Frequently Asked Questions
Why wood?
Many reasons including superior strength and durability, easy to repair, design diversity, smooth ride, and beauty. The walnut I use offers excellent strength to weight ratio; the frames have been strength tested and prove to be extremely durable, and they weigh the same as aluminum or steel bikes. Sand out and reapply finish if you get a ding or scratch. Wood allows me to cut and sculpt the frame for varying curves that cannot be accomplished with metal. Wood absorbs road vibration. We like to call our bikes “rideable art”.
What kind of wood do you use?
Engineered, black walnut laminate. Walnut is a hardwood but is not heavy in comparison to other woods. It has good strength to weight ratio. It’s stable – walnut has a beautiful straight grain that does not warp easily and a stunning rich color.
Is it heavy?
No! The frame is hollow with a wall thickness of approximately 6mm. Wooden frames are comparable in weight to aluminum frames. A single frame generally weighs 5 pounds +/- a few ounces (2.26 kg +/-) depending on the frame size. Fully built out, bikes have been as light at 19 pounds (8.6 kg) using carbon fiber components.
Do you really ride it?
Absolutely! This hand-crafted work of art is fully functional and ready to provide a lifetime of adventure. You will love fast-paced day rides as well as loaded touring on wood bikes. We have toured thousands of miles across this beautiful country on both tandems and singles. While the bike will look great on your wall, to not ride it is missing out on the best part!
How does it ride?
Wood absorbs much of the road vibration. The ride of a wooden framed bicycle is gob-smackingly smooth!
What kind of finish does it have?
I use a hand-rubbed, gunstock finish. It has proven to be extremely weather-resistant, and it’s easy to apply and refresh.
Can wood bikes get wet?
Definitely. With a proper finish, wood fares very well in water. Consider cedarstrip canoes and Chris Craft boats! On our cross-country trip, my son and I pedaled a couple of days in non-stop, pouring rain. The bike fared better than we did.
What if I scratch it?
One of the many advantages of a wood bike is the ability to easily maintain it. A scratch can be sanded or buffed out followed by a couple of coats of wipe-on finish. Unlike a scratch on your beautiful painted frame which you have to live with, you can keep your wood frame looking new.
What is the maintenance of a wood bike?
It varies depending on use and abuse. After a long tour, I will refresh the bike with a coat of finish. Bikes I use for day rides may see a new coat of finish every 2 or 3 years. It’s very easy to apply wipe-on finish to areas that wear more quickly like the top tube. With minimal effort, your bike will always look like new.
Is the frame strong?
As an engineering professor at a university, I have access to state-of-the-art testing equipment. My frames have been rigorously strength and fatigue tested. Static strength was tested by applying an increasing load through the bottom bracket until it failed. The steel frame began to buckle at 800 pounds. One test was stopped at 2,000 pounds because the fixture holding the frame was bending (not the frame!) The frames have passed both the ISO (International Standards Organization) Fatigue Testing and ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) Drop Test (the mountain bike standard which is stricter than the road bike standard).
Is the frame all wood?
The areas of the frame that sustain significant hoop stresses have metal reinforcement; these areas include the bottom bracket, the head tube, and the seat tube. The majority of the frame is hollow with a wall thickness of 6 mm. Cable guides run internally to keep all cables hidden.
What kinds of bikes do you make?
Single road bikes, hard-tail 29ers, tri-bikes, cross / gravel grinders, tandems, special needs, and unicycles.
What is the cost of a bike?
The price will vary according to style and what kind of components you choose. A Diverso single frame is currently priced at $3,500 and a tandem frame is $6,500. Custom frames are available for an additional cost.
How long does it take to get one?
It varies but generally 8-12 weeks.
What is your warranty?
If you have any manufacturing defects in your frame, I will repair or replace your frame at my discretion.
What’s involved in a workshop?
Find 2 or 3 friends and schedule a 3-4-day workshop to complete your very own wood bike frame! We can travel to you or you can join us at our location in Cedarville, OH. I will have your frame, seat stays, and chains stays already cut out, but you will assemble the frame under my guidance, and sand and finish it to your perfection. We will build up the bike with components of your choice, and you will then take your handmade wood art on its maiden voyage! You’ll leave with a bike ready to ride and new or deepened friendships. Our workshops are the heart of our business.
For more information, please feel free to contact me directly at jay@sojourn-cyclery.com.