questions, answered.
About kits, workshops, team days, school programmes and prison courses. Choose a topic or read on.
pick your door.
choosing a kit.
Which kit should I start with?
If you ride, build the bike you'll actually use — road, gravel, mountain or city. If you want a lighter first taste of frame-building — or a build to run with a class or group — start with a balance-bike kit. If you've got a dream geometry in mind, the custom kit is built to your numbers.
What's in the box?
Wrapped kits use bamboo joints wrapped in flax fibre and two-part epoxy. Lugged kits use bamboo tubes bonded into pre-formed aluminium lugs. Check the individual kit page for its contents and the tools you need.
What do kits cost?
Current prices are on the kit pages. Check the kit you want for its contents and price.
Can I build a custom geometry?
Yes — the Custom Frame Kit is cut to your measurements. Tell us how you ride and we'll help you spec it.
What about wheels, gears and finishing parts?
Component packs carry everything but the frame — groupset, wheels, finishing kit — matched to your build. Parts & tools are also sold separately for repairs and upgrades.
building it.
Do I need experience or special tools?
No welding, no factory — a hacksaw, files, sandpaper and a tape measure. Most of our builders had never made anything like this before; the manual and video course assume you're starting from zero.
How long does a build take?
Build time depends on the kit and your pace. Check the individual kit page and follow its instructions, including curing times.
How strong is bamboo, really?
84.3 MPa: bamboo tubing tested at Swansea University to BS ISO 22157:2019. These are material-test results for bamboo tubing, not tests of a finished frame or a prediction of its service life. Read the test results.
Will it crack? Can it get wet?
Wrapped kits use bamboo joints wrapped in flax fibre and two-part epoxy. Lugged kits use bamboo tubes bonded into pre-formed aluminium lugs. Follow the care guidance supplied with your kit. If you find a crack or damage, contact us with your order details and photographs.
Warranty cover depends on the product and purchase date. Check the agreement supplied with your purchase, or contact us with your order details.
What if I get stuck mid-build?
The Support Centre has build guidance. If you need help, email info@bamboobicycleclub.org with your kit and question.
workshops.
Do you run in-person workshops?
Public workshops run in London, Amersfoort and Toulouse. See the workshops page for formats and booking enquiries.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes, and they're a favourite — workshop gift vouchers are active in the shop and redeemable against any workshop format when the recipient books.
I have a voucher — how do I book?
Email info@bamboobicycleclub.org with your voucher reference and we'll get you scheduled.
schools & education.
What do you offer schools?
We've taught in schools since 2014 — a design-and-make programme run in class, taught by us or by your own staff. See the education options and ask for a quote for your setting.
Is the schools course accredited?
The approved OCN London Level 2 courses are prison courses. School delivery needs OCN London confirmation before credits can be advertised. Credits also require learner registration, assessment to the approved specification, internal quality assurance and OCN external quality assurance. Discuss your setting with us.
Can our teachers run it themselves?
Yes. Our design-and-make programme can be taught by your own staff. See school programmes and discuss training and materials for your setting.
prisons & justice.
What is Build to Bond?
Build to Bond is the two-week prison programme: OCN London Level 2, Introduction to Product Design & Manufacture (Bamboo Balance Bike), course 1131207. The separate six-week training is Workshop Skills and Sustainable Manufacturing, course 1130735, also OCN London Level 2. Both are bespoke, non-regulated courses. See the two prison programmes.
Does it work?
Programme records report 90%+ completion across the prison programme. Programme evaluation measured a 26% confidence uplift. Lord Timpson OBE, Prisons Minister 2024–2026, publicly endorsed the programme. Read the evidence and endorsement.
Where does it run?
Four prison workshops running. See the prison programmes and contact us about delivery at your site.
How do I bring it to my prison?
Prison programmes are commissioned through the DPS and prisons' own purchase orders. Pricing is agreed per site and cohort. Talk to us about your site and see the programme options.
companies & teams.
What's a team build day?
A facilitated bamboo-building session for your team. The format, outputs and price are agreed for your event. Explore team days or ask for a quote.
Who have you run these for?
James has led team builds for Hilton London Bankside, The Macallan, Four Seasons and Investec. See team days.
Group size and venue?
From a small leadership team at our London workshop to large away-days at your venue — tell us your headcount and we'll shape the day. More on team building.
orders, shipping & returns.
Where do you ship?
Our customers span 45 countries. Check delivery availability and the shipping charge for your address at checkout.
What's your returns policy?
See the refund policy for the terms that apply to your purchase.
What's the warranty?
Warranty cover depends on the product and purchase date. Check the agreement supplied with your purchase, or contact us with your order details.
where the money goes.
Where does the money go?
Bamboo Mobility Project CIC · 16257348: programmes, education and community delivery. Bamboo Bicycle Club London Ltd · 10809302: the workshop, kits and designs.
We're a Community Interest Company with a bike shop attached, not a charity with a gift shop. Read our story and see the programme evidence.
Who backs it?
Investec Beyond Business selected BBC in 2025. The National Lottery Community Fund awarded a grant to Pedal Forward in 2025. Read the evidence and coverage.
Still stuck?
Email info@bamboobicycleclub.org, or visit the Support Centre for build guidance.