Bamboo bicycles coming to North America!!!
By Philbo
@Philbo (578)
Canada
July 20, 2009 6:20am CST
Read an article the other day about a bicycle company that is bringing bicycle frames made with bamboo instead of steel or aluminum tubing to the North American market. Panda bicycles is the brand and they say it has the strength the steel, the weight of aluminum and the vibration damping of carbon fiber. Do you think North America will welcome this product? Is the time right for it? They are used in other markets so it is not new technology. If you are interested just Google "Panda bicycles". Until I get to five hundred posts trying to put in the mile long link for this is impossible.
4 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
20 Jul 09
Hi Philbo!
I've read about these bamboo bikes,and think them to be a great idea..a bike made from a readily available,fast growing natural resource material that's both strong and light...what's not to like? They should get a good reception from the eco-minded cyclists (same thing,right?
) in the US,and maybe also from woodworking hobbyists who could find themselves with a new sideline in bikebuilding or repair..
) in the US,and maybe also from woodworking hobbyists who could find themselves with a new sideline in bikebuilding or repair..@Philbo (578)
• Canada
22 Jul 09
I wish the term eco-minded cyclists was redundant but it isn't. I've witnessed the garbage left behind after a cycling type event and was appalled. Tours I've run in the past were eco-friendly but that was only because of my extreme bull headed insistence. I like the idea of bamboo bikes partly because of the eco-side of it. I also like working with natural materials myself. Wood works well to make bicycles as well.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
26 Sep 09
Intresting, but not what you'd call cheap. If they really take off though, and they bring out more models, the price might come down.
@Philbo (578)
• Canada
27 Sep 09
There would always have to be that little problem of price. Right now it comes off as a bit exotic and it also has the "green" label. I hope the price comes down to a little more reasonable. For the time being I'm way too cheap. I built almost the entire fleet of bikes for my family out of bikes other people had junked.
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
23 Jul 09
For its low cost, new bamboo products have been tried, but most come to nil. For instance, the bamboo floor is not accepted, and the bamboo cutting board brings about hygeon issues. I do not see good future for the bamboo bike. For static chair, it is ok, but for mobile bike, safety is a big challenge.
