I’ve long wondered if building a bike frame from bamboo or some other wood species would be practical… I guess so, because Calfee Design has been doing it for a while now.
What it comes down to is having a good set of lugs is the main thing — that sets the stage for getting all the components in proper alignment and the proper position. The main job of the tubing is to connect the lugs with a mix of rigidity and suppleness for the degree of performance and comfort you want, whatever material is used. Calfee uses carbon fiber lugs (or hemp fiber, “for the all-natural look.”)
Very, very cool idea. A little expensive, and a little quirky, but very cool.