(Okay, its Mumbai meanwhile...)
After 3 big tours in Asia on our own bikes we are considering buying a bike in Asia. We met people who did buy bikes in Bangkok and HCMC, for quite reasonable prices, and were quite satisfied (ok, it was before their ride...)
I like my bike very much, I know how it works, I know that its well checked, I can carry my own panniers , equipment,, stove etc. But its always a hassle taking the bike on planes, busses, trains, specially in India, and its costly.
So, what we have in mind is doing 1-2 month trekking in Nepal (Oct.-Nov.), flying to Mumbai, buying a bike, and cycle along the coast all the way down to the southern end, doing some side trips in the Nilgiri mountains etc. , and finally ending up in Channai.
Who has experience buying a bike in India at all, how about quality, spare parts, panniers, racks etcc....
Thanks for any help!!!
I bought a bike from [Bums On The Saddle|http://bumsonthesaddle.com/] in Bangalore a few years ago. The guys there are Indians who have studied software engineering for several years in the US, and while there took up cycling for sports. Now back in India on high paying jobs they have opened a bicycle shop in Bangalore, not so much to make money off it as a way of spreading knowledge about riding good Western bikes. They were a pleasure to deal with!
When I asked them by e-mail if they could provide me with a good rear rack, they were very honest and said No they could not. So I brought a rack from Europe. We all understand what a nuisance it would have been if I had only found out about that when I was already in India.
For Bombay itself I would really recommend [Pro 9 Bike Studio|https://www.facebook.com/Pro9BicycleStudio] in Bandra West, some 15 - 20 km North of Colaba. The guys there are also very nice to deal with! I have had service there and had my bike boxed before flying home. But I have never, not yet, bought a bike there.
Twice have I bought bikes from [Dawn till Dusk|http://www.nepalbiking.com/] in Kathmandu.
I don't think there is a big difference in prices between India and Nepal.
There is an Indian bicycle forum called [Bikezone|http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/]. Dudes there are also very helpful.
I have done three longer bicycle trips in India, and will soon be back for more. Traffic is a bit crazy but roads are pretty good, and the people are lovely.
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