Wooden bicycles, lots of pics

[Lock]

This frame looks like it has a lot of room for batteries, and is quick to assemble... less than two minutes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE37s7RHTCk


tks
LocK

[oldpiper]

But, this is an e-vehicle forum. I didn't see a pic of a wooden battery or a wooden electric motor (or even ICE) anywhere! Where's the innovation, folks?

Cameron

[TylerDurden]

That technique will be the future of ebikes, IMO. Like Lock says, lotsa room for goodies in that pinata.

[Jeremy Harris]

Looking at that plywood bike frame, I reckon it'd be pretty straightforward for someone with a CNC router to make easy to assemble kits, a bit like the way stitch-and-glue small boat kits are sold. Plywood has excellent structural qualities when built into monocoque structures like this, plus it's an insulator, handy when it comes to sticking batteries inside the 'frame'.

Jeremy

[TylerDurden]

I'd expect someone will provide the extrusions for the mech inserts and let communities like this develop open designs for the panels.



Edit: removed landmine. ES remains independent!

[Lock]

Sven works with wood too:
http://www.stolz-mit-holz.de/index.html

His site doesn`t show off his projects very well, but he`s posted this one video about his "Bulldog" bike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik5MEh3GAO4


Not an ebike, but the same possibilities for pack storage, and it`s fun to see how he has integrated other electrics into the frame...

Looking forward to seeing watt his new "Pornobike" looks like.

Tks
Lock

[Lock]

One good thing w/these wood bikes is they're easy to repair "...just get a rock and hit it..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=remeRdwG_OE

[Lock]

http://www.splinterbike.co.uk/

as seen on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGMMDISadcw


Screencap from the vid:

Splinterbike_2010.jpg

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The splinterbike site has a page of pics of wooden bikes... eg:


Probably Australian judging from the number of lightening holes...


Wonder who'll set the first land speed record for a 100% wooden ebike... It'll have to be a downhill EVent...
10Ck

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

barnabe.jpg

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le grec belliqueux.jpg

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le side rouge.jpg

beat that extracycle

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such gaie colours

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the downside?
splinter sphincter.

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what was i smoking?

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[dingoEsride]

Probably Australian judging from the number of lightening holes...

Coming up with some beauty's, is that wood looks more like plastic?. keep it up pure class

[spinningmagnets]

I'm still waiting for a levered front suspension using laminated bamboo as a leaf-spring, I may have to make it myself...

I am reminded of the exceptional British WWII DeHavilland Mosquito, and also the Germans used some wood laminates in supersonic missiles with suprisingly good results (Aluminum was in shortage near the end of the war)

[def215]

splinterbike looks pretty cool but theres limited info on it. it would be interesting to know that there really is a bike made entirely of wood, no metal bearings or axles or anything like that. but it still seems like there isnt an wooden electric bike.

[Hillhater]

... it would be interesting to know that there really is a bike made entirely of wood, no metal bearings or axles or anything like that. :

anything is possible...but why ?
wooden axles and bearings could not last and wooden wheels would be too heavy,...so why bother.
I doubt a wooden frame can ever be as strong, durable, or light weight as even steel.
wood has beautiful aesthetics, and is a delight to work with, but as a practical material for making bike components ...is is seriously limited.

[Lock]

Guess these are about as "wooden" as plywood:

These folks:
http://www.webking.be/museeuwbikes/

At Museeuw Bikes, we have perfected a process to combine flax fibre with carbon fibre which produces a composite material exclusive to Museeuw.

Museeuw Bikes hybrid weaves are made out of bast fiber bundles and loosened elementary fibers combined with regular carbon fibers.

Then this year:

The Schwinn Vestige bike has won a 2010 Eurobike Gold Award for innovative design. The Schwinn Vestige is built from natural, biodegradable flax fibers and coated with water soluble paint, a first in the bicycle industry.

Its organic, recyclable Flax fiber provides similar performance benefits as a carbon fiber frame, but its construction process produces a much lower carbon footprint. On top of that the natural flax fiber has a high phonic insulation which gives it a superior ability to absorb and dampen vibration, even compared to carbon. Product highlights include:

•Translucent tubes allow for stunning visual appeal when illuminated by the Vestige's internal lighting system. The frame lighting system is powered by the front hub dynamo, eliminating the need for batteries and maximizing energy efficiency.
•Fenders and grips are made of a natural bamboo material
•Tires are made by Schwalbe and include a unique recyclable rubber insert.

Glow-in-the-dark wooden bike! ...errr, fiber bike...
Lock

[def215]

... it would be interesting to know that there really is a bike made entirely of wood, no metal bearings or axles or anything like that. :

anything is possible...but why ?
wooden axles and bearings could not last and wooden wheels would be too heavy,...so why bother.
I doubt a wooden frame can ever be as strong, durable, or light weight as even steel.
wood has beautiful aesthetics, and is a delight to work with, but as a practical material for making bike components ...is is seriously limited.

that would be splinterbike, in the link that lock has posted below. id like to know the same thing when this bike is supposed to go for the world speed record for wooden bicycles.

http://www.splinterbike.co.uk/

[Lock]

...anything is possible...but why ?
wooden axles and bearings could not last and wooden wheels would be too heavy,...so why bother.

From the splinterbike site:

Ultimately we are doing this to prove a point, to turn a dream into reality but at the same time we would like to draw your attention to our chosen charity for whom we are raising money in order to support their worthy cause.

So it seems just for fun, and for a charity... Looks like they will set a record in 2011 with a triathlon athlete on the seat. I'll guess he'll draft up to speed just to run a measured mile. So the bike only needs to survive a 4-5 mile run then fall apart after...

I doubt a wooden frame can ever be as strong, durable, or light weight as even steel.

My only race experience is on the water, high performance (Olympic class) dinghies... The woodies were EVery bit as competitive as those built outta frozen snot (poly glass foam sandwich composites.)

Wood and other natural fibers eg flax are little different than carbon and glass and kevlar etc when it comes to plastic composites.

Lotsa competitive race vehicles (and vessels) out there that are completely impractical for "street", but they're "development" classes... pushing envelopes and blowin' stuff up so that the rest of us don't have to...

Cheers
Lock

[Hillhater]

Great to make things from wood to show it can be done , but lets not get carried away with the idea that it can be a genuine practical alternative to metals for bike components.
I Suspect most people would find it much more difficult to construct a frame from wood than from steel , for whilst it may be easier to cut and shape, making strong rigid joints is much trickier than welding /brazing etc.

PS: ..not many race sail boats ( Americas Cup, LV Cup, Sydney Hobart, etc) are made from wood these days.

[Lock]

PS: ..not many race sail boats ( Americas Cup, LV Cup, Sydney Hobart, etc) are made from wood these days.

Very good point Hillhater. I can only blame cultural basis... Lots of evidence to support natural fibers eg "wood"... The Gougeon brothers back in the `80's... where NASA was looking to replace aluminum wind turbine blades watt kept failing...The Gougeons produced much superior results from laminating Douglas fir:
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19910000814_1991000814.pdf
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19830019076_1983019076.pdf

Nice thread here:
http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/44136/Wind-Mill-Blades

One quote:

In my wing, I used pretty traditional wood stick ribs, spaced to keep the 1/8 thick skin from flexing. In a blade like yours, the skins could be relatively thicker, and the ribs could be integrally molded into the skins -- I'd think you could mold each blade in two pieces (front and back side) and glue them together.

All sorts of possibilities. Even thin plywood for skins and aircraft spruce (perhaps from the company of that name) for spars can make a light, strong structure. The old Bellanca had wood wings like this and performed very well -- better than the typical spam can (aluminum plane). Aircraft grade spruce is very expensive.

...this from a fellow that that imagineers beautiful structures like this:


1ocK

[Lock]

http://www.wheels.ca/article/792817

What are cars made from these days? Would you believe, vegetables?

This is not new. Bio-composite materials have been around since the 1920s, when Henry Ford built prototype car components, including dashboards, door panels and passenger compartment parts, out of hemp-derived plastics.

“A car made from grass may not sound sturdy,” says Lawrence T. Drzal of Michigan State University’s Composite Materials and Structures Center, “but plant-based cars are the wave of the future.”

Bio-fibres like kenaf, hemp, grass, corn straw, flax, jute, henequen, pineapple leaf and sisal offer light weight and strength and thereby help extend fuel mileage...

loCk

[Lock]

http://www.rawbamboobikes.co.uk/

We offer a unique service to the UK Cycling industry; being the only dealer of bamboo bikes , offering a wide range of bike types suiting all ride disciplines, and budgets.

All frames are made entirely of bamboo, and are bamboo with hemp lugs, or with fibre glass/carbon fibre, making the frames flexible yet robust.

Bamboo bike frames create a smooth ride quality with a beautiful frame.

Based in the North of England, and serving the UK and Europe, we offer the opportunity to test ride a bike before buying, and guidance through the purchasing process.

Some of the bikes they picture are labeled Calfee:


tks
loCk

[Lock]

about
We spread the benefits of bike-making.

We've taught over a hundred fifty people to make bikes at the Bamboo Bike Studio. Tens of thousands of miles of test riding. Riding through winter, through potholes and all over the world. We are helping to start a factory in Ghana in September, with the goal of providing the lowest cost and highest value bicycles to people who want them most.

We love what we are doing. It started and will continue in little rooms. I hope you take the lessons we've learnt and spend some time in a little room of your own. Bring in a friend, drink some coffee, put on your light and put on some music, and build yourself a bike.

workshop
Build your own bike in two days at our workshop in Brooklyn or San Francisco.

We supply all tools and materials, and as much - or as little - help as you need.

We don't assume any prior experience, but a strong work ethic and an appetite for the unfamiliar is essential.

Build a Frame ($632), and add your own components at home or your local shop. With the Full Bike option ($948) we help you select and install all the components you need to ride away on a bike you made yourself.

Write bikes@bamboobikestudio.com for more.

Get started on your bike. Reserve your workshop by placing a deposit ($200) below.

For updates on workshop availability, follow our twitter feed or join our On-Deck List

[Lock]

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=9200

MANILA, Dec. 26 (COMSTE/PIA) -- The Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) identified the development of electric vehicles and green transport as priority projects of the commission for 2011 in an en banc meeting held at the Senate recently.

The Bamboo electric bicycle is lightweight, weighing only 18 kilograms a full 3 kilograms lighter than conventional electric bicycles. The electric motor (200W, 36V-10A) and battery of the bicycle has a range of 30 kilometers on a 5 hour charge when used over level ground but since the bamboo electric bicycle is a hybrid, where the electric power is used only for assisting the biker for uphill climbs or to get a boost of speed, the range is multiplied several times over.

Full article in the link
loCk

[Lock]

More pics of the bike here:
http://www.lifeartworks.com/amazing-steampunk-bike-wood/

[spinningmagnets]

Lock, you're one of the posters that keep this place interesting! This looked familiar, so I whipped out my Google. Its a faithful replica of the first ICE vehicle. Daimler made it in 1885. He chose a motorcycle and wood as a medium for the same reason, he needed to show his vision of the ICE's application as quickly as possible.

Otto, Daimler, Maybach, and Benz knew each other. The common steam technology around them meant they could order readily available pistons, cylinders, connecting rods, and crankshafts of just about any size. Bosche invented the coil and spark plug, which allowed many municipal light generation power-stations to convert from steam over to burning natural gas.

Petroleum oil was being pumped to refine into now-valuable kerosene lamp-fuel, (since whale-oil had become scarce and expensive), and as a result benzine (gasoline) was a dirt-cheap byproduct.

Maybach went into designing airship engines, and since they (Zeppelins) could fly higher than ground-fire could reach, he hoped to get a big government contract by promoting them as a war-weapon.

Otto and Diesel both struggled and never enjoyed the success they deserved without a big-hit product. I think they both just wanted to license their inventions to manufacturers.

Benz immediately went into making cars, but with no car loans availble for several decades, buyers had to pay full price, plus common roads at the time were barely adequate for horses. His entire life was a struggle.

Daimler was the one who enjoyed almost immediate success. Every nation had many cities on rivers, and trade was conducted with boats. Steam-boats of all sizes and types required an expensive steam engineer, and even then there occasional explosions. Daimlers cargo-boat engines sold easily, and customers demanded ever bigger versions. (like RC motors now?)

Daimler only began making luxury cars later as a side business, because nothing that was for sale at the time suited him. The German depression in the 1930's resulted in the government ordering Daimler and Benz to merge (five other companies were similarly merged to form Audi), resulting in what we now have as Mecedes-Benz.

[Lock]

Thanks SM

Daimler made it in 1885. He chose a motorcycle and wood as a medium for the same reason, he needed to show his vision of the ICE's application as quickly as possible.

Yah, kudos to Daimler, yet he still hadn't see this coming:

Parcelle_1890.jpg (38.56 KiB) Viewed 991 times

LocK