05 // Wooden Bicycle

Cold-press Glulam Wooden bicycle design

Project under: Ar. Jwalant Mahadewala (connect@andblackstudio.com)

Status: First stage prototype executed

The project started by comparing the vibration absorption co-efficient of wood as a material with aluminum, which is majorly used in the Urban sport bicycles. In the aluminum frame structure, the vibration is absorbed through the additional shock absorbers installed in the front fork and/or the rear end of the frame.

Ideas initiation started from the removal of the shock absorbers and making the frame geometry along with the material of the frame which absorbs the vibration from the tarmac, giving the rider a smooth and comfortable ride.

To manifest the idea into a real form, the cycle’s structural frame was re-thought and re-engineered from scratch keeping in mind wood as material and Glulam as a technique. The geometry and orientation of the grains of wood were used to an advantage to make the frame optimum in terms of proportion and elemental sizes which ultimately reflected on the overall weight of the bicycle.

Glulam wooden frame structure was divided into 4 parts which was guided by the elemental proportion according to the function and orientation of the wooden grains by the type and the axis of forces. To make the frame rigid and durable, the wood has been compressed and later made into thin strips of 6mm for Glulam lamination.

Duration: 8 Weeks Design // 20 Weeks Execution

Glulam wooden members as per the bending curve and angles

Comparison between the existing and new bicycle frame

Stainless steel detail aligning with the curves of the wooden members for aesthetical and structure

Process of glue-laminating the wooden strips to form one singular component

Exploded view of the bicycle