Most new technologies start expensive, but then as more companies begin to use it, the find ways through better manufacturing or economies of scale to reduce the cost over time. Bamboo being used for bikes has followed a similar path, as many have touted this materials properties and abilities, but it was as expensive as carbon fiber to make an entire frame from it.
Pioneered by Boo Bikes for their Aluboo product, the idea of using aluminum lugs and bamboo tubes is a way to drastically reduce the price, but still retain the good properties of the bamboo tube. Greenstar is a new company using this method to produce an even more affordable single speed bike.
Selling for less than $500, find out what you can get for that price in bamboo after the jump…
Sold as a single speed road bike with modest components, the Greenstar EcoForce 1 brings bamboo materials to a $470 complete bike. Greenstar is touting the renewable material of bamboo, joined with the recyclable aluminum lugs as an ecologically sensitive choice in bicycle production.
Greenstar adds that bamboo has the smoothest ride of normal bicycle materials due to the natural vibration damping properties of the material. The state the tensile strength of the bamboo they use is greater than steel, and it is stronger and more cost effective than aluminum.
The first model being sold, the EcoForce 1, comes in three colors; white, green and blue. To hit the price point, most of the components are no-name direct from the factory items, but are functional and very tastefully painted to match, so the whole bike looks well put together. Weighing in at 20lbs, the EcoForce 1 is available in 4 sizes and has 5 bamboo tubes per frame.
To show the strength of the bamboo material, Greenstar has posted their EN Pedal Fatigue Test video, showing that it has passed the 100,000 cycle threshold. While all bikes are required to pass this test by law, it is not always followed, so seeing the test result can give reassurance that they have done their homework.
Coming in the summer of 2015, they are also working on a hybrid model with a similar value proposition of the EcoForce 1, but with a geared drive train and easy riding position.
They are just starting out, but already have about 15 dealers peppered across the United States. Check out their website to find one near you.
