Ludhiana: Hero Cycles claims to have manufactured lowest priced bicycle; it's Sarthi

LUDHIANA: City-based Hero Cycles Limited on Tuesday claimed that it has successfully manufactured the cheapest bicycle in India called Sarthi. The development comes three months after its chairman-cum managing director Pankaj Munjal had stated that the company was working on making the most affordable bicycle for the masses in the country.
Though the bicycle giant did not disclose the exact price, according to sources in the company, it will be priced in the range of Rs 2,500–Rs 2,800 for the end customer. Presently, the cheapest options in the market as compared to Hero’s new product are priced in the range of Rs 3,200-Rs 3,300.

According to a company official, Sarthi has a hi-tech frame that has front tires built larger in diameter than the rear ones giving this cycle better stability and a 30 per cent extra load-bearing capacity.

Giving more information about the new product, Pankaj Munjal said, “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”

Munjal also said, “This new product is targeted at the 320 million people in India who are mostly villagers, milkmen, vendors, daily labourers, farmers and other workers, who need to be mobilized and be more productive and currently don’t have any means of personal mobility. All these people require a personal vehicle to transport bundles of wares over dirt trails and dreary distances to reach markets and distant consumers.”

However, Hero Cycles on Tuesday released pictures of its new product which is being stated by the company as a game changer, but the company officials remain tight-lipped over the price range which will prove to be the main deciding factor about the market response to this product.