How I built a carbon bike frame at home (and a bamboo frame too)

Step 12 Building the bamboo/carbon frame 4

When I have built this bamboo frame, I was interested in how would it differ from my carbon frame. Above all I have expected that thanks to the unique properties of bamboo, as a natural composite, the frame would be more able to absorb road shocks and the ride would be more comfortable.

After three years, I can write that the bamboo frame fulfilled all my expectations. The frame is excellent and still okay. Compared with the carbon frame it really does dampen vibrations better and the ride is more comfortable.

The connections of the bamboo rods with the carbon joints are still rigid without any problems. I know I can expect the bamboo to shrink or split sooner or later, but I hope that thanks to the used method of securing the mutual connection between the bamboo rods and carbon joints it should not loosen in the case of shrinking and the splitting of bamboo can be easily repaired.

I love riding this bike!

Comments

[SeaFire70]

I was thinking that it might be great for a fixed gear bike. My concern would be about the stress around the the bottom bracket and chain stays when skip breaking the bike, with both frames.

[MoritzB]

Wow, this looks very professional! But how you installed the derailer of the gearshift at the bamboo rod below the seat?

[jordan.pollard]

I was just reading this thinking, "This looks like Brano's stuff", then noticed the BME on the bike. As always, I envy your bikes Brano! _jp

[funbob]

Great project
it has left me with so many questions about the process but I suppose that will be half the fun finding out if I ever get my bike building going.
But I would like to ask you how much carbon fiber did you use in the carbon fiber bike and how much did you use in the Bamboo/Carbon bike?

[cheshirecat1975]

Brano, you are truly an inspiration. I used your advice and built my own, well, still a work in progress, but chronicled here: http://jamesjessup.com/blog/category/bamboobikeblog/
To all: Brano makes beautiful bikes, and you ought to check out his web site to see the others!

[Ro]x[as]

Cool stuff. If you want to make the joints look a bit better, see if you can get a hold of some carbon fabric to cover the tow with. I'd thought about building a bamboo frame, but it turned out that carbon is easier to get in the Canadian prairies than bamboo. Looks good, keep it up!

[igoy]

I like to have one like that! make one for me please!!

[ptacnik]

thanks for the info i just want to know the details about how to join the metal arts to the frame is the epoxy strong enought ?????

[mattias law]

where did u get all of the metal parts which join the bamboo like the headtube and stuff. was there alot of machining of parts involved. and like many others have asked how much did it cost u

[Cbryn]

The frame is connected with carbon fiber joins or almost "lugs" if the bamboo has been mitered. You should check out his website if you want more construction tips.

[etchlings]

A few queries: 1. Would you make one again, and if so, would you consider making it on commission? 2. How much did the materials for this bike cost all told? 3. Would you recommend the carbon fiber laminate joints rather than an epoxy/hemp fiber joint compound? Thanks!

[dijitr]

Is that a bamboo seatpost too??

[freshmanfred0000]

How much do these bikes weigh? I know they would totally be lighter than most conventional bicycles.

[NightmarE]

You should try to sell this. PEACE.LOVE.RESPECT Zack [panda]

[nerdherd4life]

The bamboo bike is SO cool! I bike all the time and like all the new ideas for bikes. I wish I had the time or energy to make one of these. Great job!