Hero Cycles launches Rs 1999 bicycle with 30% more load bearing capacity

Designed at Hero Global Design Center at Manchester, UK, this next generation roadster boasts of a hi-tech trapezium frame that has front tyres built larger in diameter than the rear ones, allowing a lower center of gravity, better stability and a game-changing 30% extra load-bearing capacity.

The Roadster market in India has remained stagnant for the last five years and even the 1% CAGR growth that it has managed to witness was sustained chiefly by government policies that enabled free bicycle distribution schemes. Bicycles have remained the face of rural life and find employment in achieving mobility, accessing livelihoods, education, recreational activities, opportunities and prosperity for communities at the bottom of the pyramid. These users include villagers, milkmen, vendors, daily laborers, farmers and other workers. Very often, they require a personal vehicle to transport bundles of wares over dirt trails and dreary distances to reach markets and distant consumers.

“A bicycle gives an opportunity to the poorest of the poor to commute, carry heavy loads and earn a livelihood. The new Sarthi gives them an easier ride experience and extra load carrying capacity that requires low maintenance, is affordably priced and comes from a reliable brand. This measure falls in line with the government’s efforts to double rural incomes by 2022, empower people through access to skill development opportunities and help eradicate poverty”, says Pankaj Munjal.

Significantly, there has been no innovation in roadster design in the last 100 years and those earning less than the World Bank mandated poverty line of USD 1.90 a day cannot even afford the Rs 3500 to Rs 5000 price tag for these bicycles. It is estimated that the number of such people touches 32 crore.

The design for the Hero’s game-changing Roadster is inspired by motor vehicles such as the classic Royal Enfield. The difference in wheel size between the front and rear tyres allows a lower focal point from which the weight of the body may be assumed to act and hence obtain greater stability. The rider will find it easier to keep his balance and achieve the best sitting position. The front fork has the same shape as that of a Mountain Terrain Bike (MTB). Transmission efficiency has been increased by 2% for easier pedaling. Even when heavy loads are put on the back, there is a 6% reduction in the likelihood of a roll-over. There is an oversized rear reflector for greater visibility and reflectors on the spokes as per ISO norms, steel mud-guards and studier rims and spokes.