We don't build bicycles of wood just to be different.

Bicycles of wood have been built since the 1800's, but the unique advantages of wood for bicycles were always masked by the heaviness of the frames because none were hollow. Until now:

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Meet the Renovo Hardwood Monocoque (hollow frame) Bicycle

The Renovo offers crisp handling, superb ride quality and stunning looks thanks to select woods, a blend of cutting edge CAD/CAM manufacturing, state-of-the-art bonding and finishing technologies, and old-world craftsmanship.

Wood's unique properties deliver: 

  • A magically smooth ride thanks to its unique ability to absorb vibration--you feel the difference immediately.2528739-1724830-thumbnail.jpg
  • Wood doesn't sacrifice stiffness for smoothness so you get tight handling, sure-footed descents and smooth.
  • The hardwood frame is remarkably tough. It easily withstands impacts that ruin butted metal or carbon frames.
  • The fatigue life of wood rivals carbon and is substantially longer than aluminum or steel. The Renovo is an heirloom quality frame.
  • A Renovo frame weighs from 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.
  • The Renovo frame is environmentally friendly, with sustainable woods and low VOC waterborne sealers and finishes.

Some folks view these frames as works of art, too nice or delicate for daily use, but they're not your mom's dining room table. We chose wood for it's ride quality and sustainability, and got beauty as a bonus; but it's not a weakness. Wood is tough stuff; a good example is the  walnut stock of the 1903 Springfield rifle. Used in warfare from WW1 through the Korean conflict, they were thrown from trucks,dragged through sand, rivers and hell, used as pry bars, clubs, crutches and even rifles. But after the wars, civilians bought these battle-scarred relics and refinished the stocks into gorgeous sporting rifles.

Like the Springfield gunstock, or any bicycle frame, a Renovo can be dented and scratched. But, like those gunstocks, and unlike other frame materials, the Renovo is easily refinished, because it's wood all the way through, not just a paint layer. And the best news--a dent or scratch won't escalate into a frame-terminal crack as with other bike frame materials. So really, if you want a beautiful bicycle as your daily driver, the Renovo is the one that will outlast you and still be looking good. And yes, between rides, it is artful decor in any cyclist's lair.

The Renovo is semi-custom made. Although the sizes are standard, each frame is made-to-order with woods chosen by the owner. Renovo bicycles are made in Portland Oregon, of course.

Patents are pending.

The woods, adhesives, and finishes are probably not what you're familiar with, so please visit Wood,Craft,Technology for an overview.