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Renovo wood frames - I want one!

11K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  latman 
#1 ·
There was a thread 6 months ago about Renovo and their wood bikes:

https://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=121838

Shortly thereafter, I got to see them at the Seattle Bike Expo. I can say that in-person, their bikes are drop-dead gorgeous, at least imho. According to the guy I talked to, they make them out of hard woods that normal woodworking tools would break. Since I am no expert, and don't know anything about Bubinga, Lyptus, or Paduak hardwoods, I'll just have to take their wood for it that these are good materials to build bikes out of.

I was reminded of them as they got a pic on Velonews here:

https://velonews.com/photo/97025

It turns out that they have test rides available... and in my area. I think I need to schedule a ride.

 
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#3 ·
ChilliConCarnage said:
TAccording to the guy I talked to, they make them out of hard woods that normal woodworking tools would break. Since I am no expert, and don't know anything about Bubinga, Lyptus, or Paduak hardwoods,
That might be a little bit of marketing hype. Padauk is my favorite wood to work with (smells kinda like sweet pipe tobacco when you cut it). It's no harder on tools than any other common hardwood. Bubinga wears down your cutting surfaces faster than, say, hard maple, but it doesn't 'break' the tools.

That being said, Renovo's bikes are drop-dead gorgeous, and the joinery and other workmanship on the bikes I've seen at their displays were top-notch.
 
G
#6 ·
ChilliConCarnage said:
There was a thread 6 months ago about Renovo and their wood bikes:

https://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=121838

Shortly thereafter, I got to see them at the Seattle Bike Expo. I can say that in-person, their bikes are drop-dead gorgeous, at least imho. According to the guy I talked to, they make them out of hard woods that normal woodworking tools would break. Since I am no expert, and don't know anything about Bubinga, Lyptus, or Paduak hardwoods, I'll just have to take their wood for it that these are good materials to build bikes out of.

I was reminded of them as they got a pic on Velonews here:

https://velonews.com/photo/97025

It turns out that they have test rides available... and in my area. I think I need to schedule a ride.

You know you wouldn't be allowed to ride that if the forest fire danger is high,

Right??


:D
 
#8 ·
#10 ·
I saw the Renovo bikes at Sea Otter 2010 and had a short ride on the R4 and R2. First impression was the ride was sweet. Not dead or lifeless. Good vibration moderation. Not sluggish. I did not have the opportunity to climb but overall very favorable. The frames are beautiful heirloom worthy pieces. Weight is comparable to steel and titanium frames.
 
#12 ·
Don Duende said:
I saw the Renovo bikes at Sea Otter 2010 and had a short ride on the R4 and R2. First impression was the ride was sweet. Not dead or lifeless. Good vibration moderation. Not sluggish. I did not have the opportunity to climb but overall very favorable. The frames are beautiful heirloom worthy pieces. Weight is comparable to steel and titanium frames.
i hate old thread being revived. LOL
 
#15 ·
First Time Post

Thanks for the invite. I'm an old fart who loves bikes. Did the 2011 Nove Colli in Italy this year. Wooden bikes are my interest right now. I have the wooden tubular rims, laced to high flange Campy hubs and they look great. Now I need a wooden frame to match. Any thoughts ?

John
 
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