. And give someone else a chance to get-fit-cycling-bucket-list at a lower cost!
Unruly traffic & paying no heed to cyclists is the major drawback. Even crossing the road (at much slower speeds in cycle), is a dangerous gig.
Have you decided on some make/models? You may not want to buy the Roadster models. Looks like a very old design.
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Hercules+Roadster&source=lnms&tbm=isch
Cut losses & move on. And give someone else a chance to get-fit-cycling-bucket-list at a lower cost!
Can't ride cycle because of Traffic? Well, not to be surprised for Bangalore.
Well, not to be surprised for Bangalore.
Have you decided on some make/models? You may not want to buy the Roadster models. Looks like a very old design.
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Hercules+Roadster&source=lnms&tbm=isch
Not yet sir. Thought only about B-Twin My Bike, which is fixed gear. If geared, can go for B-Twin Rockrider 300 or Fantom as these are in about 7-9 K range. But as I mentioned in my post, not sure how to choose a geared bike. Looking for the suggestions I listed (below).
- Gear bike helps you to efficiently ride on different types terrains/speeds.
- Initially do not worry about the number of gears, yes gears on front and rear would be advisable.
- If you have budget till 15000 then there are lots of HYBRID/MOUNTAIN bikes. Check Schinel or Montra website for your taste.
Schinel Knight
Schinel Sierra
Schinel Downtown
Montra Trance
Montra Trance Pro
Mach City Munich 21 speed
Hercules Act 110 [out of production, but may be available on Amazon]
- Initially do not worry about the number of gears, yes gears on front and rear would be advisable.
- If you have budget till 15000 then there are lots of HYBRID/MOUNTAIN bikes. Check Schinel or Montra website for your taste.
Schinel Knight
Schinel Sierra
Schinel Downtown
Montra Trance
Montra Trance Pro
Mach City Munich 21 speed
Hercules Act 110 [out of production, but may be available on Amazon]
I would suggest to look at decathlon mybike range, with low budget they have some brilliant frames to look for, aluminium frame makes it lighter weight to drive with good built quality.8k to 14k budget they have some nice range to look at rather then going for hercules.
I would hire a geared bike this weekend and try it to know the difference myself.
Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Will explore it.
Not heard much about Mach. Is it at par with B-Twin / Fantom?
Anything you want to suggest on B-Twin / Fantom / Kross?
Do you suggest B-Twin Rockrider 300?
And a general question, what is hybrid bike?
Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Will explore it.
Not heard much about Mach. Is it at par with B-Twin / Fantom?
Anything you want to suggest on B-Twin / Fantom / Kross?
Do you suggest B-Twin Rockrider 300?
And a general question, what is hybrid bike?
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Though there are quite a few different types of cycles, they can majorly be divided into two main ones
1. Road bikes - For smooth roads, fast,thin tyres, no shock absorbers, and light weight
2. Mountain bikes - Robust, thick tyres, multiple suspension, heavy
Road bikes are good for touring, racing, and for smooth city roads. However, the road bikes do not come with shock absorbers and often have very thin tyres which get punctured over potholes. The take less effort to ride and are much faster than mountain bikes. These however, are delicate and should not be taken off road.
Mountain bikes on the other hand, are very robust but equally heavy. It takes more effort due to the weight and suspension losses.
Hybrids are designed to fit in between the two. Many hybrids have the gear setup of a road bike to give more speed, and have tire size which is not too thin. They sometimes have front shock absorber, but rarely have a rear shock absorber.
This gives a decent balance of speed and robustness. These can be used on off roads sometimes, but its recommended to stick to tarmac. With the Indian road conditions, hybrids make more sense.
Some examples are
1. Montra Trance Pro
2. Firefox Rapid
Some of the hybrids lean more towards a road bike and some towards a mountain bike. For regular office commute, considering the conditions of the roads in India, the Hybrids usually fit the bill right.
1. Road bikes - For smooth roads, fast,thin tyres, no shock absorbers, and light weight
2. Mountain bikes - Robust, thick tyres, multiple suspension, heavy
Road bikes are good for touring, racing, and for smooth city roads. However, the road bikes do not come with shock absorbers and often have very thin tyres which get punctured over potholes. The take less effort to ride and are much faster than mountain bikes. These however, are delicate and should not be taken off road.
Mountain bikes on the other hand, are very robust but equally heavy. It takes more effort due to the weight and suspension losses.
Hybrids are designed to fit in between the two. Many hybrids have the gear setup of a road bike to give more speed, and have tire size which is not too thin. They sometimes have front shock absorber, but rarely have a rear shock absorber.
This gives a decent balance of speed and robustness. These can be used on off roads sometimes, but its recommended to stick to tarmac. With the Indian road conditions, hybrids make more sense.
Some examples are
1. Montra Trance Pro
2. Firefox Rapid
Some of the hybrids lean more towards a road bike and some towards a mountain bike. For regular office commute, considering the conditions of the roads in India, the Hybrids usually fit the bill right.
I have started cycling about a month back. I use a non geared bike and my goal is to reduce at least 8-10 kg. Focus area is of course my belly. I do a daily exercise of about 6 kms and on weekends i ride for about 18 kms. My daily motivation is the group which I have joined on Strava(available for ios and android) where in you can search and join your local club, see what other members are doing and get motivated to share your own rides everyday. This is what keeps me going. However do no get disappointed because there are some members who ride for about 100 kms on weekend![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
.
A non geared cycle will be apt for exercise and geared ones if you want to crunch miles by doing long tours.
.A non geared cycle will be apt for exercise and geared ones if you want to crunch miles by doing long tours.
I have started cycling about a month back. I use a non geared bike and my goal is to reduce at least 8-10 kg. Focus area is of course my belly. I do a daily exercise of about 6 kms and on weekends i ride for about 18 kms. My daily motivation is the group which I have joined on Strava(available for ios and android) where in you can search and join your local club, see what other members are doing and get motivated to share your own rides everyday. This is what keeps me going. However do no get disappointed because there are some members who ride for about 100 kms on weekend.
A non geared cycle will be apt for exercise and geared ones if you want to crunch miles by doing long tours.
.A non geared cycle will be apt for exercise and geared ones if you want to crunch miles by doing long tours.
![[cry]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cry.gif "Cry [cry]")
. It's really more painful than the legs. But I guess, gel seats can help it better. On the whole, I now agree that geared one makes more sense than non-geared, unless I can be a bit more hardcore. BTW, I too tried Strava!Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. Yes, I did google and spoke to couple of people and understood the categorisation well. I too feel Hybrid should be my choice.
I figured out Mach Munich 21 & Montra Downtown. How do you suggest between these?
And how are these Indian brands compared to something like B-Twin?