Bamboo Bike by Calfee Design
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 12. 8.05
If someone gave you the instructions: “occasional wiping down with a furniture oil is advised to maintain the beautiful finish”, you would hardly think they were referring to your bicycle. But such is the suggestion from Calfree Design of California. What began as a publicity stunt nearly a decade ago, found favour with staff and friends and would become a standard line in the range, with 3 models of bamboo bike frames. It seems that the limited supply Black Bamboo used in these bikes offers “Amazing Vibration Damping. Even better than Carbon fiber.” All the while providing good stiffness in a frame weighing a paltry 4 lbs (1.8 kg). Of course there is no such thing as a free lunch, and a bamboo frame will have you writing a cheque for $2,695 USD. But this is mid range for the custom frames that Calfee build. ::Calfee Bamboo Bikes
As you might expect from a site that has a an ongoing lovefest with this material, we have previously recorded some other bicycles worked up with bamboo. These include the DIY version, through to the high design Biomega.
Oh, an apology. think we found this link from either a tip or another blog but have alas misplaced that first reference. Sorry.
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I just have to say that is soooo Cool!
What is the expected safe lifespan of the frame?
Any special care needed?
We made the first one in 1996 and it still rides well. Another one was raced for two seasons, crashed and was repaired. It is our main test bike, still going strong. It is good to apply tung oil once per year or more often if ridden in the rain.
So , really this isn't a green product at all . It's just a unique bike to make the RICH tree huggers feel good about themselves without really doing anything but impressing each other . What I found annoying is the TV show ' Invention Nation " made it sound like these guys invented it . If you do search you will find that they are not the first . It's a really cool Bicycle for impressing your friends .
As a bamboo and bicycle enthusiast, bamboo bicycles are way cool. But, to add icing on the cake, I suggest a set of low-tech bamboo panniers. Designed to accommodate the ubiquitous grocery bag (re-usable, of course). As functional carrier, the panniers would make this bicycle truly a BUB- bamboo utility bicylce. See it at:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=7a80990ce25a526d93b29f96474ac9a8&prevstart=0
http://tropical-treehouse.com/bamboopanniersweb.jpg
thanks, .....Jo