In Romania, bike startup Diodra has developed e-bikes with bamboo frames. At 15 kilos, Diodra claims the e-bikes are the lightest ever produced and boast additional features like auto-shifting gears and puncture-free tires.
According to designboom, bamboo has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than common bike frame materials like aluminum. It also notes that wood can make bikes too stiff, making them bumpy and uncomfortable to ride.
Diodra uses three layers of varnish to protect the bamboo from water and weather extremes. An enclosed belt-drive system was designed to minimize maintenance and boost durability. The bikes’ chain tension and brake alignment can be customized to the rider, and automatic gear shifts and max speeds—25 km per hour in Europe and 32 km per hour in the US—allow for easy and safe use. Charging takes just a few hours.
The bikes can be reserved at Diodra’s website for €1,599-€2,199.