28 Dec 2020  |   03:40am IST

Bicycle dealers struggling to meet spike in demand

COVID-19 has hit most businesses hard, but there are some sectors which benefited during the pandemic. The demand for bicycles for one doubled after the lockdown was lifted. VIKANT SAHAY spoke to several leading bicycle dealers in the State to figure out how the bicycle market is faring now
Bicycle dealers struggling to meet spike in demand

In early 1980s there was a time when people used to book two wheelers, even four wheelers, well in advance and wait for their turn to arrive after nearly 4-6 months. A similar scenario has re-emerged post lockdown when the demand for bicycles suddenly soared. Majority of the bicycle dealers in Goa are short on supply, mainly due to the unexpected spurt as well as logistics issues.  

Rohan Nagarkar, founder of Cycling Zens a successful start-up in Goa said, “Being in the cycle rental space, we have had a crazy time with great demand but having to run from pillar to post to source cycles. This is happening at a time when consumers are getting more conscious of the exact specifications of bikes they are looking for.”

Amol Shirodkar, partner in DP Shirodkar and Company in Panjim which is one of the oldest bicycle dealers in Goa with over 55 years in the business, believes that high-demand for bicycles is seen all over India as the gyms and swimming pools are closed due to COVID1-9 restrictions. 

“To boost immunity from COVID-19 many people were advised to go cycling and hence there was boost in demand for cycles. However, we are facing a lot of problems with the supplies and it is really bad. The reason could be labour problems in the factory and as some parts are imported from countries like China etc have stopped,” said Amol Shirodkar. 

Simon Gomes, partner at Champs said, “The spurt in the demand for bi-cycles came as a surprise to us and it was totally unexpected. The demand has just doubled after the lockdown was lifted. Since gyms and swimming pools are closed, the best way to exercise is cycling and hence the demand shot up. As far as the supplies are concerned many components are imported and the market is disturbed there too due to COVID-19. We expect the supplies to normalise after first week of January.” 

Fardeen Veljee from Cycle Works at Carenzalem believes that supply shortages is due to COVID 19, logistic issues and an unprecedented increase in demand, the three main reasons for the current situation.  “However, the fourth factor is that people at large love cycling. We are seeing MTBs (mountain bikes) rolling out and a slight ease in the stock of spares and hopefully, by the end of Q1 the situation should normalise.”

Veljee further iterated that the industry should focus not only on ‘Cycles for all’, but on ‘Cycling for all’. “That is why we have increased our focus on growing a community of riders around Cycle Works through our group rides. We have five riders who have done their first 50 kilometers ride and three with their first 100 kilometers ride in just over a month. Events organised by clubs have also increased and 2021 looks like a packed year already,” he added.

Jozico Cabral, partner at Jose Cabral Enterprises based out of Margao said, “The market is now stabilising and the demand has also dropped a bit because people are gradually now going back to gym and those who had to buy the bicycles have bought it soon after the lockdown was lifted. As far as supplies are concerned, since the steel prices have gone up the cycles which used to cost Rs 14,000 earlier are now costing Rs 17,000-18,000. The short supply for bicycles is not only in Goa but all over India. The imported parts coming in are slow as the custom clearance is taking a lot of time,” said Jozico Cabral.

Sources in the bicycle market said that the bi-cycle market is a completely different world. In the geared bike market, there are two types, MTBs and Road bikes, MTBs or mountain bikes are what one usually see on the road and what one would have bought it in their younger days. Road bikes are more catered to professional riding, speed, lightness and for people who want something more than a hobby. These are characterised by the drop down handle bars. 

There are also hybrids that offer the thin tyres and the geometry close to that of a road bike but the seating position and flat handle bar of an MTB. Then there are non-geared cycles, kid cycles and the commuter kind which you may see more among daily wage workers. 

With regards to price range of a steel frame 21 geared bike could be as low as Rs 8,000 but in terms of durability and value the best buy would be at the range of Rs 17,000-20,000 for a bicycle which would give one an alluminium frame and branded drivetrains (gearing systems). The high-end cycles come with higher grade of components and materials like bikes with carbon forks, carbon-frames, hydraulic brakes, disc brakes, electronic gearing systems, higher number of gears, drivetrains of a much higher standard. These would go from about Rs 80,000 upwards. However, the most expensive bike ridden in pro-tours as of 2020 is approximately Rs 12.5 lakh landing retail cost.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar