It is probably heresy to say this, but I would be interested to know the overall environmental impact of bamboo that is cut down from a forest somewhere, shipped across the ocean, coated in volatile organic compounds to make it water proof, and all the other processes that go into this, versus a steel frame. Also correct for the expected useful life span of both. Is this really a greener bike, or just a greenwashed bike?

^^You can plant the bamboo bike and it will sprout, and turn into more bikes.

Depends if it's being sold as such. There is plenty of ways to make the process as green as you want. Local bamboo is available for a considerable number of people as well.

For some people it's just their building and riding material of choice, nothing more.

Bicycles are factory products. If I had to guess, I would suppose these are probably worse than the others if only because their volume is so low. For what it's worth, the appeal for me is not anything about the environment. It looks like a fun and tractable project with a rewarding output.

I hope this meets the goal and the project is funded because I'd like to buy a kit in the future, even though it's not in the budget for me today. As of now it's at $13.5k of $30k goal with seven days left. Sometimes KS has a rush at the end, here's wishing.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...o-bike-diy-kit

$16125 of $30k goal, closes on Sunday morning...

Didn't make it, got frustratingly close. $28,936 of $30,000.

Some of the parts are available at the Calfee site. I hope the plans show up there, too. I'd love to build a 16er for my kiddo before he's old enough.

http://calfeedesign.com/calfee-bamboo-diy-kit/

Bamboo frame tech
 

I thought I would add to the discussion here a bit.

I am starting workshops locally where I live and so I have been prepping some bamboo frames for roughly 6 months. I found using Calfee's orthotape to be superior for workshops. Less hassle with the material and it cures in minutes. I have been riding the frame on road and gravel. No issues whatsoever. Additionally, I put basswood gussets to add some stiffness with PC-7 epoxy. The jig I use is a design I made myself but I borrowed some ideas from Calfee and others. The jig costs about $30 total. I also used Paragon dropouts on the most recent iteration. The tabs are a bit short so it takes a wood mod to extend them a bit. The images are below.

More info is here on the blog.

BAMBOO BIKE BUILD

Mcooley - Where are your workshops?

I'm in the final stages of preparation for a customized HeroBike kit build. Their process involves hand shaped balsa wood lugs - the end result appears very similar to your basswood gussets. I don't know what the shear strength of orthotape is - and I have yet to build this kit, so I don't know lots - so don't know if it would be compatible with the balsa lug method but it looks much easier, cleaner, more environmentally safer than their epoxy and carbon tow. I'm using dropout from Paragon too. Tou're right the tabs are too small for bamboo so I had steel extensions welded on to the tabs. It looks like it will work fine. TMT

I'll post more with pics when production actually starts.

Coupster, yes, I am familiar with Hero and I actually went there last year to meet Pam who was kind of enough to show me their process. I highly recommend a visit to Greensboro AL and Rural Studio if you are out there.

The orthotape is very heavy duty. Here is the link to Calfee's supply. I used Orthoptape.com for mine. Most brands are similar enough but some brands have different sanding characteristics.

DIY Kit - CALFEE DESIGN

Under DIY Kit you will find all the materials sold separately. Calfee's supply of bamboo tubes is superior for future reference.

I miter my bamboo tubes to the aluminum or steel head tube, seat tube and bottom bracket but I also put in basswood gussets for additional stiffness.

The balsa lug method would probably work fine and in fact I used that method first with the orthotape. I never rode that frame since it was more a test but in general the orthotape is plenty strong enough.

I've been riding the one on my blog on gravel and paved road. It has held up fine. I'm in the Asheville area. Let me know if you need any help or have questions during your build.

Enjoy!