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.

  • kubica@fedia.io
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    1 day ago

    Apparently they avoid even the cables.

    the rider simply backpedals half a revolution to activate the switchable freewheel from high to low and vice versa

    I have doubts about how that behaves going down a slope, I would like to see it in action.

    (Edit: Reword)

    • leds@feddit.dk
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      8 hours ago

      And redundancy, if one chain breaks you can still get home (or to someone with tools) and repair

    • Piece_Maker@feddit.uk
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      15 hours ago

      Kickback-shifted hubs and coaster brakes have been a thing absolutely forever and they all perform perfectly fine downhill, not sure why this would be any different!