Bamboo Bike Frames

I recently found out that you can get bike frames made of bamboo, things like http://www.bamboosero.com/bikes/road-bikes/
and http://calfeedesign.com/products/bamboo/
I mean they look pretty cool, but they don't seem terribly practical to me.
Has anybody ever seen one out and about? Ridden one? Maybe even bought one?

 

Wow, first time I hear about this and to be honest they don't seem very resistant, I mean how long can they last? OK, just read they have a special treatment, even so I am suspicious...

 

Yeah that's what I thought! Bamboo doesn't strike me as the most durable material. But then I was reading on its Wikipedia page that they use it as scaffolding for building skyscrapers in Hong Kong so maybe it's tougher than it looks...

 

This is something I haven't heard about before. Bikes with bamboo frames? I mean, it might last some time, but still.. I guess the benefit is that they look absolutely gorgeous, I mean seriously who wouldn't want a one just to have a for the sake of it? Great find by the way

 

I saw something like this on another forum several months ago. I do not think they will last long. They may have a waranty or something, but it won't last much longer than that. Bamboo could easily crack if you went over a bad bump, or rode on rough pavement. I'll stick with my metal frame, even if it is heavy.

 

Nothing like trying it eh? Even so I am assuming it has to be a really expensive bike because I don't know up to what point it's a industrialized process, so it has to be pricey.

 

Will you get a Bike - Plant if you plant it?

I saw some wooden ones... Wood is apparently one of the most vibration damage resistant materials.

In building, stuff that is built with wood are supposed to be even more resistant to earthquakes that reinforced concrete... (In the correct dimensions).

Not sure that it works that well with bikes though... Quite alot of early aircraft had a wooden frame underneath the metal sheets.

But in order to weather proof them, the process uses some very nasty chemicals. :wacko:

Yeah probably a novelty bike, like mountain bikes.

 

Honestly speaking this is the first ive heard of them. They dont look very reliable to me

 

Yep, most likely they aren't as good and they are more pricey, but stylish people will get them haha because they look different.

 

They've been around for several years at least. Bicycling magazine did a review of one of Boo bicycle's road bikes, and it got great reviews. The bamboo used is quite a bit more durable, especially once it is treated, than it appears. Plus, keep in mind that carbon fiber, before it is heated under pressure and molded into shape, starts off as a roll of very flexible fabric. And look at how strong and durable that is. I would definitely own one if I had the money to invest.

 

If they werent insanely expensive I wouldnt mind getting one easy strolls around town

 

balsa wood would be lighter.

 

I think balsa would present some challenges from an engineering standpoint. I miss my old chromoly road bike from the 80's.

 

Know what would be cool................ridng a bamboo bike and carrying an old bamboo fishing pole! That would be cool!

 

i think there is a future for it. the wheels will be the most challenging part however.

 

but maybe a more exotic, endangered wood would look better.

 

termites?

 

Does huffy make bamboo frames ?