cinelli
contributor
Reged: 01/17/04
Posts: 109
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Has anyone here ridden a bamboo Calfee? Are there any on the road yet?
Edited by cinelli (10/19/05 03:33 PM)
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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No, but when I get done growing bike. I'll let you know how it rides.
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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I've ridden one. A friend of mine has had one for about 2 years. He is a Calfee dealer, I think his is serial #2. I was looking for another bike about 18 months ago, and he "made" me take it for a spin since he was trying to sell it.
The bike rides very much like a normal bike. I expected it to feel "funny" somehow, but it felt a lot like my Tetra. It was very solid, but absorbed road buzz like a good carbon frame. The handling was almost indistinguishable from my Tetra. It had the same fork and geometry as my Tetra so I feel it was a good comparison.
As cool as the bike is, its about a pound heavier than a comparably priced carbon or Ti frame, and I was worried about storing it in my garage which is quite hot and dry in the summer. Long term Bamboo baking seems like a bad idea to me, but I might just be paranoid. I never did ask Craig Calfee what he he thought about storage requirements.
If I planned to store it in a controlled environment, i might have gone for it. It seems very well made and I liked the ride.
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Bruce
contributor
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 133
Loc: North of NYC
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I have not ridden or even seen one except for photos. Bamboo bikes seem like a designer/novelty thing to me. I just can't justify the price to ride a frame that is no better than my current ride, and heavier at the same time. It is definitely more maintenance than a nude carbon bike, it's heavier and probably not water or weather proof. Who needs that hassle? So the question becomes why ride bamboo, and the only answer seems to be because it is cool.
I'm sorry, but that does not cut it for me. I have many other things that I would buy first that are also cool, that I don't need as well. So why by a bamboo bike? I would rather get a DFly/DFly/DFly S&S coupled triple. Now that would be a cool bike!
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Bruce wrote:
Who needs that hassle? So the question becomes why ride bamboo, and the only answer seems to be because it is cool.
Granted, the following doesn't apply to the Calfee bamboo frame due to cost and availability, but the concept would be great for developing countries that have bamboo as an abundant resource.
A bamboo frame could be the basis for inexpensive transportation. Most of the resources would be available in country and less parts (raw steel or tubes etc.) need to be imported. Once the bamboo bikes are available inexpensively enough that any family could own one, then all their children could go to school. Those educated children would then benefit their country with better ideas and how to capitalize on them. They develop a better quality of life with less poverty and illness. Etcetera, etcetera. ...all because of an organic bike.
Craig Calfee; Noble prize recipient!
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Bruce, I respect your point of view. Mine is a bit different. Although I do not want a bamboo frame I can think of getting one simply because it is such an interesting material to make a bike of. Who would have imagined that a natural material could compete with steel, aluminum and carbon fiber? That said, I do think the bamboo that Craig uses is such a strong bamboo and is clear coated so that I am about certain it can stand up to weather without a problem, bamboo grows in tropical countries after all.
Many owners may be very pleased to ride such a unique bike. Some folks will buy an expensive watch, not because it is a better time-keeper, but because it has the appeal that any fine jewelry has for some folks. A bamboo bike is a work of art, no two being identical. That has to count for a lot with some people.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
I do think the bamboo that Craig uses is such a strong bamboo and is clear coated so that I am about certain it can stand up to weather without a problem, bamboo grows in tropical countries after all.
IIRC, Calfee bamboo frames have a "natural" finish, nude if you will. No paint or clear coat. The frames need to be rubbed with a fine furniture oil occasionally.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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BikerDoug
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 88
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Quote:
skuke wrote:
Granted, the following doesn't apply to the Calfee bamboo frame due to cost and availability, but the concept would be great for developing countries that have bamboo as an abundant resource.
IIRC... one of the problems craig had when developing the bike as finding in quantity bamboo with the correct proportions he needed for each tube. Just having bamboo available wouldn't be enough. It would have to be the right kind.
Second, connecting the bamboo (lugs etc.) would still require great skill and care. I think both of these things would prevent bamboo from replacing cheap steel as the more economical material for inexpensive bikes.
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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I was going to buy one, but when I saw you couldn't get bamboo fork, handlebars, or wheels to match. I decided to wait for the cool factor to get higher.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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You left out the bamboo stem, bottle cages, seat (great flex), seatpost, crank and pedals. 
Actually when you think about all that "stuff" being carbon now it is amazing when has transpired the last few years. What is next a carbon chamois?  
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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Oh yea that's right. Thanks! So, when you find a material that you can use for all that stuff, and get the ride like we have in our bikes. That's as Cool as it gets. So it's time to forget about all those other materials for now, and just enjoy being Cool for our time has arrived.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
BikerDoug wrote:
IIRC... one of the problems craig had when developing the bike as finding in quantity bamboo with the correct proportions he needed for each tube. Just having bamboo available wouldn't be enough. It would have to be the right kind.
Yes, you're correct. Finding quality bamboo in quantity was/is difficult. However, that is what is required for a high end bamboo frame. My thought is that proof of concept is finished. Now, why can't you make cheap bamboo bikes with much lesser quality bamboo? ...That's a rhetorical question. Remember, this is for a developing country and some family who can't afford a bike. Sure, it may not handle as well and ride as nice, but who cares!? The objective here is cheap transportation.
Quote:
Second, connecting the bamboo (lugs etc.) would still require great skill and care. I think both of these things would prevent bamboo from replacing cheap steel as the more economical material for inexpensive bikes.
Yes, again true. ...if you used CF lugs like Calfee does. Why not run of the mill fiberglass? Pre-fab lugs, heck, chewing gum and duct tape!
Have you ever been to Hong Kong? The multistory (20+ stories) apartment buildings are made with bamboo scafolding!!! Yes, the construction workers are climbing around on bamboo well over 20 stories in the air. And, how are the pieces connected? Glad you asked. They're tied with twine or some such material! One could conceivably make a bamboo frame that was tied together! ...and still be strong enough for daily use.
Yes, steel frames are cheap, but the energy needed to make steel is quite high relative to the energy needed to grow and harvest bamboo. I understand that the planet will probably never have mass produced bamboo frames, but my point is that it should be tried as step to achieve a better standard of living. Not a better standard for me and you, Hell, we have nice bikes and the internet for conversations like this. But a better standard for those without.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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I've seen a couple of these, now I guess my next time around will be riding one.
One particular concern I have with this frame is the lack of waterbottle bosses on the DT and ST. The bikes I've seen are outfitted with twin cages hanging off the back of the seatpost, Tri-style.
I don't know if this is a limitation or a preference. I suspect drilling a hole for the bosses might encourage a crack to develop and the alternative would be to apply a CF wrap around the bamboo afixing each boss in position. I think too the four bands of CF might breakup the visual coolness of these pipes.
Looking forward to my test drive.
Hey guys!
Kevan
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
skuke wrote:
Granted, the following doesn't apply to the Calfee bamboo frame due to cost and availability, but the concept would be great for developing countries that have bamboo as an abundant resource.
A bamboo frame could be the basis for inexpensive transportation. Most of the resources would be available in country and less parts (raw steel or tubes etc.) need to be imported. Once the bamboo bikes are available inexpensively enough that any family could own one, then all their children could go to school. Those educated children would then benefit their country with better ideas and how to capitalize on them. They develop a better quality of life with less poverty and illness. Etcetera, etcetera. ...all because of an organic bike.
Craig Calfee; Noble prize recipient!
Found this at the Calfee website under "opportunities":
Philanthropic: If you have an interest in a project involving the bamboo bikes in developing countries, we have something for you! Are you a good grant application writer? Or would you like to fund this one yourself?
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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