��������������������������������������LIFE-STYLE PRODUCT: D Raghuram, President of TI Cycles,
unveiling carbon cycle Montra in Chennai on Thursday

CHENNAI: TI Cycles, a division of Murugappa Group-owned Tube Investments of India, has come out with the indigenously-designed and locally-made carbon frame bikes under the brand name Montra.

Benchmarked to global performance biking standards, Montra series bikes will be positioned as life-style products and target all those adults in the metros, who wish to stay healthy and fit.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, D. Raghuram, President of TI Cycles, said the company was hoping to sell around 1,500 Montra bikes in 2011-12.

Three variants

The bikes will be available in three variants — complete carbon bicycles (Montra Techno), alloy frame with carbon fork and straight handle bar (Montra Jazz) and alloy frame with carbon fork and dropped handle bar (Montra Country). Montra bikes will be light in weight and will feature alloy wheels and aerodynamic body, facilitating higher speed. They will also have vibration-absorption features, says a release. The starting price of alloy range of bikes is Rs. 21,000 and that of carbon range of bikes Rs.60,000.

A top company official said the prototype was road-tested for over 2,000 km before the design was cleared.

Mr. Raghuram said TI Cycles had invested close to Rs.10 crore in design, front-end and upgrading shop-floor to produce Montra bikes.

These bikes would be available in the retail outlets of TI Cycles and also at key multi-brand outlets.