Well, after doing a little bit of research (I'll be doing tons more!) I'm looking at Calfee's designs. I like their designs for the bike and the scaling, but I believe if I was to use their basic design, I'd lay the seat forward a smidgen more.
Also, I'd like to clear up any future question as to my worthiness. I've never built a bike. Infact, I ride an 70s Schwinn Continental (~30lbs). I'm willing to give up the bike though, for something more practical. Basically look at my inexperience this way: The Wright brothers had never built an airplane and Henry Ford didn't always know exactly what he was doing in the early days of FoMoCo. But they worked hard and smart. They also didn't quit b/c people said they couldn't do it or weren't qualified. They asked questions and gained knowledge to solve their problems.
On a different note, I'm looking for components to put together the first bike. While I'm not explicitly following Brano's instructions here, I know that I shouldn't reinvent the wheel. There are just some parts I can't make out of bamboo. I don't need much, for the frame I'll just need a bottom bracket shell, head tube, seat tube (short), dropouts, and rear brake bosses.
To build the bike and make it ride-able I'll need a 700c wheelset, gear shifter, stem and bar, headset (probably threadless), full brake set/kit, bottom bracket, crank, pedals, derailers (I'm with S. Brown on this spelling), chain, seatpost, saddle, and fork.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Starting
My goal is to start blogging about, sourcing, and ultimately beginning to make bamboo bicycles.
You ask why, Calfee Designs/Bamboosero/Evolve/Renovo/Boo Bikes/Panda Bikes already makes some? Here's the thing: All current bamboo bikes are out of reach. Why does a material that cost less than steel or aluminum or carbon length, make a bike that just as much? Markup and market niche. There's a handful of companies and people making these ultra light and ultra affordable bikes.
My plan:
1. To design the bike. I plan on comparing plans and ultimately designing a bike which requires the least amount of material and time, but produces a quality machine for the best cost. I plan on a road bike, commuter bike, and possibly a mountain bike.
2. Finding a local bamboo source. I live in Central FL, so finding some suitable bamboo shouldn't be too hard.
3. Locating quality and interchangeable parts. I don't want a proprietary design, but a design that can be modified to accept different components and last more than 15-20 years.
4. Begin prototyping. Making mock ups, sticking pieces and making sure the product is fine.
5. Build several bikes. Perform testing.
6. Take orders and make more.
7. Improve, improve, improve. Lower costs and raise standards.
8. Repeat 3-7 again and again.
You ask why, Calfee Designs/Bamboosero/Evolve/Renovo/Boo Bikes/Panda Bikes already makes some? Here's the thing: All current bamboo bikes are out of reach. Why does a material that cost less than steel or aluminum or carbon length, make a bike that just as much? Markup and market niche. There's a handful of companies and people making these ultra light and ultra affordable bikes.
My plan:
1. To design the bike. I plan on comparing plans and ultimately designing a bike which requires the least amount of material and time, but produces a quality machine for the best cost. I plan on a road bike, commuter bike, and possibly a mountain bike.
2. Finding a local bamboo source. I live in Central FL, so finding some suitable bamboo shouldn't be too hard.
3. Locating quality and interchangeable parts. I don't want a proprietary design, but a design that can be modified to accept different components and last more than 15-20 years.
4. Begin prototyping. Making mock ups, sticking pieces and making sure the product is fine.
5. Build several bikes. Perform testing.
6. Take orders and make more.
7. Improve, improve, improve. Lower costs and raise standards.
8. Repeat 3-7 again and again.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)