Bamboo bicycle

Wherein a bamboo bicycle frame, particularly the frame tubes made ​​from bamboo (generally Bambuseae ) generated.

History

The first Bambusrad was presented to the public on April 26 1894. In the 1890s, several patents have been applied for the production of bamboo bicycles.. John Howard of Dudley patented frame connections in 1895 George Sanders and John William Holland reported a similar patent number GB189512173 (A) - on 1896-06-22. The manufacturer Franz Grundner and Otto Lemisch from Klagenfurt patented in 1898 various types of manufacturing for lightweight bamboo bicycles.

In the 2000s, the material consists of sustainability issues had been addressed.

Material

Bamboo (usually Bambuseae ) is today mainly used for frame construction. Bamboo has a specific stiffness ( modulus of elasticity), which is very close to steel, but only about a third of its density has (depending on the grass). In the static strength of the material bamboo aluminum and steel stands for something. A frame made of bamboo with the same bending and torsional stiffness as to obtain steel, a pipe diameter is required, which is comparable to an aluminum frame. Since bamboo tubes are unique in each case, the material cross section varies due to the different pipe strengths of bamboo.

Fatigue fractures in bamboo are not yet known. However, because it is an organic material, it can mold. Bamboo does not break, but shatter under excessive load,. In contrast to steel and aluminum, bamboo is a fire hazard.

The compounds of the bamboo frame is usually made with several layers of fibers and epoxy resin. The compounds of the frame members is partly achieved with composites with flax fibers.

Advantage of bamboo to frame building is a partial lower mass than aluminum. Bamboo frames can be relatively easily repaired in case of defects. There is no painting necessary as a protective lacquer. However, coatings for optical enhancement are possible. As an organic material, bamboo can mold under the influence of moisture.

Manufacturer

Bamboo bikes are not manufactured industrially. Notable manufacturers are, for example, the industrial designer Flavio Deslandes, Calfee Design and Biomega. In England bicycle enthusiasts founded in Scarborough, Yorkshire, the company Bamboo bikes and started my own race team. In Germany sells, among other things, the company "my Boo - Bamboo Bikes" bikes with a bamboo frame. Together with the social project "The Yonso Project" from Ghana, the frames are made in Ghana.

Initially, German material scientists had engaged with the material bamboo in the 2000s and built single bamboo wheels as unsalable individual pieces. Partial Today workshops are offered on self-building bamboo bikes.

In Germany there are three manufacturers of bamboo bicycles, the first of which in Bremen since 2009.