Amy Makes Stuff

bamboo bike Part 5: final sanding/finishing and assembly

In hindsight, I definitely applied too many separate layers than was necessary. This also meant that I sanded more than was necessary, and used more epoxy than was necessary. Anyhow, at last I arrived at the last layer:

final wrapping
final wrapping
last layer of twine/epoxy!
remove the tape: last layer of twine/epoxy!
close up, I like how you can see the fibers like wood grain
close up, I like how you can see the fibers like wood grain
final rough sanding
final rough sanding
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
ready for finishing
with finish
with finish
hung from the rafter of my garage, ready for assembly
hung from the rafter of my garage, ready for assembly

Although I always have random bike parts, I rarely have a full (compatible) set. I was very pleased to produce a rideable bike at the end of the day.

so many parts!
so many parts!

Here’s the video of the assembly: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPxB3PHN67U]

As many websites before me have already touted, bamboo frames ride beautifully. There is noticeable damping. Plus they look great and make people smile.

Thanks for reading.

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Comments

11 responses to “bamboo bike Part 5: final sanding/finishing and assembly”

  1. guillaume Avatar
    guillaume

    Whoooooowwww gret job !
    Guillaume from France

  2. Franz Avatar
    Franz

    Hey, what did you add as “finish”? Franz from Germany

    1. aqian Avatar
      aqian

      Hi, I stained it using regular wood stain (Minwax natural color, I think). Then I did two coats of a matte finish polyurethane. In other articles I saw that spar varnish was highly recommended since the frame will flex, just like boat spars will flex. I tried this finish and found it to be so glossy that it was very prone to scratching. So I settled for a matte polyurethane instead, and it seems flexible enough. Perhaps they make matte spar varnish?

  3. Raud Kennedy Avatar
    Raud Kennedy

    It looks really nice. How does it ride compared to your old aluminum bike?

    1. aqian Avatar
      aqian

      Thank you! I actually find it rides nicer than the old frame. Its pretty close to the same weight and offers a bit more damping. thanks for reading!

  4. Mb Avatar
    Mb

    Hey looks great, really amazing job. What did you use to sand the epoxy?

    1. aqian Avatar
      aqian

      hi! I start with a coarse rasp, then follow with finer rasp and sandpaper until I’m down to 220 grit at least. Sanding is by far the most time consuming step. thanks for reading!

  5. tomjasz Avatar
    tomjasz

    Gosh, simply the best blog on Bamboo bikes out there. Impressive builder you are!
    I’m wondering where you sourced the hardware you used? Or is that more of your incredible work?

    1. aqian Avatar
      aqian

      hi! thank you for reading! Which hardware are you referring to? The lugs, rear dropouts, and water bottle screw bosses are all cut from an old frame that had bent tubes. The rear brake bridge was (slowly) cut and filed from a block of aluminum.

      1. tomjasz Avatar
        tomjasz

        So obvious once I read it all. I’m embarrassed to have asked. Purely a delight to have found you!

  6. Marshall Avatar
    Marshall

    Your just the coolest.

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