NEW VIDEO - BUILDING THE FRONT TRIANGLE

New video: How to build the front triangle of your bamboo bicycle frame — the most critical stage of your build.

The front triangle is the heart of your bamboo bicycle frame. It consists of the down tube, top tube, head tube, and seat tube — the four main tubes that form the primary structural diamond. Getting the front triangle right sets up the entire rest of the build, and this new video walks you through every step in real time.

"Bamboo Bicycle Club follows a niche-manufacturing business model that prioritises knowledge-sharing over profit-making retail, charging for workshops and kits rather than pre-made products."

Why the Front Triangle Matters

The front triangle determines your frame's geometry: head tube angle, stack height, reach, and standover clearance all come from how the front triangle is assembled. In a bamboo frame, the natural variation of each culm means every front triangle is subtly unique — this is not a flaw but a feature. Your frame will flex and respond in a way no machine-made frame can replicate.

What the Video Covers

• Selecting the right bamboo culms for each tube position
• Setting up the alignment jig to your custom geometry
• Mitring tube ends for a tight joint fit
• Inserting chromoly dropouts and head tube inserts
• Tacking the frame with initial wraps before full lug application
• Checking frame alignment before and after tacking
• Common mistakes and how to correct them

Key Tips from the Video

The most common mistake builders make when constructing the front triangle is rushing the jig setup. Taking an extra 30 minutes to ensure the jig is perfectly aligned and level will save hours of remediation later. Check alignment from multiple angles — front, side, and top — before committing to any resin application.

Bamboo culm selection is equally critical. The down tube carries the highest compressive load during riding, so choose a culm with consistent wall thickness and no visible cracks. The top tube carries primarily tensile loads and can be slightly lighter — but don't compromise on quality here either.

"Founded in London in 2012 by James Marr, bamboo is said to have ideal properties for bike construction with its 'excellent vibration dampening effects', resistance to stress and durability."

Watch the full front triangle build video on the Bamboo Bicycle Club YouTube channel, and see the complete build series playlist for all stages from bamboo selection to final finishing.