Natural wood toys today are a luxury that not everyone can afford. Very often, such items are made entirely by hand, which increases their cost by an order of magnitude. This tutorial will show you how to make wooden bike- wheelchair with their own hands. Such a toy will please the baby, and you can be sure that it is almost completely made of environmentally friendly materials.
materials
To make a wheelchair bike you will need:
- birch plywood 0.5 inches;
- plywood ¾ inch;
- large bolts;
- small bolts;
- dowel ¾ inch 35 cm long;
- screws;
- glue for wood;
- varnish or wax for wood
- wheels.
Step 1. On a large sheet of paper, you need to draw sketches of the frame and steering forks. Approximate dimensions you can see in the photo, where the finished parts are presented on paper with a grid in inches. Transfer the sketch to a piece of plywood and cut out all the components of the bicycle with a jigsaw.
Sand the cut edges carefully. So that the child does not get hurt and scratched, it is necessary that the edges are smooth.
Step 2. When connecting the frame on both sides, a wedge is formed in this design. The last one you will need to cut out of wood. Glue these parts in the area of \u200b\u200bthe wedge and additionally fasten them with a bolt.
Drill a hole for the steering column.
From a piece of plywood ¾ inch thick, cut two rectangles. Drill a hole in them for the steering mount. Insert the prepared frame wedge between these rectangles and fasten the entire structure with a bolt, cut off the protruding part of the bolt.
Attach the steering racks of the bike and insert between them front wheel. Check the security of all fasteners. Make holes for the dowel, which will play the role of the steering wheel. Insert the dowel itself into them. Glue these parts with wood glue.
Don't forget to secure the rear wheel as well.
Step 3. Again, on a large sheet, draw all the parts of the seat. Transfer the sketch to a thicker piece of plywood and cut out the details. Be sure to sand the edges of all cuts.
Step 4. Cut out two blocks of plywood. They will need to be placed as spacers between the vertical part of the seat and internal parts bicycle frame. These parts should be fastened together with glue. At the same time, do not fasten the seat to glue, use a bolt for this purpose. This will allow you to adjust the height of the seat.
Step 5. Coat the wheelchair with wood varnish or special wax.
modern wooden bicycles,
or
Oh those wooden toys for adults
Bicycles in their historical development have come a long way, during which their creators used almost the entire range of structural materials provided to them by their time and industry. However, two hundred years ago, when the history of bicycles was just beginning, the main material in their production was wood. The inventor and creator of the bicycle is considered Karl Friedrich Christian Ludwig Drais von Sauerbronn (Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbronn). His first railcars ( draisine) were, in many ways, similar to modern bicycles. Their wooden wheels, studded with iron hoops, were equal in size, each about 27 inches or 675 mm in diameter. The body was made from well dried ash, bringing the total weight of the entire structure to just 45 pounds. But this situation did not last long. Very soon, the tree was forced out of bicycles, although it cannot be argued that it was completely and forever. The fantasy of modern designers, limited only by the endlessly and constantly developing modern technologies, has led to the fact that in recent years, the entire range of existing and currently available materials, including wood, has been used to create bicycles. However, a whole series of new products shown this year at various exhibitions and forums makes us talk about the emergence of a trend, or even direction, in modern bicycle construction - wooden bikes. So, we look at these novelties, and draw conclusions whether this is really a sustainable trend or a temporary fashionable phenomenon.
Paul Timmer's vibration-absorbing wooden bike is made from solid ash
This bike is designed and built Paul Timmer(Paul Timmer) - designer and woodworker from Amsterdam. In addition, Paul is a fanatical cyclist who took part in races Tour of Flanders And marmotte in the Alps. Therefore, the emergence of a project to create a bicycle out of wood was only a matter of time. And when that time came, everything was done beautifully and technically, out of love for bicycles, and in response to criticism of existing wooden bicycles.Made from solid (solid) solid wood ash, without any plywood, veneer or modified wood, this ‘ wooden bike’ is an ultra-light single-speed motocross ( cyclocross) « wooden bike". Weighing only 11 kg. it provides an exceptionally comfortable ride thanks to the wooden frame that absorbs any vibrations. The bike has a surprisingly unusual fork design that, instead of going through the frame, is fixed to it with external bearings. The fork flows structurally into the handlebar, which is also made from a single piece of wood to make it more durable than if it were two pieces.
“I don't use wood for any temporary solutions, wood is the best building material available. created by Mother Earth. Such a bicycle may be as strong as steel, but it must be designed better than a steel bicycle. As always, the problems are in the details." Timmer says.
The frame of this bike is completely built from scratch. There are no standard parts that would be used in the manufacture of the frame. All non-standard non-wooden parts are 3D printed from aluminum (!?). The outer fork and other wooden parts are the result of a rethinking (reinvention) of bicycle frame design.
This two-wheeled machine uses a belt drive instead of a chain. Belt drive bicycles have become very popular in recent years. It is lighter and more durable than a chain. For Paul Timmer, using a belt drive was the obvious choice - the belt doesn't need lubrication, which is a very big advantage on a wooden bike.
This bike is a disposable product for the personal use of its creator only. However, Paul Timmer will be working on getting it ready for production in the near future.
Jan Rediscovers Natural Bicycle Frame Materials
Custom bicycle manufacturers have recently rediscovered natural materials, marveling at their balanced mechanical properties and great aesthetics. Wood has an excellent ratio of elasticity and strength, which allows it to be used for structural elements with high dynamic loads. It is a durable material that is easy to work with. In addition, it (the material) absorbs vibration well - a characteristic especially important for a comfortable ride. Therefore, wood for the Czech company Jan proved to be the ideal construction material for the creation of a new bicycle frame.Over forty layers of wood create this handmade pressed frame, molded in one piece, reminiscent of an avocado, without any joins (joints) or breaks. This design increases the overall strength of the frame and improves its performance.
Bottom part(elements down tube, bottom bracket, chain stays) has an increased thickness, which makes the bike strong and rigid, at the same time thinner top part(sections seat stays, top tube) provides elasticity, working like a spring.
At the same time, the upper part of the frame is not connected to the seat tube, which allows it to move freely during operation. This technical solution is applicable only due to the high fatigue strength of wood.
We have created a unique bike frame using the unique qualities of wood that are hard to find in metal and tubing. We have opted for the one-piece frame concept. To produce this unusual design, we had to choose an unconventional way of working. We chose a layering technology that allows us to create a compact (pressed) shape according to our needs and at the same time increase its elasticity. Parts not made of wood are made of duralumin. The whole frame weighs about 3 kilograms.
For us, the bike is not only a toy for weekend trips. The bicycle is an expression of our attitude to life, our vision of the modern style of urban life. For the production of our bikes, we chose wood mainly because of its beauty and the potential for continuous improvement. We do not want to produce another mass product, our goal is to create a unique product, going beyond technological and general ideas and trends.
Woobi wooden bike unveiled at Milan Design Week 2015
In an age of ever-improving and increasingly sophisticated technology, wooden bike developers are bringing back tradition and simplicity, bringing the relationship between man and object of consumption closer in the direction of pure pleasure. Presented at Milan Design Week 2015 in the pavilion " 5vie art + design”, wooden bike woobi by Matteo Cugnoni Matteo Zugnoni) thanks to the reinforcement of the strength characteristics of the lumber, it provides rigidity and excellent cushioning, offering a feeling of comfort and well-being when riding. Born from the fusion of wood and bicycle, the WooBi is the perfect vehicle to make everyday walking a regular occurrence.Its minimalist, handling-first design, with its eco-friendly antique frame, expresses the soul and spirit of the WooBi. Based on this minimalism, its style can be improved at the request of the owner, since absolutely everything is customizable. There is a choice of woods for the frame, a color palette for the wheel rims and different shades for the leather saddle and handlebars.
Woobi is perfect for city life, bringing an amazing object to the lives of commuters, has good performance, and boasts a carbon timing belt from Gates Corporation for quiet and smooth operation.
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| Belting Gates Carbon Drive. |
AERO creates a wooden bike frame to explore building technology
Milan 2015: Bicycle manufacturer AERO presented a project at the design week 'aero bicycle', which includes a birch veneer composite wood frame. Architects Atanas Zhelev ( Atanas Zhelev), Maria Koroleva (Maria Korolova) and Martino Gudz ( Martino Hutz) conceived this project while studying at the University of Applied Arts Vienna while working on the wooden structure of the new building. In order to further develop the ideas and technologies of wood processing when applied to large-scale buildings, it was decided to start research on a smaller scale by creating a bicycle that is ideal for testing the performance of wooden structures at different scales with different loads.Specially developed Composite Wood Technology ( composite wood technology) is similar to the methods used to create structures from composite materials. The bike frame is made by layering 0.9mm wood veneer sheets and gluing them into the desired shape. The natural fibers of each wood sheet are aligned in the direction of the forces inside the hull, providing added structural strength. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of material used with the same (necessary) rigidity and strength, if complex volumetric geometry of the structure is used.
Lamella - very thin layers of wood form a frame that expands at the points where the crank (crank, crank) and pedals are located, as well as under the seat. This design replaces the conventional suspension spring, providing structural lightness, improved flexibility and greater strength. The frame designers tried to find the best balance between strength and flexibility for this suspension system so that it doesn't flex too much, provide a comfortable ride and absorb big hits.
According to a project by designer Martino Hatz, the bike combines structural functionality and aesthetic clarity, which describes it as a mantra hybrid. Le Corbusier "form follows function" and expressions Oscar Niemeyer "form follows beauty".
The choice of wood as the material for this project is particularly significant, as it not only combines natural beauty and resource friendliness, but also inherently possesses natural flexibility.
The layering principle is important aspect for wooden structures, which the team considers more the best way creating wooden figures than milling from solid wood blocks, because. in this case, as a rule, a lot of material is wasted and its natural structure is destroyed. The project aims to go beyond the conventional bicycle by researching and creating new manufacturing methods for using wood-based materials for large structures. Techniques have been explored for injecting additional layers of carbon fiber or aluminum into the wood layers of the lamella, which the designers say increases the overall strength of the structure with less material.
The carbon fiber takes the load (stress) that is higher on both sides of the wood block, while the birch provides flexibility. The ratio between carbon and birch can control the overall flexibility of the design.
The above four examples from the world of modern bicycles could well be enough to demonstrate the trend of increasing the use of wood in their production, which has been manifesting itself in recent times. However, one cannot pass by yet another "iron horse", ... oh sorry, in this case, a "wooden horse", which, moreover, is not entirely wooden, but very wonderful. So let's look...
Carbon wood bike - an alloy of youth and skill
Project carbon wood bike is the result of a fusion of the talents of father and son, effectively fusing the mindset of a young designer with the experience of a master woodworker. A bike built entirely out of wood would be too heavy, and likely too fragile. Reflecting on this problem, the studio, also called carbon wood bike, came to the decision to use carbon fiber. Combining this material with wood not only gives the bike its unique aesthetic, but also reduces weight and greatly increases structural strength.Designed and built in Italy" carbon wood bike" has a completely handmade frame with layers of bent ash, mahogany and carbon fiber, including the saddle and handlebars. Weight at the same time reaches a little more than nine kilograms. With the addition of carbon fiber components, the bike is as strong as any other aluminum or steel frame.
It would seem that there is nothing new and revolutionary in the manufacturing technology of this composite structure. However, the use of a layered combination of two different types of wood gave an unexpectedly great aesthetic effect. The carbon fiber adds strength to the frame design, making it slimmer and sleeker, enhancing the overall good aesthetic. And the brilliant craftsmanship of a woodworking specialist turned this bike into an almost masterpiece. By the way, specialists from the Italian bike company Carbon Wood Bikes practically do not hide, displaying the production process on their website.
Therefore, if someone likes such a bike, then he has two ways: if available €6,500 buy it; and if not, carefully study the technology and make it yourself.
conclusions
- The trend towards an increase in the use of wood in the manufacture of modern bicycles is still present, even if it concerns only exclusive and piece models so far.
- There are not so many cases of using wood in its pure form. Developers, in order to achieve acceptable strength qualities, have to resort to composite wood (plywood), or even reinforce it with reinforcing fibers, usually used in traditional composite materials (CM). If we speak in terms from the KM field, then we can say that wood in these cases acts as a matrix, and carbon fiber is a reinforcing element.
- The motivations for designers to use wood in their bike designs are different and probably different for everyone. It is only worth noting, as doubtful, the argument about the environmental friendliness of such composite wood. But unique aesthetic solutions do take place in most of these cases.
- If there is a trend, then you should wait for the continuation. Probably, in the near future it will be possible to observe a lot of new interesting wooden bicycles.
We are all accustomed to bicycles rolling through our streets and we know that they are usually made of metal. Despite the affectionate name "steel horse", master from Japan Sueshiro Sano (Sueshiro Sano) has created a wonderful work of art out of wood! The idea to replace the usual material with wood came to him when he was working on another pleasure yacht. He, like his father and grandfather, are hereditary shipbuilders. For thirty-two years, Suyoshiro Sano built magnificent mahogany yachts that surprised with their luxury and grace. In 2008, he first decided to create a bicycle, using a kind of material for it - mahogany. 
The skill of the specialist is amazing, in addition to the fact that he does everything with his hands, because all the structures of this work are made of wood, but only the brakes and chain drive are made of metal. At the same time, the weight of the bike is quite small and averages seven kilograms six hundred grams. Such lightness and grace is achieved by the fact that the frame and its steering wheel are hollow. Wood perfectly softens blows, while the course of transport becomes smooth, which is very convenient when operating a “wooden friend”. 
Suyoshiro Sano founded a mahogany bicycle company and gave it the name Sanomagic. Since each creation is made by a Japanese master by hand, the process takes quite a long time, but Mr. Sano is not going to abandon his technology and use mechanization of production. Working on the creation of each of his offspring, he puts into these beautiful creations not only the skill of the master, but also the soul. 
Sanomagic bicycles attract not only with their exclusivity, but also with their high durability. Indeed, in their manufacture, technologies and materials of such an important industry as shipbuilding are used. Specially treated wood is then covered with high-strength yacht varnish, which is not afraid of cold winds, scorching sun rays and heavy rains. Unusual resistance to adverse weather conditions makes the original products even more attractive. 
From 2008 to 2014, Suyoshiro Sano made only eleven wooden bicycles, but in this age of technology and modern materials, this is the main value. Every detail of any of these creatures felt the warmth of a living human hand, which was warmed by a loving heart. The works of art that came out of Mr. Sano's workshop will serve people and bring them joy for many years to come. 
A wooden bicycle - this is what the distant ancestor of the modern bike looked like. All components of the first two-wheeled horse were made from this sustainable material - no metal alloys, rubber or plastic.
Modernity dictates movement in both directions - new designs continue to develop, and something is taken from the past. So wooden frames returned to life again, however, in a more perfect form. And some creative designers are developing world-famous unique models of bicycles.
Historical roots of the wooden bicycle
The first bicycles made of wood only vaguely resembled a modern design - the wheels were attached to a straight frame, handles for control were fixed in front. There were no pedals and drive, the bike was driven by pushing the legs off the ground. In general, the design was more like a runbike.
The first painting with a two-wheeled structure was painted by Giacomo Caprotti, a student of the legendary Leonardo da Vinci, at the end of the 15th century. That is, we can safely assume that the history of the bicycle has at least half a millennium.
Something remotely similar to a bicycle originated in the Renaissance
The Chinese, however, do not agree with this - according to their version, bicycles were invented already before our era. And to be more precise, according to the found drawings of 2500 years ago, they managed to reproduce a real miracle of antiquity - a wooden bike-box.
The device is no simpler than a modern bike - this is how the designers of that time tried
But back to the running bike. Officially, the inventor of the first bicycle is Karl von Dres, a German design engineer.
The invention dates back to 1818. Starting from the 19th century, the bicycle received a significant impetus in development: its design was modified several times, and at the end of the century, machines similar to the current ones began to appear.
Balance bikes with a wooden frame are still being made today.
The wooden balance bike has not gone away forever - modernity brings back retro from the distant past, giving a second wind. For example, bicycle scooters are no longer the same as they were in the 19th century, but are also made of wood. However, not only balance bikes are made of wood. This and quite ordinary, at first glance, are great. Of course, such models are not common and often exist in a single copy.
Modern models on wooden frames
A bicycle is an environmentally friendly and quiet vehicle. It does not poison the environment with exhaust emissions, does not irritate with crackling and noise, and it is also less dangerous than a car. Ideally. But it turns out that you can make the bike even more environmentally friendly - to assemble it on a wooden frame.
Indeed, with wood, it becomes almost 100% natural - the production of metal alloys and carbon fiber, which is unsafe for health, is completely excluded, and besides, wood is a more accessible material. Restless designers managed to make wooden bicycles a reality. Let's evaluate the top five models:
1. The Perfect Day is a wood-framed mountain bike that is arguably the most durable of its metal counterparts. The idea of creation and the exclusive model belongs to the company Dvoika. Frame material - birch.
In general, this is a full-fledged MTB in which we are used to seeing it: frame geometry, multi-speed transmission, powerful shock absorption, steering wheel design, disc brakes, aggressive tires.
2. Ash bike - a unique solution by the Dutch designer Paul Trimmer. Lightweight and environmentally friendly bike is made of solid ash boards.
By design, this model is intermediate position between three classes of bicycles: road, road and mountain. From the road builder, the ash-bike took a single-speed transmission and the type of wheels, from the road bike - lightness (about 10 kg) and the relative position of the steering wheel and saddle, from the mountain this model adopted the shape of the steering wheel and disc brakes. Indeed, v-brake is out of place here - you would have to cut a tree, and this is already ugly.
3. Aero - a stylish model with an eye-type frame. Unlike previous models, this one is equipped with a thin metal and rigid fork. The rear stays seem to merge with the front of the frame, there is no seat tube - the saddle is simply attached to the top of the “eye”.
The model belongs to the Ukrainian designer Maria Koroleva. The emphasis was placed on originality and style, while the bike itself belongs exclusively to the pleasure class. However, walks with such a bike will be remembered forever!
4. Bough Bike - an electric bike made of wood with a two-speed belt drive. Motor power is 225W, maximum speed acceleration - up to 25-30 km / h without the cyclist's power consumption. Brakes - manual rim and classic drum.
The frame material is oak wood from France, the wheel mounts and the joints of the frame parts are made of stainless steel.
5. Guapa - urban single speed on a bamboo frame and a rigid aluminum fork. The model is distinguished by lightness and high directional stability on smooth roads.
The bike is perfect for fast city driving and will delight cyclists and adherents of an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Bold and non-standard solutions from China
Fast forward to the Middle Kingdom - the most cycling country in the world both in terms of the number of riders and the production of models. The Chinese are creative people, and wooden ones are great for them - one of the reasons to express all their abilities in practice.
A model of a bicycle on a wooden chain is considered the property of Chinese folk art. The chain is made according to all the rules - the same links and rollers, but only wooden ones. A distinctive feature of the great is that the wheels here are not spoked, and not even discs, but solid circles.
Close-up of the chain and the center of the rear wheel: cuts, notches, hooks
This bike is made entirely of wood and was invented by a young Chinese designer.
The bicycle was made from Chinese chopsticks by a Liaoning resident named Song Chao. Counting the number of sticks spent is pointless - there are clearly tens of thousands of them! Probably, the designer ran around all the known and unknown catering establishments in order to collect such an amount of "raw materials". And then spent several months processing and gluing them.
However, the result is worth the cost and expectations. In the photo we see the happy creator of the "stick" bike, well, a fairly durable product that can withstand an adult.
Wooden bike on sectional wheels - creation Chinese master Peijia Wu. Not a single metal part, not even a tiny nail. All exclusively from wood! Probably, such a bike will withstand more than one rider.
Why sectional wheels? The rim is not represented by a single piece, it consists of pieces of wood fastened together, the joints are minimized. Of course, when compared with a smooth wheel, then riding this bike will be accompanied by jolts. But, according to the creator himself, this minus is insignificant - the bike perfectly fulfills its purpose.
Another feature of this miracle model is a beam transmission. The transmission does not go through a chain, but through a beam driven by the legs. The mechanism resembles the bridges of locomotive wheels.
Conclusion
Even such familiar transport as a bicycle can attract attention if you approach its assembly outside the box. And although wooden bikes have been around in the past, they look attractive these days. Perhaps in the near future they will be able to compete with conventional models.