By Roblimo from
Slashdot's we'll-stick-to-our-metal-bikes-for-the-moment-thank-you department:
This is not a practical bike. "Even on smooth pavement, your vision goes blurry because you're vibrating so hard," Collin said to an
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter back in 2012 when he was only 15 -- and already building wooden bicycles. Collin's wooden bikes are far from the first ones.
Wikipedia says, "The first bicycles recorded, known variously as velocipedes, dandy horses, or hobby horses, were constructed from wood, starting in 1817." And not all wooden bicycles made today are as crude as Collin's. A Portland (OR) company called
Renovo makes competition-quality hardwood bicycle frames -- for
as little as $2200, and a bunch more for a complete bike with all its hardware fitted and ready to roll.
Of course, while it might be sensible to buy a Renovo product if you want a wood-framed bike to
Race Across America, you won't improve your woodworking skills the way Collin's projects have improved his to the point where he's made a nice-looking pair of
wood-framed sunglasses described in his
WOOD YOU? SHOULD YOU? blog. (
Alternate Video Link)
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By samzenpus from
Slashdot's go-ahead-and-ask department:
Malcolm Gladwell is a speaker, author, and staff writer for
The New Yorker since 1996. Gladwell's writing often focuses on research in the social sciences and the unexpected connections or theories made from such research. His books:
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,
Outliers: The Story of Success, and
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants are all New York Times best sellers. Malcolm has agreed to give us some of his time to answer any question you may have. As usual,
ask as many as you'd like, but please, one per post.
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