Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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Anyone ride a Calfee Bamboo?
It could possibly be my next bike. I have heard some say that they ride the same or similar to a Tetra Pro. If that was the case, I would just buy a Tetra Pro. However, I have heard others say that bamboo dampens the rode better than carbon fiber and that bamboo gives the best ride of any frame material.
Any thoughts on this?
Bruce
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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I've ridden one of Craig's Bamboo creations, and I must say I was impressed with the ride. It is very much like a tetra, perhaps slightly softer. Ultimately, I chose not to get one since at the time it was common for them to develop cracks in the bamboo, and they weigh a bit more than a comparably priced carbon bike.
Now that Craig is using smoked bamboo to avoid cracking, I would have a harder time deciding. The Bamboo definately has more wow factor than anything else around.
-mike
Edited by Mike (07/17/07 03:49 AM)
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cccyclist
journeyman
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 83
Loc: Central California
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Sorry to get a little off the subject, but...
I am finding the Carbon bike too fragile for my taste (primarily with the finish). The Bamboo would worry me to death!
I have decided to send my Tetra Pro back for a repaint. I only have put 3200 miles on it and have developed many chips, lost most of the paint from the chain stay (from the earlier incident I mentioned on this site) and my recent incident where a back wheel came apart and got against the left chain stay.
My steel bike chips much less and my Ti bike doesn't have paint. I only ride my Calfee during the warm months when it doesn't rain and the roads are clean.
I am convinced that it has something to do with the flexibility of the carbon behind the paint. Any kind of a hit on the frame (even leaning the bike up against a pole) will bubble the paint underneath.
The ride is superior to anything in existence and it is a piece of art, so I put up with the finish issues.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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An alternative would be to have your bike finished 'nude', no finish at all. I've had three Calfees, two with a clear coat and one nude. The nude is different.
My wife's Calfee is five years old with a clearcoat finish. I touch up the nicks that occur in the clearcoat with clear nail polish. Other than cosmetics, I see no issues with chips in the paint.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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If I end up buying a Tetra Pro rather than a Bamboo, it will have a nude finish on it. Nude seems to much more durable than paint.
Bruce
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cccyclist
journeyman
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 83
Loc: Central California
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I agree. I may go clear this time so at least it should be easier to tough up.
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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My wife and I both have Tetras. Mine, in Ferrari Red, was chipping so bad that I had it "nudeified". Hers, in translucent cabernet, has had no chips whatsoever. I'm not sure if the translucents are more durable, or they made improvements in their paint process (hers is a year newer). You might ask someone at Calfee what the deal is.
Also, I complained about the difference in durability, and they cut me a break on the paint removal
Good Luck
-mike
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cccyclist
journeyman
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 83
Loc: Central California
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That's funny because mine is translucent. I am wondering if he is having painting done by different outside vendors with varying results. I will definitely include a written letter expressing my disappointment in the finish when I send it back. Thanks for the info. I have to start thinking of this bike as a tool rather than a piece of art. But it is so beautiful!
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Saxon
friend
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 28
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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Different colors hold up better than others for some reason. My bike has a few chips, but is holding up well. People like a colorful bike, but nude is probably best for long term great looks. Especially if you're rough with the bike.
I've seen the bamboo bikes up close but never tried one out. They are so beautiful. Really amazing works of art.
Edited by Saxon (07/18/07 06:12 PM)
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rnhood
friend
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 39
Loc: NC
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My Tetra is white and beautiful and does not not chip. I would like to have a Bamboo Tetra too. It's on my wish list.
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madake_chic
new member
Reged: 10/29/06
Posts: 6
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I have 51cm bamboo and it's really beautiful.( see my pics uploaded) For me that is stiff enough, which surprised me and dampens lots of vibrations as some owners stated on this forum.
I used to live northern California and joined Mt.diablo challenge. Normally I have severe back pain after such a hard ride but somehow I didn't feel any. Probably bamboo tube helped me a lot. One good thing was, I had a chance to chat with many, many Calfee owners.
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RogerJ
new member
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Portland, OR
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I bought a 54' Bamboo this past winter. Once I got through the rainy season (Portland, OR), I've been riding it a quite a bit but not exclusively.
After about 2500 miles, I must say it's about the best riding bike I've owned.
It has more vibration dampening than I fathomed. It is a speed demon downhill and built up light is more than adequate uphill.
I am really pleased and am debating a bamboo fixed gear to replace my Waterford custome fixed which is nearing 25,000 miles.
-r
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
RogerJ wrote:
I bought a 54' Bamboo this past winter. Once I got through the rainy season (Portland, OR), I've been riding it a quite a bit but not exclusively.
After about 2500 miles, I must say it's about the best riding bike I've owned.
It has more vibration dampening than I fathomed. It is a speed demon downhill and built up light is more than adequate uphill.
I am really pleased and am debating a bamboo fixed gear to replace my Waterford custome fixed which is nearing 25,000 miles.
-r
I's great to hear from someone that actually owns a Bamboo Calfee. Have you ridden any other Calfees? Do you know if the Bamboo rides different from a Tetra?
My next bike will be a Calfee, I just don't know which one.
Do you have a photos of your Bamboo Calfee?
Bruce
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RogerJ
new member
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Portland, OR
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I own an 11 year old Luna. I've raced, ridden this bike more than just about any other bike I've ever owned.
I think the Bamboo rides better and is faster, but again, the Luna has seen a lot, and it's older 9 speed DuraAce.
First, both bikes weigh about the same. I did the new 07 Campy components on the Bamboo which shaved the frame weight difference. The luna probably climbs a bit better, but on flat and downhill, the Bamboo is a clear winner in performance. The uphill differnce is negligable.
I will say one thing. If you get and ride a bamboo, you will draw attention. Every week, several people will comment on it as I ride it to work. If there is a local bike breakfast event I get a lot of attention. I've had at least a dozen people take photos of it. The other day, we rode to the top of a local "mountain" and I had lots of other riders interested in the bike as I rolled up to the "summit" parking lot. It's fun to have a chance to chat about the the bike. Many people think its a laminate, or carbon molded to look like Bamboo.
Here's a picture
-r
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
RogerJ wrote:
I own an 11 year old Luna. I've raced, ridden this bike more than just about any other bike I've ever owned.
I think the Bamboo rides better and is faster, but again, the Luna has seen a lot, and it's older 9 speed DuraAce.
First, both bikes weigh about the same. I did the new 07 Campy components on the Bamboo which shaved the frame weight difference. The luna probably climbs a bit better, but on flat and downhill, the Bamboo is a clear winner in performance. The uphill differnce is negligable.
I will say one thing. If you get and ride a bamboo, you will draw attention. Every week, several people will comment on it as I ride it to work. If there is a local bike breakfast event I get a lot of attention. I've had at least a dozen people take photos of it. The other day, we rode to the top of a local "mountain" and I had lots of other riders interested in the bike as I rolled up to the "summit" parking lot. It's fun to have a chance to chat about the the bike. Many people think its a laminate, or carbon molded to look like Bamboo.
Here's a picture
-r
Wow, that's a great photo and a beautiful bike!
Our situations are similar, I bought a used Luna a year ago. I like the bike but I think the bars need to be a little higher. I know that I can have a Tetra, D'Fly or Bamboo custom fitted for me, if necessary.
The Bamboo caught my attention because of comments like yours that it rides better and smoother than the other carbon fiber Calfees.
My concerns with the Bamboo were how well will it hold up and of course the frame weighs more than the other carbon fiber Calfee frames.
Is the vibration dampening really that much better than the Luna? Being able to ride for hours without fatigue is a huge advantage.
Bruce
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rnhood
friend
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 39
Loc: NC
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That is a unique and great looking bike there.
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RogerJ
new member
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Portland, OR
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IN terms of longevity, I am only 6 months into owning the bike. So far so good! LIke I mentioned, I'm about 2500 miles into it. I don't really plan on riding it much in the winter wiht the rain, but I have ridden it in subfreezing dry conditions.
The ride is smoother than my Luna. It's not day and night, but I notice the difference right away when I switch.
As for weight, both bikes (Bamboo and Luna) weigh about the same now. That's a bit unfair. My Luna is 11 years old, and has older 9 speed Dura-Ace versus 07 Campy Record and lots of carbon elsewhere. My gf got an 07 Luna in a 48 and with primarily SRAM components and some uber cushy (IE Heavy) saddle, the bike weighed 15.25 lbs built up. My suspicions and the Calfee specs would tell me you can build a Luna and hence any of the higher end carbons up lighter than Bamboo.
Having said this, the Bamboo in my estimation is faster than my Luna due to the smoother ride. I've timed rides to and from work and other loops and I am consistently faster on the Bamboo, which I feel is due to the fact the bike feels so good.
Cheers.
-r
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
RogerJ wrote:
IN terms of longevity, I am only 6 months into owning the bike. So far so good! LIke I mentioned, I'm about 2500 miles into it. I don't really plan on riding it much in the winter wiht the rain, but I have ridden it in subfreezing dry conditions.
The ride is smoother than my Luna. It's not day and night, but I notice the difference right away when I switch.
As for weight, both bikes (Bamboo and Luna) weigh about the same now. That's a bit unfair. My Luna is 11 years old, and has older 9 speed Dura-Ace versus 07 Campy Record and lots of carbon elsewhere. My gf got an 07 Luna in a 48 and with primarily SRAM components and some uber cushy (IE Heavy) saddle, the bike weighed 15.25 lbs built up. My suspicions and the Calfee specs would tell me you can build a Luna and hence any of the higher end carbons up lighter than Bamboo.
Having said this, the Bamboo in my estimation is faster than my Luna due to the smoother ride. I've timed rides to and from work and other loops and I am consistently faster on the Bamboo, which I feel is due to the fact the bike feels so good.
Cheers.
-r
You have really peaked my curiosity!
What you are saying about the Bamboo ride quality I have heard from two others including Craig Calfee. Craig told me that the Bamboo rides smoother than all of this other frames. In his estimation, the ride quality would result most people ride longer in the saddle. A friend just purchased one has already ridden a double century on it and tells me it is the best riding bike he has ever experienced.
I will pay a visit to the Calfee factory this summer to try one.
Thanks for your feedback. There might be a Calfee Bamboo in my future.
Bruce
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 437
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
madake_chic wrote:
I have 51cm bamboo and it's really beautiful.( see my pics uploaded) For me that is stiff enough, which surprised me and dampens lots of vibrations as some owners stated on this forum.
I used to live northern California and joined Mt.diablo challenge. Normally I have severe back pain after such a hard ride but somehow I didn't feel any. Probably bamboo tube helped me a lot. One good thing was, I had a chance to chat with many, many Calfee owners.
I missed your post or I would have responded to it earlier.
You are the fourth person that I have heard from that has talked about the vibration damping quality of bamboo. Do you own a carbon Calfee or another brand of carbon bike? Just wondering what your observations are of the differences.
My plan is to use my Luna for daily training rides which are about 20 miles and buy a bike that fits me better for longer rides of 50 miles or more. From what I have heard, bamboo might be an excellent choice for long rides.
By the way, have you been advised to keep your bamboo out of the rain? If the bamboo has been sealed, it might be fine in wet wheather, but I am not sure if I would want to take a chance though.
Bruce
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madake_chic
new member
Reged: 10/29/06
Posts: 6
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I visited Calfee facility early last year and I had a chance to make direct comparison between Luna and Bamboo. I don't remember those size exactly but pretty similar.
After enjoying Luna's nice riding, I tried Bamboo and I was pretty surprised. That smooth/silky riding was beyond my expectation. Yes, Bamboo was stiff enough for me, but it indeed ate a lot of vibration. I guess Bamboo may be able to give you comfortable and even faster riding.
Now I have 51cm bamboo, which is smaller than I tested before. This is even stiffer than I imagined. My bike weight is 8.5kg with normal Dura_Ace setup.
Well, Bamboo is so called " 100 % organic composite" so water/ moisture should be able migrate into it. I'm not sure if Bamboo is coated but even if it sealed I wouldn't ride in wet weather on purpose.
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RogerJ
new member
Reged: 08/08/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Portland, OR
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I'm back from Cycle Oregon on my Bamboo. 500(ish) miles of sweet riding and lots of smiles.
The bike was certainly had a "show and tell" factor.
I'm really pleased with the overall performance of the bike in many conditions and riding it hard for 7 straight days was a pleasure.
-r
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