Monthly Archives: July 2010

Sanding back

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Mik Efford

Today I’m sanding back the tack epoxy to a smooth finish. I figured I probably shouldn’t have used as much epoxy for this stage as it’s not very strong, due to the micro-fibre filler that’s added to make it more … Continue reading →

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Tacky

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Mik Efford

So it’s taken approximately 3 months but I’ve finally tacked together my first frame! Here’s the process from start to finish: Surface preparation I roughen up the bamboo by using the edge of a Dremel sanding wheel. For the steel I sandpaper … Continue reading →

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Let’s set something straight.

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Mik Efford

Sharks with frickin’ lasers. That’s what I’m talking about. Ok, well minus the sharks. It’s more like jigs with frickin’ lasers. Close enough. Check out the hi-tech laser-level action below. The mitres are all done, so now it’s a matter … Continue reading →

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Mitre’s well show you

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Mik Efford

Here’s the results of today’s mitreing. Pretty happy with the results so far. Just have the top tube to go and then into the more finicky work of the rear triangle. The main thing I learned today is that getting both sides … Continue reading →

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Choosing the bamboo for your frame

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Mik Efford

This might seem obvious, but choosing the exact bits of bamboo you’ll use for your bike frame is one of the most important things to do in the frame building process. You need to know a lot of stuff before … Continue reading →

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Mitre 10

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Mik Efford

Ever wonder where Mitre 10 got its name from? Neither have I. But mitres are what I’m working on this week.  I’ve printed off my mitre templates from the ever awesome BikeCad and wrapped them around the poles I intend … Continue reading →

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What to do with cracked bamboo?

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Mik Efford

If you’ve read my previous post you’ll see I’ve cracked a few bits of bamboo.  Not wanting to throw them away I’ve made use of them by splitting them into two and then cutting them down further to form two … Continue reading →

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Heat treating bamboo

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Mik Efford

Over the course of the last few months I’ve heard a lot about the process for heat treating bamboo. People put it in ovens, attack it with butane torches, smoke it over fires or dry it out in kilns. Why … Continue reading →

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Getting jiggy with it

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Mik Efford

I’ll stop the puns soon. I swear. Built some standoffs for the headtube and rear end. Check em out: The degree of accuracy of this jig is probably not within the tolerances of a well made bike, so I’ll have … Continue reading →

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Enter the jig…

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Mik Efford

Started work today on a flat wooden jig that will hold the frame in place while I tack the joints and generally put it together. I found an old cupboard door, which to my luck had 33mm holes drilled in … Continue reading →

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Parts, parts, parts!

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Mik Efford

Just like the out of work actor Tobias Fünke mistakenly finding a Tractor Pull magazine (thinking it said Actor Pull) and seeing thousands of parts inside, I too became excited when the delivery man arrived today with my bike parts: … Continue reading →

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Bamboo Bicycle Stand

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Mik Efford

So the end product of my test composite joint making is a bamboo bike stand! Here she is: I’ve designed it to exactly fit a 700C road wheel, but it could easily be made with wider slots for wider wheels. … Continue reading →

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Resin, sisal and bamboo test joint

Posted on July 11, 2010 by Mik Efford

While I’m still waiting on parts and hemp fibre to arrive I decided to have another go at making a composite joint with fibreglass resin, sisal twine and a 3-way bamboo mitred bamboo joint. Here’s the workspace: Here’s the initial … Continue reading →

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The makings of a cyclocross frame

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Mik Efford

I’ve recently decided to build a cyclocross frame for the first prototype. I figure if anything’s going to test out the durability of a frame it’ll be a cyclocross race. That and it’s the only sort of bike I don’t … Continue reading →

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