We had our bamboo tested in a lab in good old Cleveland Ohio. Grace 7 year old Bamboo is a composite structure and has MAJOR stiffness.
Youngs modulus is 3,760,000
Density 48 lb/ft3
Aspen (for example)
Youngs modulus is 1,130,000
Density 26 lb/ft3
our bamboo composite is 1.84 heavier than Aspen and 3.32 times stiffer
The mechanical properties of wood are some what vague depending on the grain, moisture and species. The bottom line is a Grace ski core is 3xs stiffer than aspen, but 1.84 2xs heavier. Dont let this make you think the overall composite (ski) is heavier. Our bamboo also absorbs less epoxy then aspen or poplar. So when the ski is cured the actual weight of all things considered is not 1.84xs heavier. We also use a hollow core technique that drops weight dramatically.
Stiffness is dependent on this hollow core configuration of the " structure", but a composite of bamboo and aspen/poplar or some other wood will lighten a ski. We are currently investigating the composite of bamboo and poplar!
Grace skis are stiff. We never want to make a ski that fails when you need it most.
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