BSA Kruze

[bonigv]

New guy on the block. I just heard about it today. Very quiet launch. Some of you I am sure knows about this.

Roadbike : Drop Bars
Alloy Frame
700c, alloy wheels
Promax Caliper Brakes
2300 Shifters and Dérailleur [8Sp, 52T Double]
Sealed BB
QR for front, rear and seatpost
Alloy platform pedals

Rs. 19K

Pics : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/anirudhmb/BSAKruze [Thanks to anirudhmb BBC]

[deepakvrao]

Somehow reminds me of the [infamous] Firefox Roadpro. Must be the handlebar set up and the fork.

[pradyumna upadhya]

Pic looks good

[Minkey Chief]

Somehow reminds me of the [infamous] Firefox Roadpro. Must be the handlebar set up and the fork.

The wild bar tape pattern? That's what caught my eye first.

[hitanshu]

Looks nice. Quite a good deal too. More details?

@MC/DocRao - Yeah - the bartape would be the first to go!

[indian21r]

The bike does look good. in btwn I maybe in the market for a new roadbike when I relocate to Hyderabad. I will wait for further reviews on this. BSA Mach is serving well for now

[bonigv]

Rode the first Kruze on Pune roads today; a friend purchased it from Surender Cycles. On road price 19K with usual accessory (bottle cage, saddle bag, lock) bundle and a pedal swap (to a wider Trek 4300 pedals from the not so nice alloy pedals).

Before the purchase I test rode it pretty hard till Deccan with some high load gear shifting, sprinting, weaving through some heavy city traffic etc. After the purchase rode 12k from the shop to my friend's home. So it is fair to say that I test rode it.

First Impressions :

1. Shifting : Better than expected.
2. Construction : Better than expected.
3. Components : Acceptable
4. Wheels : Just about acceptable. some 6100 Alloy
5. Drop bar riding : Very thin bar, Need double wrapping to feel anything like comfort.
6. Brakes: Virtually non existent and crappy; But can be fixed by moving to a better shoe.
7. Paint Job : acceptable
8. Weight : Reasonable, almost save as a Bianchi Alu (Via Nirone C2C I believe) that I compared.
9. Fit (Comes in a single size M): Should work for average Indian Male (5'7" - 5'10")
10. Paint Job : Good
11. Saddle: Okay saddle.

Pros: Rides great, VFM, Smooth shifting, nice acceleration, QR for all important components.
Cons: Uncomfortably thin drops, Extremely short seat post, Ugly bartape, Heavy wheels.

It comes with a 53/39 Crank and an 8Sp cassette. I am not sure whether it is a pro or con

I do not think the bike is a bargain at 19K. It is just about VFM and a better entry level roadbike than the options available currently.

[kk27]

for some more cash a Urbano seems to be a sweeter deal

[dandekarvaibhav]

Aaaooooo Lolitta....

Kaushik is gonna kill me..... But I am tempted. Sardarji..... Mean nikla gaddi leken!

[indian21r]

thanks for the review man, looks like at a slightly higher price range I can get proven bikes.

[cyclistanand]

It is looking good. Glad that BSA launched this bike.

[farazs]

for some more cash a Urbano seems to be a sweeter deal

Or for some less cash, a Fomas RA 8.1. The BSA-badge is a real mood killer

One thing I don't get ... how the hell do LBS mechanics put QR skewers on opposite side with such consistency?

[vishakrs]

finally indian companies are waking up. the fork reminds of Firefox road pro as doc. said

[deepakvrao]

If the bike is bought by a serious rider, it should withstand 500-1000km a month AND be reliable. A non reliable bike is dangerous, and makes the rider lose interest in cycling. Just the other day Shreyas, who is a really strong rider, told me that a few years ago he gave up on cycling because he had a crappy Indian bike, which drove him nuts.

Its not maybe an 'Indian' thing, but like MC would point out, you get crappy bikes abroad too.

I seriously doubt that this bike would be able to do 12K km a year. I may be wrong but thats what I think.

[rushibhai]

Why bother when this stuff http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_220_10.htm is now available for 26k or so, or the flat bar variant for about 21k?

[deepakvrao]

Rushi,

KHS came to my mind, but I thought that their entry level was at 36K. At 25K, thats fantastic value, especially with Wheelsports backup and support.

Wanna come to Nandi tomorrow?

[rushibhai]

Rushi,

KHS came to my mind, but I thought that their entry level was at 36K. At 25K, thats fantastic value, especially with Wheelsports backup and support.

Wanna come to Nandi tomorrow?

Yeah. Venky shill here

Can't go to Nandi. I'll see you guys though, flying out on that British Air plane around that time.

[deepakvrao]

Where too? I'll be the guy flying in the green jersey [new one with skull and bones on it]. Look out for me - LOL

[themadman]

Ummm.. is the seat clamp the wrong way again? ACT110 syndrome?

If not, I am apology letter.

[bonigv]

Must be an assembly issue - all these qr related comments. 'cause yesterday when I checked the new bike did not notice anything unusual. As a matter of fact looks very much like LA Urbano; and agree with KK that If one wants Sora then LA Urbano is a better pick. That being said please note that in my riding the shifting was flawless.

[TribalBoy]

Agree with Doc. If this can go 500km a month without any issues, then it worth the money I think. I am sure many will be interested in Road bikes if the range is 20K to 30 K INR. At least the BSA/Hercules guys started thinking in the right direction, which is sure a good sign. As ACT 110 gone ACT 110 PLUS, they may consider some minor upgrades, just my guess.

[ferozkarim]

500km a month ? thats it....
Does that mean, doing more than that will lead to maintenance costs or issues ?
Or is it 500km a month at a particular speed ?

Why would anyone spend 19-20k on a bike that could deliver so less or be so less reliable.
If this is true, this bike is a total flop.

[TribalBoy]

No, what Doc meant is (my guess) if the bike can't go even 500km a month, then it does not worth considering. 500km being the least distance.

If the bike is bought by a serious rider, it should withstand 500-1000km a month AND be reliable..

I also meant the same. Many wants to go for a roadbike, but the price tag is an issue for them. Of course, what we pay is what we get, but if people get a good road bike (not an excellent one) at that price range, and if it is reliable, then it worth considering. That was my point.

[prabuddhadg]

I do not like the alloy fork. With our rough roads, I would prefer a steel fork. Also, I do not like the brake callipers. I would change those. Otherwise, I think the bike looks OK for the price. 6061 alloy is reliable. I have seen frames even in current bikes with 6061 alloy frames. I just wish the stores have mechanics who know how to assemble these bikes. The bike in Boni's pictures does have the seat post facing the wrong way and the front QR too.

[RNair]

All they need to do is hire me or have me as a consultant. LOL I will sort everything out for them as well as the cyclists. I do think this is the right direction for them.