Name: Bicycling science
ISBN: 9780262731546

Bicycling science

A new, updated edition of a popular book on the history, science, and engineering of bicycles. The bicycle is almost unique among human-powered machines in that it uses human muscles in a near-optimum way. This new edition of the bible of bicycle builders and bicyclists provides just about everything you could want to know about the history of bicycles, how human beings propel them, what makes them go faster, and what keeps them from going even faster. The scientific and engineering information is of interest not only to designers and builders of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles but also to competitive cyclists, bicycle commuters, and recreational cyclists. The third edition begins with a brief history of bicycles and bicycling that demolishes many widespread myths. This edition includes information on recent experiments and achievements in human-powered transportation, including the "ultimate human- powered vehicle," in which a supine rider in a streamlined enclosure steers by looking at a television screen connected to a small camera in the nose, reaching speeds of around 80 miles per hour. It contains completely new chapters on aerodynamics, unusual human-powered machines for use on land and in water and air, human physiology, and the future of bicycling. This edition also provides updated information on rolling drag, transmission of power from rider to wheels, braking, heat management, steering and stability, power and speed, and materials.

What Hacker News says

not_the_fdaMar 2023

A great book on the science of bicycles is "Bicycling Science" from MIT press. https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Science-Press-Gordon-Wilson...

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wolverine876Jun 2021

Can anyone recommend serious science and engineering sources on bicycles? I've looked hard and only found a couple:

* Bicycling Science by David Gordon Wilson: Book by MIT mechanical engineering professor, going back four editions to the 1970s. https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/bicycling-science-fourth-edit...

* "Bicycle Technology" by SS Wilson in Scientific American (Mar 1973): Great starting point on the technology and it's development. PDF: http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/ncl/pics/Bicycle%20Tec...

Here's a few more I haven't yet pursued:

* Journal of Science and Cycling: Open access online journal https://www.jsc-journal.com/

* International Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) and World Human Powered Vehicle Association (WHPVA): Apparently one association that split acrimoniously in the 2000s. I haven't pursued this.

* Cycle Engineers Institute (CEI) (UK)

* European Cyclists Federation (ECF)

I'd love to find other publications, and a community and forum. When I ask around at bike shops, most people refer me to Park Tools, which isn't what I'm after.

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jpm_sdJun 2020

For a deep dive into all things bicycle, I always recommend Sheldon Brown's delightful knowledgebase, which started in the late 90s:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/

(sadly Mr. Brown is no longer with us, but his web archive lives on)

And there's always Bicycling Science for the serious nerds among us

https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Science-Press-Gordon-Wilson...

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simulateJul 2019

In 100 years will we wonder why recumbent bicycles took so long to catch on? MIT's David Gordon Wilson, the writer of the excellent book Bicycling Science, had been advocating for recumbents as a more efficient design to replace traditional modern bicycles for decades.

http://news.mit.edu/2017/mit-designer-inventor-author-bike-b... and https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/bicycling-science-third-editi...

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hazeiiJun 2019

I have that book, and it's quite the classic! A lot of it is available on Google books [0].

The more modern take is, of course, Bicycling Science[1].

[0]https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=leq7AQAAQBAJ

[1] https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/bicycling-science-third-editi...

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doorhammerJul 2015

> The thing about riding a unicycle is that you don't think of staying on top of it, you think about keeping it underneath you. Falling forwards? Pedal faster to bring it back under you. Falling backwards? Stop pedalling so you catch up.

Sounds vaguely like track standing on a fixed gear. It's more like balancing a broom on your finger than trying to balance yourself on a rail.

I really love bikes of all varieties, but I've never messed with a unicycle. They seem fun. My friend has one; I'll have to try his sometime.

Because you mentioned torque and such, if you never have, check out this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Science-David-Gordon-Wilson/...

I picked it up expecting to read a chapter here and there and ended up cover to covering it. Great read

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