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.
- ISBN10 0262232375
- ISBN13 9780262232371
- Publish Date 1 April 2004 (first published 1 January 1974)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 17 September 2009
- Publish Country US
- Publisher MIT Press Ltd
- Imprint MIT Press
- Edition 3rd Revised edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 485
- Language English