It is a much lesser-known fact that India is the second-largest producer of bicycles in the world. Today, we are a part of a global village where the Japanese components of cycles are assembled with an Indian frame. Undoubtedly, the bicycle industry in India has commendably progressed.
Keeping in mind that bicycles are just not meant for kids, new era bicycles are introduced for all ages. Many of our cities have set this new trend of cycling clubs, where people are passionate to go cycling to new places and socialize at the same time.
We have witnessed how engines have successfully taken over the bicycles. In other words, our roads have been ruled by the ‘engines.’ The pollution generated from them is deteriorating our living standards at an alarming rate. Here in India, not everyone can afford cars and bikes. Bicycles, in this way, are good alternatives for them. Also, it is well known that there are several health benefits of cycling every day, this compels one to say yes to bicycles.
It is to be noted that India has 90 bicycles for every 1000 people, which is certainly not enough. As we are playing a significant role in the international market, majorly in terms of export, the industry needs a push to meet the demands. At present, the major players in the domestic bicycle industry are Hero Cycles, Avon and Atlas. Few foreign brands are trying their luck as well.
Let us have a look at the top 25 bicycle brands in India:
1. Hero Cycles
Hero cycles, under the Hero Motors Company, is a very familiar brand in India. It is estimated to produce 19,000 cycles per day. Hence, the largest manufacturer of bicycles in India. What makes Hero top the list is its wide range catering to tastes of all age groups. For instance, Hero Octane 26T is light weighted and best suited for urban biking. The breaks are perfect for quick stops.
One of the most notable features of Hero cycles is that they are much safer while riding amidst the traffic and on the bumpy roads. With nearly all good things in one cycle, an affordable price is like a cherry on top! Whatever be your dream bicycle, Hero has their best-engineered one for you.
Like Hercules, Hero is one of the best-selling brands in India. The range of their previous “Hero Ranger” cycle was also in India a decade or two ago. The more modern series (which has been selling well lately) is the “Hero Sprint” series. These bicycles feature below Rs 10,000 in our list of best bicycles. 10000. Bicycles in the “Hero Urban” range have been introduced by them as commuter / city bicycles.
Official website: Hero Cycles
2. Hercules Bicycles
That’s another famous brand that we’re familiar with India. Hercules, as its name suggests, provides an unmatched riding experience for its customers. Once you invest in Hercules cycles, you will be forever thankful for its durability and robustness. The Hercules TI cycle is also from the stable of India.
The first Hercules cycle was created in 1 H51. Verculis was also the first brand to launch mountain bikes in India. So far, their MTBs are among the best-selling in the country. Lately, their sub-brand Hercules Royado has become very popular among teenagers.
One of the best selling bicycle brands in India, their products are easily available online as well as at your local bicycle stores. The advantage of buying such a popular brand is that you can easily service them.
Official website: Hercules
3. Avon Bicycles
Avon has introduced post-independence in the Indian market, to provide common man an affordable cycle. With time, they have updated themselves with trendy designs. The brand comprises of more than 200 different models. Apart from AVON range of cycles, the company also manufactures CYCULX series, best suited for city rides.
Like Atlas, Avon is one of the oldest bicycle brands in India. They started in 1948 as a company manufacturing bicycle saddles and brakes. Avon Bicycle began bicycle production in 1951. This company was founded by the Pahwa brothers of Punjab.
They believe in providing good quality products at very affordable prices. The company soon became one of the largest wheel manufacturers in India. The earlier designs were very simple and aimed at the common people of India. Today, they offer all kinds of cycles with a very modern and stylish look.
Official website: Avon
4. Atlas Bicycles
Atlas is predominantly known for its kid’s cycles. Nearly all its products are suitable for both boys and girls. For very young children, prefer Atlas as its trainer wheeled cycles are safe. This is one of the top 25 bicycles brands in India. If you are looking for a safe to cycle your young one, then definitely go with Atlas.
Atlas Tribune, a fat tire model of Atlas, is noteworthy. This brand was founded in 1950. If you were born in the 1960s / 70s, this is a brand that you will remember very well. This company was founded by Shri Janaki Das Kapoor to meet the needs of the common people of India.
An affordable mode of transport is required. Atlas established itself as a leader in the bicycle market in India by 155. They also launched India’s first sports bicycle in the 1st year. They have come a long way since that day. Although they have not lost a leading position in the Indian bicycle market, they still have some models.
Altus Motion and Atlas Ultimate City are currently their best-selling models. Altas sells chakras for kids. They have some good models that kids really like.
Official website: Atlas
5. BSA Ladybird Bicycles
One of the best-known brands for women’s bicycles is BSA Ladybird. It has gained a lot of attention from young goddesses. Breeze facilitates its customers with a lightweight steel frame, caliper brakes, cushioned saddles. The brand focuses on adding appeal to its product by adding front bakes, vibrant colors, and a decorated rim.
They, indeed, are every girl’s favorite. The brand was founded by Murugappa Group in association with Tube Investment from the UK. They own many other famous bicycle brands in India. Such as Hercules, Ladybird, Montra etc. We will cover them later in the article below.
BSA was the first to launch something in the Indian market. According to their website, they first launched MTB, Women’s Cycle, Children’s Cycle, Geard Cycle etc. in India. BSAO also provides some good bicycles for kids. This is one of the brands that you will definitely find in the smallest bike shop in any city.
Official website: BSA Ladybird
6. La Sovereign Bicycles
This brand has served the cycling fanatics for a whopping 40 years. While the cycles look beautiful, frame made up of high-quality steel makes it a little heavy to carry. The prices vary according to the customer’s needs. La Sovereign bicycles are a bit on a costlier side; still, they remain in the wish-list of many.
Official website: La Sovereign
7. Firefox Bicycles
Firefox was launched in India in 2004, much younger to previously mentioned brands of our list. It is one of the fastest-growing brands in India. Firefox features mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, and also kids bikes. The company’s target audiences are teens and kids.
Firefox is a rare independent Indian brand that has been able to make a name for itself in the premium bicycle market (Montra is another brand that comes to mind in this category). They were so successful that Hero Cycles later acquired them in 2015.
They have products in almost all categories such as baby, women, city, off-road MTB, Performance and BMX bicycles. At the time of writing this post I could not find their products listed on Amazon or Flipkart. However, you can buy Firefox Cycles on their own website.
Official website: Firefox
8. Mach City Bicycles
The Match City Cycles are designed for the city. The brand is known for its hybrid bikes. Munich 21 Speed is one of their most sold bicycles. It is purposely crafted for short-distance cycling and workout. If you are living in an urban jungle, want to ride around and be fit at the same time, Match City is the brand.
Mach City is a brand owned by BSA Bicycle (TI Bicycle Group). They have become very popular in India mainly because of its Mac City iBike. There are many variations on the model (color as well as gears).
Official website: Mach City cycles
9. Montra Bicycles
Montra is owned by Murrugappa group company. It brings a wide range of hybrid bicycles in India. The brand claims a comfortable frame in a budget-friendly deal. Though the company keeps on updating its models, with some slight changes in style and frame, nearly all models are on the same page. So, if you are getting an older version at a lower cost, seal the deal!
Those willing to upgrade your classic cycle with a newer one at a reasonable price should give a shot to Montra. Montra can be called an Indian brand that is adopting some international brands in terms of quality and price. These can be classified as mid-segment brands. The quality of their bikes is much better than the entry level bikes. However, not as good as the top international brands like Trek or Giant.
Official website: Montra Cycles
10. Kross Cycles
Kross Cycles are known for their eye-catching designs. Kross has bikes specially designed for girls. They are suitable for beginners. The cycle is ideal for covering short distances. However, they might not be the best choice for seasoned riders.
In the beginning, the cross bicycles you get in India have nothing to do with the cross brand bicycles in Poland. The cross bike you bought in India is a sub-brand of the Hero Group. Unlike the Polish brand, this particular brand focuses more on affordability. The brand is not for beginners or casual riders and for seasoned riders. Also, servicing the same will not be a problem.
Official website: Kross Cycles
11. Cannondale Cycles
The Cannondale brand is owned by Canadian firm Dorel Industries. They are known worldwide for their innovative bike designs. They make and sell performance bicycles around the world. Initially, all their bikes were handicrafts in the United States.
However, bicycles are now made to the advantage of China and Taiwan. They design their bike frame and other key elements together as a system. This helps them to perform better from the cycle.
They mainly work with aluminum and carbon fiber frames. They have also invented cutting edge bottom bracket technology. This technology is now widely accepted in the cycling industry because it greatly aids the rider’s paddling skills.
Official website: Cannondale Cycles
12. Bianchi Cycles
Bianchi is the first international bicycle brand that I have included in this list so far. Bianchi is an Italian bicycle manufacturer with a history of over 130 years. They are also among the top international brands.
They are known for their performance models. The frames of the Bianchi bike are made at the Italian headquarters and are made for the sole purpose of racing. However, they also offer other variants such as mountains, roads, e-bikes and fitness bikes.
Official website: Bianchi Cycles
13. Btwin Cycles
Bituin is a cycling brand owned by the French company Decathlon. I’m sure all sports enthusiasts will know what decathlon is. If not, visit their India website (link below the picture). The Decathlon Bicycle Division was formed in 1976. Later in 2006 it was officially renamed as Bitcoin.
The Decathlon Company was formed with the aim of making sports equipment affordable for all around the world. Their cycling brand Beetune has the same purpose. They make great quality bikes at affordable prices. If you are looking for some price to pay, go for these bikes.
Official website: Btwin Cycles
14. Dahon Bicycles
Combustion cycles are leading the way in making folding bicycles around the world. The company was founded in 1 Hon2 by the Honorable Brothers. They introduced the world’s first folding bicycle that you can work on the train or city metro.
The amount of research that companies have done on their products makes it easy to estimate the amount of patents they hold – a whopping 220 more. Folding bicycles have not yet become popular in India.
But given the traffic trends in major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, etc., I would not be surprised to see an increase in demand for these bikes in the next few years. The bikes are really easy to fold and unfold. Watch the video below:
Official website: Dahon Bicycles
15. Ghost Bicycles
One of the few organizations in the world that was formed by cycling enthusiasts. The company was formed in 1993 in northern Bavaria. They offer mountain bikes, road bikes, trekking bikes, e-bikes and urban models. They are also committed to sponsoring some of the best mountain biking teams and riders.
Official website: Ghost Bikes
16. Giant Bicycles
If you want to buy a bike that professionals like, go to a giant. Giant is a Taiwanese company. They claim to be the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world in terms of revenue. They have production facilities in Taiwan, China and the Netherlands.
However, not all of their models are available in India. Flipkart and Amazon rarely stock a few products. However, we found a few good options in the Selectmybicycle online store. You may be able to buy some good models at the top bike stores in your cities.
Official website: Giant Bikes
17. LadyBird Cycles
Ladybird was the first Indian bicycle brand to produce products designed exclusively for girls and women. I think this is the first brand that breaks the monotony of dark colored bicycles by using bright and attractive color wheel frames.
With the introduction of more brand designing products especially for women, the Ladybird cycle seems to have lost some of its premium customer base. However, this brand is still strong in the budget bike segment.
Official website: LadyBird Cycles
18. Lapierre Bicycles
Lapierre is a French cycling brand that has now become world famous. The quality of their bikes is among the top in the world. Juniors, who use their bicycles to run the world’s toughest international. As you may have guessed, this is not a product that you can buy on a regular budget. These bikes are expensive but the quality of the bicycles is not far behind.
Official website: Lapierre Bikes
19. Trek Bicycles
Anyone who has cycled and followed the international news / cycling blogs must have heard of trekking. Although they are expensive (for most average Indians), they are the ultimate machine any cyclist would love to own. Trek was founded in 1975 and is located outside of Wisconsin, USA. Most of their bikes are still made in the United States.
Official website: Trek Bicycles
20. Roulik Bicycles
Roulik is an Indian bicycle manufacturer. They are located outside Kerala. They are known for electric bikes, however, lately, they have also entered the regular bike. Roulik Engio is their best performing and well-known electric bicycle model.
Official website: Roulik Bicycles
21. Merida Bicycles
The Merida brand was founded in 1972. The three syllabi of the “Me-Ri-Da” brand translate to “beautifully designed, high quality”. Merida uses this motto in literally every bicycle model. Merida bikes are designed and manufactured in Taiwan and imported to more than 77 countries around the world.
Official website: Merida Bicycles
22. Mongoose Cycles
If you are looking for a BMX bicycle, Mongoose will be the brand of your choice. They have a wide variety of BMX bikes. Their bikes are known for high quality and reliability. You can do a variety of stunts on these bikes. You can watch the video below for the stunts that can be done on a BMX bike. The video shows Yusuf Sheikh (India Flatland BMX Gold Medalist).
Official website: Mongoose Cycles
23. Raleigh Cycles
Raleigh Bicycle Company is one of the Best bicycle brands in India. Many roadstar bicycles sold in India were inspired by their previous designs. The company started in 1885 as a small shop. The company was founded only in 1889. Raleigh is no longer the leading company. Their current best-selling models include Raleigh Munrekar, Procedure and Terren.
Official website: Raleigh Cycles
24. Ridley Bicycles
Ridley bikes were introduced by Joachim Arts in Belgium. Although it has a very short history, it has already become a go-to for bicycle racing in Belgium.
Official website: Ridley Bicycles
25. Roadeo Bicycles
Hercules Roedio is a brand in itself. I still remember my first bike was on the road. They now have more than 12 models to suit the different needs of entry level customers. Rodeo bicycles are very popular among teenagers in India.
Official website: Roadeo Bikes
Conclusion
All the brand mentioned above’s bicycles are well received in the market. If in a mood to buy a bicycle, all one needs to know is his needs. The market is already filled with a lot of brands, making one confuse easily. We hope that this has helped you in making your choice.
Also Read : Top 15 Best Bicycle Brands in the World