Why not a wooden bicycle?

http://www.renovobikes.com/

The Velocity Channel has started showing car stuff again, this was on a program called TechToys360.

It makes sense, flexible without bone jarring rigidity, sand and re-poly; mix woods of different characteristics.

I think it's a pretty cool idea, but I would like to see more average person bikes made out of wood for environmental benefits. To the average person a bike is disposable, and goes through a few of them (who was Al Gore or someone that said metal coat hangers were a waste?). Each time getting new one from walmart, and putting the old one on the curb. Then look at societies that use bikes for everyday transportation. Gazillions of steel bikes why not bamboo instead?

someone say disposable bamboo bikes?

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Bamboo-Bicycle/

I'm sure if you look at bicycles in the developing world you'll see all kinds of innovative fixes, bamboo tubes included.

However, you'll also rarely see a bicycle in the trash.

Things like tires and tubes are far more difficult to source, same thing with chains. It is my understanding that in developing countries many bikes don't get used because tires, tubes, and chains are difficult to find.

I think an airless tire like http://www.energyreturnwheel.com/ would be handy in developing countries if costs could be reduced.

I saw Renovo mentioned in a bike mag recently (maybe Peloton). That road bike looks beautiful. Kind of a steampunk vibe to it.

Bamboo is being done by a few builders. Seems like a neat idea.

I had a stationary (solid rubber) tire on my bicycle as a child... I thought it looked cool but it was bone jarring.

I bet if we sourced a welder to each town in undeveloped countries then went back in ten years they would teach us the most cost effective and sturdiest way to build/fix a car and a bicycle.

There has been some cool developments in coated cardboard bikes with solid rubber tires. They are talking about a final delivered price of ~10$ US. They are in the 35$ range now on construction.

FranktheTank wrote: I had a stationary (solid rubber) tire on my bicycle as a child... I thought it looked cool but it was bone jarring. I bet if we sourced a welder to each town in undeveloped countries then went back in ten years they would teach us the most cost effective and sturdiest way to build/fix a car and a bicycle.

very true, while I was living in Panama I sold my "BMX" bike that I got when I turned 7 back in the mid 80's... I kept it around until I snapped the down tube while jumping off a curb when I was 16... I sold the bike at a garage sale for like $5 or $10 to some panamanian guy, it wasn't worth that to me but I'd bet that it's still at least in part rolling around panama

wearymicrobe wrote: There has been some cool developments in coated cardboard bikes with solid rubber tires. They are talking about a final delivered price of ~10$ US. They are in the 35$ range now on construction.

LOL. With $100 in Continental Pro tires!

I saw that on the discovery channel the other day as well. They look cool, but why not just use a shock absorber? Besides, I've never bought a bike that costs more than $149 and I ride nearly every day during the summer.

In reply to Woody:

i prefer original ginger to the replacement, but i bet mrs howell would be the most appreciative.

AngryCorvair wrote: In reply to Woody: i prefer original ginger to the replacement, but i bet mrs howell would be the most appreciative.

Original Ginger all the way.

Mary Ann for the win though, and Shemp over Curly any day.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

AngryCorvair wrote: In reply to Woody: i prefer original ginger to the replacement, but i bet mrs howell would be the most appreciative.

Original Ginger all the way. Mary Ann for the win though, and Shemp over Curly any day. no homo

FTFY. Mary Ann only because she was less trampy, but i think OG would be more likely to let you PIITB.

Mary Ann. Jackson Pollack.