A bicycle priced at 122,800 RMB, weighing about 6 kilograms in total. In terms of total price, it could buy a decent small car. Calculated per gram, at 20 RMB/gram, it’s already comparable to silver. No wonder many citizens call it a luxury item among bicycles.
As spring arrives in March and the snow melts, the bicycle industry, which had been “dormant” all winter, awakens. Reporters learned from the Shenyang market that bicycles are selling briskly, especially high-end ones, with many traditional bike shops switching to selling “high-end bicycles.” Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see consumers purchasing bikes priced over 10,000 RMB, and even more people are buying bikes for several thousand RMB. Bicycles are no longer just a means of transport but are gradually evolving toward fitness and sports equipment.
For every 10 low-end bikes sold 15 high-end bikes are sold
Qu Song, owner of a bike shop on Changqing Street in Shenhe District, told reporters that this 122,800 RMB bicycle is an all-in-one unit made of nanomaterials, emerging complete from the mold. The materials used are aerospace-grade—durable yet lightweight. In the high-end bicycle industry, there’s a saying: the lighter, the pricier. Many brands offer such high-end bicycles, typically priced above 100,000 RMB.
Speaking of sales, Qu Song said these high-end bicycles sell very well, mostly purchased by what he calls “boss-level” individuals who arrive in luxury cars like BMWs and Mercedes. For example, if he sells 10 low-end bikes, he can sell 15 high-end ones. Their industry once conducted a survey showing that Shenyang residents spend 1 billion RMB annually on high-end bicycles. Ordinary shops achieve around 2 million RMB in sales, while large stores like his reach 7 to 8 million RMB. Shenyang residents lead the nation in bicycle consumption, averaging 5,000 RMB per person. This surpasses southern cities where bicycle ownership ranks high, as most bikes there are low-end, used purely for transport. In contrast, Shenyang has shifted from using bikes as mere transport tools to fitness and sports equipment.
Qu Song said that as temperatures rose in March, more people began buying these bicycles, and his daily sales have increased to 6–7 times the winter volume. While talking to reporters, a steady stream of customers kept coming into his shop.
The high-end bicycle demographic has surged to 150,000
“That’s absolutely true. March is the rebound period for the bicycle industry, and high-end bikes are no exception,” said Lü Jianpeng, who runs an outdoor gear shop on the same Changqing Street. His store mainly sells high-end bicycle gear such as helmets, gloves, glasses, and clothing. It’s common to see customers riding high-end bikes worth over 10,000 RMB, and the most expensive one he’s seen so far is worth 150,000 RMB.
Qu Song said many people assume high-end bicycles are only for the wealthy, a symbol of flaunting wealth, and limited to a niche group—but that’s not the case. First, Shenyang, as an old industrial base, was among the first cities in China to produce bicycles, with a history dating back 75 years. The “Baishan” brand bicycle was once nationally renowned. The first Chinese person to cycle across the country was also from Shenyang. Additionally, the city has environmental advantages, such as the Shenshuiwan Park built along the Hun River, providing ideal cycling routes. He’s been a biking enthusiast since his school days and started selling high-end bicycles in 2010.
In fact, people in Shenyang were talking about high-end bicycles over a decade ago, but with little response. The real boom began in 2010, when there was an explosive surge. The number of enthusiasts doubled year after year, reaching 150,000 by 2011, with ages ranging from 10 to 80. Moreover, high-end bicycles are no longer out of reach—there are options from tens of thousands to just a few thousand RMB, suitable for various income levels.
Too many buyers, shop owners can’t sleep
As for why bicycles have transformed from ordinary transport into a sport, Qu Song says it’s due to growing awareness of health. Among popular sports in Shenyang, such as badminton, table tennis, and gym equipment, all share a common limitation: they’re mostly indoors and often require partners. Bicycles, however, allow solo exercise while offering scenic views along the way. Also, with the increasing number of private cars and frequent traffic jams, prolonged sitting and lack of exercise are harmful. Cycling is both time-saving and healthy.
As a result, high-end bicycle brand stores and accessory shops are growing rapidly. Lü Jianpeng said that from just a few high-end bicycle shops in Shenyang in 2010, there are now over 10 concentrated in the North Zhongjie and Changqing areas. The trend is still expanding. His own business, for instance, had only one shop last year but has since opened two more this year—one physical store and one online. “Business is booming. We serve many high-end bicycle clients daily, and there’s not a single day I can sleep before midnight.”
Lü Jianpeng laughed and told reporters that although he was born in 1983, severe sleep deprivation makes him look older, and constantly looking down at his computer to contact clients has given him spinal stenosis.
One bike takes the stage – Self-driving tours become self-cycling tours
“Our members who cycled to Hainan have just begun their journey back to Shenyang and have now reached Shantou,” said Qu Song. Alongside the rise of high-end bicycles, travel methods are also changing. In the past, travel was limited to trains, buses, or private cars, usually just going from one point to another with little attention to the scenery along the way. Although private car travel has become more common in recent years, travelers still rarely take in the views. Now, it’s different—many cycling enthusiasts set off on just a single bike. This new way of traveling offers more benefits than conventional methods: it allows for a more detailed experience and greater health benefits. Cyclists can stop or dine wherever they like, engaging with the entire landscape up close and without burdens.
Take the returning group currently on their way back: they set off from Shenyang on February 13, cycling and sightseeing along the way. Normally, the trip would take about two months, but they’ve extended it to three. These cyclists are mainly retirees and some businesspeople. They’ve organized four trips to Hainan and one to Tibet, lasting 28 days. Younger and middle-aged people still working prefer shorter trips—for example, on March 5, they organized a trip to the Fushun Lei Feng Memorial Hall.
Currently, this new type of tourism is generally organized through clubs. Nowadays, brand bicycle shops often establish clubs, addressing past shortcomings such as the lack of professional guidance, technical methods, and well-designed routes for high-end bicycles.
