wooden bike

A Basque company has come up with a wooden bike frame that they say is "as light and strong as one made from steel or aluminum".

And they are undoubtedly beautiful. But they are also €6000, or about $7900 as I write this.

 “Working from their joinery called Txirbil (meaning ‘wood shaving’ in Euskera, the ancient language of the Basque lands), the design team came to the conclusion that the tubular fibers of wood were perfect for creating a fast, sturdy bicycle frame. As well as having an interesting natural aesthetic, wood is resistant, can absorb a high level of vibration and can result much lighter than generally perceived.”

Well, with enough plastic and technology, and cash, you can probably make a bike out of cast-off Florida vote chad, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Ash is probably a good choice among woods; it's strong (baseball bats are made from ash), but any wood flexes more than most people want from a bike frame. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it shouid.