Pre-Owned Bicycle Store on Republic Street, Mbale City

I walked in determined to be friendly and greet in the Bugisu manner. “Mulembe, uli uryena Mayi?” Her colleague came up to me and greeted me in English, “hello, you are looking for a bike with gears.” The owner I presume, and he remembers me.

I quickly scanned the collection of used bicycles, fresh off a container from the U.S he assures me. There is one bicycle that will fit my inseam, it is in the back with a dozen bicycles stacked on top of it. The man ignores my inquiry about the blue touring bicycle. Another helper appears, he works pulling bicycles out so I can look at the blue bicycle. Drat the rear wheel is complete toast! The owner calls over from the front door,“that bicycle has a bad wheel.” I quietly suggest “if the wheel was replaced this bicycle might work for me.” No response and I thank the helper as we re-stack the bicycles.

The owner pulls out a nondescript ATB. Promising, the frame seems solid but …. the cranks are totally loose, the bottom bracket is shot and the shifters are incredibly stiff, with frayed derailleur cables. The 3” of baked on dirt on the chainrings indicates the previous owner rode this bicycle into the ground. I look over at the single speed BMX ride. “What price are you thinking for this bicycle,” I park the beat up ATB and begin inspecting the BMX cranks and bottom bracket. He walks away from me. I pause and follow him outside. “The mountain bike you are showing me is the right size, but it needs a lot of work, for example the shifters are very stiff.” He chuckles, “no your hands are weak.” I look at him and blink. I’ve changed thousands of flat tires and completed numerous minor repairs over the course of the 12 years that I owned a bicycle shop in Denver. I wouldn’t describe myself as weak. He saw me blink.

“I will pay 175,000 for the BMX bicycle.” He mutters “that’s too low” and sits down. “Hmmm, What price are you thinking then? “He gets up and walks outside. I hold down my exasperation; I really need a bicycle. I follow him “I could pay 200,000 for it.” He looks away, “that bicycle is 375,000.” Calmly I state, “no that is too high,” he avoids looking at me. I start to leave, deciding that this man is not going to sell me a bike. The woman behind the counter stares placidly at me.  I pause at the door and look down at him, “you will be very happy if you find a buyer that will pay 375K for that bicycle.” He shrugs and I walk away.