Why not build a wooden bicycle?

[mikeschn]

Since we like working with wood so much, why not build a wooden bicycle?

http://www.renovobikes.com





Mike...

[halfdome, Danny]

Very ice, but where's the wooden rims like the racing bikes I saw in the sixties?
At $1,000 just for a deposit I'd be afraid to ask how much for a customized bike. Danny

[mikeschn]

Danny,

Why couldn't we build our own?

Mike...

[tonyj]

That's a pretty cool frame. At $2300 for the frame, you would have to add another two grand minimum to add high quality components. It would be an expensive bike, but, oh, the beauty.

If you want to shorten the fabrication time, check out bamboo frame bicycles. Here is one link: http://www.bmeres.com/bambooframe.htm

[Greg M]

Wooden wheels?
No problem:



-Greg

[halfdome, Danny]

Danny,

Why couldn't we build our own?

Mike...

I don't have a CNC but I think but you do. I guess if it was made in two halves and hollowed out it could be joined together to make the frame.

[mikeschn]

Oh no, not another project!!! I wonder if my little cnc machine would be big enough?

Mike...

Danny,

Why couldn't we build our own?

Mike...

I don't have a CNC but I think but you do. I guess if it was made in two halves and hollowed out it could be joined together to make the frame.

[starleen2]

How about doing a plywood laminate version al steel components coud be sandwiched beteewn the build up then carved down to shape?

[GPW]

Check this out... http://bikerodnkustom.homestead.com/

[halfdome, Danny]

Check this out... http://bikerodnkustom.homestead.com/

Lot of nice and odd bikes there. I like the Hiawatha one. These fenders would look neat on a teardrop. Danny

[angib]

I think the tricky bit with any wood or bamboo (excellent material) frame would be in making strong joints - clearly those Renovo bikes have some very clever multi-directional finger or tongue-and-groove joints.

But I have a simple solution - epoxy and carbon wrapped (with care and thought) around the joint will be just as strong as the wood or bamboo. This is how aluminium (or carbon) tubes are joined to make the 'racks' that the sailors stand on in some dinghies.

Andrew

[nikwax]

Very ice, but where's the wooden rims like the racing bikes I saw in the sixties?
At $1,000 just for a deposit I'd be afraid to ask how much for a customized bike. Danny

A buddy of mine races bicycles professionally (UK national team). I mentioned seeing a bicycle locally for $2500, and he said "can't even get a decent set of wheels for $2500 these days!"

[Juneaudave]

Andrew is right about the bamboo...my daughter and her college friends have ordered bamboo and are collecting parts to build bamboo bicycles...kids...geez...

Now I'm wondering how they will turn out???

[the pvc bike guy]

There are a lot of wood bicycles out there this young 16 year-old high school student Marco Facciola built a bike out of wood. I'm talking every part is made out of wood. Pretty damn impressive. "Marco had to complete this as a non-academic project for his International Baccalaureate, and inspiration came from his grandfather, forced to make wooden wheels for his bike during the war due to rubber shortages." Well props to both you and your grandfather, I'm sure he's proud. Say, mind if I take it for a ride? I'm working on a stunt spectacular where I set a bike on fire and jump over cats in my driveway. No I can't use my own bike Marco, it won't burn right.

Hit the jump for several close-ups of the amazing wooden gears and chain.

Now this is very inexpressive