Review by Booklist Review
Though not billed as such, bicycles have the capacity to become the world's environmentally-friendly transport of choice. Authors Ballantine and Grant have composed a symphony to the two-wheeled vehicle, including a wealth of practical information and high-quality color photographs on every page. The book begins with a glimpse at the bicycle's evolution, from its almost forgotten invention by da Vinci in 1490, and then on to an overview of advances in materials and technology. Most of the book is devoted to vehicle types; mountain, racing, touring, and everyday bicycles are examined in terms of construction and competitiveness, supported with advice on exercise, among other topics. Nothing is left to the imagination (or to mishap), as the final two chapters explore cycle maintenance, with clear instructions and pictures to help new riders distinguish between a gear and a spoke. ~--Barbara Jacobs
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cyclers on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, racers in the Tour de France and casual coasters in the local park receive attention in this instructive, glossy volume of biking basics. Ballantine ( Richard's Bicycle Book ) and London journalist Grant cite bikes' environmental soundness and physical fitness benefits and praise ``cycle activism'' that promotes building of bike paths and reliance on bikes over cars. They explain how to adjust handlebars and seats for the best fit, stretch and train indoors for cycling, teach a child to ride and select equipment for a marathon, tour or expedition. Particularly helpful is the maintenance section, which includes temporary roadside ``first aid'' for flats, pedals and cables; technology-minded readers will appreciate short segments on aerodynamics, light materials and solar energy. Handsomely illustrated with 700 color photos, this exhaustive guide is best suited for amateurs rather than professional athletes. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
These two Richards, Ballantine and Grant, love bikes! Unfortunately, they don't offer any new material on them. The most outstanding features of their book are the incredible color photos by Gatward. Especially interesting are ``anatomies'' of different types of bikes (road, mountain, etc.)., which show all the parts of a bicycle just as a human anatomy book might. A good glossary and index are provided. However, libraries with Bicycling's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance & Repair ( LJ 5/1/86) or Rob van der Plas's Mountain Bike Magic ( LJ 8/91) can skip this.-- Thomas K. Fry, UCLA Libs. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up-- This oversized, elaborately designed book on bicycling and other human-powered vehicles has something for everyone. Large, bright, full-color photographs, drawings, maps, and/or diagrams appear on every page. Detailed, factual information is included with each illustration. Trivia lovers will revel in the frequent yellow boxes of facts; interesting tidbits; and practical tips on tires, clothing, safety, etc. that fill the dense, glossy pages. All types of racing and touring bicycles are described and their maintenance and repair are discussed in short, large-print paragraphs. The sentences are complex and the vocabulary is sophisticated. Eugene A. Sloanes's The Complete Book of Bicycling (Trident, 1970; o.p.) is similar in scope, but does not reflect the technological advances. Megan Stine's Wheels! (Little, 1990) is for younger children. : Attractiveness in layout and illustrations, excellent-quality photos, and the currency of information make this new title an appealing volume for reference and browsing. --Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
