Bicycles

Wooden mountain bike gets by with a little help from Kevlar

Wooden mountain bike gets by with a little help from Kevlar
The DURT mountain bike from Connor Wood Bicycles
The DURT mountain bike from Connor Wood Bicycles
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The DURT mountain bike from Connor Wood Bicycles
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The DURT mountain bike from Connor Wood Bicycles
The DURT mountain bike has an American white ash frame with black walnut center strip
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The DURT mountain bike has an American white ash frame with black walnut center strip
Layers of Kevlar have been sandwiched inbetween wood in the rear triangle, with aircraft-grade epoxy used to laminate the layers together
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Layers of Kevlar have been sandwiched inbetween wood in the rear triangle, with aircraft-grade epoxy used to laminate the layers together
The 29-inch wheels with Ghisallo wood rims and Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires
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The 29-inch wheels with Ghisallo wood rims and Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires
The DURT bike has had sections of the steam-bent, locally-sourced reclaimed wooden-frame reinforced with Kevlar
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The DURT bike has had sections of the steam-bent, locally-sourced reclaimed wooden-frame reinforced with Kevlar
Layers of Kevlar have been sandwiched inbetween wood in the rear triangle, with aircraft-grade epoxy used to laminate the layers together
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Layers of Kevlar have been sandwiched inbetween wood in the rear triangle, with aircraft-grade epoxy used to laminate the layers together
Chris Connor in the workshop
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Chris Connor in the workshop
Each DURT mountain bike (which stands for Denver Urban Reclaimed Tree) is individually made and sculpted by hand
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Each DURT mountain bike (which stands for Denver Urban Reclaimed Tree) is individually made and sculpted by hand
Robert Brudenell rode a DURT bike in the Leadville Trail 100, an endurance epic that starts in the Colorado mountains and runs for 100 miles (160 km) on trails and dirt roads
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Robert Brudenell rode a DURT bike in the Leadville Trail 100, an endurance epic that starts in the Colorado mountains and runs for 100 miles (160 km) on trails and dirt roads
Robert Brudenell completing the Leadville 100 in just over 10 hours
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Robert Brudenell completing the Leadville 100 in just over 10 hours
View gallery - 10 images

Wooden-framed bikes are things of undeniable beauty, but they're also highly prized for their smooth ride capabilities. At the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, Chris Connor of Denver-based Connor Wood Bicycles introduced us to a new mountain bike named DURT, that's had sections of the steam-bent, locally-sourced reclaimed wooden frame reinforced with Kevlar for a gorgeous combination of strength, beauty and performance.

Like the other bikes in the expanding Connor Wood Bicycles range, each DURT mountain bike (which stands for Denver Urban Reclaimed Tree) is individually made and sculpted by hand. The frame is fashioned from reclaimed lumber that can be tracked back to its originating zip code area (specifically American white ash frame with black walnut center strip) and protected against the elements with marine spar varnish.

Connor told us that layers of Kevlar have been sandwiched inbetween wood in the rear triangle, with aircraft-grade epoxy used to laminate the layers together. High-stress areas in the front triangle (such as those adjacent to the bottom bracket and head tube) have been hollowed out and lined with carbon fiber for increased strength without adding extra pounds. The resulting ride weighs in at around 30 lb (13 kg) and is described as unbelievably smooth.

The DURT bike features FSA carbon fiber components (including stem, seatpost, and cranks), a DT Swiss 110 mm suspension fork, Magura carbon disc brakes and 29-inch wheels with Ghisallo wood rims and Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires. Other specs of note include wood and Kevlar handlebars, a 14-speed Rohloff internal gearhub, and a Gates carbon belt drive. One of the custom options on offer is beechwood rims (though they're not made by Connor).

Robert Brudenell completing the Leadville 100 in just over 10 hours
Robert Brudenell completing the Leadville 100 in just over 10 hours

The setup featured in the gallery has been used in the Leadville Trail 100, an endurance epic that starts in the Colorado mountains and runs for 100 miles (160 km) on trails and dirt roads, and costs US$10,000. Configurations are available at a starting point of $7,500.

Source: Connor Cycles

View gallery - 10 images
3 comments
3 comments
TeenLaQueefa
It's a pretty cool looking bike, but... isn't bamboo just as strong, renewable, and much much cheaper and easier to work with? This seems like a very expensive and time consuming way to build a better mousetrap.
Slowburn
I'll stick with high alloy steel.
unklmurray
I don't know butt isn't it a little expensive $7500-$10,000.00 for a pile of firewood.....at least if you were in a rocky area you could burn yer bike to cook yer food!!........LOL