Wooden Bicycle, The

Up until about a century ago, wood had always been the only available material for the construction of the first bicycles, and it was as recently as the 1950s that wood was the only material used for bike wheels in all competitive cycling realms. These days, in opposition to the great industrialisation of steel manufacturing, wood and bamboo are increasingly being used to create a niche space in design within the industries of transportation, sport, art, culture and indeed modern lives in general. With the significant advances in technological research and application, wood and bamboo are increasingly being promoted as materials suitable for the construction of bicycle frames and individual bicycle components.The Wooden Bicycle is a handy reference for those who have a true passion for the beauty and aesthetics of the modern bicycle in the wooden form, and a strong belief in a more sustainable way of living.Showcasing more than 250 designers from around the world, including craftspeople (many of them renowned bicycle makers), manufacturers and associated organisations, this book dedicates hundreds of pages to beautiful bike designs, illuminating the latest modern trends in specialist bicycle craftmanship. Set out with detailed, distinctive design dialogues from each craftsperson or manufacturer, we learn how wood and bamboo are being enhanced and developed as extremely durable, aesthetically appealing materials, and which are considered sustainable, ecologically viable, user friendly and dynamic across each application. Beautifully illustrated, with historical references and texts by experts in the trade, and backed up with technical engineering knowledge.Features a wide range of bike designs, including wooden bikes, bamboo bikes, wooden balance bikes for children, and wooden bike componentsThemes are introduced with personal flourishes and comments by designers featured throughout the book, making the text quite accessible to all audiences.Each design is accompanied by a detailed explanatory text that shows the thought process of the designer, the challenges and the benefits of the constructionIncludes essays by renowned bike industry aficionados, who impart significant historical background on the advantages of the wooden bicycle, as well as current thoughts on trendsHighly illustrated, with high-quality detailed close-up photography of bikes and their components throughoutLists a handy reference guide for those looking to source components or design contacts.