Custom bike maker Renovo out of Portland, Oregon, rethought the materials used in frames and opted to craft theirs from sustainably sourced bamboo and hickory. It’s not just for looks: Natural wood withstands impact better than carbon frames. Now, if only we could take the major dent to our wallet…
One weekend is all it takes to fabricate a bike frame from bamboo— a renewable and performance-positive material growing right in our backyard— assemble the components, and roll away with a custom-fitted ride, tuned to each student’s body and cycling style. The cost of the class directly supports the Bamboo Bike Studio’s efforts and partnership with the Columbia Earth Institute-based Bamboo Bike Project and Millennium Cities Initiative to seed the first bamboo bike factory in Ghana, where reliable and cheap bicycle transportation can dramatically improve access to jobs, commerce, education, basic food and water resources, and health care.
This baby folds in ten sec onds flat to dimensions of 16.5 by 35 by 30 inches and weighs just 29 pounds— essential attributes for commuters who travel on trains with bicycle restrictions. Eclipse has 24-inch wheels and a nine-speed drivetrain, boons for riders seeking the comfort and flexibility of a full-size bike in a folding version.
The Roadster Sport comes tricked out with a rear rack, bell, and fenders that ensure splashing through a puddle won’t leave your suit soggy. Linus improved the bike’s stylish European-influenced design by strengthening its wheels and using stainless steel for its crank hardware. Beauty and brawn—we couldn’t ask for more.
Cast off that too-heavy messenger bag digging into your collarbone. Let your bike do the heavy lifting and opt for a pannier, a pair of bags that drapes over your rear rack. Public’s waterproof design comes in four colors and carries up to 30 liters.
