Last weekend, I spent a rainy Sunday helping some brave folks learn more about bike repair, commuting, and cycling in general at Edmonton’s first SkillShare Fair. It was a pretty slow day, as the rain discouraged a lot of people from attending the outdoor event, but near the end of the day I met Sara and her beautiful bicycle.
Sara and her wicker bike.
A classic steel loop frame bike with a back drum brake is the skeleton for an amazing custom job, with almost every square inch of the frame and accessories wrapped in wicker.
Apparently wicker isn't just for baskets.
There was so much attention to detail on this bike that one could just gaze at it for hours, and the workmanship was incredible. I particularly found the carved wooden fenders and chainguard mind blowing.
Wooden fenders and chain guard and a bamboo mixte-loop line? No way!
This bike is somewhat of a mystery, though. She bought it second hand, and wasn’t able to get too much information about it, like who had created this gorgeous cellulose beast.
Sara departing on the wicker bike. I was so entranced with it that I forgot to offer to raise her saddle.
The level of workmanship on this bicycle suggests that it wasn’t just a one-off, and a quick internet search has confirmed that there are similar bikes out there. Does anyone out there have any idea where this bike came from?
Years ago I sold one of those new. It had come from Vietnam, and the brand name was Lixeha. It was outrageously cool, but technically very basic. J. Peterman was selling them for a while, also.
Neat! That explains a lot. Thanks a bunch!
Oh wow. That is so cool. (Also, non-bike comment- I like the geese on that sweater).
That is really cool. I think it might drive me a little crazy trying to keep it clean, though.
Now, is that bike ecological or not? How many square miles of rain forest had to be cut to get the wicker? Is that less than what is saved by using a bike instead of a car? 🙂
Great work, any way. Are those fenders bambu, looks like there is the joints like in bambu?
ZOMG, amazing. #geekingoutcompletely