Bhubaneswar, June 1: For many health conscious and adventure-loving youths, who are vrooming round the city in their hi-end cycles, it's all about style and power.

Bicycles of international brands fit for all terrains and roads are now available in the city. Despite the high price, riders are buying them for fitness as well as professional sport aspirations.

A new store called 22 Bikes that launched in May at Saheed Nagar has brought mountain terrain, all-terrain, road and stunt bikes as well as the kids' bikes for the customers here. The range varies from Rs 6,000 to over Rs 2 lakh.

From Swiss-made Scott to UK brand Raleigh and even Ludhiana-based bicycles, the store has a wide range for all age groups. The expensive models have many takers, too, said the storeowner Ajay Nanda, himself a bike rider. In his late 20s, Ajay quit his corporate job in UAE to promote cycling and biking in the city. The number 22 in the store's name is after the famous 22 steps of the Jagannath temple in Puri, he said.

"I am a part of the Bhubaneswar Cycling and Adventure Club and the senior members there supported me to pursue my dream. I am pretty glad with the sale. We sold eight bikes of over Rs 30,000 within 20-odd days!" said an excited Ajay.

The most interesting part about the store is that it rents out cycles. "Our bikes can be rented at Rs 50 per hour or Rs 300 per day. We just need a valid identity proof and a refundable deposit of Rs 1,000," he said.

Mostly teenagers are passionate about biking or those, in their 30s, buy them for fitness purpose. But, there is also a growing section of youngsters, who are pursuing biking and cycling as a sport.

"We are a group of cyclists at We All Ride Bicycles and passionate about cycling. We practise hard for national championships. We are happy that now we have a place from where we can buy good cycles as well as accessories," said a young cyclist, P.K. Bisoi.

The store provides the entire biking gear from the right energy bars to bike water bottles, bottle cages, gloves, helmets, attires and shoes.

Another store at Satyanagar called Firefox also deals in premium bikes. It offers US brand Trek and Tern folding bike brands among various other awe-inspiring models.

Many cyclist groups from the city go on long trips every Sunday, while rides are conducted every week for beginners.