Chicago-based nonprofit World Bicycle Relief (WBR) doesn't distribute just any type of bicycle – it distributes bicycles meant to navigate the unimproved roads and rough terrain of developing nations, empowering populations to access healthcare, education and economic opportunities that would…

World Bicycle Relief explains that its Buffalo bicycles are designed to be “extremely durable to serve the needs of people who travel long distances over rugged terrain with heavy cargo in some of the world’s harshest environments.” With that in mind, simplicity and ruggedness are absolutely critical, and the redundant chain system is designed to provide a high/low gear solution that involves as few breakable, externally mounted parts as possible. These bikes are being delivered to places that don’t have access to bicycle shops or spare part overnighting, so making something that’s as tough and easy to repair as possible is an essential part of WBR’s job.

  • TDCN@feddit.dkEnglish
    1·
    16 hours ago

    Totally fair points. But if it is supposed to be for poor areas patenting the system seems like a counter productive choice. Yes chains are cheap but so would a new manufacturing process for belt drives be. The gears for belt drive can be cast from composite plastics making them relatively cheap. Old fasion belt splicing kits exist as well and could be implemented if you really wanted to avoid the split frame or they could develop a simple split frame conversion kit where you can cut out a section and clamp it back together with a bracket. It doesn’t have to as complicated as one might think. Most of the conversion kits today are expensive because they also needs to look good and fancy, but for rural areas funktion is king and it could be made much simpler with two bracket and 6 bolts clamping the frame together. I just belive that belt has a lot more potential because it is really really durable and good for harsh environments with no lubricant needed.