R.I.P. Bamboo Bomber
04-08-08, 04:44 PM
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R.I.P. Bamboo Bomber
I'm finally (almost) done with my bamboo utility bike. I'm still going to make some fenders and a chainguard.
But it's on the street and so far so good. She rides surprisingly like a bicycle.
Here is the tread about its construction. Take a close look at ChiapasFixed's longtail, damn that is a nice utility bike.
She is a bolt upright, 700c balloon tire cruiser, 70º head and seat tubes, 31 inch stand-over, 24 inch effective top tube length.
Black bamboo and hemp fiber lugs.
One thing I've noticed, it does not trigger traffic lights at all.
Internal gear hub
Dynamo front hub
Twin headlights
Frame mounted front & rear racks
Platform/Clipless pedals
Center pull Canti brakes
Albatross handlebars
The cable guides popped off during construction, they are glued back into place. I used the white tape to hold them as the glue dried and did not remove it because I'm going to change the guides out for a different type that are on order. If I leave the tape in place I'll change them out because it bothers me. If I removed the tape I would not change them out for the better set, out of sight out of mind.
But it's on the street and so far so good. She rides surprisingly like a bicycle.
Here is the tread about its construction. Take a close look at ChiapasFixed's longtail, damn that is a nice utility bike.
She is a bolt upright, 700c balloon tire cruiser, 70º head and seat tubes, 31 inch stand-over, 24 inch effective top tube length.
Black bamboo and hemp fiber lugs.
One thing I've noticed, it does not trigger traffic lights at all.
Internal gear hub
Dynamo front hub
Twin headlights
Frame mounted front & rear racks
Platform/Clipless pedals
Center pull Canti brakes
Albatross handlebars
The cable guides popped off during construction, they are glued back into place. I used the white tape to hold them as the glue dried and did not remove it because I'm going to change the guides out for a different type that are on order. If I leave the tape in place I'll change them out because it bothers me. If I removed the tape I would not change them out for the better set, out of sight out of mind.
Last edited by Allen; 04-09-08 at 12:56 PM.
04-08-08, 04:55 PM
#2
cyclopath
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Wow - very nice...
04-08-08, 05:43 PM
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Clean piece - I like how the lugging is covered and made to look nice. We need a side shot, though!
04-08-08, 08:23 PM
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Beautiful bike! The frame building thread got me hooked, I want to try a few. Sounds like a very affordable project, too. You've inspired me again. With every trade I've tried, my second product is always much better than my first, so I'll plan for 2 or 3. Can't wait to see your next one!
04-08-08, 10:18 PM
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ah.... sure.
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AllenG,
That thing is sooooooooooo kick ass...
Great Job!
kyakdiver
That thing is sooooooooooo kick ass...
Great Job!
kyakdiver
04-09-08, 06:27 PM
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Cool bike! You mentioned in the construction thread about not being able to run a front disc cable around that fixed front rack. What about running it through the steer tube like so;
https://sheldonbrown.org/iro/pages/iro-boing5.html
The cantis are definitely pretty though!
https://sheldonbrown.org/iro/pages/iro-boing5.html
The cantis are definitely pretty though!
04-09-08, 07:16 PM
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Very nice Allen! I've watched your bike as it's progressed and the finished product is quite impressive.
04-09-08, 07:37 PM
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Thanks guys.
I loved St. Sheldon's approach to problem solving.
Cool bike! You mentioned in the construction thread about not being able to run a front disc cable around that fixed front rack. What about running it through the steer tube like so;
https://sheldonbrown.org/iro/pages/iro-boing5.html
The cantis are definitely pretty though!
https://sheldonbrown.org/iro/pages/iro-boing5.html
The cantis are definitely pretty though!
04-10-08, 11:43 PM
#13
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What an utterly beautiful bike. 
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
04-11-08, 06:27 PM
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She( Bicycle) rolls in beauty like the night.And all that's lovely dark and bright meets in her Frameset and her lights.( please note This is based on someone elses poem I do not claim credit)
Last edited by James H Haury; 04-11-08 at 06:51 PM. Reason: No Plagiarism
04-11-08, 08:14 PM
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It is made by Azor. I bought it from one of their American distributors.
It attaches to the frame and not the front fork. With the double leg kickstand it always stays level, very handy. I glued the attachment plate to the frame, and the rack proper, pressures fits into the plate so one can attach/remove it from the bike in a second.
It attaches to the frame and not the front fork. With the double leg kickstand it always stays level, very handy. I glued the attachment plate to the frame, and the rack proper, pressures fits into the plate so one can attach/remove it from the bike in a second.
04-22-08, 07:48 PM
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Update:
I'm on assignment and I insisted on carrying my bike with us so I could have independent transportation (saw no reason to have to rent a car).
I've learned that the panniers on this bike look good but suck in function. This is the first time I've had the chance to give them a good trial and I mean they seriously suck.
The bottom attachments come loose in a heart beat, and the top (the part that straddles the top of the rack) bunches into a wad, or worse when the tightening straps slip, which is easily if there is weight in them, the bottoms of the bags meet spokes. And if my rack did not turn up at the end the bags would work their way forward and off the rack, landing on my rear wheel.
Frost River Panniers. If you only wish to carry a sweater or the paper they are functional, any real weight though--forget it. I've had to stop and readjust or reattach them at least three times today.
Real shame, I'm going to modify them and see if I can make them useful. I like the way they look and would hate to just throw them out, although I've been sorely tempted to sling them under the wheels of a truck.
I'm on assignment and I insisted on carrying my bike with us so I could have independent transportation (saw no reason to have to rent a car).
I've learned that the panniers on this bike look good but suck in function. This is the first time I've had the chance to give them a good trial and I mean they seriously suck.
The bottom attachments come loose in a heart beat, and the top (the part that straddles the top of the rack) bunches into a wad, or worse when the tightening straps slip, which is easily if there is weight in them, the bottoms of the bags meet spokes. And if my rack did not turn up at the end the bags would work their way forward and off the rack, landing on my rear wheel.
Frost River Panniers. If you only wish to carry a sweater or the paper they are functional, any real weight though--forget it. I've had to stop and readjust or reattach them at least three times today.
Real shame, I'm going to modify them and see if I can make them useful. I like the way they look and would hate to just throw them out, although I've been sorely tempted to sling them under the wheels of a truck.
Last edited by Allen; 04-22-08 at 09:15 PM.
04-22-08, 07:54 PM
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Oh, the bike has been a joy. Smoothest riding bike I've ever ridden. Bamboo really is impressive at deadening road vibration.
04-26-08, 03:22 AM
#21
shaken, not stirred.
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That's a very very nice bike. Hope it gives you many miles of enjoyment.
Hope it gives you many miles of enjoyment.
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05-15-08, 11:55 AM
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Thanks guys.
So far the bike has been a very enjoyable ride.
The next time I do twin lamps I'll use a SON hub instead of the Shimano. I really need to be doing about 15 mph before both lamps are at full bright. Supposedly the SON hub can burn both at full brightness at about 10 mph.
So far the bike has been a very enjoyable ride.
The next time I do twin lamps I'll use a SON hub instead of the Shimano. I really need to be doing about 15 mph before both lamps are at full bright. Supposedly the SON hub can burn both at full brightness at about 10 mph.
05-15-08, 12:17 PM
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I take it that where you ride it is as flat as a pancake? I can't imagine trying some of our hills on a singlespeed.
ETA: Sorry, didn't see the part of an internal gear hub.
ETA: Sorry, didn't see the part of an internal gear hub.
Last edited by Elkhound; 05-15-08 at 02:45 PM.