The Bike Deconstructed: A Grand Tour of the Modern Bicycle Paperback – March 4, 2014

Do you know the history quick release levers? Back in the 1920s, if you wanted to change gears on a bike, you had to take the wheel off. Tullio Campagnolo was trying to change gears during a race and his hands went numb from the cold, so he couldn't get the rear wheel off because he couldn't get his hands to move the wingnuts that held the wheel on. Yes, QR levers are that old.That's the kind of thing that makes The Bike Deconstructed: A Grand Tour of the Modern Bicycle such a fascinating read. Not only does it cover the current technologies, it gives the history of how we got to this point. And it's full of historical tidbits.Granted, The Bike Deconstructed isn't for everyone. If you're not into cycling, it may hold limited interest for you, but even then it's still an pretty cool book. If you are into cycling, it's a wondrous exploration of the history of the sport. The Bike Deconstructed focuses primarily on road bikes, so mountain bikers may find it less interesting, but it's still worth checking out.

This book did a wonderful job fully explaining the evelution of the bicycle. Each chapter explains the function of one part on your bicycle and goes in to fairly good detail about different manufacturer's efforts to make their component the best, which sadly didn't always work out that way. Components are a highly competitive market and the consumer always benefits from that. It seems to take an honest and objective look at the considerations you should make in your effort to get your bike to handle the way you want and need it to, whether it's cyclocross, road, mtb or commuting (sorry, BMX'ers needn't purchase this book unless you're going to move up to a real bike). The author goes into significant detail about the stress that each part takes in the overall ride, and these are considerations you should make if you're putting together a bike of your own.

I have read 1/2 the book so far, and I am glad I bought it. It gives a moderately detailed explanation of each bicycle component's history and design and purpose. It has greatly enlightened me about bicycle technology, and it fascinates me. It is well written and not difficult to read. I wish it had more specific and detailed illustrations and diagrams. There are many references to historical products but a picture would be worth a lot of explaining. It is well illustrated and about 3/4 of the illustrations are helpful and pertinent. The remainder are just for cosmetics and should be replaced by technical illustrations. If you want a better understanding of present bicycle technology, this book is for you. I will be finishing it over the next 2-3 weeks in my free time.

I wanted this book for a long time before I finally bought it. It started off well — until I found an error in the first major diagram where two parts are identified as 'seatpost' and 'seat post' and of course, only one is (the latter is the 'seat tube'). For such an error to exist in such a seminal diagram put me on alert for other errors.However, if you are looking for a somewhat exhaustive and easily readable history of the evolution of bicycle mechanics and components, this may be the book. I was looking for the 'why' of components across current offerings, and this book is more the 'when' and 'how'. For instance, a mere three pages discuss shifters — nary a bar end or twist shifter in sight. Also in the discussion of cranks, it simply says people prefer different lengths, but nothing about why a person might opt to go a pinch shorter or longer (Leg length? Power? Type of bike?). The diagrams and pictures are very good, but I was hoping for more pictures of things side by side with the differences pointed out, as opposed to exhaustive descriptions which requires a certain level of knowledge (and a visual brain) to understand.

Incredible book. There are parts where a better understanding of metalurgy and/or carbon science would come in handy, and others where diagrams would be helpful, but even as it was, the book was a wonderful guide to the bike. I'd recommend it to anyone that really likes to ride and admires their bike.

Well I'll start by saying I'm really impress with this book its well put together, explains about the advantages and disadvantages about the different frame structures like Steel, Titanium, Allimunum and Carbon Fiber. Gives you a lot of details, good explanations, amazing pictures. Overall I'm satisfied with my purchase, great book.

Saw this in the Amazon book store, my husband loves it and is constantly letting me know about different parts of bikes and what he already has!

very interesting to read and great pics to help you understand and visualize what the verbiage is telling you. Very happy with this purchase