The kind of bikes we want please

We are very pleased to receive any cycle (particularly adult size) that is in at least reasonable condition or better. We ship all types of bikes to Africa, as long as they can be put into 'going condition', without needing hours and hours of work. It doesn’t make sense to devote a huge amount of time fixing just one cycle in very poor condition when that time could be better spent fixing several others that require less-major work.

These types of bike can be shipped:

• Mountain bikes and Mountain-bike hybrids - these strong bikes are particularly suitable for unmade African roads
• City and commuter cycles (usually with 3-speed hubs, mudguards and often parcel carriers) - these are very practical cycles and 3 speed hubs are low maintenance
• Shopper bikes (with small wheels, typically with 3-speed hubs, mudguards and parcel carriers) - these are very easy to ride, even for inexperienced cyclists, and are very quickly adjustable for riders of different heights
• Touring cycles - these are strong cycles that are very practical
• Racing and road cycles (with drop handle bars and very narrow tyres) - although these are not suitable for rough, unmade roads, they can be sent to projects based in African towns that have more suitable road conditions
• Full-suspension cycles - if these are in at least reasonable condition. Many budget bikes of of this type and of poor build quality. In good condition they are very suitable for use on rough roads in Africa

The kind of bikes we don't want thanks

• Very small kids "toy" bikes with plastic wheels - the metal frames are only worth a few pence in scrap value but the plastic gives us a waste disposal problem
• Bikes dragged out of rivers or left out in the rain for years - if they are completely rusted up even the spare parts are of no value

FAQ's

Do you accept teenage and childrens' cycles?

Yes, providing they are in at least a reasonable condition, although our first priority is to send adult-sized cycles for people to use as a means of transport.

• 24”-wheel cycles are suitable for both shorter adults and teenage riders
• 20”-wheel cycles can be used by children to get to school

Both 20"-wheel and 24"-wheel cycles are also useful when loading containers with cycles for Africa, because we can use them to fill small spaces between full-size adult cycles. Very small bikes (with 12”, 14” or 16”-wheels) are only of limited use and so must be in good condition and not require too much work; this is because a mechanic’s time is better spent repairing adult bikes. Again, although they are useful for filling small spaces, these are usually only wanted by our African partners in limited numbers.

My cycle is damaged and/or broken and/or has bits missing - is it still useful to you?

If it is reasonably clean and not rusted up, we can strip most cycles down for spare parts - these are shipped to Africa alongside the cycles. Spare parts are vital to ensure that bikes can be repaired and kept going.

I have a cycle that has been left outside for years - is it still useful to you?

If a cycle is too rusty and you don't think we will be able to strip out anything useful, it would be better to take it to your local scrap-metal recycling point. Cycles that have been kept in a shed or garage and just have a layer or two of rust-dust, and/or flat tyres are OK.

Also useful:

• All Bike spare parts and accessories, part worn tyres
• Tools -especially bike specific tools but also general workshop tools such as spanners, hammers, screwdrivers, hacksaws, allen keys, pliers, files etc.