Bamboo bicycles?
They’re making a comeback! Bamboo bicycle manufacturing dates back to the late 1800′s, where the first patented bamboo bicycle was displayed at the London Stanley Show in 1894. 1
Bamboo bikes may not be the hottest topic at the water cooler at the moment, but with the ‘green’ attributes of bamboo, bicycle frames made of said material have returned to the general public’s attention, especially with the efforts of companies like Bamboo Bike Studio and Bamboosero (more below).
Some bamboo facts:
- A form of grass — belonging to the Poaceae (true grass) family
- One of the fastest-growing plants (can grow +20 inches per day) 2
- Emits 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees 3
- Grows in temperate and tropical countries around the world
- Its tensile strength is about 28,000 Newtons (unit of force) per square inch (greater than steel, which measures 23,000 Newtons per square inch) 4
- Its flexible quality helps to absorb vibration — for bicycles, that means a smoother riding experience
- Eco-friendly: (i.e.) for bicycle frames — industrial-grade tools and electricity aren’t necessary 5, resulting in significantly lower energy requirements than the manufacturing of titanium, steel, aluminum or carbon fiber bicycle frames
- Has been used for centuries as a source of food, medicine, for construction, transportation, musical instruments, clothing, textiles, etc.
Interesting initiative:
Bamboosero — Training people in developing countries the skills of bamboo bicycle building to promote self-sustaining businesses and move them towards economic independence.
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Comments
We here at Webb Works are excited about the increased acceptance of bamboo as a viable frame material. Thank you to blogs like this to help communicate this!
http://www.BambooBikeMaker.com
wow! haha just make sure you keep them away from your pet pandas.