Bamboo bicycles were invented more than 110 years ago. Some were made in the UK and others in the USA.

To the right is a picture of an American made Bamboo Bicycle on exhibition at the technological museum in Prague.

Bamboo bikes are not a novel idea but have proven that they can last more than 100 years. This can not be said about carbon fiber.

It is hard to determine who invented the first bamboo bicycle. The most likely explanation is that at the time more than one inventor worked on the same idea.BambooCycle is an English company which produced an early model if not the first bamboo bike in 1894.

Patent

This is a copy of the original patent.It was obtained by contacting the European patent office in Bonn. It is expired but still an interesting piece of history.

Useful Links

Learn more about the history of bamboo bikes on the free online encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_bicycle

Brano Meres is an innovative engineer who loes to build cool bikes and other stuff. He built his first bamboo bike in 2004. Unfortunately his bikes are not for sale.

http://www.bmeres.com/bambooframe.htm

TESTIMONIALS for Bamboo Cycle Ltd. London from 1896

Baron Hill, Beaumaris, North WalesDecember 2nd, 1895

SIRS,In reply to your letter of the 22nd Nov. which I found on my return home, I beg to say that I am more than satisfied with the Bamboo Bicycle which you supplied me with. I have ridden it a fair amount, frequently on rough and stony grounds, and it has yet shown no signs of ordinary wear and tear. I have recommended them strongly to several of my friends, and shall continue to do so when I am enquired of concerning them. I consider they possess several advantages over other machines, and certainly the appearance of them, in my mind, is better than that of steel machines. There still, however, appears to be a prejudice against them, but as far as my experience goes, it is an unfounded one. I believe they will stand every bit as much wear and tear, and are as strong as any on the market.

Yours faithfully

(SIR) R. WILLIAMS BULKELEY

Kirby Hall, Horton Kirby, KentNovember 1st, 1896

DEAR SIRS,My Bamboo Cycle has been simply splendid, I have had it about nine months and it shows no signs of wear whatever. For perfect comfort I consider it cannot be beaten, and for appearance there is no machine in the market to touch it. The comments of those who have not tried them are most amusing.

Faithfully yours,

L. ALLEN SHUTER.

The British Chess Club, 37 King Street, Covent Garden October 25th, 1896

DEAR SIRS,I have much pleasure in testifying to the excellence of your machines. Before deciding upon your make I had great difficulty in choosing from the number of different bicycles advertised, and I am happy to state that I have had cause only for congratulation that my choice fell upon the Bamboo. It has been my constant companion when touring, both here and abroad, and I have made long journeys with no fatigue and great comfort. I can positively say it is the best machine I ever mounted. Should anyone be in doubt my advice is Buy a Bamboo.

Yours truly,

JULIUS SCHULMAN.

This is a modern interpretation of the classic bamboo bike. It features similar frame geometry and the old leather seat.

The upgrades are the connections, improved brakes and the 3-speed internal gear-hub.