Bikepacking on the Buffalo Bicycle
bikepacking.com
In part two of his World Bicycle Relief series, Evan Christenson rides a Buffalo Bicycle and contemplates development's role in Africa...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20804245

Bikepacking on the Buffalo Bicycle

Nice read about a trip on the buffalo bicycle (which was posted about here some time ago), with an interesting view on the “world bicycle relief”.

  • alteredEnvoyOP
    1·
    1 day ago

    Thanks for your perspective on the admin and overhead cost on charities, I clearly does not know as much in the area.

    The main concern I have with WBR, from the information provided in the article, is that there are already cheaper bikes (Black Mamba) and LBS in those areas. W/ Black Mamba I am not sure what the Buffalo is gonna solve. The LBS’ perspective is quite interesting, that WBR wants to build their own “ecosystem” for Buffalo bike repairs and exclude the LBS. It is just weird how they operate.

    • pc486@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      20 hours ago

      I’m unconvinced. The LBS can still work on Buffalo bikes. They can still repair tubes, true wheels, fix pedals, replace spokes, fix chains, change brake pads, etc. They may not have unique parts, like the AK2 freewheel, but it’s far from being unable to repair most bicycle failures.

      I think Evan found an upset businessman who’s in the business of selling Black Mambas. They’re in that same situation as a local doctor that’s been displaced by Doctors Without Borders. And they’re upset that they have to compete with WBR. The complaint is understandable yet it doesn’t absolve them of their own failures.

      No bicycle donation program is going to survive on a single LBS or two near a city. If I were to buy a kid a Black Mamba and it breaks down, then the kid has to take it into the city to repair it at that one shop with high repair prices. What’s far more likely is the kid will stop using the bike and sell it. Kids-in-school objective failed.

      Note, this is also why WBR only operates in places where there is insufficient bicycle support. There’s no need for WBR to donate and sell bikes if there’s already a healthy local bicycle market. You can’t buy a Buffalo Bicycle and WBR doesn’t want you to have one. Instead go buy a Surley or a SOMA or a Rivendell. We have a robust LBS network. WBR operates where there’s nothing.

      And, IMHO, the Black Mamba isn’t a great rural bicycle. It’ll work but it’s far from ideal. By donating to WBR, I know it’s the best bicycle that will go to some kid. I know that it’ll survive long enough for that kid’s few more years of school. I know that it’ll be strong enough to be passed down to their little brother or sister. And I know their village has a dude with a wrench to fix a flat and adjust a pedal. Such robustness is worth the extra $50 over a Black Mamba.