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BIY 2 Bike Kit – Build your own bamboo bike in just 5 hours?

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They say ‘if you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself.’ But what if you have zero experience? According to the folks at bamboo bee bicycles, that’s not a problem, especially with their new BIY 2 Bike kit. You may remember the brand from their first BIY kit which allowed users to create and build their own bamboo bicycle which sounds like it could be a recipe for disaster, but apparently it went over pretty well.

However, there were a number of things that customers mentioned could be improved which was the starting point for BIY 2. With a new custom jig and frame tubes shipped to fit your individual needs, BIY 2 claims you can build your own bike in under 5 hours…

BIY 2

At this point you’re probably wondering how they took a 2-3 day process which includes a lot of epoxy drying time and slashed it down to just 5 hours. The answer seems to lie in their new “in-house fiber roll” which is impregnated with epoxy. Compared to more traditional hemp fiber rolls that you have to apply epoxy to, this method eliminates the need for extra goop and cuts out a large chunk of time. However, bamboo bee mentions that this 5 hour claim is for a basic finish. For a “professional finish” (probably like the photos of bikes shown) it will take more time and materials. It’s unclear how this In-house fiber roll actually sets, but they make it sound pretty simple – just don’t expect the finish product to look like those in the photos.

BIY Bike Kit 2 bamboo bikes (1)

A big part of BIY 2 is the adjustable jig which supposedly allows for nearly any bike shape or size. It probably won’t be replacing any Anvil jigs any time soon, but it does look interesting. The integrated measurements allow for easy custom frame designs down to the head tube, bottom bracket and dropouts. The jig is reusable and supposedly can be used for materials other than bamboo. The Kickstarter mentions steel tubes will be available but only for a classic road bike layout.

BIY Bike Kit 2 bamboo bikes (2)

While there will initially be 5 designs to choose from (26″ mountain bike, 29er mountain bike, Road bike, Step through Bike, and Kids bikes), bamboo bee has created an app that will act as a database for custom designs that customers come up with. In the future you should be able to choose from a number of different bikes just by selecting an option in the app and build it up.

Bike kits currently start at $249 which includes a BIY 2 builder jig and a Builder frame kit with all of the frame parts needed (tubes precut and mitered to your specifications). Kits do not include the actual bike parts, so it’s time to start rounding up all those old parts in your garage. Estimated delivery is October 2016.

bamboobee.net

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mopedssuck
mopedssuck
7 years ago

This looks totally safe, what could go wrong?

Chris
Chris
7 years ago
Reply to  mopedssuck

A lot if you’re utterly incompetent. That said, you do realize people have been building – and flying – airplanes made from composite kits for several decades now. People also routinely build their own kayaks, cars and motorcycles from kits. Reality is a bicycle frame really isn’t that difficult of a structure to make. This stuff isn’t rocket science by a long stretch. Also bamboo is crazy strong as is wood. I’ve personally flow on 70 year old airplanes made out of wood.

Having said all of that, if you’re going to pony up the money to build your on bike I’d pay extra for the kits Craig Calfee is putting out. The jigs and tools look a lot more dialed in and easier to use. Anyone with any experience in woodworking knows that good tools and jigs make a world of difference.

ryan
ryan
7 years ago
Reply to  mopedssuck

To me, the materials and process DO look totally safe. I’ve been riding a bamboo bike like I stole it for almost two years through rock gardens around Los Alamos, NM and it’s holding up great. Whether or not your average joe is gonna have the patience and expertise to build a frame is another story entirely. I have quite a pile of spare parts left over from a recent upgrade binge. I may just buy one of these and hang the old parts on it.

1368439846
1368439846
7 years ago

Super Stable Jig.

uglyyeti
uglyyeti
7 years ago

Looks like ace bandage prepreg?

yard dog
yard dog
7 years ago

what if I want to build a full suspension bike?

Burton
Burton
7 years ago

Bamboo — the novelty material that will not die.

Chris L
Chris L
7 years ago
Reply to  Burton

Have actually ever ridden a bamboo bike or are just speaking out of your a**?

rampa
rampa
7 years ago

The jig is stabilized by screwing it to a wall. The little boards it is made from are primarily just for yardstick purposes.

Stendhal
Stendhal
7 years ago

Dan Martin could not ride this because the panda bear that runs after him would eat it.

chase
chase
7 years ago

More clickbait by BR.
I sometimes think they just post this nonsense to inflame me personally. Myopic I know, but this is so dumb. I don’t want to comment but am drawn to do it like moth to a flame.
I’m sure some (deleted) will lecture me how this is changing the world and the ride is incredible, blah,blah blah. All it is doing is stealing the food from Panda bears everywhere.
Save the Pandas!!!

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