20 April,2022 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Sukanya Datta
Brompton cycles are hailed for their sleek design, and can be folded and carried easily
Cyclists in the city will attest to how difficult it is to board a local train, the Metro or bus with their bikes, if the journey calls for multi-modal transportation. But a few years ago, foldable cycles started making their way to Mumbai. Of these, the tribe of Brommies or Brompton cycle users has been steadily growing. And this week, cycling enthusiasts can get a sneak-peak at the London-based brand's new model, MY22, along with a few others, at the Bandra-based Breve - Cafe & Cyclery.
The preview camp is being set up by Bengaluru-based ProCycle & Sports India Private Limited, which is the official distributor of Brompton bikes in India. Vikram Limsay, managing director, ProCycle, notes that the demand for the premium foldable bikes has been increasing because of the convenience they offer. "You can take it anywhere, any time. In Mumbai, for instance, the flexi commute feature allows one to board a BEST bus with it, head to the nearest station, hop into a local, carry it to a vacation in say, Alibaug, and explore hidden corners that you can't otherwise," he explains. The three-part bikes are hand-made in London, and it takes less than 20 seconds to pack up a cycle into a small, compact package that locks together and can easily be carried, towed or stored.
Usman Bhadelia
In India, the bikes are shipped out of ProCycle's central warehouse in Bengaluru. And although Mumbai does have a few models for test-drive, the preview camp at Breve will allow riders to interact with the Brompton Bicycle India team. The cyclery and cafe on Chapel Road, says co-founder and triathlete Usman Bhadelia, marries his two big passions - cycling and coffee. "During the pandemic, when the popularity of cycling increased, I thought that why not do something that brings coffee and cycling together. I wanted to show that cycling and coffee can co-exist, and that both are essentially social activities," shares Bhadelia, adding that the café allows cyclists to make a pit stop, connect with other cycling enthusiasts, and build a growing community of cycle-lovers. The café offers a safe parking space to cyclists who can keep an eye on their ride while sipping on specialty brews and helping themselves to all-day brunch. Their service station also takes care of basic repairs. "There are many Brommies and Brompton-lovers in Mumbai. So, the event will be a preview of a few bikes which people can test-drive; they can get to see first-hand what Brompton is all about, and also get their service issues fixed by the brand team," Bhadelia says.
On: April 23 and 24, 10 am to 7 pm
At: Breve - Cafe & Cyclery, shop no 12, Pearl Haven Apartments, Chapel Road, Mount Mary, Bandra West.
Call: 9979506304
Bromptons are cool, but they're also expensive, with prices starting from approximately R1.43 lakh. Bandra-based Vijay Malhotra, a blogger who runs pedalandtringtring.com, sourced his Brompton six months ago after checking out reviews for days. The cyclist offers a few pointers to keep in mind before you become a Brommie:
>> The cycles are compact, smooth and easy to store. They are easy to manoeuvre in traffic because of the sleek design, with an attractive look-and-feel.
>> Decide why you're making the purchase. If you want a bike for competitions, then Brompton may not be the right fit. Bromptons are meant for leisure and daily commute.
>> Although the Brompton India team has authorised service professionals in Mumbai, Malhotra reckons that after-sale servicing can be expensive since a regular technician cannot service
a Brompton.
To order or test-drive a Brompton in Mumbai:
Log on to: procycle.in or brompton.com
Call: 9019919616
