Bamboo as a frame building material has been around for a while now.  Builders such as Calfee and Boo Cycles have been using with much success.  Since 2008 Panda, based in Fort Colins, CO, has been building their unique steel lugged bambooframes.  I got a closer look at this years NAHBS.  Shown above is their lugged steel bike with bamboo seattube called The Action.  This rando / commuter style bike’s ride described described by Panda:

“The lugged frame construction provides a great under-saddle feel, while the bamboo seat tube adds a smoothness and level of vibration dampening that steel alone cannot provide.”

To see the rest of the Panda line up, plus hear about Bamboosero’s African made frames, click on through.

Panda’s The Natural uses a bit more bamboo than The Action.  This smooth riding cycle is set up for single speed commuting, and comes with a color matched rack.

This is The One that started it all.  It’s the first model Panda started producing back in 2008.  It’s an urban oriented single speed commuter with a belt drive.

Not pictured is The Legacy.  It’s a Panda’s road bike.  Check it out over at their site.

This gives you a better idea of how the steel lugs and bamboo are mated together.

Bamboosero

Bamboosero was started by Craig Calfee with the nobel intentions of providing jobs to developing nations.  Currently they have four models and the frames are produced in Africa using regional materials for the lugs.  The African made frames come in commuter, road, and mountain varieties and cost $695.  Not a bad barrier to entry if you are curious about the bamboo bike.  They also come with a five year warranty.

Lugs can be made from hemp, bark cloth, flax fiber, or in this case, vines.  And if you ask me, they yield a beautiful lug.

This cargo bike is designed to carry heavy loads, and it’s supported by the ever popular far tires.

It’s set up with a NuVinci 360 drivetrain as well.