Two grand for a bicycle? Just reading Renovo’s quietly beautiful narrative of how they handcraft wooden bikes is worth every penny. Based in Portland, Ore., this family-owned business takes wood seriously. Their unique line of custom-built bike frames are studiously forged from two halves of wood that have been hollowed out and bonded together. The result is a super strong, fast and attractive set of wheels that’ll make your eyes pop and mouth water.
With a name to match his occupation, founder Ken Wheeler enlisted the help of his two sons, Stuart and Clayton, to help grow the company. Today, Renovo boasts a small team of caring, “obsessive” professionals, guaranteed to shiver ye timbers. You choose the material (walnut, cedar, hickory, bamboo …) and they go out and find, prepare and size it just for you à la Monocoque — an early twentieth-century design concept that shifts the structural load to the outside of the frame. Who knew wood could be this good?
+ Renovo Bikes
Via Core 77
