Design: City bike
Build: City bike home build kit
Location: Isle of Wight, U.K

What made you decide to build a bamboo bike?

I was looking for a lockdown project, had a shed full of bike bits and thought a bamboo bike would be a fun challenge.

Did you enjoy building the bicycle from scratch and would you recommend the experience?

I definitely didn't enjoy every second, but I really enjoyed the overall experience of building the bike from scratch. I'd recommend the experience to anyone that thinks it could be interesting.

What did you find most difficult about your bike build?

I was so nervous about doing several of the stages - so thats what I found difficult. The instructions, website, videos and support were all brilliant. As soon as I got over my worrying, each stage ended up with a better result than I expected.

What was the easiest part of the build?

After I got into a rhythm, I found the laminating of the joints easier than I expected, and thoroughly satisfying to do.

How would you describe the ride of your finished bike?

I love it. The ride is so very smooth. I did wonder if it would be over-flexible but its wonderfully nippy whilst still being compliant.

What would you improve about the build experience or your finished bike?

Some of the manual was a little bit out of date compared to the kit, mainly minor things but where I was a little uncertain it didn't help! I ended up having remove some of the material on seat stays and chain stays to fit some wider tyres - I really wish I'd spent a little more time test fitting my wheels and tyres and making sure I hadn't had to do that! I also wish I'd thought about cable management when building it and built in some cable guides when I was laminating the joints.