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Home   Blog   All Wood Wheels

All Wood Wheels

July 25, 2011 4 Comments

Many fans of artistic bicycles were intrigued with photo's from this years Handbuilt bike show in Austin. In our booth an entirely wood wheel was on display. Huh?

 

Can you spot the bamboo spokes?

 

This odd and beautiful structure is the brainchild of my Montana based younger brother, Jon. He's been woodworking in Whitefish since Wheelsmith days and couldn't resist replacing the hub and spokes with wood.

 

The original concept, loosely assembed (without glue).

 

The world took notice. Blog posts and images were seen around the globe. Movers and shakers stopped by. "What has a Hjertberg brought us this time?" was the chorus. I think.

UPDATE: Some improvements were made, Ghisallo Sport clincher rims are still used, a rear was built, and a bicycle was born. This late '70's Italian steel frame is now trucking one-speed around Whitefish.

 

Whitefish Wood Wonderbike.

 

Jon still claims no intention to widely commercialize these wheels. Bamboo laminated spokes, teak hubs, beech rims. Artisan assembly, good bracing and joinery, but no where near the stiffness or integrity of wire wheels. Still, a fun ride.

Jon has equipped these with SOMA white tires (that we're now selling). Hard to imagine a more distracting sight this Summer.

More news to follow!



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4 Responses

Graeme Power
Graeme Power

November 02, 2021

Hi. I love the look of your wheels, I am looking for help in my project bike repairing a delamonation and a large splinter on the outer rim of a D’Alessandro rim. I think I can fix it with a suitable former to clamp both sides securely. What glue would you thonk suitable and wilst they are both clean is thete a preparation process to be adhered to. Your time to reply is arteciated

Chris
Chris

November 02, 2021

Beautiful and inspiring…very nicely done.
I’ve been dreaming of a hollow “mag” type wooden wheel.

Anonymous
Anonymous

November 02, 2021

Hi Andy, we decided not to commercialize these. Only a couple pair were made. The cost, the strength, the reception, all persuaded Jon to stop development. Not to say others couldn’t be built but while they can take daily riding, they are not as stiff and strong as he liked. Other woodworkers may take the suggestion and do designs of their own. If your application is primarily decorative (not hard riding) then it would be worth talking. Contact us if so.

andy bibliowicz
andy bibliowicz

November 02, 2021

What do I have to do to get 1 of these! I am trying to build a wood dominate bike and would LOVE to have this really set the bike off! Please let me know what I can do!

Thank you,

Andy

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