Gravel Bike by Maialen

Design: Flax Gravel Kit
Build: Flax Gravel Kit with Sram Apex
Location: France

What made you decide to build a bamboo bike?

The fact of building the bike myself. It was a huge challenge.

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

Yes, of course!! I would recommend it. Although you need to be really patient and thorough.

What did you find most difficult about your bike build?

Knowing the sizes of all the mounting parts, which one is compatible with the others and so on (e.g. flat mount or not of the brakes, adaptors for that, wheels axels and its sizes, the direction mount...) So many pieces and so many variables... That was the hardest part by far!

What was the easiest part of the build?

At the end, I had the feeling that building the frame was the easiest. However, while building It, carving the bamboos to fit them against the joining sites was the hardest.

How would you describe the ride of your finished bike?

Coooool!!!!! It feels so light, so natural and smooth. And you have to add the feeling of proudness. That is the best part of it!!

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

I would be more accurate on the chain tubes. I had to carve them in order to get space for the wheel but i feel like i carved them too much and they look too weak. I would relocate them. I would also try another finishing of the joints (i left it natural, with the epoxy ).

Build your own: Our Gravel Frame Build Kit has the materials and step-by-step instructions to build your own bamboo gravel frame at home. Or browse all our bamboo bike frame kits.