It’s like riding a bike. Or is it?
We’ve all ridden a bike at some point in our lives. Maybe you learned how to ride on a tricycle and after scraping your knees a couple of times you were able to take the training wheels off. Now, maybe you prefer to ride a banana bike down the boardwalk or a Suteki down the the road, or even a mountain bike down a trail. But whatever you prefer, have you ever had the opportunity to ride a wooden bicycle? Or even heard of a wooden bicycle?
Max Samuelson is the founder and master carpenter of Woody Bicycles in Cape May, New Jersey. He designs and constructs high-performance bicycles made of wood. The bicycles are functional, and beautiful. They highlight the natural beauty of wood combined with the technology of modern bicycles.
Wood has always been a part of Max’s life. He says he was interested in making things since he was in diapers, using tools and power tools well before the recommended age of use, although under parental supervision of course. He said the first power tool he used was a jigsaw and thinks more parents should allow their children to use these sorts of tools under supervision at an earlier age to allow their skills to build up. If you are interested in purchasing some tools for using at home, whether that be for you or with your children, you can click here for a comparison of the best jigsaws. However, it wasn’t until later in life that he combined his passion for woodworking with another one of his passions – bicycles. He has competitively raced in triathlons for 20 years and raced mountain bikes during and after college. Max studied kinesiology at West Chester University.
His passion for creating led him to making wooden bicycles. “Problems that need to be solved suck me in, especially if they require something built out of the ordinary,” said Max.
Max built his first wooden bicycle in 2008.
He used wood because it provides a better ride. It is 10 times less dense than steel, so frames can be made thicker. When frames are thicker, there’s more mass, which absorbs more energy from the road, allowing for a smoother ride while maintaining a weight similar to traditional bicycles.
Max has been making wooden bicycles for almost a decade, but he has been a maker all his life. He built tree houses as a kid and houses as an adult. But for Max, making bicycles is special. Each bicycle is different, and there are no guidelines. Each bicycle is designed to move the human body quickly, quietly and efficiently with smooth style and class.
Two of Max’s bicycles will be on display at the TEDxNavesink 2015 Makers Gallery. “I am so excited to be a part of a TED program. I view them as where good ideas, discoveries and genius are shared with the world. To be invited is such a huge honor.”
The TEDxNavesink Makers Gallery will be held on Saturday, April 9 at Monmouth University alongside the TEDxNavesink Makers event. TEDxNavesink Makers will explore what it means to be a creator and maker. In addition to the inspiring talks, the Makers Gallery will showcase revolutionary inventions and ideas, up close and personal.
Max’s wooden bicycles tell a story. They tell the story of timeless craftsmanship and unlimited possibilities when using modern technology. They also tell the story of a man with a dream and a passion.
Old world carpentry techniques with the use of improved tools from the likes of Stonex Ox Tools and others, along with modern materials, computer design, chemistry, and human performance make these bicycles possible. The bicycles are safe and comfortable, and can fit a variety of needs. Max makes tricycles, triathlon, beach and everyday bicycles. Each one as unique as the wood it comes from.
The highest quality products are used in the making of the bicycles, including locally-sourced wood. He uses hardwood because hardwood is strong wood. There is also very little maintenance involved with the wooden bicycles. While the frame is made of wood, all other parts can be found in any bicycle shop.
Woody Bicycles test rides each bicycle to make sure they perform properly. The wooden bicycles can be found in ironman triathlon races and at the shop in Cape May.
See the wooden bicycle and other innovative creations, such as the glove box from NASA, up close and personal at TEDxNavesink 2016. The day will be filled with two dozen inspiring talks, and tickets include admission to the Makers Gallery. Purchase your TEDxNavesink 2016 Makers tickets here.