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Major Cycling Groups in Pakistan

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Cyclist riding to Mazar-e-Quaid on 14th August to pay tribute. ( Image courtesy CMK FB group) In the past 5 years, a lot of cycling groups have sprouted in the main cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. These are generally open to newcomers to join and enjoy the group rides organised by these groups usually free of cost. Here is the list of some of the major groups in the country. Critical Mass Karachi (CMK) : This is definitely the mother of all cycling groups. Established in the mid 90's October 2009 by a handful cycling enthusiasts on the basis of Critical Mass ideology , CMK has become the largest recreational cycling group in the country. Its fortnightly ride is typically joined by 300+ cyclist comprising of people of all ages and gender. It is mainly operated via CMK facebook group . They also have a dedicated group for newbies and children called Critical Mass Karachi Junior . FreeRiders  (Karachi):  FreeRiders , as the name suggests, are free souls w
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Types of Bicycles - Which one should I buy?

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This may come as a surprise to many, but there are several types of bicycles in the world (for more info, check out this Wikipedia article ). However the basic types are few and easy to differentiate once you gain familiarity. The difference is generally in the geometry of the bicycle according to the type of riding intended. Therefore it is important to decide what type of riding do you intend to do (commuting, long distance, off-road etc.) before making a purchasing decision. For riding in Pakistan, following three basic bicycle types should cater to the majority of riding styles. Your decision would be based on your preference among speed, comfort and ability to ride on rough terrain (off-road). One bicycle cannot cater to all 3 parameters so there has to be a compromise...you have to prioritize among the three capabilities. Of course, if you can afford it, you CAN buy one or more of each type. 😉 A newcomer should start with a Hybrid bicycle. Road Bikes Road bikes (
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Bicycle Sizing and Shops in Pakistan

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After you have decided on the type of Bicycle you need (see our post on bicycle types if you haven't), bike size is the next most important aspect  to be determined. It's not that complicated... . you just need to know following two things: Bicycle Geometry Guide Bicycle Size or Frame Size is basically the seat tube length measured in inches (mountain bikes) or centimetres (road bikes & hybrids) Your height & leg length determines which size is suitable for you. There are many online bike size calculators available. ebicycles.com has a decent online sizing tool. Now that you know which type & size of bicycle to buy, it is time to head to the market. Although Lighthouse/Gari Khata market in Karachi & Neela Gumbad in Lahore are well known bicycle markets, typical products available there are usually low quality stuff with cheap, knockoff components. These cheapo bicycles start getting rusted in within months (especially in Karachi) and are n
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