Building a bamboo bike

mudsucker
mudsucker Posts: 730
edited September 2014 in Road general
Hi,

I fancy a go at building a bamboo bike on a course with these guys: www.bamboobicycleclub.org in London and was wondering if any one on here has done it?

If so, how was the course, what sort of frame did you build and how happy were you with the finished product?

Thanks,

Ben :D
Bikes are OK, I guess... :-)

2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.
2013 Trek 1.2
1982 Holdsworth Elan.

Comments

  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    That link doesn't work but the idea intrigues me.
  • mudsucker
    mudsucker Posts: 730
    Link works for me! :D
    Bikes are OK, I guess... :-)

    2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.
    2013 Trek 1.2
    1982 Holdsworth Elan.
  • sigorman85
    sigorman85 Posts: 2,536
    Link works ....not sure I trust it didn't to to strong
    When i die I just hope the wife doesn't sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it other wise someone will be getting a mega deal!!!


    De rosa superking 888 di2
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    They are more of an achievement type thing, I really want to build one too. But like others have said they won't last many season, and I wouldn't ever ride it hard or fast. I suppose once it weakens it becomes a trophy
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    We have a big patch of bamboo in our garden. The biggest bits are about 8m tall and as thick as a mug of tea* at the base.

    I use it in the garden for poles, etc; it's incredibly strong, and becomes quite light as it dries out, but it can crack longitudinally.

    *you can in fact make a teamug out of it but cutting it 4 or 5 inches above a node.
  • thefd
    thefd Posts: 1,021
    I'm loving the way the website looks like it says 'BAM BOOB I CYCLE'
    2017 - Caadx
    2016 - Cervelo R3
    2013 - R872
    2010 - Spesh Tarmac
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,468
    Bamboo is still used on (otherwise) fairly high tech construction sites in the Far East as scaffolding. It's a naturally very strong product. The lack of knots gives means it lacks the weak spots that wood can have and it can have a higher tensile strength than some steel alloys. I'd rather rely on bamboo than some carbon frames from an unknown source! That said, I'm not convinced it would provide the stiffness required for a decent bike frame. They look great though.
  • dilatory
    dilatory Posts: 565
    A lot of bamboo frames look cool but browsing their gallery and it seems everyone comes away with a bike akin to bamboo sticks wrapped together with gaffer tape... Wouldn't mind a proper frame building course tho...

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