20 Best Bicycle Books (2023 Update)

The first comprehensive history of the bicycle–lavishly illustrated with images spanning two centuries during the nineteenth century, the bicycle evoked an exciting new world in which even a poor person could travel afar and at will. but was the "mechanical horse" truly destined to usher in a new era of road travel or would it remain merely a plaything for dandies and schoolboys? in bicycle: the history (named by outside magazine as the #1 book on bicycles), david herlihy recounts the saga of this far-reaching invention and the passions it aroused. the pioneer racer james moore insisted the bicycle would become "as common as umbrellas." mark twain was more skeptical, enjoining his readers to "get a bicycle. you will not regret it–if you live." this lively and engrossing history retraces the extraordinary story of the bicycle–a history of disputed patents, brilliant inventions, and missed opportunities. herlihy shows us why the bicycle captured the public's imagination and the myriad ways in which it reshaped our world.

From wooden bicycles and spoon brakes to recumbent bikes and carbon fiber rims, take a visual journey through the beautiful engineering history of the bicycle. – bicycle is an extraordinary celebration of the history of cycling, from bmx and mountain biking to track and road racing. ride through the sport's history and discover classic and cutting-edge bicycles, following the evolution of cycling throughout the decades. – stunning photography gives you a detailed look at bicycles through the ages, with key annotations and statistics to ensure you don’t miss a detail. discover the moments in history that sparked inspiration and the people who pushed the limits in design and engineering to perfect performance and enjoyment. – ideal for anyone with a love for cycling, bicycle features modern-day high-performance bikes and bike technology, along with profiles of famous cyclists, and iconic manufacturers and brands. with detailed images, maps, and histories of key races and competitions, this book is a stylish and fascinating addition to any cycling enthusiast's collection. – reviews:"this well-priced reference will thrill readers of all ages." – booklist

A brief history of bicycles, as well as information on the different kinds there are, how they work, and the different ways they are used. a list of safety tips for bike riders is included, as well as guidelines for bike maintenance.

From wooden bicycles and spoon brakes to recumbent bikes and carbon fibre rims, take a visual journey through the beautiful engineering history of the bicycle. the bicycle book is an extraordinary celebration of the history of cycling, from bmx and mountain biking to track and road racing. ride through the sport's history and discover classic and cutting-edge bicycles, following the evolution of cycling throughout the decades. stunning photography gives you a detailed look at bicycles through the ages, with key annotations and statistics to ensure you don't miss a detail. discover the moments in history that sparked inspiration and the people who pushed the limits in design and engineering to perfect performance and enjoyment. ideal for anyone with a love for cycling, the bicycle book features modern-day high-performance bikes and bike technology, along with profiles of famous cyclists, and iconic manufacturers and brands. with detailed images, maps, and histories of key races and competitions, this book is a stylish and fascinating addition to any cycling enthusiast's collection.

A comprehensive, richly illustrated guide for bicycle enthusiasts offers step-by-step instruction in a variety of riding techniques and provides detailed coverage of everything from setting up a bicycle correctly to maintenance and repair techniques. reprint.

From basic repairs like how to fix a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, lennard zinn's clearly illustrated guide makes every bicycle repair and maintenance job easy for everyone. lennard zinn is the world's leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. his friendly step-by-step guide explains the tools you'll need and how to know you've done the job right. the book's two-color interior is easy to read–even in a dimly-lit garage or workshop. hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations and exploded parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every bicycle repair task. this smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. in over 500 pages, zinn's guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of bike maintenance and repair jobs: basics: how to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakes – emergency repairs: how to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleur – easy shifting: how to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shifting – wheels: how to true a wheel, install a new tire, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheels – overhauls: how to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom brackets – new tech: how to maintain 11-speed systems, electronic and wireless shifters, disc brakes – cyclocross: how to set up a 'cross bike for racing, select the right components, and make quick repairs – troubleshooting: how to figure out what's wrong with any bike and fix it with zinn at your side, you'll know how to keep your bicycling running smoothly for years. – what's new in zinn & the art of road bike maintenance, 5th ed.: more than 700 comprehensive illustrations and exploded views. new chapter on electronic shifting covers maintenance, service, repair, and troubleshooting of all shimano, sram, and campagnolo electronic shifting groups. new chapter on disc brakes covers maintenance, service, and repair of all hydraulic and mechanical systems. new tech covered in depth: through-axle forks, sram e – tap wireless shifting, second generation shimano and campagnolo electronic shifting, direct-mount sidepull brakes, sram x-sync 1×11 cyclocross systems, tubular tire gluing tapes. new troubleshooting charts – new master guide to press-fit bottom brackets – also covered in the 5th edition: all derailleur shifting systems (5-speed through 11-speed); all bottom bracket systems (cone-and-cup through press-fit); all brake systems (including caliper, v-brake, cantilever, and disc); all headset, stem, handlebar and fork systems; wheelbuilding for all bikes including cyclocross and disc-brake wheels; special sections on cyclocross throughout including troubleshooting, maintenance, service, repair, and equipment selection; updated and expanded torque tables; complete illustration index and complete subject index.

From basic repairs like how to fix a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, lennard zinn's clearly illustrated guide makes every bicycle repair and maintenance job easy for everyone. lennard zinn is the world's leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. his friendly step-by-step guide explains the tools you'll need and how to know you've done the job right. the book's two-color interior is easy to read–even in a dimly-lit garage or workshop. hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations and exploded parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every bicycle repair task. this smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. in over 500 pages, zinn's guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of bike maintenance and repair jobs: basics: how to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakes – emergency repairs: how to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleur – easy shifting: how to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shifting – wheels: how to true a wheel, install a new tire, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheels – overhauls: how to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom brackets – new tech: how to maintain 11-speed systems, electronic and wireless shifters, disc brakes – cyclocross: how to set up a 'cross bike for racing, select the right components, and make quick repairs – troubleshooting: how to figure out what's wrong with any bike and fix it with zinn at your side, you'll know how to keep your bicycling running smoothly for years. – what's new in zinn & the art of road bike maintenance, 5th ed.: more than 700 comprehensive illustrations and exploded views. new chapter on electronic shifting covers maintenance, service, repair, and troubleshooting of all shimano, sram, and campagnolo electronic shifting groups. new chapter on disc brakes covers maintenance, service, and repair of all hydraulic and mechanical systems. new tech covered in depth: through-axle forks, sram e – tap wireless shifting, second generation shimano and campagnolo electronic shifting, direct-mount sidepull brakes, sram x-sync 1×11 cyclocross systems, tubular tire gluing tapes. new troubleshooting charts – new master guide to press-fit bottom brackets – also covered in the 5th edition: all derailleur shifting systems (5-speed through 11-speed); all bottom bracket systems (cone-and-cup through press-fit); all brake systems (including caliper, v-brake, cantilever, and disc); all headset, stem, handlebar and fork systems; wheelbuilding for all bikes including cyclocross and disc-brake wheels; special sections on cyclocross throughout including troubleshooting, maintenance, service, repair, and equipment selection; updated and expanded torque tables; complete illustration index and complete subject index.

Cycling home from siberia is a gripping story of endurance and adventure: rob lilwall’s epic journey back to england via the forbidding jungles of papua new guinea, an australian cyclone, and afghanistan’s war-torn hindu kush.“ it is late october, and the temperature is already –40 degrees . . . my thoughts are filled with frozen rivers that may or may not hold my weight; empty, forgotten valleys haunted by emaciated ghosts; and packs of ravenous, merciless wolves.” having left his job as a high-school geography teacher, rob lilwall arrived in siberia equipped only with a bike and a healthy dose of fear. cycling home from siberia recounts his epic three-and-a-half-year, 30,000-mile journey back to england via the foreboding jungles of papua new guinea, an australian cyclone, and afghanistan’s war-torn hindu kush. a gripping story of endurance and adventure, this is also a spiritual journey, providing poignant insight into life on the road in some of the world’s toughest corners.

This is the same amazing story as the current version, but with an updated cover and foreword. if you'd like to read barbara savage's two-year around the world bicycle trip now, you can order the current version here. miles from nowhere is the story of barbara and larry savage's sometimes dangerous, often zany, but ultimately rewarding 23,000-mile bicycle odyssey, which took them through 25 countries in two years. along the way, these near-neophyte cyclists on their ten-speeds encountered warm-hearted strangers eager to share food and shelter, bicycle-hating drivers who ran them off the road, various wild animals (including an attack camel), rock-throwing egyptians, overprotective thai policeman, motherly new zealanders, meteorological disasters, bodily indignities, and great personal joys. the stress of traveling together constantly tested yet strengthened the young couple's relationship and as their trip ends, you'll find yourself yearning for barbara and larry to jump back on their bikes and keep pedaling. originally published in 1983, miles from nowhere has provided inspiration for legions of modern travel-adventurers and writers.

Lonely planet: the world's leading travel guide publisher discover 200 of the best places to ride a bike in this beautifully illustrated hardback. from family-friendly, sightseeing urban rides to epic adventures off the beaten track. destinations range from france and italy, for the world's great bike races, to the wilds of mongolia and patagonia. these journeys will inspire – whether you are an experienced cyclist or just getting started. the book is organised by continent. european rides include easy-going trips around lake constance, along the danube and the loire, and coast-to-coast routes; routes in tuscany, spain and corsica; and professional journeys up mt ventoux and around the tour of flanders. each ride is illustrated with stunning photography and a map. a toolkit of practical details – where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more – helps riders plan their own trips. there are also suggestions for three more similar rides around the world for each story. each piece shows how cycling is a fantastic way to get to know a place, a people and their culture. about lonely planet: started in 1973, lonely planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, gift and lifestyle books and stationery, as well as an award-winning website, magazines, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. lonely planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in. tripadvisor travelers' choice awards 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 winner in favorite travel guide category 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times 'lonely planet. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia)

Biking has grown increasingly popular in recent years, as both a leisure and an extreme exercise activity, and santella covers trips for cyclists of every level. fifty places to bike covers environments as varied as the dalmatian coast in croatia, the indochina trail in vietnam, and the urban jungle of new york city. with a healthy mix of international and national locations, the 50 chapters capture the breathtaking vistas cyclists will enjoy around the world. as always, the places are brought to life with more than 40 stunning color photographs.praise for fifty places to bike before you die:“omg views, killer hills and open road—the routes in fifty places to bike before you die (in bookstores this month) have everything a pedal pusher could ask for.” —fitness magazine/div

Take your road cycling skills to the next level with the latest techniques, equipment, and skills. this completely revised edition of the popular handbook for everyday road cyclists is a comprehensive guide to road cycling skills and safety from the most trusted name in cycling, bicycling magazine. updated to include contemporary expert sources, fresh photography, and cutting-edge information on cycling technology, nutrition and supplementation, training, riding techniques, safety, and performance, this is a book no road cyclist should be without. you can improve your performance and bike skills, and this book will show you how. you'll learn how to ensure your bike is in tip-top shape in 8 easy steps, prevent injury and knee pain, boost your efficiency with smooth pedaling and proper form, brake without wasting speed or wiping out, discover the benefits of riding in a paceline, and master the skills of riding in traffic.

This revised and updated third edition of the haynes bicycle book contains everything you need to know to help you enjoy and maintain your bicycle. illustrated with more than 700 photos, the step-by-step repair and maintenance guide will help you with:setting up your bikeroutine maintenancetroubleshootingeasy-to-follow repair procedures for your road, mountain, hybrid, cruiser or bmx bike

A complete and concise manual for any mechanical procedure you choose to tackle when repairing your bicycle. road or mountain, recumbent or kids bike, whatever you ride, this manual gives you a well-rounded look at its mechanics.

Ride through the fairytale-like snowy plains of greenland and trailblaze across majestic nordic mountary where signs of civilization appear vanished. this journey of experience combines radical touring, camping, and cooking the best of what local nature has to offer. by taking on some of the most treasured biking trails and terrains across the nordic landscape, this book is a seated journey of discovery and escapism across the vast landscapes set to inspire your next trip.

Ride faster, fitter, smarter, & farther every road rider has goals. yours may be to begin racing, to become more competitive, or to win a specific tour. not interested in racing? perhaps you want to complete your first century ride, improve your overall fitness, or ride father and faster just for the sheer joy of flying on two wheels. no matter what your goals, the complete book of road cycling and racing gives you all the information you need to become a better, more performance-focused cyclist. written by an accomplished racing coach, cyclist, and exercise physiologist, this book shows you how to: fit the bike to your body for maximum efficiency and comfort ride safely in a group cope with any weather or altitude maintain your bike prepare for races of all types master racing strategies and tactics train efficiently and stay in peak condition year-round and much more

Florida's coast-to-coast trail guide is a guidebook designed specifically for the 250-mile dedicated bicycle/pedestrian trail that provides an uninterrupted cross-florida trail from titusville to st. the trail (over 80% complete and to be completed by 2025) already attracts not only local cyclists and walkers, but also out-of-state cycling enthusiasts. this book provides readers with a broad background of the communities through which they will travel. although maps are included, this is not a detailed "how-to" guide, nor does it provide extensive lodging, camping or restaurant information; much of that information changes frequently and can be easily obtained via online searches. instead, this book focuses on interesting cultural and natural aspects of the route. by highlighting the local flavor of small towns, the beauty of natural florida, as well as local historical events, this book will introduce readers to the uniqueness of florida. distinctive features covered in the book include the greek heritage of tarpon springs, winter garden's thriving downtown based on its citrus and bass-fishing past, titusville's role in space exploration, and st. petersburg's lively waterfront and flourishing art scene. also covered is the natural world of beautiful freshwater springs, moss-shrouded oak trees, and migratory birds found in protected areas along the trail such as gemini springs park, brooker creek preserve and the green swamp. in addition, readers will be introduced to important historical florida figures such as civil rights leaders harry t. and harriett v. moore and russian entrepreneur and railway builder peter demens.

If you want to ride like a pro, you should learn from a pro! in mastering mountain bike skills, third edition, world-champion racer brian lopes and renowned riding coach lee mccormack share their elite perspectives, real-life race stories, and their own successful techniques to help riders of all styles and levels build confidence and experience the full exhiliration of the sport. mastering mountain bike skills is the best-selling guide for all mountain biking disciplines, including enduro, pump track racing, dual slalom, downhill, cross-country, fatbiking, and 24-hour races. it absolutely captures the sport and offers everything you need to maximize performance and excitement on the trail. learn how to select the proper bike and customize it for your unique riding style. develop a solid skills base so you can execute techniques with more power and precision. master the essential techniques to help you carve every corner, nail every jump, and conquer every obstacle in your path. last, but not least, prepare yourself to handle every type of weather and trail condition that the mountain biking world throws at you. whether you're a recreational rider looking to rock the trails with friends, are a seasoned enthusiast, or are aspiring to be a top pro, mastering mountain bike skills will improve your ride and dust the competition. don't just survive the trail–own the trail, and enjoy the thrill of doing it.

German baron karl von drais first introduced the two-wheeled tandem human-powered wooden-framed vehicle to the world, in the summer of 1817, its rider gamely steering with the front wheel while pushing along with his feet. after that history is rather vague about the bicycle. today of course cycling is a global phenomenon both in professional sporting and non-professional spheres. this book of stunning photographs charts the evolution of the bicycle across 200 years of history.

Russ lowthian(falcon) a new cycling guide to 41 different routes in the badger state. each ride contains complete details for directions, mileage, terrain, traffic flow, rest stops, and notable landmarks, along with easy-to-read maps, black and white photos, and listings for accommodations. perfect for cyclists from beginner to advanced levels, this book opens up wisconsin tours for millions of avid cyclists across the country. russ lowthian is an avid bicyclist, former editor of midwest sportster, and the author of several travel articles and guides. he lives in apple valley, minnesota.