European commuter cycling start-up Diodra has a simple new bamboo S3 city ebike, they are calling the ‘World’s Lightest’ ebike made of wood. Weighing just under 15.5kg, the Diodra S3 is built around an EU-made laminated bamboo frame paired to an all-in-one motor & battery in the rear hub, with either Gates belt or conventional chain drive. And for riders looking for an even lighter pedal-powered runabout, there’s a regular M8 commuter bike option with an Alfine internally-geared rear hub instead of a hub motor…
Diodra S3 lightweight, simple bamboo ebike
Designed and manufactured in Romania, Diodra isn’t precisely a start-up. Instead, it’s the latest evolution of a bamboo commuter bike project that’s been brewing since around 2018. Previously under the name Veltra bikes with rim brakes. The concept remains, but the bikes have become much more refined in this latest iteration. What you get now is a simple single-speed disc brake frame made primarily from laminated bamboo frame, with split stays that you run a belt or chain.
Then, all you have to do is pick either ebike or bike. From either the self-contained ebike powertrain in a rear hub, or an 8-speed Shimano geared hub without a motor.
Tech details
The Diodra S3 ebike build is the standout model, at a claimed 15.45kg for a size M. A custom Taiwanese-made 500W brushless motor and 300Wh of batteries powers the 46x16T single-speed – all inside the rear hub. Stepped down to 250W and speed limited to 25kph to comply with EU rules. There are 3 pedal-assist modes, with the eco mode said to deliver an 80km range. Diodra tucks all electronics – from the torque sensor to wireless Bluetooth communication to the charging port – into the hub making for an incredibly sleek setup.
And a custom-developed smartphone app controls it all – for Android or iOS.
The frame itself is made of a lightweight hollowed-out laminated bamboo structure. Then, bonded to a 7075 aluminum headtube and aluminum seattube with an attached bottom bracket. Out back, machined slider dropouts dial-in chain tension, mount the rear brake, and allow for chain or belt compatibility. Diodra claims this construction delivers all the durability a city bike needs, plus “exceptional vibration absorption” from the natural characteristics of the bamboo.
The bamboo frame comes in three stock sizes (S-L), rated for riders up to 100kg. Diodra guarantees their frame & fork for 5 years, plus 2 years for all the components.
The Diodra M8 build is a more conventional city bike. It swaps in a mechanical shift 8sp Alfine hub in place of the motor, and a 46x23T chain drive. And knocking complete bike weight down to a claimed 12.8kg.
Both builds feature Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with internally routed brake lines. And 700c alloy wheels wrapped in “puncture-proof” 42mm Continental Contact Speed tires.
Diodra ebike & bike – Pricing, pre-order availability & options
Officially both the Diodra ebike and bike are available now for pre-order, for the first 100 frames in the 2024 production batch. This early bird prices start at 2200€ for the Diodra S3 ebike, and from 1600€ for the 8sp Diodra M8 city bike. Upgrading either from chain drive to Gates carbon belt drive adds an extra 200€. Diodra says that is more than 700€ discount off the final retail pricing.
Diodra will manage sales of these first 100 bikes or ebikes individually with the early adopters. They estimate delivery to these first buyers in approximately 3 months.
