End Of An Era....

[HMS_Dave]

Definitely worth a mention these. Cycle Of Good have finally taken their last order for their Elephant Bikes. They've spent years putting to task reforming convicts learning them skills and refurbishing 20000 old Royal Mail (pashley) Mailstar bikes in what was also an end of an era for RM for posties on bikes. Many Malawians also received an Elephant bike with every purchase made in the UK which many have put to use to start a business and for charitable work out there.

Well done to all those involved and to George Furnival who helped me with my order of an Elephant Bike. Mine is my main transport and is far dirtier than this example!

I shall never part with mine.

 

[I like Skol]

That picture has got to be the potteries?

 

[HMS_Dave]

That picture has got to be the potteries?

Indeed. They're based in Stoke on Trent.

 

[Cycleops]

What a shame. I wonder what the convicts will do now? Not be sent to the front I hope.
The bikes will certainly be useful in Africa. The only thing I’d be worried about are the plastic pedals. I wonder why some metal cage ones weren’t used?

 

[HMS_Dave]

What a shame. I wonder what the convicts will do now? Not be sent to the front I hope.
The bikes will certainly be useful in Africa. The only thing I’d be worried about are the plastic pedals. I wonder why some metal cage ones weren’t used?

I bet there are all sorts of similar schemes available. Metal cage ones would be better long term without a doubt in the rugged infrastructure of Malawi, but the plastic ones are very robust still, far better than the plastic BSO ones. They have a bit of heft to them.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

Saw one of these outside my work the other day and the first time I've seen one in the flesh. The woman who now owns it didn't have any idea of the story behind them as she'd been given it by a friend when falling on hard times so she could get around. Said she loves it and even more so now she knows about its history.
I must admit I quite like them, wouldn't suit my needs but a seemingly great company and sentiment

 

[Juliansou]

Sad day - I wouldn’t part with mine!

 

[Cycleops]

Here's one which I saw yesterday at my children's school gate repurposed as an ice cream bike. Spec is overkill but perfect for the job:

Seller was bemused by my explanation of the history. Note the lack of brakes.
The cone he was preparing was 5cedis or about 30p.

 

[simongt]

Note the lack of brakes.

No, flip flop brakes. Progress on sneaker brakes - !

 

[matticus]

No, flip flop brakes. Progress on sneaker brakes - !

(It's got a front hub brake, I think?)

 

[simongt]

(It's got a front hub brake, I think?)

I though it looked more like an old type dynohub.
I maybe wrong though.

 

[richardfm]

I though it looked more like an old type dynohub.
I maybe wrong though.

Even if it is a brake there doesn't appear to be a means of operating it.

 

[Cycleops]

No, flip flop brakes. Progress on sneaker brakes - !

I thought as much

(It's got a front hub brake, I think?)

But not much good without brake levers.