Painting by Xue Haiou
People who choose not to drive private cars or take crowded buses, but rely on bicycles for transportation, have become the trendy "cycling enthusiasts" this spring, turning biking into a fashionable fitness activity. However, the bicycles used by these "cycling enthusiasts" are not ordinary bikes but high-end models that often cost thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. In Yuci District, Jinzhong City...
Mr. Sun in Jinnong Road, Yuci urban area, rides his bicycle to work on Yingbin West Street almost every day. His private car is only used on rainy days. He told reporters that his bicycle is worth more than 5,000 yuan — and that’s just the base price. Including accessories, the total cost exceeds 10,000 yuan. He usually rides to work early in the morning, breathing fresh air along the way while also getting a good workout. In fact, there are quite a few citizens like Mr. Sun. Ms. Ma, who works in the news industry, is also a fan of cycling.
Reporters learned that the consumer base for high-end bicycles can be divided into two categories. One group consists of cycling aficionados who understand materials, craftsmanship, and the technical aspects of bikes. Most of them buy bicycles priced at a few thousand yuan for commuting or leisure rides. The other group includes financially well-off individuals who want to exercise by biking but don’t want to appear too ordinary — hence, they opt for high-end bicycles.
Currently, professional bicycles on the market can generally be categorized into three tiers: low-end, mid-range, and high-end. Low-end bicycles are typically priced between 1,000 and 5,000 yuan, a range acceptable to most consumers. Mid-range models generally fall between 5,000 and 30,000 yuan, with higher-income white-collar workers being the main consumers of this tier. High-end bicycles usually start from over 30,000 yuan, and some brands even exceed 50,000 yuan.
Sales staff at a bicycle shop remind consumers that when choosing a bicycle, the first consideration should be the type of road surface you’ll be riding on. If the route is uneven, it’s best to opt for wider tires and a bike equipped with gears. For longer distances on relatively flat roads, narrower tires with gears are a good choice — such bikes are generally more energy-efficient. Besides the bicycle itself, protective gear is also essential for "cycling enthusiasts," including helmets, cycling jerseys, goggles, GPS devices, and more.