daedalusminos
Member
- Messages
- 2,337
- Location
- Norwich
Nothing new there...
- Thread starter nickk
- Start date
I can appreciate it's well made, and that it looks good, but from a practicality perspective
Looking at the joints I can see, and the types used, seems that they all rely heavily on the glue strength, with little mechanical strength / resistance designed in. OK, agreed modern glues are strong, some stronger than the wood itself, but given the relatively small surface areas compared to the potential forces excerted, I'm not convinced.
As an example look at the rear wheel triangulation, just a wee shoulder and a glued joint, the rest is glue strength, might be ok in pure compression, but add in any twisting loads, and how long before that failed... maybe as keith 66 says, they've built in hidden reinforcements / strength added to the joints that we can't see, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but for me that would look good on a living room wall, or such like, but on the road, I wouldn't trust it much, irrespective of price...
still a thing of beauty for all that... but just another example of - why? because we can, not because we need...
Looking at the joints I can see, and the types used, seems that they all rely heavily on the glue strength, with little mechanical strength / resistance designed in. OK, agreed modern glues are strong, some stronger than the wood itself, but given the relatively small surface areas compared to the potential forces excerted, I'm not convinced.As an example look at the rear wheel triangulation, just a wee shoulder and a glued joint, the rest is glue strength, might be ok in pure compression, but add in any twisting loads, and how long before that failed... maybe as keith 66 says, they've built in hidden reinforcements / strength added to the joints that we can't see, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but for me that would look good on a living room wall, or such like, but on the road, I wouldn't trust it much, irrespective of price...
still a thing of beauty for all that... but just another example of - why? because we can, not because we need...
Burdekin
Chief Bodger
- Messages
- 6,685
- Location
- Aberdeen
I can appreciate it's well made, and that it looks good, but from a practicality perspective
As an example look at the rear wheel triangulation, just a wee shoulder and a glued joint, the rest is glue strength, might be ok in pure compression, but add in any twisting loads, and how long before that failed... maybe as keith 66 says, they've built in hidden reinforcements / strength added to the joints that we can't see, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but for me that would look good on a living room wall, or such like, but on the road, I wouldn't trust it much, irrespective of price...
still a thing of beauty for all that... but just another example of - why? because we can, not because we need...
It's just something a bit different and gimicky. Wooden bikes have been done before and they perform terribly but look nice. Something to hang on the wall or a casual ride as something different.
that I could believe....
The_Yellow_Ardvark
https://www.death-clock.org/
- Messages
- 20,234
- Location
- Going Away.
mrsbruce
Member
- Messages
- 1,974
- Location
- Livingston, Scotland
stuvy
Member
- Messages
- 9,304
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jun/22/bamboo-bike
My gf asked if I wanted one of these as she had seen one and thought it would look cool on the wall
My gf asked if I wanted one of these as she had seen one and thought it would look cool on the wall
Gareth0123
You'll need 16 pigs to do the job in one sitting!
- Messages
- 1,559
- Location
- Norwich, Norfolk, UK
I've built and sold eight laminated plywood fixed gear bikes over the last nine years.
All loosely based on this set of Bent Wood Bicycle plans from the instructables website.
Two years ago I purchased the intellectual rights, manufacturing rights and some tooling for steamed hardwood frame road bikes.
Last Autumn I coppiced a reasonable amount of Hazel, Holly & Hornbeam which will hopefully be sufficiently seasoned by next spring and I can begin laminating and steam bending, fixed, road, and urban family bike frames from it.
All loosely based on this set of Bent Wood Bicycle plans from the instructables website.
Two years ago I purchased the intellectual rights, manufacturing rights and some tooling for steamed hardwood frame road bikes.
Last Autumn I coppiced a reasonable amount of Hazel, Holly & Hornbeam which will hopefully be sufficiently seasoned by next spring and I can begin laminating and steam bending, fixed, road, and urban family bike frames from it.
Last edited:
colnerov
Member
- Messages
- 4,987
- Location
- Nr Gatwick UK
Hi, Yes, if I recall it was Lignum Vitae and production of the props during the second world war almost took the trees out of existence.
Colin
outofthefire
Member
- Messages
- 2,881
I can appreciate it's well made, and that it looks good, but from a practicality perspective
As an example look at the rear wheel triangulation, just a wee shoulder and a glued joint, the rest is glue strength, might be ok in pure compression, but add in any twisting loads, and how long before that failed... maybe as keith 66 says, they've built in hidden reinforcements / strength added to the joints that we can't see, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but for me that would look good on a living room wall, or such like, but on the road, I wouldn't trust it much, irrespective of price...
still a thing of beauty for all that... but just another example of - why? because we can, not because we need...
I'd be interested to see how it holds up, but looking at the work he's done on it I reckon he's put more thought into it than the 5 minutes it took you to type this post.
RWD3M
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,691
- Location
- Wiltshire, UK
I can appreciate it's well made, and that it looks good, but from a practicality perspective
As an example look at the rear wheel triangulation, just a wee shoulder and a glued joint, the rest is glue strength, might be ok in pure compression, but add in any twisting loads, and how long before that failed... maybe as keith 66 says, they've built in hidden reinforcements / strength added to the joints that we can't see, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but for me that would look good on a living room wall, or such like, but on the road, I wouldn't trust it much, irrespective of price...
still a thing of beauty for all that... but just another example of - why? because we can, not because we need...
Made by a chap called Andy Dix. Pretty serious cyclist from what I can see on t'interweb.
I would be interested to see how it would stand up as well, and I'm sure he has given it more thought than my 5 minutes worth, as the designer / constructor would be responsible if it failed.. Like I said, there maybe more to the joints in terms of reinforcement that we can't see. Just some of them look pretty weak to me from a mechanical engineering viewpoint, considering loadings and joint concept, especially considering if it was my 19 stone bouncing on it over pot holes etc.. At the end of the day, we're judging something without the full details, so it can only ever be an unqualified opinion, same as everyone elses.. I would be interested to see the joint construction in more detail though.
still beautifully made though, no question.
brightspark
Member
- Messages
- 41,262
- Location
- yarm stockton on tees
it was the casting patterns for a real one
stuvy
Member
- Messages
- 9,304
I made myself a bmx side hack to haul beer and drunk mates at car shows
eLuSiVeMiTe
Member
- Messages
- 16,441
- Location
- ......
My thoughts too. That's why I would be interested in more info on construction. Got a be more going on that we can't see.
eLuSiVeMiTe
Member
- Messages
- 16,441
- Location
- ......
Morticed and tennoned with a little more thought and I'd really like that 1
The_Yellow_Ardvark
https://www.death-clock.org/
- Messages
- 20,234
- Location
- Going Away.
There was a wooden Moulton bike in the site museum in the late 1980's. I last saw it in 1991.
It was made from laminations of birch and ash, bent and glued into shapes. The metal parts were kept to the barest minimum. But they were "of the shelf" parts with extra parts welded on, so they could be embedded into the frame and secured with I think brass pins.
I looked good.
I did hear it was "not the best ride".
I wounder if it is still on site or what ever happened to it.
It was made from laminations of birch and ash, bent and glued into shapes. The metal parts were kept to the barest minimum. But they were "of the shelf" parts with extra parts welded on, so they could be embedded into the frame and secured with I think brass pins.
I looked good.
I did hear it was "not the best ride".
I wounder if it is still on site or what ever happened to it.
