Colins Custom Bamboo Gravel Bike

What Made You Decide to Build a Bamboo Bike?
I enjoy doing DIY and I enjoy cycling, so it seemed like a unique opportunity to marry the two. Plus, the idea of using bamboo really intrigued me.
Did You Enjoy Building the Bicycle from Scratch and Would You Recommend the Experience?
It was an amazing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone. Building a bike from scratch gives one an insight into the workings of bikes that one does not have before. Especially for someone like me who normally just drops their bike off for a service/repair and doesn't ask too many questions afterwards.
What Did You Find Most Difficult About Your Bike Build?
I'm not sure that there really was a most difficult part—it was all a challenge, but that was what made the experience worthwhile. Choosing the right bamboo at the beginning was probably the most challenging.
How Would You Describe the Ride of Your Finished Bike?
It's a great ride and handles really well on pretty rough gravel. I mainly mountain bike and took it on my standard MTB gravel route with no problems.
What Would You Improve About the Build Experience or Your Finished Bike?
I only had 3 days to build the frame and add all the components so I could fly home with a complete bike, so my finish was maybe a bit rough, but actually adds to the character. I do think if I were to build another, I would spend a bit more time on the finish.