Buffalo Bikes Evolve: World Bicycle Relief Unveils New Models Built to Endure, Haul More, and Simplify Upkeep
World Bicycle Relief has now placed one million Buffalo Bikes into the hands of people who rely on them to get to school, jobs, and medical care. According to Andrew Samways, the newest models introduced this week represent a significant milestone for the nonprofit.
To shape these bikes, WBR integrated three staff members from its field operations in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Zambia into its core product team. This structural shift ensured that the people actually riding the bikes had a direct hand in the choices made during development.
Samways, who serves as WBR’s vice president of product development, puts it plainly: he is not the target user. The bike is not built for him. His role, he explains, was to create a space where riders and manufacturers could communicate openly.
By pushing design authority “downstream,” Samways notes that the bikes are no longer conceived solely by the WBR crew in Germany. Rather, he describes the process as a genuine collaboration with individuals who have risen through the organization’s ranks.
That approach produced the Buffalo One and Buffalo Pro. While they inherit traits from the Buffalo Utility S2 that debuted in 2024, the new iterations include a range of refinements aimed at extending lifespan, boosting hauling capability, and making maintenance less of a headache.
Learning by Watching
Much of what changed in the new Buffalo Bikes came from simply watching how people interact with existing WBR models.
Samways points out that local team members bring a major advantage: they speak the languages of the communities and can engage riders in direct conversation. Through observation, questions, experimentation, and watching reactions, a detailed picture takes shape.
Take the decision to offer the latest bikes in both standard and large frame sizes. Two separate moments in Kenya drove this choice.
The first involved a notably tall rider on his Buffalo Bike. Though he expressed satisfaction, it was clear he was not entirely at ease on the machine. His raised saddle also ate into the cargo area behind him.
The second was a discussion with a woman who wondered whether WBR sold bicycles for children, as she wanted one for her grandson.
This led the team to reconsider their approach. A dedicated kids’ bike might not be the right solution, but a bicycle a child could ride comfortably would hold far greater value. That realization prompted a reexamination of the smaller frame size, adjustments to the geometry, and reinforcement of the seatpost to allow for a lower seating position.
The upshot is a Buffalo Bike that a rider can grow with, rather than outgrow.
When the tall man received the larger frame, his satisfaction was immediate, and he eventually resisted returning it. Samways takes that reluctance as a sign worth paying attention to: when someone refuses to hand a bike back, you know you are onto something.
Disc Brakes and a Threadless Headset
The Buffalo One and Pro also feature disc brakes.
Earlier Buffalo Bikes relied on hub brakes, but once disc brakes were tested, riders were unwilling to go back. Both new models now come with mechanical front disc brakes, while the Pro adds a rear disc as well.
Disc brakes deliver the stopping force needed for the new 100kg load capacity of the One and Pro. Beyond that, like hub brakes, they contribute to longevity and dependability because they do not grind down the wheel rim, and they remain functional even if a spoke breaks.
The new bikes also adopt threadless headsets. These need fewer tools for repairs compared to threaded versions, which matters for riders who lack access to a fully equipped workshop. But Samways points to a second reason for the switch.
While the starting point is always the rider’s real-world experience, he explains, you also have to consider your supply chain, the reliability of component availability, and where the industry as a whole is heading.
Two Chains or a Singlespeed
In the past, Buffalo bikes were singlespeed only. That changed when the Utility S2 arrived in 2024 with a two-chain setup.
This unusual design, created in partnership with SRAM, gives riders an additional gear without introducing cables or derailleurs, which add complexity and are prone to failure. A second benefit: if one chain snaps, the bike can still be pedaled. To change gears, the rider simply backpedals half a rotation.
An updated take on this drivetrain appears on the new Buffalo Pro, while the Buffalo One retains a singlespeed configuration.
As Samways explains, a single speed remains the most budget-friendly option, so it is offered at both trim levels.
For those interested in donating a Buffalo Bicycle, the One currently costs £138, with the Pro priced about £15 higher. That figure reflects the genuine costs of manufacturing, shipping, assembly, and distribution, though retail prices can differ from country to country.
The Buffalo platform can be upgraded from singlespeed to the two-speed drivetrain later, allowing riders to start simple and gain the benefit of an extra gear down the road.
The Payoff
Samways stresses that customers in WBR’s shops are not hunting for the cheapest possible bike. Affordability matters, and the organization trims costs and finds efficiencies wherever it can. But the Buffalo, he says, is the bike that will not let you down.
Research conducted in Zambia found that bicycles generate a 14.7-to-1 return on investment, ranking them among the most effective development tools available. The same study revealed that households with bicycles reported incomes 43% higher than those without, and individuals with bicycle access were 36% more likely to reach healthcare services.
These numbers capture the broad picture, but Samways offers a concrete illustration. One bread delivery worker doubled his business thanks to the two-chain drivetrain, which let him travel faster and cover greater distances reliably.
For engineers and designers behind these machines, Samways says, that is precisely the kind of story you hope to hear.
