Read this build detail about the very special bamboo tandem, pictured above. Consider this October, 2011 review of our Bamboo Adventure in Mountain Flyer Magazine. This duo road two bamboo touring bikes, fully-loaded, 18.5k miles over two years. Our bamboo tubes mitered together and bound by eco resin soaked hemp fiber create a frame whose most notable characteristic, beyond beauty, is this incredible vibration dampening. Enjoy this very thorough and well written article about our bamboo product. As well, please consider this recent feedback from a new Calfee Bamboo Pro owner.
Each of our bamboo frames requires over 40 hours of labor to build. Following an interview with the frame’s new owner, we hand select a bamboo tube set that will deliver characteristics consistent with the riders expectations and requirements. Every frame is made to order and every frame is unique. All bamboo bicycles are available in stock or custom geometries.
Our frame is made from bamboo that has been treated to prevent splitting. We finish the bamboo frames with satin polyurethane that functions as a vapor seal and allows the owner to maintain the bamboo frame as they would any metal or carbon frame. Lugs are made of hemp fiber, blonde in color. As is the case with all Calfee frames, we use a plant based high performance eco resin to create the required matrix. Importantly, we discovered that bamboo and carbon fiber have different rates or thermal dynamic expansion. Our early bamboo frames used carbon fiber, instead of natural fiber, to join the tubes and many of the joints failed over time. Our 10 year warranty protected those Calfee customers and they now enjoy our hemp fiber-lugged bamboo bicycle frames.