This bike is made from whisky barrels

This bike is made from whisky barrels

Renovo and Glenmorangie collabo is like no other

Each bike uses around 15 staves, which comprise the rings of a barrel

Courtesy

Russell Eich

Published: September 12, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Each bike uses around 15 staves, which comprise the rings of a barrel - Courtesy
Love bikes and whisky? Wood bicycle maker Renovo has partnered with Glenmorangie whisky distillers to use their casks for the frames - Courtesy
Glenmorangie has been in the whisky-making business since 1843 in Scotland - Courtesy
Based in Portland, Oregon, Renovo has been crafting hollow wood bike frames since 2007 - Courtesy
The barrel casks are made from American White Oak - Courtesy

If a wood bike is not unique enough for you, then how about a wood bike made from the staves of a Glenmorangie cask? If you like whisky (note the Scottish spelling, not the Irish "whiskey") and wooden bikes, you're in luck.

Renovo partnered with Glenmorangie, maker of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, to create the first bicycle frame made from whisky casks, dubbed the Glenmorangie Original.

The barrel casks are made from American White Oak - Courtesy

Renovo Glenmorangie Original frame features

  • Trapezoidal curved down tube and top tube recall the shape of oak staves from Glenmorangie casks
  • "Longbow" seatstays engineered to optimize vibration damping and stiffness
  • Hollow chainstays
  • Tapered head tube, disc brakes, PF30 bottom bracket, front and rear thru-axles
  • 40mm tire compatibility
  • Three sizes

When making its whisky, Glenmorangie uses its casks only twice, which the company claims preserves the flavor of the wood. Other distillers use their barrels up to six times. For Glenmorangie, this leaves a lot of used casks. Enter Renovo.

Each bike uses around 15 staves, which comprise the rings of a barrel - Courtesy

After the spirits are made, the staves (wood strips that create the barrel) are sent to Renovo’s workshop in Portland, Oregon. It takes about 15 staves to create a bike frame.

Every frame follows the trapezoidal shape of the wood stave pieces, as well as the curve of the cask in the frame’s down and top tubes.

Founder Ken Wheeler said Renovo “is dedicated to honoring wood in the creation of our bicycles, engineered to perfection for a smoother ride.”

Renovo Glenmorangie Original pricing and availability

  • Like most high-end custom collaborations, whisky wood bikes aren't inexpensive.
  • Glenmorangie has been in the whisky making business since 1843 in Scotland
  • Two complete builds are offered. The Launch edition is priced at $6,950 / £5,725 / AU$ 8,656 for a Shimano Ultegra 6800 kit with Velocity Aileron Comp wheels. The Prestige edition with Dura-Ace Di2 and Rolf Prima Hyalite carbon wheels retails at $11,450 / £8,690 / AU$14,2606.
  • Renovo asks for a $1,000 / £759 / AU$1,245 deposit for delivery within six weeks.
  • More information and complete geometry and specification lists can be found on

Renovo's site.

Russell Eich

Former technical writer

Russell Eich is BikeRadar's former technical writer. Before joining BikeRadar he worked as a cycling industry salesperson, bike mechanic, and professional guide.
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