Hey there, I've made some bamboo frames. Compared to steel, the ride is smoother. I've never ridden a full carbon frame so I can't compare it to that. I don't know about the Dylan frames, but have some questions about it. The bamboo seems to overlap a lot with the lugs, so it might be heavy. Are the seat stays bamboo? It's hard to tell in the picture. How is that thing being held together? Is it just epoxy? I don't know how much I would trust those joints if that is the case... If you do buy one, let me know. I would be interested in hearing about it.
You can build one for around the same price, and it would probably be just as good or better. Here is a picture of my bike setup as a fixed gear. I intend to make a geared bike, and this was just to test the frame, so you will notice a few things wrong with the bike (I fixed the chain tension right after this picture)...
Originally Posted by fuji86
The first thought that comes to mind ? They took an old 10 speed frame and recycled it ? Cutting the joints and reusing something that might've been bent after an accident beyond the welded joint areas. I wouldn't mind trying one out, but not for what they're selling one for. I'd want a lifetime warranty on the frame too. Bike theft would be infinitely easier, a saw cuts thru that easier than steel.
The next thought, a Gilligan's Island bike.
I'm not sure this would be an issue, for two reasons. First, the main thing of value on a bamboo bike is the frame. Second, people would definitely noticed if they saw you using a hacksaw or something else to cut through a frame. Additionally, with a good hacksaw it is extremely easy to cut through a normal frame. When I cut apart my donor frame, it took me about 10 - 15 seconds to cut through the downtube with a new hacksaw blade.
Originally Posted by dsh
It actually looks like it's made of bamboo instead of just having little bamboo inserts, and it looks great in person.
It's also $2100 complete.
Did you get to ride one? The tubing looks pretty thin for bamboo. It's hard to tell from that picture, but it looks similar to the diameter I used on my second frame, which flexed a lot while riding in higher gears.
If you plan on building one, definitely read up on it as much as possible. My first two frames were not usable for various reasons. My third frame is looking good though. :]