Buying a bicycle in India?

Does anyone know anything about buying a bicycle in India? I will be cycling from Manali to Leh (about 500 km, or 310 miles, and high passes) at the end of June, but traveling through Nepal for two months beforehand, so I don't want to deal with shipping a bike from home (Seattle, WA). (I also don't currently own a sturdy enough touring bike, so I would have to buy one and don't want that added expense before my big trip) I have a friend meeting me in Dharamsala to do the tour with, but she wants to ship her bike from Seattle since she's probably only doing the biking part of the trip, then going back home. I will be in Dharamsala for about a month before our bike trip, so I could look for a bike during that time and fix it up.

Questions I have: Would I find a reliable bike, average cost of a burly steel frame bike, attachments that I would need to bring from home that I won't find there, where do I start looking when I arrive, who I could contact for more info on bikes in the area?

I will be continuing on to SE Asia after northern India, so I would like to get rid of the bike in India (hopefully sell it).

Thank you to anyone who knows something about this subject!

Pl note that good touring bikes are not widely available in India and those that are are quite expensive. Also the specific attachments that you may need incl racks and panniers are not available here. So either get them from home and bear the shipping costs or if you can find a used bike that any tourer is willing to sell, then go for it.

A good place to get more info or suggestions is here: www.bikeszone.com/forum

Hi,

You can get cycles in Delhi. Trek, Connondale and lot of other brands are available in Delhi Noida and Gurdoan showrooms. Other things required for the trip can be found very easily here.

I am also planning for Manali - Leh Ride this summer and I own Cannondale.

I can provide you the further details anytime.

My number is: 08800979992

Chandresh

You can also check : http://www.lifecycleonline.in/default.aspx

I am thinking of doing Manali-Leh myself in early July.

OP, when do you expect to finish your trip? Perhaps we can arrange it so that I can purchase your bike at the end of your trip? I will be arriving in Delhi on 10th July and hoping to get on the road to Leh ASAP after than.