| "Why wood?" is the first question I 'am asked about my bicycle frames. Historially , of course, the first bike frames were made from wood. Using iron fittings and hardwoods, the entire bicycle was made from wood. Even as late as the 1890's bicycle frames were made using bamboo and steam bent hickory. Before the advent of pneumatic tires, these materials were used to give the ridder a comfortable ride. With all the new high tech materials available , such as aluminum , steel, titanium and carbon fiber, so why use wood? , The same reason you would use these other materials, for their ride quality. What is ride quality? Basically it refers to how the frame responds the input of the ridder and the road. When riding , does the ride feel too harsh, so you feel every bump in road? Is there enough laterial stiffness to provide an controled respondsive ride? I have found wood can provide unique ride quality. Wood as the feel and respondiveness of steel and the ability to absorb bumps and road noise like carbon fiber. Thus giving a very quiet and controled ride without excessive laterial flex. |
