Bicycling Science
3rd Edition
Published on 1. April 2004
Book
Hardback
485 pages
978-0-262-23237-1 (ISBN)
Description
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. It contains many new illustrations.
Review text:
'This expanded and updated edition of a classic work offers a comprehensive introduction to bicycle technology... The information Wilson provides may be most appreciated by bicycle designers and builders, but is likely to interest anyone who competes, commutes, of just likes to have fun on two wheels.'
-- Science
'...full of interesting material to ponder while pedaling down the road.'
-- American Journal of Physics, Jearl Walker
'Will be cherished by the cyclist who wants to know more about what makes him and his bicycle tick.'
-- Bicycling, Fred DeLong
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. It contains many new illustrations.
Review text:
'This expanded and updated edition of a classic work offers a comprehensive introduction to bicycle technology... The information Wilson provides may be most appreciated by bicycle designers and builders, but is likely to interest anyone who competes, commutes, of just likes to have fun on two wheels.'
-- Science
'...full of interesting material to ponder while pedaling down the road.'
-- American Journal of Physics, Jearl Walker
'Will be cherished by the cyclist who wants to know more about what makes him and his bicycle tick.'
-- Bicycling, Fred DeLong
More details
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass.
United States
Publishing group
MIT Press Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
226
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
771 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-262-23237-1 (9780262232371)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David Gordon Wilson
Bicycling Science
Book
03/2004
3rd Edition
MIT Press
€39.68
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Person
David Gordon Wilson is Professor of Mechanical Engineering Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the coauthor of the first two editions of Bicycling Science and was the editor of the journal Human Power from 1994 to 2002.