Twelve years behind a mountain bike shop counter…sometimes it feels like a whole different life.

But looking back, it wasn’t really about selling bikes—or bits and pieces that go with them. It was about people. I got to meet riders from everywhere, hear their wild stories, help them pick their first (or fifth) bike, swap trail tips, fix up chains they had mangled in the mud, and, little by little, watch a community grow right inside those shop walls.

At some point, I started thinking bigger.

What if there was a true home base for cyclists?

Not just a Facebook group or another online marketplace. Definitely not just a generic news site. I wanted an actual place—a space where cyclists could connect, buy and sell, find local businesses, track down events, learn, and just share the passion for this thing we call cycling.

That wild idea is what turned into Online Cycle Bazaar.

Here’s how things got rolling.

2013: Where It All Began

Back in 2013, the cycling scene around here felt pretty small-town. You basically knew everyone. Bump into them at a shop, on the trail, at a race, or just see a familiar figure zipping by in the morning.

Sure, there were forums and a few scattered Facebook groups, but most of them were confusing, messy, and not especially helpful. It was tough to keep track or even find what you were actually looking for.

So we kept it simple. We started a group—what else could we call it but Online Cycle Bazaar?

Honestly, I had no plan, really. The name was just something we typed in so Facebook would let us launch. All I wanted was a spot where cyclists could actually talk and help each other out.

Slowly, it started to catch on.

People posted bikes for sale. Some asked for that impossible-to-find part. Someone needed a decent mechanic. Someone else dropped in with photos from a weekend ride.

And, like always, we ended up in endless bike discussions—frames, tires, trails, what’s working, what sucks, what’s new on the scene.

That small group started growing. A few hundred members became a thousand. A couple thousand became tens of thousands.

Suddenly, this wasn’t just a group; it was a community—bigger than I ever pictured when we started.

It Was Always About the People

The numbers were cool, but that’s not what grabbed me most.

It was the conversations.

People leaned on each other for honest feedback—Is this bike worth the cash? Where do you get solid repairs? Who wants to ride this weekend? What’s the best trail right now? Does this “super lightweight” part actually do anything useful?

That’s when it clicked for me—the magic wasn’t the buying and selling. It was the people. Real conversations, real trust, real community.

That feeling? That’s what matters most.

A Decade of Learning

Here’s what over ten years in cycling has taught me:

1. Riders Want the Truth

If I’m about to throw down a serious chunk of change on a bike or some new gear, I want honesty, not advertising. Does it hold up? Is it worth it? Any downsides? Those are the questions that matter, and every good cycling platform centers the conversation on real, unfiltered experiences.

2. Local Bike Shops Are Everything

Spend enough time at a bike shop and you get it—it’s more than a place to buy bikes. It’s where beginners get their minds blown, flat tires get fixed, new trails get discovered, and friendships start. Same goes for frame builders, coaches, local tour guides, rental shops, and all the cycling-friendly places that keep the wheels spinning. These businesses deserve the spotlight, not just a passing mention in someone’s timeline.

3. Community Comes First

This one took a while to really understand. Without trust and connection, all you’ve got is another website or marketplace full of strangers. But when people feel at home—like they belong, like they matter—it turns into something bigger. That’s how Online Cycle Bazaar needs to feel.

So, Why Bother With a Website?

Facebook worked fine to get things started. We could swap advice, buy and sell gear, connect with other riders. But as the group grew, I saw how quickly great stuff just disappeared. Posts gone in hours. Solid advice buried the next day. Listing from last month? Forget it. You could shout out your business and never be seen.

Events popped up, then vanished. News got swamped. And if someone tried to find the right local shop, event, or service through some search engine, chances are, they ended up with nothing but scattered social posts.

That’s when I decided—we need a platform where things last. Something where cyclists and businesses can actually build their presence. Where you don’t have to scroll endlessly just to find what you need.

That’s how Online Cycle Bazaar started moving from a Facebook group to a real website—a cycling platform built for us.

What’s on the Horizon

Here’s what I’m aiming for—a genuine online home for cyclists.

I’m not out to replace other communities. I really want to connect the dots, pull together what’s out there, and make cycling more connected, more fun, and more accessible.

Here’s where we’re going next:

1. Cycling News & Info

Cycling isn’t just about buying a new bike. There’s racing. Tech launches. Those behind-the-scenes stories. Updates on bike trails, infrastructure changes, safety talk, travel tips.

I want Online Cycle Bazaar to be the place where you catch what matters—no long rabbit holes, just useful stuff that helps.

2. Cycling Business Directory

This fires me up—a solid, up-to-date directory of everything cycling-related.

Shops, repairers, frame builders, rentals, tour operators, coaches, hostels, ride-friendly cafes, fitters, event organizers, clubs—the whole lineup.

I want searching for a business to be dead simple. Whether you’re looking for a shop in your city or somewhere halfway across the world, you’ll find what you need.

3. Marketplace by and for Cyclists

Swapping bikes and gear is always going to be at the core.

We love to buy, sell, upgrade, and sometimes just clear out all the stuff we’ve been hoarding. I want one spot dedicated to cycling—new and used, road, mountain, whatever—you can find it here. Not just a messy classifieds page.

Organization and trust. That’s what makes it better.

4. Events, Rides, and More

There’s so much happening in cycling—but it’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

So, I’m building out resources for cycling events, races, group rides, training tips, favorite routes, hidden trails, bike workshops, ride-friendly places to stay, local brands, you name it.

Let’s get all of this under one roof.

From Local Roots to Global Wheels

It started small, but cycling never stays local for long.

A mountain biker in Nepal follows trail riders in Canada. Riders in India dream about bikepacking Europe. Shops in Kathmandu help travelers from all over the planet with last-minute fixes.

I want Online Cycle Bazaar to keep those strong local roots. Global reach just means you get more local scenes to discover—wherever you ride.

Thanks

If you joined way back in 2013, seriously, thanks. You set the wheels in motion.

If you joined later, bought or sold something, posted, answered a question, or just lurked—you made this community.

And if you’re a shop, mechanic, business owner, ride leader, guide, club, event organizer—this is for you too.

I’m not building this alone. The best ideas come straight from cyclists—someone asks a good question, suggests a feature, points out a better way to do things, and boom, we’ve got a new direction.

That’s exactly how I want Online Cycle Bazaar to grow.

Welcome Aboard

In 2013, this was just a Facebook group. Now, it’s turning into something much, much bigger.

My goal: build a place where cyclists connect, buy, sell, learn, and get involved—no matter where you’re from.

There’s a lot left to build. I’m genuinely excited.

Cycling is my thing. Web development pays the bills. Mixing them? That’s the dream.

I can’t say for sure exactly where we’re headed. But I know one thing—my steering is set on making Online Cycle Bazaar feel like home for anyone who rides.

If you’ve been with us for years—welcome back.

If you just found us—pull up a chair.

If you run a shop, organize rides or races, work on bikes, build frames, sell gear, or just love bikes and want to be part of a bigger scene—let’s go.

This is just the start.

Welcome to Online Cycle Bazaar—your global cycling hub.

Let’s see where we roll next.

— Prajwal Prakash Shrestha
Founder, Online Cycle Bazaar

FAQs

What is Online Cycle Bazaar?

Online Cycle Bazaar is a cycling-focused online platform designed to bring cyclists, bike businesses, marketplaces, news, events and other cycling resources together in one place.

When did Online Cycle Bazaar start?

Online Cycle Bazaar started as a Facebook cycling community in 2013, before evolving toward a dedicated website and broader cycling platform.

What can cyclists find on Online Cycle Bazaar?

The platform is being developed around cycling news and information, bicycle listings, cycling businesses, events, services, routes and other resources for cyclists.

Can bike shops and cycling businesses join Online Cycle Bazaar?

The platform is designed to help bike shops, mechanics, rental companies, tour operators, guides, frame builders and other cycling-related businesses become more discoverable.

Is Online Cycle Bazaar only for buying and selling bicycles?

No. The marketplace is one part of the larger vision. The platform is also intended to provide cycling information, business listings, events, services and community resources.

Is Online Cycle Bazaar focused only on Nepal?

The community has strong roots in Nepal, but the long-term vision is broader: connecting cyclists and cycling businesses locally and globally.

Why create a cycling-specific marketplace?

Generic marketplaces can make it difficult to find relevant cycling products and trustworthy information. A cycling-focused marketplace can organize listings around the needs and interests of cyclists.

Who founded Online Cycle Bazaar?

Online Cycle Bazaar was founded by Prajwal Prakash Shrestha, a web developer and long-time participant in the cycling industry and community.