Jan 25 2008Boy Builds Bicycle Entirely Out Of Wood

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16 year-old high school student Marco Facciola built a bike out of wood. I'm talking every part is made out of wood. Pretty damn impressive. "Marco had to complete this as a non-academic project for his International Baccalaureate, and inspiration came from his grandfather, forced to make wooden wheels for his bike during the war due to rubber shortages." Well props to both you and your grandfather, I'm sure he's proud. Say, mind if I take it for a ride? I'm working on a stunt spectacular where I set a bike on fire and jump over cats in my driveway. No I can't use my own bike Marco, it won't burn right.

Hit the jump for several close-ups of the amazing wooden gears and chain.

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High School Student Builds 100% Wooden Bike [gizmodo]

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What an awesome way to help the environment.. Cut down on emissions by commuting to work on a bicicle... made from DEAD TREES!

that kid is way too brown

Is it ridable? Riding that thing down the street would be pretty badass. But it looks a bit delicate.


This will go great with my wooden dildo collection.

I would take that off a sweet jump and wreck the shit out of it

"it looks a bit delicate" - yeah, cause we all know that wood is very delicate, and can't stand up to any kind of pressure. that's why wooden boats and houses will never catch on

certainly rideable, but probably quite heavy. difficult turning and going up hills. and probably not very good traction.

Well i think the worst thing is that wood doesn't flex the way rubber tires do. It's going to make for a *very* bumpy ride.

Pretty cool, until you hit a hill and realize it doesn't have brakes.

OSNAP GRAVITY FAIL!1

..I did the IB and I didn't have to build a bike...
I'm guessing he did it for the mandatory CAS hours, in which case I think he's the only person that's ever existed who actually DID their mandatory CAS hours rather than lying about it like normal people.

Some ago we used to make carts out of wood and they were pulled by horses. Then we used metal and they lasted longer. Then we invented the internal combustion engine and didn't need the horses and called them cars. So I don't see what's so f***in great about some donut making a bike out of wood and taking a step back down the evolutionary scale.

Great work son, now maybe you can make a mud hut.

Everyone on this site talikng shit about this kid is just jealous because the only thing you f***s could make out of wood is your 2" bonner!

meanmofo: I've never heard of a 2" BONNER.

Anyhow...No, I don't think it'd be durable at all simply because of the delicacy of the chain. It looks like its made of balsa wood and toothpicks.

meanmofo: I've never heard of a 2" BONNER.

Anyhow...No, I don't think it'd be durable at all simply because of the delicacy of the chain. It looks like its made of balsa wood and toothpicks.

He didn't have to build a bike out of wood. Hell, all I did for my CAS hours was get together with friends and watch Fight Club and then have a "philosophical" discussion about Brad Pitt.

Oh, those were the days...

What the hell class did he take where this was a required project? The most I ever did for IB was write a shit-ton of papers, coach a cheerleading squad for my CAS, and write a shit-ton more papers, exams, and a huge physics project. No bikes required.

yo is that shit fixed nukka?

#10, you clearly fail at life since you don't understand the satisfaction of building something, creating something, doing something amazing. So what it the bike isn't practical, can't brake, or is heavy, or has bad traction. The kid (who I dare say is a lot younger than most of us), is 16, and he built a bicycle out of wood. I'm also into carpentry and know how difficult it is to do some projects...so give this kid the break that he deserves. What he did is amazing.

Have you ever gone to Ripley's museums? There are a lot of things there built "just because."

@ #6 - "damn luddites"

Look at the "fingers" - when I made my original post I didn't get quite how they work, but they looked very delicate. Now that I think I understand how they work, I can conclude that you're an *idiot*...

The "fingers," those TINY SLIVERS OF WOOD, drive the entire rear wheel. That's how he got it so that the bike can roll forward when the pedals aren't being pedaled. When the bike coasts, those fingers of wood rotate inside that piece with all the notches, and slide over the grooves because they're facing the opposite direction. When someone pedals, however, the piece with all the notches turns, catches the fingers, and that turns the entire wheel. If there were actually someone riding on that bike, the force applied to the fingers would snap them like toothpicks. That was my point. Moron.

@ 18. James

well, it doesn't say what type of wood was used, so while balsa would be too delicate, maybe it's not. so, of all the things made of wood for centuries past, you're telling me that nothing was made with "fingers" similar to those.

oh wait, I forgot. you called me an idiot and a moron. well, according to the rules of logic and debate, that makes you correct. so there's clearly no reason to attempt a civil discussion, since you have proven your side via insults. unless of course I call you an idiot-moron-fag, and then I'm correct.

and Sam, if you're reading, I know that you like to have the last word, so I won't rely again after you do.

i think it's awesome. he deserves some awards. hook him up.

the bike is weak. the geometry of the frame is all that matters. the frame dimensions are poor as is the wood he used to construct the frame. it is not useful for very long, unstable, fools.

lol how gay ur a homo noob

luddite - fight snark with snark. too late for you to take the high road.

are like all of you guys adults or something cause on this site there is alot of talk about people having children and not many people at my school know about this place????. like i am only 16 and i think that bike is pretty freaken sweet looks like it took alot of effort. and i think #17 has a good pont like i am in metal work in high school the things we make are kinda useless but just the satisfaction you get out of building it makes you happy. so go be happy and dont litsen to people that say something wont work cause if you wana do something go and f***ing do it even if it is kinda pointless

@ 23. James
"fight snark with snark" - agreed, no problem there.

but why is it too late for me to take the high road? after all, while I may be rude, I don't call people names, unless it's in a rebuttal to point out the flaw in their method of proving themselves correct. you made a valid point with the "fingers" argument. but by calling me an idiot and a moron, you simply made yourself look less intelligent. you could have proven yourself with logic alone, but you chose to degrade yourself.

grow up.

luddites - "yeah, cause we all know that wood is very delicate, and can't stand up to any kind of pressure. that's why wooden boats and houses will never catch on"

That's why it's too late to take the high road. You managed to make your point, which was that since houses are made of wood and are not delicate objects, wooden bicycles must not be delicate objects either, and to also sarcastically imply that this would be news to me, as if I'm sitting around waiting for someone to enlighten me as to just what boats and houses are actually made of. It was 10% weak argument and 90% insult to the poster's (my) intelligence. I responded in kind, but since I seem to have bruised your sensibilities, I'll dial it back. You may not be and idiot or a moron - I don't actually know you. But your post was pretty stupid.

James,
to quote you - "fight snark with snark". so, do you consider calling people you don't know a "moron" to be snark? I agreed that I may be rude, and I certainly don't have bruised sensibilities. my point is that I think sarcasm (or snark to use a word that you prefer) requires wit and intelligence. to call someone a moron or idiot doesn't require anything. all it does is to make you seem less intelligent. like I said, you raised a valid (albeit, unproven) point with the "fingers" argument. and you could have been sarcastic, but you chose to lessen yourself instead.

calling someone an idiot to prove your point didn't work in the first grade, and it doesn't work now.

"James" and "damn luddites" are FAKE!!!

guate6 - stop saying that! it's soooo lame ;)

Wit and intelligence? You dismissively shot down my original, snark-free comment by claiming that because houses are made of wood, a bicycle made of wood must be as strong as a house. Since this isn't Monty Python and the Holy Grail, assertions like that aren't going to fly. The comment was both idiotic and moronic, and I stand by that. If applying sarcasm to your ill-conceived claim counts as "wit and intelligence," then kudos for being so witty. (Since that "kudos" line was used sarcastically, I can only assume I now belong in the "witty and intelligent" club too.)

Just face it dude - you said something dumb, and insulted me at the same time. When I shot back with a rebuttal and an insult of my own, you started talking about how mature you were and how I needed to grow up. You're an internet forum cliche: you shoot your mouth off at someone, and if they happen to put you in your place, suddenly you're Miss Manners. It ain't gonna work this time.

James, yes I insulted you. Never denied that. But I did it without calling you names, which it makes a better insult than the ones you'd posted. And I don't see how you've put anyone in their place. You simply showed the extent of your vocabulary. and I still stand by the opinion that sarcasm is different than name-calling.

"If applying sarcasm to your ill-conceived claim counts as "wit and intelligence," then kudos for being so witty. " - now that was a good shot! and you did it without lowering yourself by resorting to name-calling. kudos right back at you.

james and luddites...who cares? how old are you two? it's a f***ing wooden bike...get over it.

Most of you clowns are all Asshats, with a CAPITAL A, douchebags!

Kid obviously busted his ass to build a bike out of wood. Might not ride too well, but damn people, I'd love to have that hanging on my wall. I have half a dozen bikes in my garage but none with as much class and love put into it as that one.

F**k you all. Make something that cool with your own hands and get back with me.......

John

well said johnny. and you too have showed the extent of your vocabulary, and your superior debate skills. I tip my asshat to you sir.

Now these are the type of people that we need in this world, the ones who think outside the box.

I want to quit the Internet after reading all these comments.

Pretty schwee ride. Not sure why these dweebs have to get into a debate over the practicality of it.. suppose they don't get enough attention IRL.

Ridable or not I think its cool.
He far more creative then myself.
This kid had the idea to build a all wooden bike then figured how it could be done then he actually built it.Not and easy task i am sure.
Everyone has had and idea to build something at one time or anouther.
Very few ever get past the "thats a cool idea" or" wonder if this could work" stage.What he did took a lot time,effort and planing. So what if you cant really
ride the bike.He had a idea and followed through with it.
How many people do you know are brave enough to do the same?
Wonder if he plans to stain it ?
Wonder if he sells them I like to have one in my garden.

I wouldn't want to ride that thing for the sole fear of getting splinters in my ass.

guate6 comments to previous insults.

" #10, you clearly fail at life since you don't understand the satisfaction of building something, creating something, doing something amazing. So what it the bike isn't practical, can't brake, or is heavy, or has bad traction. The kid (who I dare say is a lot younger than most of us), is 16, and he built a bicycle out of wood. I'm also into carpentry and know how difficult it is to do some projects...so give this kid the break that he deserves. What he did is amazing.

Have you ever gone to Ripley's museums? There are a lot of things there built "just because."
I agree 100 percent. The juveniles making the nasty comments haven't got a skill in their body to be proud of, so they throw insults instead. Their only ability in life. So sad.
Very nice work there. Someone has passed down some woodworking and mechanical talent to you........................ so keep on doing what you do so well.

i wish my school had taught how to do sh1t like that when i was a kid.

I'm amazed at two things:

1. This kid not only applied himself to follow through with a tough project that required an incredible amount of planning and execution, but I can only imagine what he gained in the process, in addition to the woodworking and engineering skills he learned. And I echo #41's post, "I wish my school had taught how to do s*** like that..." Bravo to this kid. You'll go far...

2. I'm astounded by the negative and vicious posts! Is there only 2 or 3 of all of you who can recognize and applaud this effort? Where is this septic hatred coming from? Who cares whether or not it's functional? What matters if it's delicate, rideable, stained, etc. It's an amazing piece of art, one that boggles the mind and fires the imagination. There's a lesson here: If all you focus on is the destination, you lose the pleasure of the journey along the way. This guy took an amazing journey, and learned a whole hell of a lot along the way. How about you just appreciate his ingenuity, his aptitude, his competence and his confidence instead of jealously ripping him apart. It's guys like this who you'll be working for in a few years!

Oh, and as for "James" and "Luddites" . . . just go away!

@42 builder - sorry, I was here first. you go away.

btw, I never bad mouthed the bike, did I?

Also, I have no penis, which makes me bitter.

Everyone is bitching about its useful ness. Since when does it have to be USEFUL!? Its a damn good project even if he didn't have to do it. Its like a huge old toy bike but better. Sure you could never ride it, but its a huge achievement and the kid probably has more brains than all the people bitching put together.

If YOU think you can do better, go out and do it. Stop griping.

@44 - haha, you so funny. you stole my name! wow, never thought that could happen! too bad you weren't smart enough to copy the url to make it look more realistic. oh well... maybe next time

James and damn luddites just won the most pointless and silly argument ever award.

Whew! I almost never let myself get drug into these things but I have to make an exception here. First, hats off to all you who, like me, applaud this kids ingenuity, dedication, and determination. I'm a lifelong professional woodworker,and when I'm not working at making a living at it, I often find myself looking at a pile of scraps and wondering what I can create from them. The time spent on the chain alone boggles my mind, and I have no doubt that it works. Perhaps not under heavy loads, but works all the same. Da Vinci made wooden models of many of his ideas, not for their practical application, but for the simple curiosity of seeing if he could. Anyone can create witty repartee, not much skill involved there. Me? I'll be in my shop.

Nice job I'm Baffled by your finished goal bust

how much does everybody wanna bet that "James" and " damn luddites" are 45 years old, 400 lbs. with black horn rimmed glasses, and 18 bags of half way eaten potato chips scattered around their computers, which is where they spend all their time, for 1 because their fat asses cannot be removed from the computer chairs they have grown into, and 2 because they have not been outside in so long they are afraid what actual fresh air and sunlight might do to their "i'm the creepy internet dude all of the commercials warn you about" look that they have worked so hard to achieve over the past 15yrs. All because they never got laid in highschool! so now they are redeeming themselves by having fights over the internet that are not even about the kid's awesome accomplishment, but how big their own brains are. In reality these two would not know a good piece of art if it popped up infront of their computer screens. But wait, they don't live in reality, they live on the internet, so i guess none of this applies to them.

ive seen the bike and it works, hes ridden it, and all of you people that talk shit about it yer all retarded bitches. i also had to do the project and it was mandatory to finish the IB. so F*** OFF you f***ing homo's

As someone who can barely saw straight I think it is a most impresive achievement and for it to have been achieved by someone of 16 years is all the more remarkable.
It occurs to me that the negative comments posted here say far more about the persons posting them than they do about Marco.

what the f*** was the purpose of that shit? wow a wooden bike...cant even go far plus that shit would be so uncomfortable to ride who would want splinters on there balls?

Excellent Job Marco

Could you pimp that bike now and add wooden diamonds, with wooden fur trim. And maybe a wood pimp hat with wooden cane ?

Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh, behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

In other words mate could you build me an ark just like me old muckers Noah but instead of a pair of each animal I'll have a pair of big breasted lesbians, a pair of Tourette Syndrome sufferers and a pair of Alien Hand Syndrome psychos.

Pronto.....

Critics - I think you'll find that (a) this is an art-work; and (b) the first ever bicycle was also made of wood.

When I went to a very reputable Toronto Art College in the mid-90's, I had to make something out of toilet paper for one of my Foundation classes. I was an adult of 35 at the time and thought this project was absurd. I made a bath mat of braided TP which I sewed together and added a rolled fringe of individual sheets. I still have it in my closet. I never used it because it was "delicate". It didn't have to be "useful", we just had to make something. Another student made candle stick holders from toilet paper, one guy bought copious rolls of TP and stacked them to make a "throne".
Modern technology has "robbed" us of our imaginations. It is the artists through the ages that have got society where it is.
The fact the bike "works" is the point, not whether it will stand up to the strain of use. Doesn't anybody know of any other wood than "balsa"? My educated guess is it is made from either maple or birch and similar ply-board which is very strong and attractive too. The detail of the chain is indeed mind-boggling. The use of tooth picks to "pin" the links together is close to genius! His innovation is marvelous and I would have loved to have had him in any of my college classes, but he would have been about 3 at the time.
HOORAY! for artists, we make the world go around. And those of you who don't understand and end up just producing insults, SHAME ON YOU!

Way to go! My uncle made a steam engine out of wood, of course, it does not run on steam for obvious reasons. It runs on air. Actually, The Machinery's Handbook states in its 27th edition under bearing materials, that wood is 100% better than Nylon

I'll even prove it: Max PSI Nylon- 1000 Max Surface speed 1000FT/min.

Wood PSI 2000 Surface speed 2000 FT/min

As much hard work that goes into that bike, in My opinion, It should never be rode.

splinters ftl

I just wonder how he gets use to all the splinters in his crouch

good on him. that looks like a whole lot of work.

Sad no human can ride it. It requires Pinocchio to drive.

I like this work but I think it is useless. If you ride it for a while I'm sure that the chain (and the rest) would get on fire because of the friction between the wooden parts twisting and turning between themselves. I think that's basically how they started fire in the old days.
But it look very nice, kind of like that Eiffel tower built out of toothpicks. It is a very nice piece of art. Or a giant lighter! :)

beautiful bike Marco - you did an awesome job !

Nice project Marco - Really impressive to see kids with real physical talent. Most of the kids who post here have talent in their hands - but anyone can jerk-off and play Halo 3 all day. Well done, and ignore the peons.

Interesting, the bike is quite unique to say in the least. I'm an artist with the pencil and paper. I couldn't match the boys depth and perception in his piece of work. It is made remarkably well and he deserves the upmost respect from everyone whom have observed it.

Nice project. I don't think I've seen a bike quite like that before. Bravo!

pow vc quer vende

oioi

saver power coleman

Very good! I want to make. Everyone "have to have", but talent is subject w make.
I think about this. Old time the wood bike!

Great job, he stuck to it and finished it! I would think he used a hard wood for a lot of the parts, lighter wood in the wheels that wouldn't be stressed quite so much. On the fingers, individually they may not be strong, but they don't work alone, they work together. So it's the combined strength that would matter.

If I rode this, it would be the same as I'd drive a prototype car, very carefully, knowing it's purpose... as a work of art. If he had to ride to work, up and down hills he would have approached this totally different. For what he needed, this is a great effort. Oh, I'm waiting for the bad mouthers to do better?

Great workmanship. Stop bad mouthing him, it's like some one building remote control plains. They do it for the fun of it, and if it works, that's even better. Like to see you build one.

Get some of this ()=====8

I have to admit to laughing quite hard at some of the silly comments posted here. However, Marco could have just spent his time sitting at home playing video games or watching tv like most people I know that are twice his age. It's a fantastic effort and something I could have never even dreamed of when I was 16 years old. I don't even know the kid yet I'm quite proud of him. Great job man!!!

Bravo Marco! Do you have any info about an all wooden bicycle that was made by an Italian craftsman in the early 80' or perhaps even 70's? I saw it in a magazine years ago and was wondering where it rests. Magari e il tuo nonno.
Now, go start chasing girls.

Nice bike. Excellent attention to detail, and judging by the pics, great choice of wood. BTW, how the hell do you get splinters through shorts from a sanded piece of wood?

Awsome job on the bike. I'm thinking of building one myself. I Googled how to make a bike and I saw this site. Very inspiring. And for all the guys who are making fun/ragging on/insulting/cursing [completely] out/ and mocking, please lay off. And kid, God gave you a gift. Thank him every day.

OK, props for proving it could be done and for doing it. But 2 problems.

1 No one was trying to say it couldn't be done, just that it would be stupid and suck.

2. It's clearly inferior to any bike on the market today, why should someone be rewarded for making something less useful than it was before?

If he did it as an engineering project then his CAD model and a few stress tests would have been sufficient proof of concept. Something tells me that he doesn't know what CAD is though. Hence why I don't think this justifies jack shit about judging his intelligence. This truly served no purpose, I bet making an NES/SNES adapter was both more challenging and more sophisticated but I don't see people lining up to give me praises over playing megaman in the library between classes.

Are you want to own the cheapest Battery Help?

I really appreciate your help.Thank you very much!

I really appreciate your help, it is very useful for me,you will get good grades!
You will be successful.

yo you ride that thing a mile and you'll be on fire. haha

ha thats awesome!! the moat your gay!! haha

you guys are all fuckin retards...get a life

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