Bamboo bike!

[Cathryn]

On my century ride on Sunday, we stopped at a local frame builders' - they also make bamboo bikes. I'd heard of them but never seen any up close and they were SPECTACULAR!! Really want one!

Here's the info in case you're interested.
http://calfeedesign.com/products/bamboo/

 

[steveindenmark]

I love the look of some bamboo bikes but all the ones I like are crazy money for what they are. I could buy a titanium bike for a cheaper price. Bamboo bikes can be beautiful artwork but maybe not as practical as conventional bikes.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Nice to look at and will get you admiring glances. However, they are rubbish. The various critical dimensions such as chainline, drop-outs etc are all over the place. Making one of these work is quite a job and even then, not satisfactory. I had to set up one for a customer once and we could not find a rear brake caliper with a long enough drop to get the pads to reach the wheel. The dimension seemed arbitrary.

 

[fossyant]

Wood worm. Wood rot. Melt in sun. Just like the plastic ones

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Panda attacks!

 

[Cathryn]

Looks like I'm not getting one then. You guys spoil everything!

 

[winjim]

I see in the other thread that you can buy them in kit form. I might consider getting one and building it for a bit of fun, but I wouldn't necessarily expect it to be any good.

 

[winjim]

Panda attacks!

Zap 'em with your ray guns.

 

[ianrauk]

On a FNRttC a couple of years ago. A couple did the ride on a Bamboo tandem.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

On a FNRttC a couple of years ago. A couple did the ride on a Bamboo tandem.

A couple of pandas?

 

[BrumJim]

Wood worm. Wood rot. Melt in sun. Just like the plastic ones

Grass, not wood.

 

[BrumJim]

Looks like I'm not getting one then. You guys spoil everything!

You are right. Saw one at the NEC show a few years ago, and fell in love. Sadly the company that was making them went out of business before I persuaded my wife to let me buy one.

 

[mickle]

This is what I rode to work today:

 

[BrumJim]

Just looking at the web site. Two questions for you, @mickle :
1. Is it as drop-dead-gorgeous looking as on the web site, and
2. It is affordable?

 

[fossyant]

Grass, not wood.

Ok wriggly worm rot.