Bicycling Science, Second Edition
by Frank Rowland Whitt
![Bicycling Science, Second Edition]()
|
List Price: $30.00
Our Price: 0
Your Save: $ 30.00 ( 100% )
Availability:
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 500
EAN: 9780262231114
ISBN: 0262231115
Label: The MIT Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 384
Publication Date: 1982-08-12
Publisher: The MIT Press
Studio: The MIT Press
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Science of bicycle design
Comment: Way more information than a casual reader needs, but chock full of engineering and design information for a bike builder. Also a good reference to refer to for evaluating performance and design claims by bike retailers. Before you plonk down $2000 for that special road bike, check the stats against this book. Oddly, steel frame bikes are pretty darn good when designed and built right. Do you need carbon fiber? Hmm.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bike Nerd Heaven
Comment: As Miss Jean Brodie said, "For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like." She meant it as an insult, but I don't. Bicycling Science is nerd heaven, full of physics, engineering, molecular biology, aerodynamics and all kinds of other scientific manna. If you have an appetite for charts, graphs, and research studies, then this book will delight you with its explanations of why bikes work so well with the human body.
It's not casual reading by any means. I'd prefer the same information presented in slightly less academic tones, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate or interesting. So I dip into my copy for short bursts. For me, it's not a cover-to-cover read, but it's been on my bedside table for months because I pick it up regularly.
Bicycling Science may well be more technical info than a casual fan can absorb. However, it's a great reference that will demystify your bike -- if that's the sort of thing you like.
Customer Rating:
Summary: between a "read it" book and a "reference book" and not very good as either
Comment: While I recommend it, I don't recommend you expect a real engineering reference or good reading cover-to-cover. It is somewhere in between and as such is not very good as either.
The charts and plots are good so if you only want it for that it's a great compilation of other sources and references. The history of the bicycle and the HPV chapters are very interesting. The book is one of a very few like it so "one of the best" is not that great of a compliment.
It is layed out and presented as an engineering reference type book on a specific topic (something like a Mark's for bikes) but it's nowhere near as consistent, rigorous, or detailed. A better description would be "musings on bicycle design and science" by someone who is genuinely very knowledgeable on the topic.
My biggest problem is with the narrative. It has way too many opinions. Many are simply some ideas the author has about a particular design or test (there's no data in this area but one way to get some would be this...). It also has way too much anecdotal evidence which is (thankfully) usually presented as such. And worst of all there are many opinions that are generally made to sound like facts through casual use of expressions such as "future testing should..." "it is recommended" "conventional design practices" "according to some" and so on.
To sum up if you are an engineer looking for an engineering reference you'll be disappointed. If you are a lay bike geek you'll probably find it too technical.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: I used the book mainly to write a report on the history of recumbent bicycles. But it is an excellent source for bike history and science in general. David Gordon Wilson goes into great detail, both conceptually and technically, with regard to bike issues, such as aerodynamics.
Customer Rating:
Summary: too much for me
Comment: I like science. I like bicycles. This book goes into much greater depth than most people will want. I couldn't even finish it. If you build bikes and/or are a physicist or engineer and like biking then you will probably enjoy it.
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Science of bicycle design
Comment: Way more information than a casual reader needs, but chock full of engineering and design information for a bike builder. Also a good reference to refer to for evaluating performance and design claims by bike retailers. Before you plonk down $2000 for that special road bike, check the stats against this book. Oddly, steel frame bikes are pretty darn good when designed and built right. Do you need carbon fiber? Hmm.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bike Nerd Heaven
Comment: As Miss Jean Brodie said, "For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like." She meant it as an insult, but I don't. Bicycling Science is nerd heaven, full of physics, engineering, molecular biology, aerodynamics and all kinds of other scientific manna. If you have an appetite for charts, graphs, and research studies, then this book will delight you with its explanations of why bikes work so well with the human body.
It's not casual reading by any means. I'd prefer the same information presented in slightly less academic tones, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate or interesting. So I dip into my copy for short bursts. For me, it's not a cover-to-cover read, but it's been on my bedside table for months because I pick it up regularly.
Bicycling Science may well be more technical info than a casual fan can absorb. However, it's a great reference that will demystify your bike -- if that's the sort of thing you like.
Customer Rating:
Summary: between a "read it" book and a "reference book" and not very good as either
Comment: While I recommend it, I don't recommend you expect a real engineering reference or good reading cover-to-cover. It is somewhere in between and as such is not very good as either.
The charts and plots are good so if you only want it for that it's a great compilation of other sources and references. The history of the bicycle and the HPV chapters are very interesting. The book is one of a very few like it so "one of the best" is not that great of a compliment.
It is layed out and presented as an engineering reference type book on a specific topic (something like a Mark's for bikes) but it's nowhere near as consistent, rigorous, or detailed. A better description would be "musings on bicycle design and science" by someone who is genuinely very knowledgeable on the topic.
My biggest problem is with the narrative. It has way too many opinions. Many are simply some ideas the author has about a particular design or test (there's no data in this area but one way to get some would be this...). It also has way too much anecdotal evidence which is (thankfully) usually presented as such. And worst of all there are many opinions that are generally made to sound like facts through casual use of expressions such as "future testing should..." "it is recommended" "conventional design practices" "according to some" and so on.
To sum up if you are an engineer looking for an engineering reference you'll be disappointed. If you are a lay bike geek you'll probably find it too technical.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: I used the book mainly to write a report on the history of recumbent bicycles. But it is an excellent source for bike history and science in general. David Gordon Wilson goes into great detail, both conceptually and technically, with regard to bike issues, such as aerodynamics.
Customer Rating:
Summary: too much for me
Comment: I like science. I like bicycles. This book goes into much greater depth than most people will want. I couldn't even finish it. If you build bikes and/or are a physicist or engineer and like biking then you will probably enjoy it.
The second edition of Bicycling Science includes new information on recent achievements and experiments in human-powered transportation, from the "ultimate human-powered vehicle" (UHPV) in which supine riders can achieve speeds well over 60 mph, to human-powered aircraft, boats, and rail transportation. New chapters cover the history of bicycle and humanpower technology and science, and the speed-power relationships of various modes and vehicles including performance predictions for the UHPV and the "commuter human-powered vehicle." The chapters on braking, steering, friction, air drag, rider cooling, and transmissions and gearing have all been enlarged and updated. James McCullagh, editor of Bicycling Magazine has written a Foreword for this edition which also includes many new illustrations.
|
|
|
- Ask about this education product "Bicycling Science, Second Edition" in the forum
- Give review on this education product "Bicycling Science, Second Edition" in the forum
- Search related information in the forum
|
|
|
|
|
| OOEN Referral Program Spotlight |
 | | A. T. Still University of Health Sciences
Attention health care professionals - now you can earn your Master of Public Health degree 100% online from The School of Health Management (SHM) at the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. This fully accredited institution offers comprehensive health management instruction which incorporates the osteopathic principles of mind, body, and spirit. Health care professionals looking to advance their career choose SHM. | |  | |
 | | Aakers College
Imagine earning the degree you need for a rewarding career in as little as 9 months. Aakers College in North Dakota makes it possible. Choose from programs in Business, Legal Services, Medical Services, or Travel. Flexible curriculum enables you to attend classes in the day, evening, or even online. For over 100 years, Aakers has been offering career-track diplomas and degrees to students looking for a better life. Now it’s your turn. | | | |
 | | Advanced Technology Institute
Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers hands-on degree and diploma programs in some of today’s hottest service careers. Choose from ASE and NATEF certified programs in Automotive Technology, HVAC and Refrigeration, Diesel/Heavy Vehicle, Commercial Driving, and High Performance Repair. Extensive job placement assistance is available, as well as financial aid for students who qualify. | | | |
|
What is OOEN Referral Program Spotlight?
OOEN provides comprehensive listing of online courses, degree programs, colleges and universities.
Also OOEN provides links to their information request pages; if you want to find out more about any course,
degree program, college or university, you can just fill out the form linked from OOEN and request information.
It is completely free for anyone to request information, and you can request information from as many colleges
and universities as you'd like. We list featured schools and their brief information
in this "OOEN Referral Program Spotlight" section of OOEN Store for Education,
in case that you are interested in taking a class or two or even pursuing degree program
through these featured schools.
|
|
|
