Ditching metal: a plywood bike

"I’m a software engineer at Boeing and a weekend maker. The thinking behind using plywood for a bicycle frame is to replicate some of the shock absorption seen in mountain bikes. Also, using wood as a composite can create a very tough and strong building material. With the right design, the bike frame should flex and offer a smooth ride. It took around six months to build, with a lot of shaping, sanding, and varnishing. I used it for three to four years as a mountain bike, and it worked pretty well. However, I broke the head tube and the seat post, and repaired it. Also, there is a bit too much flex in the crank when you pedal hard. Some parts need to be as rigid as possible, while in other areas I want flexibility, and with more engineering it’ll work great. I have other ideas and designs for wood bikes that I’ll build at some point, but for now I converted this bike into a cruiser-style bicycle, and I enjoy riding it around my neighbourhood."

You can find out how Jason made this bike at https://hsmag.cc/wfMDej