Probably very comfortable on chip seal. Wood rims were preferred by velodrome riders on tracks with cracks and poor surfaces.

Ben

Less likely to rust?

Doubles as a dog toy?

Easier to smuggle into a court house?

Good if you like to ride and chop onions at the same time?

Easier to repair with glue?

Easier to paint?

Also great if you want to whittle in some faces or something.

Termites?

I'm sure it provides an advantage to the seller who convinces someone with more money than sense to buy it because it's in a pretty package and it's "bespoke".

These were originally used by German soldiers during WW2 These bicycling soldiers complained of boredom so they were ordered to take these and hollow them out, drill holes in them and play war songs of the third reicht. They rode for miles and miles playing their handlebar.

These are very useful if you are a superstitious person who often "knocks on wood". It's silly of course, so I also carry a shaker of salt to toss over my left shoulder.

That is one of the most subtle, sneaky, conniving way to apply Godwin's Law in a conversation! Well done!

$175 seems reasonable. After all, it does come packed in dried grass. That's got to be worth at least $75.

46cm wide? Oh, holy hipster!

Someone once said "There's nothin' like a good piece of hickory".

Now my dog will fetch my bike for me.

Seriously, no.

Fixie Hipsters riding with out brakes Only ...

Wood is a high-tech composite material, the new crabon.

Actually, I would think wood is the original high-tech composite material. After all, nature has been using it for years.

Walnut tends to be somewhat brittle, although that particular bar is laminated. Functionally ash, hickory, or oak (white) would be better. Material costs are cheap, so I figure perhaps less that $50 in labor would put the mark up at 200%. Got a lot of wood in the loft so perhaps I should turn out a few of these to see how they work.

I am guessing that it would be comfortable and very strong. Probably last forever, even if crashed. It would probably be very heavy in comparison to aluminum alloy.

+1 Walnut is not a good choice except for looks.

would not use for a bike that was actually ridden.

Think of wood similarly to Crabon fiberz but without all the fancy need for high tech. You can just grab a log and attach to your stem and boom you are all set. Though don't actually do that, properly mill it down to the right thickness use a good wood that would handle being a handle and treat it for the elements. It is not a bad idea at all and certainly could look quite nice. Now at that price I wouldn't pay for it but for $50 or under I could see it being quite viable.

This is bicycle evolution. The next step will probably be stone.

Made from real carbon fibers!

Yes, two:

1) Its biodegrable
2) Lower production cost. Provided you use bamboo...maybe? Pressure treated wood. I'm pretty sure that phrase involve some form of culinary delight.

The biodegradable argument is null. So many layers of glue. It's basically plastic.

It's the sort of thing to try in your own garage if you have the inclination. You'd be a madman to pay for it.

Not sure why, but it was a "thing" in roller races back in the day. Swap out your bars for a 1" dowel. I did it.