Fully functional wooden bike with chain

January 24, 2008

16 year old Marco Facciola has created a fully working wooden bike including a linked chain using only wooden and glue.

I was mostly concerned that the wooden chain would break. I researched the strength of different types of wood and built jigs to test the stresses that each of the chain’s components would undergo during use. First, I used my weight (150 lbs) to see if the wood could endure this amount of force. Then, my father would stand on the jig. I calculated that my dad’s weight would be twice the force each chain component would need to withstand. I made the specs high to ensure the chain and sprockets would work even if the wood had imperfections. During testing, I made adjustments to the chain’s components, and once I had it figured out, I realized that completing the project was within my grasp.

 

Fully functional wooden bike with chain
Fully functional wooden bike with chain
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Via Make

 

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Comments

8 Responses to “Fully functional wooden bike with chain”

  1. Bransby on January 24th, 2008 10:45 am

    So what’s it like to ride?

  2. Casey on January 24th, 2008 6:37 pm

    whats the width of the wheels?

  3. steve on January 27th, 2008 3:20 am

    how did you make the bottom bracket and cranks. how are they assembled/constructed to withstand the torque?

  4. alex your friend 13 on February 12th, 2008 10:41 pm

    how much do you weigh

    I love you marco

    I No YOU

    DONT FORGET ME WHEN YOU BECOME A MILLIONAIRE

  5. alex your friend 13 on February 12th, 2008 10:54 pm

    thanks for sighning my pictures

  6. alex your friend 13 on February 13th, 2008 9:47 pm

    yo Marco what ur msn

    you no who i am

  7. Iain on August 15th, 2008 7:29 pm

    This is the first all wooden one I’ve seen, amazing to see the freehub in wood. :)

  8. Cycling Links For September 4 - 100 KM on September 5th, 2008 9:37 am

    [...] Marco Facciola wooden bike with chain - gadgettastic.com [...]

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