SplinterBike

The SplinterBike is an invention by Michael Thompson. It is a 100%^[1]^[2] wooden bicycle which only uses glue to hold everything together. No bolts or screws were used.^[3]

History

On September 16, 2010, during the Tour of Britain, Michael Thompson (a veteran wood joiner) suggested to his friend James Tully (an amateur cyclist) that he could make a 100% wooden bicycle. James responded by saying that if Michael would build it, he would ride it.^[4]

To consolidate these bold statements the two made a £1 bet.^[3]

100% Wooden Bicycle Land Speed Record

On August 18, 2011 Thompson and Tully set the 100% Wooden Bicycle Land Speed Record with an average speed of 11.3 MPH (18.2 km/h).^[5] Because this was the first 100% wooden bicycle, all they needed was a successful run to measure the speed.

Due to the use of a soft running track and mechanical failure, James was not able to drive the bike to higher speeds.

SplinterBikeHʌɪbrɪd

The Hʌɪbrɪd is a derivative of the original SplinterBike. The idea behind the bicycle was to build an everyday bicycle with as much wood as possible.^[5] Some elements of a bicycle, like the drive section or brakes, are simply not realistic in wood. However, the entire frame and the rims are made of wood (walnut and birch).

Thompson T-Bar Frame

The frame uses a T shape for maximum strength, while maintaining the necessary flexibility. Other wooden framed bicycles use a tubular design, making the Hʌɪbrɪd unique.

References

^ !00% Wood
^ Irvine, Dean (2011-05-30). "Wooden 'SplinterBike' aims to set world speed record". CNN. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
^ ^a ^b Ennew, Kirsty (2011-04-27). "The wooden bike – an engineering marvel, a recipe for saddle sore". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
^ Ridden, Paul (2011-05-10). "Splinter Bike - a bicycle built ENTIRELY out of wood". Gizmag. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
^ ^a ^b Sparkes, Matthew (2013-11-21). "Wooden bikes: not as barking as it sounds". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

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[1] !00% Wood

[2] Irvine, Dean (2011-05-30). "Wooden 'SplinterBike' aims to set world speed record". CNN. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

[guardian-3] Ennew, Kirsty (2011-04-27). "The wooden bike – an engineering marvel, a recipe for saddle sore". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

[4] Ridden, Paul (2011-05-10). "Splinter Bike - a bicycle built ENTIRELY out of wood". Gizmag. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

[telegraph-5] Sparkes, Matthew (2013-11-21). "Wooden bikes: not as barking as it sounds". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-11.

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