Gravel Bike by Andy

Design: Gravel bike
Build: Gravel Frame Home Build Kit
Location: Lichfield, U.K.

What made you decide to build a bamboo bike?

I was in the market for a new gravel bike but also wanted something to focus on during lockdown and building my own bamboo frame ticked both boxes.

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

It's one of the most rewarding things I've done

What did you find most difficult about your bike build?

Firstly during the build I spent a long time setting ang aligning the rear triangle. Even using a laser pre-tacking I still had to make modifications to the wheel alignment after tacking. Secondly, getting the lugs smooth before painting was a painstakingly dusty job. Thirdly, once assembled I had a problem with the drive side crank arm fouling on the chainstay. James gave me the confidence that filing a groove in the bamboo to create clearance wouldn't compromise strength. It worked a treat!

What was the easiest part of the build?

Shaping the bamboo before tacking

How would you describe the ride of your finished bike?

The bike feels solid, responsive and light. I'm used to riding a cyclocross frame so the geometry of the gravel build feels long which will suit longer rides.

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

Next time I'd put the provision for internal cable routing in before tacking! I'd also like to see an option to build an 'Easy' Gravel Bike using the carbon lugs developed for the road frame. I like the aesthetics and it would mean you could knock up a frame in a weekend.