THE BAOBIKE 3.0

HISTORY AND CHANGES TO THE BAOBIKE

 

The first bikes we delivered to Senegal (2015-2020) were second-hand bikes, collected in Spain, repaired and transported in containers. Despite being well received by local communities, these bicycles posed a number of technical difficulties that made the process more expensive and prevented us from achieving the desired result: improving access to education.

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Some of these difficulties were as follows:

 

• A wide variety of bicycle models, which distorted the idea of school transport.

• Excessive dependence on bicycle donations from individuals and companies.

• Lack of spare parts for the variety of bicycle models we put into circulation.

• Complexity in training local mechanics due to the wide variety of repairs and technical specifications of the different bicycles.

• Rejection by teenage students of bicycles that were too old, due to their own sense of dignity.

 

So, after several years of devoting a lot of energy to obtaining bicycle donations, and recognising the great difficulty of achieving our goal with old bicycles, in 2019 we decided to take a step forward and create our own bicycle, the baobike.

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Together with Momabikes and Tannus, we designed a simple, sturdy bicycle with puncture-proof tyres. A single model bicycle, all the same colour, with a minimum of technical specifications and spare parts. In this way, we provided students with a sturdy and durable means of transport, with low maintenance costs, specially designed for the conditions of Senegal's roads and so that students of all ages could ride them without any problems.

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At the end of 2023, after a few trial runs with the baobike, and thanks to the statistics we had on the main breakdowns, repairs and maintenance costs of the active baobike fleet, we set out to improve the model and began working on the baobike 3.0 with the aim of creating a new baobike with fewer breakdowns and therefore less maintenance and better durability over time.

 

In this new phase, we are joined by the company Youin, which has made its team available to us to improve the technical aspects of the baobike.

 

These are the main changes we have introduced:

 

• Replacement of the chain with a belt. This was one of the main causes of breakdowns, as the climate in the area causes chains to rust, become dirty and lose tension easily.

• Replacement of the classic wheel rim with a 5-spoke magnesium rim. This was the second most common cause of bicycle breakdowns. Despite offering ongoing training to mechanics, this repair requires skills and knowledge that the most novice mechanics did not have. And replacing the rims increased the cost of maintenance. With this new model, we hope to reduce or eliminate this breakdown.

• Replacement of the w-brake with a rear drum brake (which requires less maintenance). As the terrain is flat, a single brake is sufficient.

• Replacement of the iron frame with an aluminium frame to prevent wear and tear due to rust.

• More ergonomic overall design, better suited to all ages and physical constitutions: unisex frame, adjustable saddle, higher handlebars. Replacement of plastic pedals with metal pedals to extend their useful life.

 

The compact Tannus tyres and single gear or fixed chainring have been retained, as they are one of the main successes of the project, as has the yellow colour of the bikes, which has been adapted to a slightly more contemporary Pantone colour.