Cycling in India

[CanucksTraveller]

I'm currently working in Panjim, state capital of Goa. As I often do, I look at what common bikes the locals are getting about on, and I thought you could be interested in this machine of joy that seems endemic. In the UK, it would be called a BSO. In India, it's a Hero Ranger, it costs the equivalent of about 50 to 60 pounds brand new, or about half that if bought only lightly used. I borrowed it from a colleague at a company office, he's modified it with a carrier box on the front for mail and other shoot that he has to carry about. I've noted that many riders in India treat the rear carrier as a kind of pillion seat for pax. Now that could be one pax, or it could be two, or it could be a box of chickens, or it could be a dressing table. Hero have thought of this, and made the rack an actual steel extension of the frame in this country. Ingenious!

Utilitarian, modern, socialist cycling at its finest I think, and it really is modern... these models started to creep in maybe 4 years ago, and actually the rusty wheeled, push-rod braked dinosaurs are still everywhere.

Cycling here is a nightmare for a Brit steeped in the "give me room" mindset, cars give you a few inches if you're lucky, it's not a close pass until you get knocked by a wing mirror. Even then, no harm, no foul.

I'm here a few more days, so I'm sure I can add to this thread with more pics and content.

 

[Dayvo]

The Hero was the bike I bought in India a few years ago - with six gears, IIRC.

Heavy as f*ck but sturdy and does the job (bit like me).

Pity you leave soon, I'll be in Palolem (south Goa) two weeks today.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Yeah this was a six speed Shimano, I think that's standard now on Hero "Mountain bikes". The claimed frame weight is 5kg, I'd say the whole bike itself was easily 13-15kg. As you say, they're designed to "do the job" which in India could be carry a fridge, or 3 people. Maybe both.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I have cycled much of India but only with my own bikes or on one occasion a tour companies.

I love cycling there especially in the cities and to be fair have never had any problems. Those bikes are built to last and to carry so very much.

I have cycle and walked the Arabian coast road in God and it's a dream.

I so very envious.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I enjoyed cycling in Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bhopal and Kolkatta. And Goa. Mumbai traffic nearly finished me off thobut.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Oh you can't be envious @Hill Wimp, I've only got to have a bash at "city" cycling today in Panjim, and I've done a little beach riding on a Hero down at Varca. You seem to have done the whole continent! Not comparable.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Oh you can't be envious @Hill Wimp, I've only got to have a bash at "city" cycling today in Panjim, and I've done a little beach riding on a Hero down at Varca. You seem to have done the whole continent! Not comparable.

Not quite the whole continent. India alone is mahoosive. However I plan to eventually conquer a lot of it before I drop 6ft.

Just being there absorbing it all it enough for me.

Enjoy and I hope you liked it enough to want to return.

 

[Dayvo]

Not quite the whole continent. India alone is mahoosive. However I plan to eventually conquer a lot of it before I drop 6ft.

Just being there absorbing it all it enough for me.

Enjoy and I hope you liked it enough to want to return.

I'll send you a post card!

 

[Hill Wimp]

I'll send you a post card!

You never know Fabbers and I may gatecrash one winter.

I would love to take him to Anjuna night market.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Okay so today we have another Hero product, the "Streetracer". It has a different frame from the Ranger, being more like one of those "Y" frames you might see in Halfords or Argos in the BSO mould. No suspension though, thankfully, keeping the weight down to a very trim 14 kilos (I've guessed!). The focus, as always, is on bearing weight on the rack. You could carry three locals and 2 cages of chickens on this one. Possibly more.
It's single speed, and it retails at 40 pounds brand new. You could get a used one for 20. Please no comments on rusty or slack chains, they don't care so long as it goes.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Paging @Nihal

 

[Dayvo]

I've noticed that the Hero bikes are ridden by young to early middle-aged men.

For the discerning seniors, the Hercules is the bike of choice, and they are mostly in exceptional condition.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I've not noticed any Hercules yet, but then they're possibly the make I've seen that has lived on past the transfers being weathered off!
There are many nameless bikes. Often they're the ones with some age, and with push rod brakes, so they're probably really old.
That Hercules is actually very handsome.

Oh well, I'm on my way home tomorrow, this thread hasn't really taken off so I'll leave it there. Cheers!

 

[Dayvo]

I've not noticed any Hercules yet, but then they're possibly the make I've seen that has lived on past the transfers being weathered off!
There are many nameless bikes. Often they're the ones with some age, and with push rod brakes, so they're probably really old.
That Hercules is actually very handsome.

Oh well, I'm on my way home tomorrow, this thread hasn't really taken off so I'll leave it there. Cheers!

I'll try and take over when I arrive in 12 days.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I'll try and take over when I arrive in 12 days.

Places @Dayvo on ignore



Actually i am happy for a permanent thread for all things India.

Can't get enough of the country.