Bamboo Bike #2

Step 5 Lower frame member

2 very important places on a bike frame are the bottom bracket (all joints) and top tube interface with the head tube...  These must be overbuilt if you are to enjoy this project for years to come!  This is why I chose to overlap the joints at these intersections.  You'll notice I ran the top tube on the outside of the original top tube of the frame and secured it in place.  I also will be doing the same at the bottom tube/bottom bracket interface. 

I measured this tube and rough cut it to size, as I did with the previous tubes.  I inserted the lower portion of the tube into the overlaping portion of the original bike frame's tube and did a sight check to see how the tube would look best in its final position.  Most bamboo has an ever so slight curve to it, and I wanted to make sure the curved portion looked right, not out to the sides, but down. 

From here I made some lines on the bamboo and started cutting for the head tube interface.  I shaped it to fit against the head tube and dry fitted it until it was just the way I wanted it.  Again, more trial and error here.

After that, I came inside and got to work on the resin and tacked everything in place.  A few wraps of carbon string and as always wait for it to dry.  It's Fall now, so I'm doing alot of this inside the house or in the garage - IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

Next I will cut the seat post out and begin on it.