Back in July, we covered
Edouard Delbove's first wooden hardtail. Made from ash sourced from eco-managed forests in the Rhône-Alpes region, the project may have been the most sustainable mountain bike ever. Now Edouard has gone back to the drawing board and created a more hardcore version that is designed to handle everything up to enduro racing.
The previous model was designed around a 140/150mm fork but the new frame gets a bump in travel to 150/160mm. It also gets more progressive geometry and a sliding dropout to allow riders to pick between a 27.5" or 29" set up.
DetailsFrame material: Ash
Travel: 160mm fork
Wheelsize: 29" or 27.5"
Head Tube angle: 64°
Seat Tube Angle: 74°
Weight: 4.8kg (size L frame)
Price: €2,700
More info: ateliersujji.fr As with the previous model, this new Drop frame will be handmade in Vercors by Edouard from ash wood. Edouard personally picks the pieces of timber that go into each frame and says each one is, "carefully selected to ensure stability and strength." The frame is bonded using a bio-epoxy from Portugal over the course of 8-10 weeks and then the build is finished with the headset, seat post, bottom bracket and drop outs that are manufactured in England. Altogether, the final frame weight comes in at 4.8kg in size large.
We don't have a full geometry chart for this bike yet as it can be tailored to suit each customer's size and preferences but each one does have a head tube angle of 65°, a seat tube angle of 74° and a boost rear end. It has clearance for a 2.6" tyre in 27.5" and 2.4" in 29".
The graphics on the frame are pyrographed meaning they are literally burned into the wood. The frame is then coated in varnish to protect it from UV, this is the only step of the construction process that doesn't happen in Eduoard's workshop. The frame is further protected by a cork slip on the chainstay.
Each frame costs €2,700 and can be ordered directly from Edouard. For more information,
click here.
Maybe they can launch a line of sustainably sourced cork helmets to wear when you ride it.
A whittle tired I was, it seems
Logging on I saw this bike
wood it be something that I like?
I seed this frame
And axed the forum
Wood we be saps, or show decorum?
Would = wood
Woudn't = wooden
Gain = grain
Ash = ass
Ash = cash
branch = branch
storage = trunk
maybe = maple
singing in = logging
little = whittle
seeing = seed
asked = axed
for = fir
okay = oaky
not = knot
chip = chip
leave = leaf
intriguing = intreegring
sticky = sticky
thin = twiggy
wanting = pine
4.8 kg.
10.6 lbs.
Just the frame.
I predict this will not take off.
Hipster-Dentists rejoice!
Canopy on it
Sorry just had too
Set up camp
Take out your matches & start a camp fire
Frame burns well Bon apeti