Design: Gravel Bike
Build: Gravel Bike Frame + London Workshop

What made you decide to build a bamboo bike?

I was looking for a new bike and came across the Bamboo Bicycle Club on Instagram. I'm a massive fan of giving things a go and making things, so the idea of making my own bike was exciting! Using bamboo felt a bit strange at first but some research re-assured me that it was as good as a "normal" bike.



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

I would highly recommend building your own bike for many reasons! I did the workshop rather than a home build, so had the pleasure of spending 4 days with James a couple of other participants and a few visitors (including James' dog Betty). The additional understanding I gained from the process, along with the 100% custom built for me by me bike is not something you can buy in a shop!

What did you find most difficult about your bike build?

Time, and balancing perfection with effort. 4 days to build a full bike was a bit tight, although I was very happy with the amount of "perfection" I reached - I wanted it to look handmade, the rough edges add to it's style and make it "mine".

What was the easiest part of the build?

Following the process and knowing you'd get something good out of it!

How would you describe the ride of your finished bike?

Surprisingly smooth! The bottom bracket is a bit lower to the ground than my previous bike, so need to be a bit more careful going around corners. Very much looking forward to my first longer cycle this weekend

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

It was a great experience and I'm very happy with my bike! James offers great after build service, it's great to know if I snap a bit of bamboo I can pop back.