Pioneers in the bike world are discovering that bamboo may be the most useful raw material ever to be overlooked. As the world goes “green”, bamboo’s essential qualities are beginning to win converts.

Environmental coalitions are promoting its use as a building material. Architects are using it in their “green” homes as flooring and furniture and now bikes are setting up their industries for the bamboo upheaval.

Bamboo is the strongest plant on the earth. It has greater tensile strength, (resistance to being pulled apart) ,than steel, and better withstands compression than concrete.

Designers are becoming more creative as they accept bamboo as an alternative to lumber.

Bike designer Craig Calfee says, “it’s only a matter of time before bamboo sweeps the bike-racing world”. Calfee, owner of Calfee Design in California, pioneered the use of carbon fiber, the gold standard for elite bicycle frames. Now he says bamboo may be superior, offering a better combination of stiffness, (for power efficiency), and compliance, (for vibration dampening).

This is not just a cool bike; it’s also appropriate for everyday use as well as for racing. The vibration damping is a performance advantage on longer rides. Each frame is built to order and every frame is unique.

The bike is made from Bamboo that has been smoked and heat-treated to prevent splitting. Lugs are made of hemp fiber, for the all-natural look.

If there was an award for “Bicycle with lowest carbon footprint”, this bike would take home the prize, no doubt, plus, it looks cool too!