MAKE: Blog: Wooden bike

Wooden bike

Ross Millar writes in about Marco Facciola's completely functional and completely wooden bicycle. Marco writes:

I was mostly concerned that the wooden chain would break. I researched the strength of different types of wood and built jigs to test the stresses that each of the chain's components would undergo during use. First, I used my weight (150 lbs) to see if the wood could endure this amount of force. Then, my father would stand on the jig. I calculated that my dad's weight would be twice the force each chain component would need to withstand. I made the specs high to ensure the chain and sprockets would work even if the wood had imperfections. During testing, I made adjustments to the chain's components, and once I had it figured out, I realized that completing the project was within my grasp.

Wooden bicycle - Link.

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: JD on January 23, 2008 at 9:53 PM

The amazing thing is to think that this could have been built 2000 years ago. I wonder what other stuff we could build out of basic materials today that will instead have to wait for the idea to appear two millennia from now...

Posted by: Ray on January 24, 2008 at 5:01 AM

It's a shame Gilligan and the professor beat him to it.

But seriously, awesome work

Posted by: cbleslie on January 24, 2008 at 6:48 AM

I wonder if there is a fire hazard. I mean, if it's not greased, the wheels could light on fire going down a hill.

That would look sweet.

Posted by: dmlls on January 24, 2008 at 9:10 AM

I think we need a video demonstration! but it looks great!

Posted by: Colin Joss on January 24, 2008 at 1:44 PM

So I wonder why we don't see any bike from old civilization :) I am always intrigued by the possibility of high-tech knowledge from old human civilization. So far I found only megastructures and not much on medium to small practical mechanical tool like bike or mechanical calculator and stuff.

Colin Joss
Colin.Joss@gmail.com
East Lothian, Haddington
United Kingdom

Posted by: shooteverypig on January 24, 2008 at 6:27 PM

Some friends of mine make these regularly:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shooteverypig/432203829/

Posted by: Lance on January 25, 2008 at 1:10 PM

How fast does it go? Why only a Single Speed? Are you in talks with Shimano?

Three words... Tour...De...France.

Posted by: Colin Joss on January 25, 2008 at 9:06 PM

I looked on youtube no luck so far. Is there anyone who has the Video link for this? For the moment, I am going to find out how to contact Marco Facciola.

Colin Joss
East Lothian, Haddington, United Kingdom
http://www.glucosaminadvice.com

Posted by: Colin Joss on January 28, 2008 at 12:32 AM

"Lance,

Trying this prototype on Tour de France is too much for an experiment. It may already break itself apart on early stages. No matter how good the wood quality is, it can never compete the strength of carbon fibres.

Colin Joss
East Lothian, Haddington, United Kingdom
http://www.glucosaminadvice.com"

Posted by: Colin Joss on January 28, 2008 at 12:33 AM

Lance,

Colin Joss
East Lothian, Haddington, United Kingdom
http://www.glucosamineadvice.com

Posted by: Rob on April 13, 2008 at 3:33 AM

Colin Joss, try putting some humour into your comment.

Posted by: Ted on July 18, 2008 at 11:36 PM

This is amazing, I would have guessed a wooden chain would have to have been much chunkier to funcion, and the ratchet is very cool, quite a testament to your engineering and craftmanship

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