KCNC provides some lightweight bits to shave a few grams.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Tyler Wren's Boo Bicycles CX could be considered 'another composite bike' - only the main composite used here isn't carbon fibre.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Wren has posted some good results this year on his bamboo machine, too, including a 10th place finish at the UCI C2 'cross event in Wissahickon, Pennsylvania back in October.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The bamboo section of the seat stays starts only below the brake mounts.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The CNC machined aluminum dropouts include a replaceable derailleur hanger.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The rear brake housing stop is hung off of the seatpost collar instead of incorporated into the upper stays.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
A fi'zi:k Aliante k:ium saddle is mounted atop Edge Composites' new carbon seatpost.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
External machining of the bamboo tubes yields a flush outer surface with the adjoining carbon sections.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The SRAM Force front derailleur is bolted to a removable tab.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
In keeping with bamboo's natural form, all of the tubes are essentially round.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The SRAM Red crankset is fitted with 'cross-specific 39/46T chainrings.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Wren uses Challenge's latest Fango tread for better grip than its more traditional Grifo pattern.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Edge Composites' carbon bar uses a semi-anatomic bend for flexible positioning in the drops.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Wren uses TRP's wide-profile EuroX cantilevers for extra mud clearance.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
The carbon fibre bottom bracket area includes a conventional threaded shell.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Given the natural bamboo materials, slight imperfections are to be expected and add to the bike's character.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Rather than use bamboo exclusively from end to end, Boo Bicycles creator Nick Frey wisely uses carbon fibre for higher-stress areas.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Edge Composites' second-tier 2.68 rims visually differ from the top-end 1.68 with their woven top sheet.(Image credit: Emily Wren/www.emilywren.com)
Tyler Wren's Boo Bicycles CX is among scores of composite bicycles currently being raced in the upper tiers of cyclo-cross - only it's not just carbon fibre and actually comprises not one, but two distinct composite materials in its novel construction.
Manmade carbon fibre is used for the joints and short sections of tube but the primary structure is instead provided by Mother Nature: bamboo.
Boo Bicycles creator - and former U23 US national time trial champion - Nick Frey was first attracted to using bamboo as a material for bicycle frames while a student at Princeton University, citing its better vibration-damping capabilities relative to carbon fibre, naturally light and stiff material properties, impressive damage tolerance, and eco-friendly sourcing.
Frey admits that the development process hasn't been easy: bamboo is prone to splitting lengthwise when cured, can be susceptible to weather and insect degradation, and while its sustainable production makes for a good 'green' argument, it also lends unavoidable variation in the raw materials.
But Frey feels he and his development partner in Vietnam have refined process specifics such as drying, aging, butting, and even harvesting timing and plant maturity to where finished products are not only consistent and reliable but can also be tuned based on desired performance characteristics.
"Bamboo is radially symmetrical but it is not symmetrical from inside to outside - its fibre density increases towards the outermost layer of bamboo, because it grows from outside-in (opposite to a hardwood tree)," Frey said. "The outer fibres are the most mature and the stiffest, meaning the tube can be tuned based on how much of the inner fibres we drill out. The tube's outside diameter and wall thickness are chosen based on what tube of the bike it will become as well as what size frame it's going into, and we can custom tune every tube in our full custom bikes based on what type of rider is buying it.
The outer ends of each mitered tube are milled down two milimetres, then hand-wrapped in pre-preg carbon tow, physically compressed with rubber hose (in a process similar to how handlebars are taped), and cured. Final sanding and clearcoating yields aesthetically pleasing flush joints. Though the process sounds like garage-based science on paper, Frey insists that it's anything but and frame construction is done in a properly climate-controlled facility overseas.
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"The wrapping process is really the only detail I will never speak of; it is a Boo trade secret and we have figured out how to align our fibres in the orientation of the load path for each joint," said Frey. "This drastically increased our frame stiffness (a test T-joint tripled in stiffness compared to our first carbon joints!) and has allowed us to tune our ride properties and focus on reducing frame weight.
"The rubber hose is very pliable and allows for even compression and the joints are allowed to cure before sanding and shaping. Because the top layer is cosmetic, we can sand down the joint and maintain the stiffness because the structural layers remain untouched."
Up front, Frey uses a more conventional aluminum sleeve, fibreglass insulating layer and more hand-wrapped carbon fibre for the straight head tube, and custom CNC machined aluminum dropouts are used out back. Another aluminum sleeve is inserted into the seat tube for a precise fit on the post and a conventional threaded bottom bracket shell is used down below.
Additional 'cross-specific details on Wren's frame include a shaved-down top tube underside for more comfortable shouldering plus removable cable guides to accommodate various drivetrain configurations.
Current claimed frame weight is around 1,800g (3.97lb) and Frey says he hopes to bring that figure down to a more competitive 1,400g in the near future. An upcoming Boo RSL road frame will include carbon sleeves and a carbon BB30 bottom bracket shell developed by Edge Composites but even so, he's quick to point out that ultimate light weight isn't his goal nor ultimate stiffness.
In the case of 'cross, the extra vibration damping and compliance also promotes better tyre traction and a fresher rider towards the end of a race.
"We decided at the outset to have very stiff, durable, long-lasting frames and pare down the weight as we get more experience with the build process and more time to test frames," Frey said. I believe that it is very important to have a frame that will survive crashes rather than a race day-only bike that cracks easily."
Work in progress or not, fellow Princeton graduate Wren - who also rides on the road for Jamis-Sutter Home p/b Colavita - has already enjoyed some success on the prototype BooCX Frey supplied to him, including a 10th-place finish at the UCI C2 'cross race in Wissahickon, Pennsylvania earlier this season.
Built up with an array of premium componentry including SRAM Red/Force, TRP EuroX brakes, and a gamut of carbon goodies from Edge Composites, total weight is a reasonable 8.07kg (17.8lb). "The coolest part of this crazy bike is that it totally works," said Wren. "It's not a boutique showroom-only frame. Bamboo is an ideal material for cyclo-cross and there is no down side here, no compromise for its beauty and uniqueness.
"I was a bit worried about its durability at first, given the unusual material and the light frame weight," he continued. "I've crashed the rig already and chipped the bamboo, which probably would have cracked a carbon frame and dented an aluminum frame, but this material is strong enough to take repeated impact and retain its integrity."
Bike specifications
Frame: Boo Bicycles CX Fork: Edge Composites Cross Headset: Chris King NoThreadset Stem: Edge Composites carbon, 11cm x -6° Handlebars: Edge Composites carbon, 44cm (c-c) Tape/grips: Deda Elementi Front brake: TRP EuroX Rear brake: TRP EuroX Brake levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM Force Rear derailleur: SRAM Red Shift levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap Cassette: Shimano Ultegra CS-6600, 12-25T Chain: KMC X10SL Crankset: SRAM Red, 172.5mm, 39/46T Bottom bracket: SRAM Red GXP Pedals: Time ATAC Alium Wheelset: Edge Composites 2.68 tubular Rims: Edge Composites 2.28 tubular Front hub: DT Swiss 240s Rear hub: DT Swiss 240s Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite Front tyre: Challenge Fango tubular, 32mm Rear tyre: Challenge Fango tubular, 32mm Saddle: fi'zi:k Aliante k:ium Seat post: Edge Composites carbon Bottle cages: n/a Computer: n/a Other accessories: KCNC QR skewers and seatpost clamp, Jagwire cable and housing, Hudz brake hoods
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.8m (5' 11") Rider's weight: 64.9kg (143lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 785mm Saddle setback: 70mm Seat tube length, c-t: 580mm Seat tube length, c-c: 510mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 550mm Centre of front hub to top of bars: 590mm Head tube length: 160mm Top tube length: 573mm Total bicycle weight: 8.07kg (17.8lb)
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