I messaged you about maybe helping you put together a build kit... Eric

Thanks for the encouraging words.  I very much take - "looks like a Calfee" as a compliment!  I'm 6' and almost 200Lbs.  The largest tube diameter I used was just about 1 3/4" in diameter, it was the down tube,  Seat tube was under 1 1/2 as was the top tube.  And seat stays were just ablut 5/8".  It very much depends on the species of bamboo you are using though.  Some species are woodier than others, and have thicker side-walls, therefore have better (stiffer/stronger) construction qualities about them.  I used Hennon, because it is light and quite strong, but there are several other species that are great for building bikes from.  It also depends on how old the canes are.  I understand that 2 years old, or older, is the minimum age prior to harvest for maximum strength.  Do you know what species it is growing in your yard? 

Would what you have hold you and not break?  probably.  Would it be ideal? It really depends on the type of bike you are building, and the type of riding it is intended for.  It is a fixie (single speed), for milling about at the coffee shoppe, or comuting, it'd probably work out wonderfully, and be a nice plush and even springy ride.  If you are going racing, unless you are growing solid cane, iron bamboo, look for something else.  What you have, in that small a diameter, will be too flexy at your height and weight.  You're going to need a minumum of a 58cm frame and the tubes will just be too long to be stiff at that diameter.

Cool.  WIth the narrow tubes, it'll look really cool.  Like a steel framed, lugged bike - but bamboo!  With a slim seat tube you can run a clamp-on front derailleur, which is great from the standpoint of adjustability.  Best of luck to you, and along the way if you have questions, let me know.  I mean this to be an open forum, where we all share information.  I will be shifting to a jig and component setup shortly and hope to begin selling frames soon.  But, that doesn't mean I won't keep assisting others that wanst to do it themselves!  It is hugely rewarding to ride one of these bikes, more so if you know you built it yourself!  I raced mine this weekend in a half ironman triathlon.  It was AWESOME!  So many questions about the bike.  It's still fun to get some of the looks and comments!

How old is the bamboo shoot - you shouldn't harvest the can until it's about 3 years old from new... Just a heads up - in case you didn't know. But, best of luck, have fun. If you have questions ask away!

I'm guessing your bamboo tubes would be strong enough, depending on the type of bamboo used and the curing method.  You would just have to build the heck out of the joints!  I've seen numerous chrome-moly welds broken, and forks bent, on dirt frames -my own included!!!  There are alot of stresses on jumping frames, and they come from different directions than a regular road frame.  I'd say its totally at your own risk, and completely depends on your craftsmanship and carbon layup.  There's not many carbon dirt-bikes out though - that point ought to be duely noted.  My 29er mountain bike is holding up pretty well ,and is crazy stiff, but supple.  But, much of the shock and stress on the head tube is dampened by the Cannondale Lefty Suspension on the front.  Normal dirt jumping frame don't have suspension up front.  Have at it, and report back... 

And, no.  I've not had any shrinkage after building once the bamboo has been heated with the torch.  I think it shrinks it almost as much as it's going to.

I appologize in advance as this answer may be long winded...  The bamboo shrinks alot during torching to color.  But, this most recent batch was VERY WET!  It was still quite heavy ,even after heat treating, but has reduced it's weight tremendously over the last 5 or so weeks.  I think letting the bamboo dry, even after torching is a good idea, depending on how wet the bamboo is.  Possibly even cooking or smoking the bamboo after torching could be a good idea.  The bamboo doesn't shrink much though, at all, once it's been torch treated.  I'm always looking at other ways to make sure the bamboo doesn't split during the process of construction and then during it's life.   I purchase newly cut green bamboo.  Last summer when it was 110 degrees outside, I left the bamboo outside and it dried very quickly, within 3 weeks.  That, along with the torch, was the best batch I've had.  I heat about 4-5 bikes worth at a time, so it doesn't all get used at the same time.  Most sits at least 6 weeks, I've had several pieces sitting for 14 months.  It takes me about 4-5 weeks to build a bike.  I think this next batch I do, I will bake in a smoker for several hours at around 180 degrees, then torch for color.  I'm also going to try some different types of bamboo, to see how the processing affects the different species.  holding up to crush forces on the tubes is important to me.  I want light, but I also want strong and rigid.  WIth rigidity and strength being most important and light, quite important.  A lot depends on how old the bambooo is when it's harvested, what time of year (wet season, dry season) it's harvested, and the species.  Bamboo must be at least 2 years old to gain it's full strength potential and older is better, as much as 5 years or more. 

As I start my business, I will be trying to find a source that will harvest the cane, and kiln dry it and smoke it before shipping.  I think this is the absolute best option.  It would also be nice to have it cleaned out from the inside, to a specific thickness.  All this working would assure the bamboo that made it to me was solid, clean, and split free.  But, for the home builder, the information above would suit well enough.  If your bamboo feels heavy after heat treating let it sit a couple of weeks and see if it gets lighter (weight).  If it does, then it's not totally dry.  Wait a bit before building.

I hope this helps. 

Carbon string/tow - A quick Ebay search of Carbon Tow brought up these guys -  http://myworld.ebay.com/creative-ds/ and a quick Google search -  http://www.fibreglast.com/showproducts-category-Carbon+Fiber+Fabric,+Tapes+&+Tow-15.html - I probably used about 1500 - 2000 feet (500-700ish Meters) of carbon on the first project.

Resin - A good resin is key to this project.  I used this - Max CLR - hp - from these guys (also on ebay) http://myworld.ebay.com/polymerproducts/ Here again - I probably used about 1/4 gallon resin/hardner on "Project Uno" - but much of it, perhaps as much as half, was wasted.

Small Parts - Nova Cycle Supply is perfect for things like cable stops, brake bridges, etc.  If you're gonna start with no frame and just want bottom bracket, head tube and dropouts, these guys are great too.  I ordered from them and had my stuff in 2 days! http://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/BRAZONS-SMALL-PARTS/

I finally started bike number 2 last night - been saying for months now that I was just about to begin - never happened...  I suppose bolting the frame members together would not be a really bad idea.  The reason I did not, is simply the fear of splitting the bamboo with the pressure of the screw/bolt.  Plus the carbon and the resin do a pretty good job of bonding the materials.  If joint slippage is of concern - an idea I came up with that I believe I'll employ on this new project is to dremel some shallow groves in the bamboo here and there, just so the carbon tow has something to bite into.  Not grooves in a circle all the way around as this could compromise the strength, just short notches in a couple of places.  Although, I'm not even sure this is necessary.  Another guy I saw had drilled a small hole and ran the tow through the joint - not a bad idea either.!?  Best of luck to you, it is fun and rewarding... 

If your question is, will it work - sure absolutely...  Would I ride as hard on it as I do mine?  No way!  The 1 inch diameter cane will hold up plenty fine I'm sure.  But it will not be very stiff and will probably wiggle under you quite a bit - depending on your body weight.  I'm very close to 200 pounds and pushing up hills and sprinting on my bike - I can make my frame flex plenty!!!  I could probably break a 1 inch frame pretty quickly!  It really depends on what type of bike you're building?  A get around bike, or a coffee shop bike, or a harder core road bike.  The first 2 applications - 1 inch is probably ok.  The later, no!  Make absolutely sure your carbon overlaps both the bamboo and the tubes in several directions and that you pull the string as tight as possible.  You want the bond to be as good as absolutely possible.  Take a look at this bike company - they use no carbon they just bond the bamboo to the lugs directly... http://www.pandabicycles.com/  They also use a smaller diameter tube, as you are suggesting.

Yeah - your guess is as good as mine?  Looks like a neat bike nonetheless.  I especially like the second bike, with the cargo rack and fenders...  I suppose as long as the bonding agent is strong enough, then the bike will work just fine...  The bamboo is TOUGH stuff, so on that style of bike I'm sure the frame is fine.  Again though, I wouldn't bomb down a hill at 45+ MPH on it or try an all out sprint, but then, it's not meant for that...  It's a VERY COOL cruiser!  As such - it's a tempting purchase option in a market of standard offerings.

Wow...  Maybe a legend in my own mind - you're too funny!  It is certainly a fun and cool project.  I had a kid (probably in his early 20's) drive up to me in a parking lot last Thursday and say "wow, I had to come check that out up close, from a didtance it looks just like bamboo - how'd you do that?"  I fired back - "well that's a good thing, it is bamboo!"  He took an odd expression during our short conversation when he found out I'd made it, sort  of a 'yeah whatever buddy' - but that's part of the fun, people really don't believe it's actually bamboo and really really don't think I made it.  The cyclists I ride with still think it's odd, but they let me in the peleton without reservation any more - they used to make me ride at the back, in case the thing just fell apart.  At 27 or 28 MPH with a bunch of guys that would be a mess, so I gladly obliged.  I think they're convinced(ish) now (me too), that it won't.  When new guys join us for group rides, it's more of the same questions, the other guys have heard a dozen times, so it's a little old now...  But the normal non-cyclist types think its wild. 

Best of luck to you, have fun with it.  I keep saying I'm going to start # 2 here soon, but I keep putting it off.  This time, since I know about this site now, I'll take many more photos and do a better job with the description as I move along.  Last time the instructible came after the fact, so I tried my best to go through the photos I'd taken to make something out of it.  Have a great day, and thank you for the compliment!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120329398604&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

User name on Ebay is c17482y

This guy. Don't know if they still have any. Wouldn't hurt to ask?

I am starting my second bike this week. I purchased a brand new SE Racing single speed Lager Matte Black (http://www.sebikes.com/Singlespeed/700c-Lager-Matte-Black.aspx). Yes, I'm gonna cut up a perfectly good and brand new bike frame... Sounds bad I know! But it's for a good cause - I'm gonna raffle it off for Lifewater International (www.lifewater.org).

As for your frame jig idea. Yes, it proably is the best idea, "IF" you have the tools and the know how. I also say yes to the jig, if you're building from scratch. In fact I don't see any possible other way. For my first project I had speed and simplicity in mind. For my next build I am doing the same. As I get more proficient in the practice, I will probably construct a jig and just purchase a threaded aluminum head tube and bottom bracket. But again my first project was just an excercize in "can I really do this"???

As for the bamboo size - here's where I am lacking a bit in my expertise. I know there are several species of bamboo. I ordered the bamboo from a gal who stated her bamboo was thick and strong. When it arrived, it was in fact thick and strong - I got lucky, I guess. Walls are about 6mm thick and the tubes are various diameters. I actually specified the diameters I wanted the tubes to be. I wanted something near the diameters of the original bike I had cut apart. On this new bike I'm just using left over bamboo from the first project. I'll check into the species she sent me, as I think it good stuff to work with - very light once dried and quite strong.

It is a very rewarding project. Best of luck, and if you need any additional questions answered ask away....

I got a response from the gal I got the bamboo from - she stated the bamboo is Blue Hennon Timber Bamboo. Her groves are older and she doesn't harvest the culms till they are at least 5 years old... Good stuff!

Nice job. I think you have the idea down. The execution of the jointery seems to be the the same as mine. The only thing I did differently was that I sanded the joints and re-did it again until I got the smooth shapes I wanted. There are several layers that were not sanded, but they were much later in the process. Even with the sanding they are plenty strong. All said they are at least 3/8 inch thick at the actual intersection of the bamboo aluminum interface, and the carbon is multidirectional. The exact amount of carbon I used is a bit of a mystery... I purchased a roll of 2500 meters of carbon string. I can't be sure of the exact amount, but based on the amount I have left I think I used about a quarter of the roll, maybe less. So, in feet, possibly around 1500 to 1800 feet. The guy I purchased from still has several rolls available if you think you might want a whole roll... Like $45 shipped. Just a thought. You could make several more bikes for friends and family!

Looks great. Not terribly complicated either. I find it interesting that you used expanding foam inside the bamboo. Not quite sure why you did this, but I do like it, it may add a bit of structure and adds very little weight! I like the seat tube, looks good and appears to actually work! The entire structure looks very strong. Overbuilt in fact. I do beleive, if I am to construct the 29er, hard tail mountain bike that I intend to, I will use several of your "techniques", including the foam! I think this may aide in keeping moisture out... What exactly did you use for your wrap material - appears to be very "hairy".

Wow - that's very cool... It looks like you did exactly as I did? Took apart a bike frame and used the joints as key points to connect the bamboo, looks like hemp, or twine of some sort. Also looks very strudy! I'm impressed! Thank you for sharing! See folks YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It takes some time to pull off, but you'll be super syked - you built it yourself! There's nothing like the feeling of riding down the road on something this nice and being able to tell admiring eyes - yeah I built that. So get to it already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the idea of using a jig, but it is a bit more complicated than the build I went about undertaking. Added time and expense. That said, it is certainly an option if you want a full custom frame. I am presently looking for another frame to cut up and am finding it to be a little more difficult than the first one was to come by. So, it may be an option for my next one, by necessity.

It appears Calfee uses a type of urethane possibly a couple of thinned down coats, probably one of those trade secret things... If urethane works, I really don't see why a marine varnish wouldn't work, like they put on teak boat decks or exterior furniture? There is plenty of unfinished surface on the inside of the bamboo for it to breathe, so I don't think that would be an issue. This is pure speculation though, and I don't know enough yet to answer the question with much conviction... I'm going to start work on a 29er frame shortly, and I may try some different processes with carbon layup and bamboo finish! I'll let you know if I learn anything further.

Agreed. If you try to finish unsanded bamboo that still has a sheen to it I don't think anything will stick to it.

Frame by itself weighs right at 3.57 pounds, I think I remember it being exactly 1622 grams on the gram scale? The bike fully built up should be right around or just under 18 pounds, like 8150 grams - if I've added up all the component weights correctly. 2150g frame/fork, 2700g campy record stuff, 1900g wheels/tires, 1400g misc. seat/seat post/headset/ stem/bars/pedals. I forgot to actually weigh it when I picked it up at the bike shop. I'll try and get by there again this week with the bike and throw it up on the scale to get an actual weight with pedals and computer. But even so, at 1622 grams this is on par with many bike frames currently on the market, both aluminum and carbon, save the ultralight Kuotas and newest kits from Cannondale and Specialized and Trek (all now have frames under 980g, and Scott has the 780g Addict - crazy!). Not long ago an 18 pound bike was a decent ride. All said the frame's about a pound lighter than I expected. I anticipated a weight of, and would have been happy with, 2000g. So, 1600ish is SWEET!

Yeah, my first shot. Ideally a vacuum bag or other process would be necessary if I were to market this bike for sale. Which isn't a bad idea actually. I'd love to get added tips on this, and other possible ways of construction that would be less time intensive, but yeild a similar look. In full, this build took about 45ish hours in spare time. I didn't expect such components on a budget bike, but I got seriously lucky on the parts bin... Sounds like you have quite the setup there in NY. If I'm headed that way, I'll fire off a line and see what we can do... Thanks for the comments and invite!

I had a problem posting pics last night. Got it all sorted out, pics are now up for your lustful enjoyment!