Framebuilders - bamboob

i have decided o build a bamboo mtb frame have chosen bamboo due to my work space (not welding friendly) so i guess all i am asking is to dump any info my way to help me along i have my contact at my lbs keeping an eye out for a aluminum donor frame. i am a clyde i am 6'5" and 237 pounds the hard tail i ride is a 22" frame i was leaning toward carbon fiber for the wrapping material.

Let me know,

jollgreen

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=376129
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Good thread about bamboo frames

http://www.bmeres.com/bambooframe.htm
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That's Brano Meres' article on his building a bamboo mountain bike.
http://www.bmeres.com/carbonframe1.htm
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That shows the jig he used.



Bamboo Hardwoods is where I sourced my bamboo.
I used black bamboo, but it has some flex to it.
Moso is much more rigid but is hard to find pieces that aren't split, black bamboo does not split as readily.

i have read in many bamboo forums that black bamboo is much more prone to splitting, your expirience contridicts this?

So far I have not had black bamboo split on its own.

The moso poles I have are stacked in a corner and every so often you will hear a loud "POP" as a new split forms.

I haven't tried tonkin cane yet.

I have mostly tonking for flyrods, and it splits all the time, it is normaly relief split so the problem of rogue splits doesn't occur. I think the main way around splits is to get good dry material that hasn't split, make a quick job of it and get some finish on it.