The Indian bicycle market has been undergoing a remarkable transformation in recent years. From eco-conscious commuters to adventure-seeking enthusiasts, bicycles are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation and leisure activity in India.
The main purpose of technology is to evolve and refine itself until it is replaced by new, better and usually more expensive with improvised features. In that matter, the bicycle industry is also not an exception. With the launch of new materials and digital technology, the two-wheeler industry is developing at a fast pace and making it faster, lighter and smarter user-friendly riding/ sports equipment says reputed business and Astro strategist
Banking on the available technology, a wide range of well-designed cycling models that can smoothly integrate a compact motor and slim battery have been launched in the market. After observing numerous bicycle trends across the world, Hirav Shah shortlisted seven happening cycle trends for the viewers.
Table of Contents
7 contemporary trends in the bicycle market.
1) Demand for Tubeless Tires is growing
Usually, tubeless tires have been prevalent in mountain bikes but in recent times the trend is slowly changing. More amateur and pro riders are switching to tubeless tires, and the benefits they offer are outstanding, for mountain bikes and road bikes alike. The lower rolling resistance increases the general speed of the bicycle, and the sealant inside greatly lowers the chance of a flat tire.
As the demand is mounting for the tubeless tires, popular companies are tilting towards the new trend and coming up with customer-friendly bicycle models.
2) E-bikes
According to industry experts, E-bikes are going to rule the future. Manufacturing companies predict a 3x increase in their market share over the next five years just by focusing on E-bikes. For now, the main feature that most e-bike designers are emphasizing is flexibility.
There is an upward trend in foldable e-bike models that are very large, have an unusual construction, and are foldable in the middle. That makes e-bikes ideal for commuters, but that doesn’t mean that e-bikes are restricted to city rides as they are now being used for road/mountain trips also. There are some interesting electric mountain bikes that really work.
3) Bikepacking setup
Considering the pandemic circumstances, people are interested to go to some peaceful and less crowded outdoor locations for a trip. In the given case, bikepacking with backpacking comes into the frame. Well, there is no doubt that it is incredibly satisfying to hit the trail with a bicycle, or explore an unknown country with your bicycle!
Observing the trend, bicycle manufacturing companies are offering more feature-packed bicycles for their customers, such as more mounts, lower gear ratio, direct-mount frame packages, and improvements in carbon bike construction.
4) Indoor Cycling
Thanks to the increasing popularity of indoor cycling through various apps such as Zwift, Wahoo, Tacx, and SRM, Indoor cycling is seeing good growth from the past couple of years. Adding to it, the worldwide spread of the pandemic is also one of the reasons why many people are showing interest in indoor cycling.
Experts opinion that this cycling market segment has a bright future and the manufacturing units are designing the indoor cycles according to the convenience of the customers.
5) Gravel Bikes
Gravel bike manufacturers have started increasing the versatility of gravel bikes that fuse them with touring bikes as well as other categories. Mudguards and luggage racks are becoming more prevalent features of gravel bicycles.
High-end features such as the hydraulic disc brakes and a frame geometry that promotes more comfort are major advantages of Gravel bikes.
6) Road bikes tires are being designed wider
Earlier, there used to be only three tire sizes – 23,25 and 28 millimetre-wide tires. With the release of the Domane road bicycle from Trek, a new standard is popping up, which is sure to dramatically streamline the number of bicycle categories.
Following the suit, currently, the manufacturing companies are going with 38 millimetre-wide tires and getting approval from the concerned road safety departments.
7) Aero bikes
As of now, the demand for Aero bikes is not that great, but market experts believe that a lot of specialized aero bikes are expected to be launching in the market in the next few years. A more promising trend is aero components in different types of bikes.
More companies are implementing aerodynamic parts in their bicycles and that trend is expected to continue further. The designs of SuperSix Evo and the Orbea Oca OMX bicycles are the best way to spot Aero bikes. Reportedly, the main targets these bicycles are aiming for are lightweight and aerodynamic properties.
Conclusion
It may be to avoid the risk of contamination on packed public transport post-pandemic or growing awareness on the health, whatever may be the reason, the demand for bicycles and trendy cycle bikes has been witnessing a good growth across the globe. Considering various factors interlinked with health and safety, business Astrologer and Astro strategist Hirav Shah conclude by recommending trying the above-mentioned best and contemporary trends in the bicycle market.
The bicycle market in India faces several challenges, including competition from motorized transport, poor road infrastructure, safety concerns, affordability issues, and the need for better regulation. Additionally, the adoption of electric bicycles and the lack of a strong cycling culture pose challenges. Efforts are being made to address these issues, but they continue to impact the growth and adoption of bicycles in India.
Top bicycle manufacturers and brands in India
- Hero Cycles: Hero Cycles is one of the most well-known and largest bicycle manufacturers in India. They offer a wide range of bicycles, including standard bicycles, kids’ bikes, mountain bikes, and electric bicycles.
- TI Cycles (BSA and Hercules): TI Cycles, a division of Tube Investments of India, owns popular brands like BSA and Hercules. They manufacture a diverse range of bicycles for various segments of the market.
- Firefox Bikes: Firefox Bikes is known for its quality and innovation in the bicycle industry. They offer a range of bicycles, including mountain bikes, road bikes, and urban commuting bikes.
- Atlas Cycles: Atlas Cycles is a well-established name in the Indian bicycle market, known for producing a variety of bicycles, from standard models to specialized ones.
- Avon Cycles: Avon Cycles is another prominent bicycle manufacturer in India. They produce a wide array of bicycles, including standard, premium, and electric models.
- Kross Bikes: Kross Bikes has gained popularity in recent years for its range of mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid bicycles. They focus on providing quality and value for money.
- Montra Bicycles: Montra is a premium bicycle brand by TI Cycles, known for its high-quality road and hybrid bicycles. They cater to cycling enthusiasts and professionals.
- Mach City: Mach City, owned by TI Cycles, specializes in urban and commuter bicycles designed for city living. They offer comfortable and stylish options for urban riders.
- Raleigh Bicycles: Raleigh is a global bicycle brand that has a presence in the Indian market. They offer a range of bicycles, including mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrids.
- Btwin (Decathlon): Decathlon’s in-house bicycle brand, Btwin, has gained popularity for its affordable and reliable bicycles, catering to a wide range of consumers, from beginners to enthusiasts.
It’s important to note that the Indian bicycle market is highly competitive, and new players may have emerged since my last update. Additionally, the market may have witnessed changes in consumer preferences, including the growing popularity of electric bicycles. To get the most up-to-date information on the top companies in the Indian bicycle market, I recommend checking recent industry reports and market analysis.
India Bicycle Market -small stats
- Revenue in the Bicycles market is projected to reach US$4.16bn in 2023.
- Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 10.40%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$6.18bn by 2027.
- Bicycles market unit sales are expected to reach 50.09m bicycles in 2027.
- The volume weighted average price of Bicycles market in 2023 is expected to amount to US$97.73.
- From an international perspective it is shown that the most revenue will be generated in China (US$12,640m in 2023).
[ source : https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/bicycles/india]
