Can you fix this for me mister?

[Cycleops]

If you have a Decathlon, then you live in a civilised country. Fact.

I guess that’s true, they are certainly a very ambitious company. Sports and keeping fit are really getting popular here.

 

[wafter]

Thanks - I guess that figures about the Chinese stuff as it's still pretty mich bottom of the pile wherever you go!

When you first mentioned it I had visions of lots of battered leftover colonial-era European stuff being kept going by "enterprising" DIY repair with what's available, but a quick google suggested that Ghana didn't really suffer the delights of foreign oppression so perhaps that's not the case.

I'd guess everything imported is pretty pricey relative to the local economy though; presumably even Decathlon stuff..? I'm a little surprised to hear it's more expensive there than in Britain, although I suppose it's a lot further from France

 

[Cycleops]

I'd guess everything imported is pretty pricey relative to the local economy though; presumably even Decathlon stuff..? I'm a little surprised to hear it's more expensive there than in Britain, although I suppose it's a lot further from France

To take the rim braked Triban 520 as an example it’s £624 for the Sora model here which is no longer available at UK stores. The 520 Disc 105 is £750 in the U.K. but not offered here. Maybe the use they Ghana store for discontinued lines? I think import duty is quite hefty. I remember pricing up a Rockrider MTB some while ago and it was about £130 more than in the U.K. so the same as if I’d imported it myself. There are quite a few Ghanaians with the disposable income to spend, the store always seems busy.

i have an idea that charities send bikes here as I often see batches of bikes fitted with dynamo lighting systems which look new.

You can get yourself a very respectable bike ‘home used’ for around £100/120 or even cheaper if you look carefully. My Specialized was £70 but most of the components had been changed to cheap tat so I had to source chainset/cassette/ derailleur/brifters from the Evans who are one of the few who ship here:

 

[wafter]

To take the rim braked Triban 520 as an example it’s £624 for the Sora model here which is no longer available at UK stores. The 520 Disc 105 is £750 in the U.K. but not offered here. Maybe the use they Ghana store for discontinued lines? I think import duty is quite hefty. I remember pricing up a Rockrider MTB some while ago and it was about £130 more than in the U.K. so the same as if I’d imported it myself. There are quite a few Ghanaians with the disposable income to spend, the store always seems busy.

i have an idea that charities send bikes here as I often see batches of bikes fitted with dynamo lighting systems which look new.

You can get yourself a very respectable bike ‘home used’ for around £100/120 or even cheaper if you look carefully. My Specialized was £70 but most of the components had been changed to cheap tat so I had to source chainset/cassette/ derailleur/brifters from the Evans who are one of the few who ship here:

View attachment 539819

Thanks - that's a bit of a sod about the pricing - maybe as you suggest the import duty is responsible.

It seems reasonable that Decathlon might use perhaps less affluant (or obviously markting-led) markets like Ghana to shift their older stock. The prices you mention are innteresting as according to wikipedia Ghana's GDP per capita is about 1/20th that of the UK, so I guess a £100 bike over there is like a £2k bike over here. As such I imagine for many buying a bike in Ghana is a similar financial commitment over there as buying a car in the UK..? I bet any donated bikes are always welcome though!

The Specialised looks grand - looks perfect for the kind of terrain I imagine is typical where you are. Nice work

 

[CanucksTraveller]

This is a really nice thread Cyclops, I'm always travelling with work and it constantly fascinates me to get a look at what cycling is like in another less well off country. I especially love working in India and seeing all the Hero bikes in varying states of home modification and botchery. This is a great virtual look into Ghana's bike scene.
More please!

 

[JhnBssll]

Maybe if some cyclechatters were willing to donate some bits and pieces from their spares cupboards it would help you keep more of these bicycles going? I'd certainly be happy to start putting bits in a box if its of any use

 

[MntnMan62]

Just spray paint the entire thing, tires and all, and use it as a prop in a play.

 

[Cycleops]

Maybe if some cyclechatters were willing to donate some bits and pieces from their spares cupboards it would help you keep more of these bicycles going? I'd certainly be happy to start putting bits in a box if its of any use

That’s very sweet of you John but the problem is getting it down here unless someone is coming. I know of one CCer who used to come on a regular basis but I believe he has retired now. Anyway I can manage and it hasn’t expanded into epic proportions as yet.

 

[fossyant]

How's the repair going ?

 

[matticus]

How's the repair going ?

Should we send him a TIG welder?

 

[fossyant]

Should we send him a TIG welder?

A bin might be better

 

[Cycleops]

I’ve inspected it further, the head bearings and bb are shot so it’s a bin job. I think what I may do is offer them my kids Claud Butler mountain bike as they are now using the Trek I recently rescued.

 

[fossyant]

I’ve inspected it further, the head bearings and bb are shot so it’s a bin job. I think what I may do is offer them my kids Claud Butler mountain bike as they are now using the Trek I recently rescued.

View attachment 540064

I think they would be well chuffed. That's some upgrade.

 

[steveindenmark]

It may make a piece of bike art but it will never make a bike

 

[Cycleops]

I stripped the frame of everything I can use again and left it outside the gate. Looked fifteen minutes later and it had gone!