It's not a fixed-gear, either.

January 25, 2008 5:21 AM

Bikes: Steel? Aluminum? Carbon Fiber? Wood, and nothing but wood.
posted by Wolfdog (28 comments total)

damn. and he's only in high school.
posted by farishta at 5:27 AM on January 25, 2008

But that's a fixed gear bike! Flagged.
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:45 AM on January 25, 2008

It is single-speed, but not fixed.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:49 AM on January 25, 2008

Most people, myself included, would be satisfied with building the wheels and frame out of wood. I'd probably put tricycle style pedals on the front wheel or push my along Flintstone style then wait for all the approving comments. But this kid not only fabricated a chain but he invented a ratcheting system. Colour me most impressed. Thanks, Wolfdog.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 5:56 AM on January 25, 2008

Most people, myself included, would be satisfied with building a popsicle-stick raft to float in mud puddles.
posted by The Deej at 5:57 AM on January 25, 2008 [3 favorites]

That ratcheting is pretty ingenious, though it must be quite a bit of friction. Not that I'd actually ride around on such a work of art.

I like the huge wooden micrometer, too.
posted by DU at 5:59 AM on January 25, 2008

Needs some speed holes in the wheels.
posted by furtive at 6:02 AM on January 25, 2008

This goes against the grain.
posted by Tube at 6:06 AM on January 25, 2008

Deej, I'll meet you out back, after work.
posted by Eideteker at 6:07 AM on January 25, 2008

Calfee Bamboo: Not as purist, but quite a bit more functional.
posted by The Michael The at 6:23 AM on January 25, 2008

Can I tell my wooden car joke again? Can I?
posted by biffa at 6:34 AM on January 25, 2008

Wooden go over as well the second time.
posted by Wolfdog at 6:36 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

Wowee! That's great, and also, this kid's got a bitchin' set of tools.
posted by Mister_A at 6:56 AM on January 25, 2008

Yeah, but is it laterally stiff and vertically compliant?
posted by ssmug at 7:00 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

Has he ever taken it off any sweet jumps?
posted by Balisong at 7:04 AM on January 25, 2008

An all wood bike? With chain and sprocket? And a freewheel?

I think I'm going to be sick. That's just ridiculous.
posted by loquacious at 7:17 AM on January 25, 2008

Yeah, I was going along, mildly impressed until I saw the freewheel / ratcheting system. That's really over the top. Way to go kid!

Smart Dalek, you really should pay closer attention...
posted by wfrgms at 7:22 AM on January 25, 2008

Got something against metal, kid? Let's see what you lock that thing up with you smart ass!
posted by Bathtub Bobsled at 7:24 AM on January 25, 2008

I sure hope none of my woodworking students see this - they're all gonna want to build one!
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:30 AM on January 25, 2008

Perfect birthday present
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:10 AM on January 25, 2008

Thanks for the woodworking links... the bamboo bike is an inspiration.. thanks !
posted by nicolin at 10:11 AM on January 25, 2008

Deej, I'll meet you out back, after work.
posted by Eideteker

Yippeeeee!!!!!
posted by The Deej at 11:13 AM on January 25, 2008

I bet you don't want to ride that bad boy bare back.
posted by ZaneJ. at 12:02 PM on January 25, 2008

And he won't have to worry about the Italian Racing Team throwing a bicycle pump into his spokes as he's trying to keep up with them. Go Cutters!

(sorry, that's just one of my favorite movies.)
posted by math at 12:02 PM on January 25, 2008

I don't think you could get going very fast on the thing; I think you would be consigned to simply lumbering along.
posted by Tube at 3:50 PM on January 25, 2008

Did he learn nothing from his bike made of straw?
posted by The Deej at 7:44 PM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

This kid is totally awesome. Why doesn't our society arrange ways for a kid like this to get time on a Cincinnati Milacron? Who knows what he'd do?
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:25 PM on January 25, 2008

Exactly what I was thinking, ikkyu2.

OK kid, now that we know what you can do, we're having this little problem making our wind turbines as efficient as they need to be that we'd like to talk to you about. Oh, and another thing...
posted by jamjam at 9:50 AM on January 26, 2008