Just because a product is rendered in wood doesn't necessarily elevate it above its metal or plastic original (case in point: not every wooden iPhone case is a standout; I've seen some clunkers recently). And in the world of wooden bicycles, French brand BSG makes the only model that gets my vote.
Founded in Strasbourg by Thierry Boltz and Claude Saos, BSG was the first to manufacture a wooden bike, the Wood B, entirely within France. And while that fact is commendable in light of France's diminishing tradition of produits du terroir, for me, it's the design of the frame that makes the Wood B an object of desire.
Above: The four models of the Wood B can be customized with over 18 options of colored powder coating and six types of wood. Shown here is the Wood B Nexus 8 with a plywood ash frame and a Nexus eight-speed gear system and pedals, both from cycling company Shimano. The Nexus 8 is €3,690 (US $4,762).
Above: A detail of the aluminum handlebar and light-gray powder-coated steel frame.
Above: The seat is available in leather from either of two classic saddle companies, Brooks or Flyer.
Above: The Wood B Duomatic has a Sturmey Archer two-speed gear system with a plywood ash and black combination frame. The Duomatic is priced at €3,190 (US $4,117).
Above: A custom leather bike bag; contact BSG for more information.
Above: The Duomatic's pedals are also sourced from Sturmey Archer.
For a closer look at the bikes in action, a must-see is BSG's Wood B video on Vimeo.
For bike enthusiasts, see 10 Favorites: Indoor Bicycle Storage Roundup, Bicycle Bags from Save the C, and all our bike-related posts for more.
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