... but I'll settle for one of these. Computer-controlled machining now allows for the sophisticated construction of a high-performance hollow wooden bicycle frame.
curly maple, hickory, bamboo...dang! from the Renovo Bikes website:
- Wood absorbs vibration better than steel, aluminum or carbon, producing a uniquely smooth ride.
- The fatigue life of wood exceeds steel or aluminum, and approaches carbon
- Wood is not susceptible to crack propagation from dents like the metals, nor is it notch-sensitive or damage-concealing like carbon.
- Wood is as stiff pound for pound as the metals, even as it’s better at absorbing road vibration.
- And last but not least, wood is sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, and has a tiny carbon footprint, while the primary production of steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber are incredibly polluting and unfriendly to our environment.
Highly impressive! What will they think of next? Wooden spoons?
ReplyDeleteIt also floats. Ride the damn thing across rivers and lakes. You can also start a campfire by rubbing two bike frames together. Try that with your aluminum frames.
ReplyDeleteDave, you may be on to something.