If it’s not bamboo, it seems like wood is growing more and more popular as bicycle frame material. Using a custom made plywood frame, Sawyer’s designer Jurgen Kuipers fashioned a lowrider beach cruiser that is decidedly more boxy than some of the wooden bicycles we’ve seen lately. Perhaps more interesting than the actual wooden bike however, is the concept for the bicycle to also be sold in a 1:1 model that you would assemble yourself into a fully functional model – though likely not rideable.
What would a 1:1 model look like? Check it out, next.
So this is where it gets interesting – apparently the designer imagines that either you would buy a 1:1 model of the Sawer for display purposes only, or that some day it might be possible to manufacture a do it yourself bike kit the way models are made. Everything would be injection molded into sprue sheets like that of a model car, allowing you to cut out and assemble the pieces leaving a functioning bicycle.
Realistically, we’re pretty sure this is squarely in the realm of art, sort of like his 1:1 model forest building kit. Jurgen’s bio on his site may offer some explanation – Jurgen Kuipers is a sculptor and designer from Enschede, The Netherlands. With his fascination for nature, technics and mechanics he creates usefull and useless objects, products and vehicles. His site is well worth a look for his sculpture and design work
Regardless, the Sawyer is an interesting design that was good enough to be one of 22 winners for the IBDC design competition – though we’re not sure about that super wide top tube…