It's All About the Bike

Some people bike for exercise, or simply pedal from Point A to Point B. Then there are those for whom biking is a way of life--an alternative to cars, an outlet for competition, a way to go everywhere. This book is geared for the latter, and is written with much passion. Fortunately, it's told in the same way. With his deep British accent, Jonathan Cowley conveys the enthusiasm of the author as well as the pride of the craftsman. Cowley's narration expresses the meticulous detail that bicycle makers go to in getting their work done, technical piece by piece. Listeners will hear historical accounts, debates on steel versus other metals, the merits of various saddles, and more. Casual fans: You may not get this. Enthusiasts: Jump on for a great ride. M.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

January 31, 2011
Wales resident Penn, a contributor to Condé Nast Traveler and various bicycle publications, has traveled 25,000 miles on a bicycle, and his expertise is evident. Seeking "craftsmanship, not technology," he met with top bike mechanics in order to customize an ergonomically efficient dream machine: "I want a bike that shows my appreciation of the tradition, lore and beauty of bicycles." Coasting past the large manufacturers who service the cycling masses, he visited the U.K.'s few remaining artisan frame builders, where he analyzed the angles of frame geometry: "Along with the immaculate fit and the right tubing material, geometry is an intrinsic part of buying a bespoke bicycle." As he writes about handlebars, gears, wheels, and saddles, each component gets a chapter, and the reader feels Penn's enthusiasm at seeing his steed assembled. Along the way, he looks back at bike history, beginning with the 1817 Draisine, propelled by paddling one's feet along the ground. Saddles were a concern to the conservative elements of Victorian society: "That bike riding might be sexually stimulating to women was a real worry." These pages are a delight, packed with facts, informative illustrations and two-wheeled tales, they map a path into the heart of cycling culture.