The first Beijing fixed gear second hand exchange market is coming! Anyone is welcomed to bring bike parts that he/she is not using and trade them to other people. All items should be second-hand and at reasonable prices. Click to see how successful it is for our first exchange market in front of Natooke shop.
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Natooke Secondhand Bike Parts Market
July 25, 2013
Natooke new products
The popular Respro mask company has designed a new product. This new high end sports mask with special valves is packaged in a smart hard case. It is perfect for the people that cycle to work or run in the city as well as do sports outside in the mountains or countryside because the package comes with 2 different filters. One that protects from all the fine particles which are just almost everywhere in China like the PM2.5 and below. The other additionally protects you from the air pollution from car exhaust which is mainly found in the cities. We currently have two colors: black and white in stock, both have a sporty looking design on it. It is definitely the best choice no matter you buy it for yourself or give it to others as gifts.
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Natooke Bikes
There are many new consumers joined our NATOOKE fixed gear team. We feel very happy that they like cycling. We do hope they can promote the green communiting widely in China.
Newsletter July 25
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July 16, 2013
Natooke Chengdu Bamboo Bike Project
In the heartlands of Asia grows one of most spectacular and versatile natural resources known to man. With over 1450 species, Bamboo is one of the worlds most recognized plants due to its unique stature and multilateral properties. It has been utilized for everything from ancient structural masterpieces to advanced weaponry, while remaining a staple food source for entire species’ and an important medicine in many cultures. The versatile, strong, and light weight properties of Bamboo have made it an abundant crop that, in many places, is essential to survival. Although we may not notice it, the exponential uses for bamboo are often hidden in plain sight! And as the guys at Natooke Chengdu have proved, bamboos is of course perfect for creating what else but strong and environmentally friendly bike frames!
How the project started
While housing a couple of friendly nomadic couch surfers not too long ago, Natooke Chengdu’s co-owner’s Jacob and Larry struck up an interesting conversation about life, bikes, and travel. It so turned out that the couch surfers were on their way to tour Southeast Asia and wanted to know if the Natooke bike mechanics were able to construct a bike out of Bamboo. Now, being the environmentally sound and globally aware guys they are, Jacob and Larry recognized the impressively unique qualities that Bamboo had and agreed to do some research and work on making a bike that was safe and effective. And thus, the Natooke Chengdu Bamboo Bike project was born!
Why the project is so cool
Besides the obvious “it’s awesome” answer, the Natooke Chengdu guys have figured out how to completely customize the bike frames from locally grown bamboo, and locally source all the materials including the epoxy resin, fiber, and metal components. The guys go out and gather the bamboo and make sure its of suitable quality, and then are able to put together a completely new customized bamboo frame. Not only does do the bamboo bikes look awesome, they have some major advantages.
Environmentally, bamboo bikes are a great alternative to normal metal based frames. Bamboo’s inherent low embodied energy reduces energy consumption during manufacturing which normally produces greenhouse gases. Bamboo bike frames also leave a significantly lower carbon footprint than that which occurs during other metal bike frame manufacturing. For those skeptic bike lovers who are concerned with durability and safety, Bamboo is known for its tensile strength compared to that of metal which makes the frame significantly crash tolerant. Also, its lightweight stature and vibration dampening quality makes it great for off road touring and adventures.
Bike Frames, the Green Natooke way
Natooke was founded as not only a way to promote bicycle culture, but also as a company dedicated to providing sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday practices such as commuting that have the ability to make a true difference in air quality and reduce the harmful effects of pollution. The introduction of bamboo bike frames is a wonderfully unique way to continue our tradition of helping the environment and supporting sustainability worldwide.
Newsletter July 11
To read our full newsletter please click here.
To sign up for our newsletter please go to the right hand sidebar and sign up for the Beijing and/or Chengdu newsletter from Natooke.
Natooke Bikes
In the past week, some new Natooke bikeswere born. More and more new friends have chosen Natooke and green commuting. We really appreciate you for trusting us over the past several years. Let us build up a strong cycling community to make our city better. Please join our bike events.
July 11, 2013
New Cranks
New Product: Our brand new Flying Banana crank set with modern hollow bottom bracket (without axle). Chain ring specifications: 48T, crank arm length 170 mm, silver high polished CP colour. This is a great crank for the rider that wants to go fast and ride long. Retail price is: 500RMB. Already in our retail shops and Taobao shops. Waiting to be snapped up.
Beijing Cycle
2013 Beijing Bicycle Exhibition (Bicycle Culture Festival)
2013/07/12 – 2013/07/15
Location： China International Exhibition Center (Sanyuanqiao) No.6 North Third Ring Rd
The 2013 Bicycle Exhibition and also the Beijing Bicycle Culture Festival will be held on Friday. During this festival, there will be various speeches on cycling, high-end bicycles, a bike shows, cycling clubs and some raffles to win bike parts/accessories.
Upcoming Events
Bike Polo
2013/07/07 4:00 pm
Worker’s Gymnasium West Gate
Bike Polo will be held at the Workers Gymnasium for anyone who may want to show what their worth on the blacktop. Tom will be make sure you all know who’s the boss on the polo court! Come bring your friends for yet another night of good times with good people!
