Bicycles & Bicycle Parts Manufacturing in Sri Lanka

Over the last two decades, the spotlight has been turned on health and fitness amidst an alarming increase in chronic health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetics while high emphasis has been placed on cutting greenhouse gas emissions through lowering the consumption of fossil fuel by switching to more eco-friendly transport modes such as cycling. While cycling as a transport mode is limited to short-distance travelling on practical grounds (with plenty of not so uncommon exceptions in certain parts of the world), cycling for maintaining health and fitness is not only strongly recommended but is getting highly popular. 

Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, economical, and healthy for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation, and sport. Some of the major cities of the world including Denmark's Copenhagen, Netherlands Amsterdam, Portland in the US state of Oregon, Boulder in the US state of Colorado, Canada's Montreal, Paris and Berlin encourage and facilitate cycling.

Bicycle manufacturers in Sri Lanka have been exporting bicycles to overseas markets such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Netherland, Poland, India, Finland, Cyprus, and Greece, United States, Canada, Pakistan, Malawi, Myanmar, Taiwan, Dubai, Tanzania, Chile, Afghanistan, Argentina, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Kenya, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and Thailand. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a strong emphasis on quality have earned global recognition for bicycles made in Sri Lanka. In 2017, Sri Lanka exported 500,000 bicycles.

Non - Motorised Bicycles

Non-motorised bicycles made in and exported from Sri Lanka fall into several categories.

Road Bikes

The defining feature of road bikes is their drop or turned-down handlebars and super thin tyres. With their lightweight frame, road bikes made in Sri Lanka are fit for numerous pavement uses including racing, touring, fitness riding, long-distance rides and daily commuting. The large, skinny tyres allow the cyclist to glide the bike along various terrains with minimal effort. 

Mountain / Trek Bikes

Also called a trek or trekking bike, a mountain bike is designed with robust braking systems and shock-absorbing features that can easily handle serious bumps, rocks, dirt trails, roots, and ruts. Designed for riding in the steeper terrain, mountain bikes made in Sri Lanka sport lower gears compared to most other road bikes.

They typically sport 26-inch or 29-inch wide knobby tires that make them function remarkably well over obstacles and in loose dirt. They also consist of sturdy components and frames, flat handlebars, and suspensions to assist cyclists in navigating rocky mountain hills.

BMX Bikes&

BMX is an acronym that stands for Bicycle Motor Cross, chiefly because this type of bicycle is a single-speed bike that is raced around short dirt tracks, quite similar to motorsport. The acronym is also often used to describe any bike with a single-speed and a 20-inch wheel.

Engineered with a robust and durable design and structure, BMX Bikes made in Sri Lanka are ideal for people who perform tricks and jumps with their bikes. They sport small frames, a single gear and twenty-inch wheels which means that they are not only durable but low maintenance too as compared to an average bicycle.

Kids' Bikes

Sri Lankan bicycle makers are also reputed for manufacturing high-quality kids' bikes that are safe, durable, and affordable. Rugged but stylish in design, they come in a whole range of sizes and colours to bring out the adventurous side of kids.

Folding Bikes

As the name suggests, folding bikes made in Sri Lanka can be folded easily and smoothly and tucked away on a boat, in the trunk of a car or even on a subway so they make great travel companions. They can even be folded and carried in a carrying bag which renders them extremely convenient for commuters who have limited storage space at home or elsewhere.

Electric Bikes (e-bikes) from Sri Lanka

At the simplest level, an electric bike is a standard bicycle outfitted with a motor that provides a boost, also called pedal assist. That extra electric push is a significant benefit when trying to surmount hilly terrain, haul goods, or go long distances. Electric bikes offer extended range and ease of use, which allow riders to commute without arriving at work soaked in perspiration, haul comparatively heavier goods, use bikes for more errands, and take longer trips. They also make it easier for older riders and those with disabilities to access cycling.

Sri Lankan bike makers have now gone into the manufacture of electric bikes targeting mainly the European markets. It's with a touch of pride that we at EDB note that they're well-equipped with the talent and technology to manufacture electric bikes for the European markets that exact adherence to rigorous quality parameters. One of the leading bike makers in Sri Lanka says they're targeting the low-to-mid price ranges of 400 USD to 600 USD.

They are exported import duty-free to all EU member states as Sri Lanka benefits from its Plus status within the EU's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+). This offers the country's industry a telling competitive advantage as a 6% import duty is normally levied by the EU on e-bike imports from countries that haven't been granted the GSP+ status. That advantage is expected to become even bigger when we consider the fact that a dumping duty is to be installed by the European Union on its electric bike imports from China. 

Why Electric Bikes?

• Assisted Biking
• Faster and flexible
• Improve fitness
• Save on transport costs (compared to a motor vehicle)
• Futuristic
• Eco-friendly
• An eclectic array of designs

Unwavering Focus on Quality & Safety

Sri Lankan bicycle manufacturers continue to watch the global trends in cycling and acquire the latest technologies and focus consistently on improving the quality and safety of all non-motorised bicycles and e-bikes made in Sri Lanka. They follow stringent quality assurance principles to ensure that theirmanufacturing standards exceed industry expectations. Also, they manufacture bicycles in compliance with international quality accreditations for the industry.

They have also automated delicate processes such as frame building, wheel building and introduced 360° paint systems. They also strongly believe in artisan and craftsmanship, and their skilled associates add value through unique styles and innovative solutions.

Bicycle Spare Parts

Adhering to rigorous quality standards backed by state-of-the-art technologies and engineering prowess, Sri Lanka has also been manufacturing and exporting bicycle parts such as:

• Steel cycle frames
• Forks
• Rims
• Wheels
• Wet Paint

Material and Design of Bicycle Parts

For high-end bicycles, parts are often made out of aluminium to make them lightweight, enhance their strength and durability, and improve corrosion resistance. In the case of low-end bicycles, however, many parts are made of steel such as steel rims, cranks, handlebars and brakes. Generally speaking, steel rims, cranks and other parts are of relatively low quality as they need to be inexpensive. The same applies to design: steel parts usually have a low design standard, whereas aluminium bicycle parts have practical and/or attractive designs.

In the mainstream and premium segments, steel has increasingly been replaced by aluminium. This is particularly true for such parts as frames, luggage carriers, hubs, rims, cranks, and handlebars. That apart, some metal parts have been replaced by plastic parts, as is the case for mudguards, lighting, and chaincase suspensions. The newest trend in materials is the application of carbon in bicycle frames, particularly in the high-end racing bicycles segment.

The exact requirements for bicycle parts are specified by the buyer, and they vary from buyer to buyer. They strongly depend on the design of the bicycle brand.

Sri Lankan bicycle parts manufacturers and exporters are strongly positioned to supply high-quality bicycle parts for both mainstream and premium segments in Europe and the rest of the world. 

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