When architect Taro Tsuruta set out to build his own bamboo bicycle, it wasn’t just a creative experiment it was a personal project born from purpose. Inspired by an article about the Bamboo Bicycle Club and motivated by a charity ride for Alzheimer’s in honour of his mother, Taro decided to craft something truly meaningful. Ten years on, his bamboo bike remains his trusted daily ride — a testament to craftsmanship, sustainability, and the enduring strength of natural materials.

You can follow his new build on his Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/tsuruta_architects/

1. What made you decide to build a bamboo bike, and what's one moment from the build that stands out?

Actually, it was very simple. I read an FT article about someone building a frame with the Bamboo Bicycle Club. Around the same time, I decided to do a charity ride for Alzheimer’s, as my mother was suffering from it, and I thought it would be meaningful to do it on a fully bespoke bike. I built the frame with you and did the ride with a friend, just the two of us. All the funds went to the charity directly.

The moment that stands out is the long process of sanding down all the joints it took time and patience but was deeply satisfying.

2. Five years later, how has the frame held up? Any surprises or maintenance issues?

Now it’s actually been 10 years! All the joints are still perfectly sound, the frame is strong and has required very little attention.

The most annoying part over the years has been the cabling. The original bamboo cable stays lasted a few years, but I’ve experimented with many options since. In the end, I settled on electrical tape and change it every six months or so. The only major replacement has been the Brooks saddle changed at least 4 or 5 times. 

I still ride it daily — around 16 miles — and earlier this summer I did the Dunwich Dynamo: 180 km in 10 hours (including all rest stops). The bike handled it effortlessly.

3. Has the bike become part of your identity? Any memorable journeys?

Yes absolutely. Even after 10 years, every few days someone stops me to ask about the bike. The furthest it’s taken me is probably on a London-to-London charity ride via Antwerp over 600 km.

My friends still introduce me to others as “the bamboo bike guy.” A few days before the Dunwich Dynamo, someone mentioned my bike on the LFGSS forum and during the ride, several cyclists rode past saying, “You’re the guy with the bamboo bike!” It performed like any other serious road bike, and we overtook more people than we were overtaken by, which surprised some!

4. What do you tell people when they ask about it? Has it changed your view on materials or making?

The first thing I usually tell them is how old the frame is — people are always surprised by how robust it is. I also explain how comfortable it is, especially on long rides. I’m convinced I get less tired than others because the bamboo naturally absorbs vibrations — my back never hurts.

Fit is another factor: because the bike was custom-built to my body geometry, it’s uniquely comfortable.

Weight is the next surprise. A bike mechanic once weighed it and said it was around 10 kg — and that it could be even lighter by changing out my 105 groupset and rims.

In terms of sustainability, that’s something I deal with daily in my architecture practice, so it’s already part of my mindset. But comfort is what really makes it special.

5. One piece of advice for someone building their first bamboo bike?

Take accurate body measurements and make it as custom as possible. But most importantly — speak to James Marr!