Hero Octane Zephyr SS - Review

The Hero Octane Zephyr SS is built around a full alloy frame. The geometry is sleek with thin tubes which kept the weight in check. The strength of the frame was felt during the test ride when riding over bumpy roads, thanks to strongly welded tube joints which are strongest in its high impact area. The rigid forks were sleek and could withstand vibrations of the surface.

As in the name of this bicycle, the Zephyr comes with a single-speed drivetrain. The Spur 18T freewheel at the rear along with a 44T crankset powers this single speed bicycle. During the test ride, the pedaling on flat surfaces and on slight elevations were smooth and wasn’t hard to pedal. This single-speed is perfect for short commutes on flat surfaces in the city.

This city bicycle which I test rode came in a full black frame colour with green graphics. The matte finish paint job was smooth and made the bicycle look like a higher priced model. The full green fork along with green brake cables made the bicycle's colour scheme uniform and aesthetic.

A pair of standard V-Brakes handled the braking on the Zephyr SS. These brakes were powerful enough to bring the bicycle to a sudden halt and also felt balanced during the test ride on slightly patchy urban roads.The Steel 62mm handlebar comes with a minimal raise in the middle and padded palm grips decreased the vibrations transferred to the hand from the surface.

The Hero Octane Zephyr SS rolls on a pair of Ralson 7C hybrid sleek tires. These tires definitely contributed towards the easy acceleration of this bicycle. These tires provided enough traction for safe rides during fast turns and braking on slightly muddy roads. The Spur Saddle had the ideal width and length to keep the rider comfortable on bumpy and long rides. The overall ride quality was comfortable on city roads.