BAMBOO RANDONNEUR BIKE
Pragmatically speaking bamboo has the benefit of being a lightweight, durable and ecological material. Historically it has sporadically been used as bicycle frame material. However it took modern composite materials to become a fully viable option, able to compete with the established materials.
Building a bike out of bamboo offers full customization, both in terms of geometry as well as flexibility. Furthermore the materials used (flay webbing, epoxy resin and of course bamboo) are relatively easy to work with, and do not require specialized equipment.
Lastly, the aesthetics are striking – and, as every tube comes with its own patterns and oddities, truly unique – something owners of bamboo bikes cherish.
During workshops it became clear how much customization means to users, and told me about the importance of designing the processes, rather than optimizing products.
Building a bike out of bamboo offers full customization, both in terms of geometry as well as flexibility. Furthermore the materials used (flay webbing, epoxy resin and of course bamboo) are relatively easy to work with, and do not require specialized equipment.
Lastly, the aesthetics are striking – and, as every tube comes with its own patterns and oddities, truly unique – something owners of bamboo bikes cherish.
During workshops it became clear how much customization means to users, and told me about the importance of designing the processes, rather than optimizing products.
process - aligning pieces in the jig, add flax webbing layers, soak the flax with epoxy, add putty, sand it and gel code finish
Frame building is remarkably similar to the manufacturing of traditional steel bike frames. Both consist of joining tubes by lugs – the difference being that the lugs are made of layered flax webbing and epoxy resin. A further optional step is surface smoothing using an additional layer of putty.
The bike I build is optimized for every day use in the city, as well as occasional longer rides – including bike packing trips.
The short frame and twitchy steering make it a great choice for tight urban spaces and dense traffic.
Oversized tubes ensure stiffness, even under the heavy loads.
I’ve been riding this bike since late 2014, and have become am one of the many proponents bamboo bikes. The growing community has collectively accumulated countless riding hours in all imaginable scenarios. From the modest daily commutes, over professional messenger services, to crossings of the Australian outback.
The bike I build is optimized for every day use in the city, as well as occasional longer rides – including bike packing trips.
The short frame and twitchy steering make it a great choice for tight urban spaces and dense traffic.
Oversized tubes ensure stiffness, even under the heavy loads.
I’ve been riding this bike since late 2014, and have become am one of the many proponents bamboo bikes. The growing community has collectively accumulated countless riding hours in all imaginable scenarios. From the modest daily commutes, over professional messenger services, to crossings of the Australian outback.
internship at Ozon Cyclery
2014 - 2015
