Cycling on new tracks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cycling is catching up among the new generation Malayalis if the latest Census statistics are to be believed. Kerala has the highest number of cycle users in proportion to the population among all the Indian states. The rising number of buyers at the cycle shops and the demand for trendy and automated machines testify to this. The cycle dealers in the city are a happy lot as we found out on quizzing a few. “We have all kinds of clients. Infact, the profile of the cyclists have changed in the recent times,” says Mohammad Arafath, Salesman at Abad Cycles, Pazhavangadi. “Techies residing near Technopark and some of them who travel daily from the heart of the city come to purchase cycles. They say that while a cycle is a stylish mode of transport, they can get their day’s work out done by the time they reach their offices on cycles,” he says.“Even though we have BMX stunt bikes for men, models like Octane of Hero cycles and Roadeo of Hercules are the fast-moving of the lot when it comes to bicycles for adults. Health conscious techies in their twenties and thirties and young entrepreneurs ask for specifications and choose models that suit them the most,” says Mohammad. Octane, having two different models ‘Recra’ and ‘Spear’, are 21 speed bikes and come in smashing maroon, green, silver, black and blue with aluminium frame and rim, disk brake, front and back suspension. The light weight model available at the store costs between ` 7700 to 30,000. Roadeo ‘A100’ ad ‘A300’ weighing around six kilos are preferred by many because of its light weight and features which make it easy to handle. “Urban bikes, a higher model with carbon frames and 24 gears, are imported from China and costs between ` 7700 to 60,000. In Thiruvananthapuram, people go in for the affordable ones between ` 7000 to 13,000. Teenage boys are also fond of this model,” says Mohammad. Women can have fun pedalling away on NMC model, light weight imported bicycles. At New Cycle and Motor Trading Co on MG Road, we found Bianchi’s ES Rubino Spillo, one of the most expensive model of road bikes, costing around ` 24,900. “This Italian-made cycle assembled in China has 24 gears with front fork suspension as its highlight,” says Balakrishnan K, salesman at the store. While these models are sold like hot cakes, the classic mountain bikes are picked once in a while by the adventurous lot. ‘Mongoose Switch back’ costing ` 19,900 are the base models of mountain bikes and the cost goes up to ` 35, 000 when it comes to the Cannondale SL4 mountain bikes. The latter are known as life time cycles because of the quality of materials used for making. It is a perfect companion for rough mountain climbs. “Front and rear disk break, 24 gears, front fork gear suspension, adjustable air suspensions and colourful saddle are its highlight. The more number of gears helps to have a strain-free ride. Entrepreneurs who go for holidaying to hill stations come to us for purchasing this model,” said Balakrishnan.