Steel, Aluminum, carbon, Ti...or bambo????
12-29-09 | 11:43 AM
#1
Thread Starter
BrrrrrrRRRrr
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Bikes: 2009 Trek 2.1
Steel, Aluminum, carbon, Ti...or bambo????
"Amazing Vibration Damping – Even better than Carbon fiber!
High performance frame. Weighs about 4 pounds but has good stiffness.
Crash tolerant. Bamboo is a lot of tougher than most people realize.
10 year warranty
Looks cool! A work of art!"
Discuss
12-29-09 | 11:47 AM
#2
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
I don't know if bamboo has advantages or not but it's intriguing. If your bike is strictly utilitarian whether the utility be riding to work or racing I don't know if I'd go non-mainstream but if it is "a jewel more than a tool" I'd say 'what the hey" and go bamboo.
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Last edited by Walter; 12-29-09 at 05:40 PM. Reason: before the grammar nazis catch me
12-29-09 | 12:15 PM
#4
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Bicycle Transportation: 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric, 2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
^^^
Renovo bikes really intrigue me.
Renovo bikes really intrigue me.
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12-29-09 | 12:31 PM
#5
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From: Woodbury, MN
Removo makes a bamboo road bike that's quite affordable for this crowd:
https://www.renovobikes.com/panduranceroad/
$1950 with Rival and icky wheels that would be upgraded but...far less expensive than I would have imagined. It would be a blast to try out one of their frames.
https://www.renovobikes.com/panduranceroad/
$1950 with Rival and icky wheels that would be upgraded but...far less expensive than I would have imagined. It would be a blast to try out one of their frames.
Last edited by khatfull; 12-29-09 at 12:34 PM.
12-29-09 | 12:37 PM
#6
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From: Woodbury, MN
12-29-09 | 04:17 PM
#11
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From: Willy, VIC
This compromises torsional rigidity, they will have something like 1/6 of the ratio of torsional to lateral rigidity of isotropic materials like metals. Torsional rigidity is really important for handling.
12-29-09 | 05:32 PM
#12
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From: Woodbury, MN
One problem with both wood and bamboo is that they have linear grain structures - all fibres aligned in the one direction.
This compromises torsional rigidity, they will have something like 1/6 of the ratio of torsional to lateral rigidity of isotropic materials like metals. Torsional rigidity is really important for handling.
This compromises torsional rigidity, they will have something like 1/6 of the ratio of torsional to lateral rigidity of isotropic materials like metals. Torsional rigidity is really important for handling.
So they gain strength torsionally for their weight over a solid member.
I don't think the point of the Renovo bikes is to be the stiffest frame on the planet...but to provide a particular ride quality. And while I've not ridden one I'd bet that there would be a ride quality that the other common materials couldn't replicate.
12-29-09 | 05:42 PM
#13
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
I would think a hardwood frame would be heavy.
Not that this is a conversation for weight weanies but...
Not that this is a conversation for weight weanies but...
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“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
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12-30-09 | 12:32 AM
#18
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From: Willy, VIC
I don't think you can call wood a completely unidirectional material can you? Nothing along the lines of carbon laid up unidirectionally. There are connecting fibers in wood that bind the "matrix" together right? And remember, these aren't solid wood structures, they're monocoque:
So they gain strength torsionally for their weight over a solid member.
So they gain strength torsionally for their weight over a solid member.
Source: Steven Vogel "Twist-to-bend ratios of woody structures " J. Exp. Bot. 46: 981-985.
12-30-09 | 09:39 AM
#19
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According to their website, the Renovo frames weigh 3.5 to 5 pounds, which makes a bike in the 17 to 19 pound range. They have tested quite a few frames for stiffness and some of the Renovos are stiffer than a Cervelo carbon S2 and a Colnago aluminum 'Dream' among others; depends on which wood they use.
12-30-09 | 10:14 AM
#20
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From: Damascus, MD, USA
Bikes: Neilpryde Nazare, Storck Scenero G3, Colnago Extreme Power, CAAD 10, Bowman Palace R, Strong Custom Foco Steel, BMC SLR01, BMC ALR01
We forgot to mention Mg, the material that produces the best ride quality IMHO. And yep, I own and regularly ride Ti, Al, steel and CF framed bikes as well. Oh yeah, what about those boron carbide and other exotic metal matrix material frames?
12-30-09 | 10:31 AM
#21
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From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
12-30-09 | 11:12 AM
#22
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From: Atlanta, Georgia; Lewisburg Pennsyvania
Bikes: Jamis Satellite, Motobecane Fantom Cross UNO, Fuji Team singlespeed
I always wondered what the result would be if bamboo fibres were broken down by acid washing, and then laid up in a traditional carbon fibre weave and epoxied in layers.
12-30-09 | 01:38 PM
#23
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From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
I have ridden a Calfee Bamboo around the parking lot at Calfee. I was more than just a little impressed. I could ride over some big pot holes and pumps and hardly feel them. I think a Bamboo would be great for a century bike where comfort really makes a difference. The down side to Bamboo is that it doesn't make a good rain bike because its made from wood.
12-30-09 | 02:31 PM
#24
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From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: 2007 Pergoretti Marcelo
I have ridden a Calfee Bamboo around the parking lot at Calfee. I was more than just a little impressed. I could ride over some big pot holes and pumps and hardly feel them. I think a Bamboo would be great for a century bike where comfort really makes a difference. The down side to Bamboo is that it doesn't make a good rain bike because its made from wood.
* This is not just a cool bike. It is appropriate for everyday use and for racing. The vibration damping is a performance advantage on longer rides. Each frame is built to order and every frame is a unique. Tubes are selected for the weight of the rider. The geometry of the frame can be any of our usual geometries: Pro, Tri or Cross. Custom frames can also be made. Mountain Bike frames are now available.
* Details. The bike is made from Bamboo that has been smoked and heat treated to prevent splitting. Lugs are made of hemp fiber, for the all-natural look. The chainstays are available in carbon fiber for extra stiffness in the drivetrain.
* Finish. We coat the bamboo with a satin polyurethane to seal it up.
* Awards. Calfee Bamboo bikes have won awards for Best Road Bike, Best Off-Road Bike and Peoples' Choice Award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
* A Calfee Bamboo bike won 1st place in the open class at the Great Western Bicycle Rally's Concourse d'Elegance show.
* If there were an award for "Bicycle with lowest carbon footprint" (least amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the production of the frame), this frame would win, hands down.
Plus you get a 10 year warranty. * Details. The bike is made from Bamboo that has been smoked and heat treated to prevent splitting. Lugs are made of hemp fiber, for the all-natural look. The chainstays are available in carbon fiber for extra stiffness in the drivetrain.
* Finish. We coat the bamboo with a satin polyurethane to seal it up.
* Awards. Calfee Bamboo bikes have won awards for Best Road Bike, Best Off-Road Bike and Peoples' Choice Award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
* A Calfee Bamboo bike won 1st place in the open class at the Great Western Bicycle Rally's Concourse d'Elegance show.
* If there were an award for "Bicycle with lowest carbon footprint" (least amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the production of the frame), this frame would win, hands down.
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12-30-09 | 02:36 PM
#25
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From: Woodbury, MN
Long and short:
- Wood as a frame material probably excels in areas where others don't, is probably lacking in others, like ALL materials.
- IMHO they look absolutely cool.
- I'd sure as hell take one for a test ride if I were close.
- If I won the lottery tomorrow my order would be in the next day.
- Wood as a frame material probably excels in areas where others don't, is probably lacking in others, like ALL materials.
- IMHO they look absolutely cool.
- I'd sure as hell take one for a test ride if I were close.
- If I won the lottery tomorrow my order would be in the next day.