ULTIMATE BICYCLE BOOK Ts DEFINITIVE VISUAL REFERENCE GUIDE FOR ALL CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS, THE Utriare: BICYCLE BOOK COMBINES FASCINATING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOST POPULAR BICYCLES (OF TODAY—AND TOMORROW—WITH INVALUABLE rae HANDBOOK BS) best-selling bicycle authors Richard Ballantine and Richard Grant, the Ultimate Bicycle Book shows you how to get the best from your bike STEP-BY-STEP INFORMATION ON BICYCLE MAINTENANCE, ESSENTIAL (QESORY and from your body. They give tips on training for competition, advise you on what to wear, whether you're touring or time-trailing, and guide you through the vast range of accessories available, PRACTICAL MAINTENANCE The Ultimate Bicycle Book is packed 4 ‘with professional tips on repairing, cleaning and fine tuning your bicycle. Annotated photographs and detailed text explain the function of every ‘moving part, from the hheadset-bearing arrangements common to all bicycles to hydraulic brakes. £9.99)BICYCLEULTIMATE BICYCLE BOOK RICHARD BALLANTINE RICHARD GRANT COMMISSIONED PHOTOGRAPHY BY * PHILIP GATWARD ¢ DOR ING KINDERSLEY NY # NEW YORK # SYDNEY www.dk.comA DORLING KINDERSLEY BOOK Visieuson dhe World Wide Webb at Ip cnn Project Editor Phil Hunt Art Editors Jane Warring, lan Callow Eaitors Terry Burrows, Susannah Stel Lit Wheeler Designers Emma Boys, Paula Burgess, Hambleton Managing Editor Sean Moore Mer Sib Fin published i Great tai in 1992 Ding Kindonley Limited 9 Hermosa Stree Landon WC Fine published or « Deli Kindersley ‘aperhack 1908 tion Copyright © 1992, Darling Kinderey Limited, Links Test copyn 62,1998 Richaed Faas & Richard Gane 2408109753 All eights reserved, No pt of this roblcaton may Re reprced, stored in sretmral stem, of tanned an form or by anyother iar, lst mechanical, photocopying, eesring ACIP cara reailabl second for this book foam the Bite Library Contents THE ESSENTIAL BIKE Bicycle Evolution The Bicycle Today Bike Anatomy Frame Works Frame Construction & Materials The Human Engine Adjusting for Size ThE MOUNTAIN BIKE Mountain Bike Anatomy Gears & Brakes Clothing Sizing a Mountain Bike Touring Mountain Bikes Expedition Planning Open Trails Kilimanjaro Off-road Racer Mountain Bike Suspension Riding Techniques 6 16 18 20 Soft Surfaces Racing Observed Trials Ultra-enduros THE RACING BIKE Racing Bike Anatomy Frame Construction Wheels for Speed Illegal Bikes Race Clothing Bikes for the Tour de France Tour de France Criterium Racing Bikes Time-tria Riding a Time Trial Triathlete Bikes Ultra Marathons Track Racing The Entertainers Exercises for Cycling Indoor Te ning 46THE TOURING BIKE Touring Bike Anatomy The Open Road Helmets & Touring Clothing Mass Rides Sports(Credit-card Touring Major Expeditions Have Bike, Will Travel THE EVERY! The City Cyclist Cycle Activism Locks & Lamps The Working Bike Learning to Ride Bikes for Children BIKE 088 90. Family Cycling Tandems Classic Bicycles Carnival Bikes THE FUTURE BIKE HPV Anatomy Man & Machine The Ecocar The Aerodynamic Bean Street Recumbents Material Advances Practical Vehicles Sunlight Racers The Future 118 120 124 “#126 128 134 136 138 140 142 144 CYCLE MAINTENANCE #146 Tools & Equipment 148 Thirty Minute Service 1 150 Thirty Minute Service| 152 Wheel First Aid 154 Fixing a Flat Tyre 156 Roadside Repairs | 158 Roadside Repaits II 160 Adjustments for Comfort 1 162 Adjustments for Comfort Il 164 Brakes 166 Cable Changes 170 Removing & Fitting Chains 172 Transmission Maintenance | 174 Transmission Maintenance Il 178 ‘Transmission Maintenance II] 180 Pedals 182 Cleaning & Lubrication 184 Fine Tuning 186 Glossary 188 Index 190 Acknowledgements 192The ESSENTIAL BIKE The bicycle was a truly. exciting machine when it was first invented over acentury ago— it has improved fen ike with every passing year. A bike has many advantages — it is the most energy-efficient form of transport on Earth, it is healthy, non- polluting, economical, and safe — but its most unique, outstanding, and enjoyable quality is that a bike is totally personal. You ride a bicycle. It is the "> ultimate intimate machine The Experience Anything that you encounter while youarebicycling~ —spamsns swooping around corners, the wind rushing against your face and through your hair, thesmells of grass, of morning bakeries | and evening dew ~ is literally = sensational, because these simple pleasures all happen to you. Moving Brakes your legs steadily and evenly, you create and experience both rhythm and pace. When you bite hard into the pedals, the power and speed you create is totally yours. You experience the stimulating synthesis that comes when mind, body, and machine all act as one. Just as the ideal of classic Greek : culture was the most perfect harmony of mind and body,so a human and a bicycle are the Sprocket perfect synthesis of body and machine, of art, craft, and technology; the sheer joy and vitality of life. Hand-in-hand with this enjoyment is a constant quest in bicycle design and engineering for the best possible machines New Developments It is in the nature of the experience that cyclists have always wanted the best machines they could build or obtain. However, new advances in gears, brakes, tyres, and moy of all, in lightweight materials, have been huge. Compared to those of adecade ago, today’s bicycles are simply amazing, and the demand for quality, lightweight machines —for bicycles that are as precise and as good as people can make them — is greater than ever before. Improvements have bred diversity in bicycle use — sport, touring, transport, a way back to nature, a fitness activity — and this book focuseson the bike asthe tie ip ultimate machine: the fastest self-propelled mechanism in all its splendour and diversity. Oma bagwork‘THE ESSENTIAL BIKE Bicycle Evolution J'n 1966, Italian monks restoring the manuscripts of Leonardo J da Vinei discovered a sketch from about 1490 of a machine remarkably similar to. a modern bicycle, complete with pedals and chain drive. However, as with da Vinci’ aircraft and other visionary machines, his idea for a bicycle almost certainly never left the drawing board. The practical genesis of the bicycle began 300 years later when de Sivrac, a Frenchman, invented the Celerifere, an unstable running machine with two in-line wheels connected by a beam straddled by the rider and propelled by pushing the feet against the ground. In 1817 the German Baron Karl von Drais added steering to the front wheel, the discovery that such a machine would now stay upright was a fundamental breakthrough. Hobby-horse riding became a craze among the upper classes in France, Germany, Britain, and briefly in America. But as everyday transport the hobby-horse was not a Hitirtone success with roads too rutted to ride. a Vina bee Early Innovations and Developments Around 1839, a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, built the first bicycle with pedals. His little-publicized machine was lever-driven and practical ~ Macmillan used it for a 226-km (140-mile) round trip to Glasgow in 1842, covering one 65-km % \ (40-mile) stretch at an average speed of 13 - \ km/h (8 mph). But the manufacture oat — of bicycles really began in France, Maciel le in 1861, when coach builder Pierre Michaux fitted cranks and pedals to the front wheel of a hobhy-horse and called it a velocipede. In 1866-67 he introduced a model with a larger front wheel, and other refinements. It was an immediate success and cycling began to spread. In 1869 came several crucial inventions including the ball-bearing hub, metal- spoked wheels, solid rubber tyres, a freewheel, mudguards, and a lever-operated four-speed gear. A year later France's leadership in cycle development was halted with its defeat in the ihr epee Franco-Prussian War, and Britain became the new focus of cycle development. Because the pedals and cranks of the velocipede were attached directly to the front wheel, the larger the wheel, the faster the 3] machine could go. By the early 1870s the velocipede had evolved into the high bicycle, an imposing machine with a front wheel which stood almost as tall as a man. For pedalling efficiency and maximum performance, the high bicycle perched the rider almost directly above the front wheel, just behind the “Ordinary” sce 8BICYCLE EVOLUTION centre of gravity; if the front wheel struck a rut, the bike could cartwheel, arcing the rider head-first to the ground. This propensity to pitch forward also meant that the machine could not use effective brakes, Nonetheless, the high bicycle was internationally popular. By the early 1880 lower bicycle prices as well as the growth of railways and Rowe Stes eee the demise of horse-drawn coaches set the stage for a major development: the safety bicycle. The chain-drive rear wheel used for the Rover Safety hicycle launched by John Kemp Starley in 1885 in England enabled the use of gearing and wheels of a reasonable size. The result was a machine which could encounter obstacles without cartwheeling and could be braked. Smaller wheels meant a rougher ride, but this was offset by pneumatic tyres, developed by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888. The air- filled inner tube provided shock absorption and, by reducing rolling resistance, increased speed. The high bicycle was eclipsed, and re-labelled an “ordinary.” The safety bicycle, a machine that anyone could ride, spread rapidly throughout the industrialized world. In 1896 a bike might have cost an average worker three months’ wages, but by 1909, it was less than a month’s wages. Private transport was at last in the hands of those who needed it most. Women were liberated from the confinement of small villages. Social development was transformed and intellectual growth stimulated as people found it easier to attend meetings and classes over greater distances. In the inter-war years in Europe the bicycle flourished. Advancements in tube technology, the development of alloy components, and the use of derailleur gears (first patented in 1895) saw the emergence of Twusimal Week high-quality, lightweight bikes. But in America the bicycle declined in popularity until it was only a toy. In 1933 Schwinn introduced wide-tyre motor-bike look-alikes, single-speed bikes that were heavy and impractical The Bicycle Boom In the decade after World War II, the number of ears in Europe tripled, and bike sales plunged. In America cyeling underwent a gradual leisure revival with growing imports of European lightweight derailleur-gear bikes. By the 1970s the bike boom was in full swing and returning to Europe. Then in the mid-1970s, off-road riders in Marin County, California, combined the wide tyres and stable design of Schwinn’s balloon- tyre bomber with the lightweight technology generated by the boom in road- and BMX-bikes. The result was the mountain bike, the durable but lightweight machine that is transforming cycling worldwide, Today interest is beginning to be shown in recumbents that are setting new standards for speed, safety, and load-carrying. Just as the 1890s were the heyday of development of the safety bike, the 1990s promise to continue the evolution of the world’s ‘most important form of personal transport - the bieycle. L Sociale cube Sete Tate‘THE ESSENTIAL BIKE The Bicycle Today RE only viable means of private transport in the world today is the bicycle. The main threat to this claim is the car, which has helped industrialise the world in the twentieth, century. But the car has already proved its limitations. It is running out of space and energy supplies, and is now responsible for both serious environmental pollution and 250,000 deaths and 10 million injuries worldwide each year. As the truth dawns thar the automobile’s liabilities outweigh its benefits, industrialised nations are beginning to seek alternatives to the car. One of the principal beneficiaries of this re-awakening is the discovery of the bicycle as an ecologically clean and efficient machine. As for its technological development, the bicycle appears to be at the dawn of a golden age in the Western World: encour- aged by the upsurge of interest created by mountain bikes, manufacturers have a new impetus to make bikes as high-tech and as user- friendly as possible. Today's bikes are lighter and more durable than ever. Brakes are more reliable, gears are easier to operate and new suspension systems make riding better cushioned. Ironically, the plain, simple one- speed roadster is still the standard form of personal transport in the Third World. With the bicycle much more affordable than a car, it continues to make a vital improvement to the quality of life there. Base Owens as Paces oF PorstaTiOn ASTRA xs Cran Tha Jana Manco NETHERLANDS ‘Soar KOREA ‘Used Kingoou ‘Usinen Stare West Gamuavr ‘Prorur Casnien Pex MerRe Pex Hou 1900 1.480 tom cs 2 Prone 20 Peome Crry Trarric Surveys of traffic volieme show that in one howr, « lane of highway can carry twice as many people viding bikes as those travelling by car. With eaffic ata 16 lonlh (10 mph) crawl incites such as London anul New York, a car has no advantage SPACE SAVERS Bicycle campaigners in Montreal (above) staged this demonstration to embhasise how bikes make more economic use of road space than cars. On average, one car uses up the same space as 8 bikes. Bike OWNERSHIP ‘New road-planning initiatives in Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands (where there is almost one bike per person) all ilserate how some couneries with high percentages of bike ownership (left) are consciously making cycling a safe and ‘conuenient alternative tothe carTHE BICYCLE TODAY Fan East COMMUTING (ab cyclist reclaims his bike from a Chinese icici Vide aS parking lt. So succesful ithe poly of 10 | China, with its enormous let of Bicycle, is take-to-rail commuting in Japan, that ; Se ee oes train stations need bike-parking towers | areas hal the residents oun Bikes, and n one indusral ity, Tianjin, 50,000 Paes passed DID YOU KNOW? uy through a traffic census pone in one hour. By «The world’s 800 mullion bikes | commast, nduserilsed couries wath high Fi outnumber cars by two to one 100 bicycle and car ounership rely more on cars ‘Bike production outnumbers and have a low bike usage. Inthe UK, where car manufacture by three t0 one 4 owns « bike, only Lin 33, ‘ln Asia alone, bicycles commuting journeys are made by bicycle transport more people than do all the cars worldwide % ‘The bike is the most energy efficient mode of transport: one US study found that to cycle cone mile burns 35 calories, to walk used 100 calories, while a car's engine bums 1,860 calories. Jk ‘Each mile of motorway consumes about 25 acres of land. > The average motorist spends four hours a day either deiving, maintaining, or earning the money fora car. lf motorists used bikes for journeys of under three miles } they would save hundeeds of pounds a year in fuel costs alone 7 EB ‘s Americans spend a billion hours a year stuck in traffic, wasting two billion gallons of perral ata cost of $10-30 billion MextodTHE ESSENTIAL BIKE Bike Anatomy pecialization has led to different types of bikes, but basically all bikes are the same, though components differ in quality, design, weight, and ease and method of use. In order of importance, a bi made up of a frame, wheels, transmission brakes, and finally, stem, handlebars, and saddle. The frame will always carry the maker's name, with the rest of the compo- nents, bought from other manufacturers called the specification Saddle le is \ a Quick-release SEatspost Folte Tyree mown bosses Treads Down tubes Rime Freewheele Rear drop oute Derailleur rivsr Bales Cable adjust Deraller bosigo‘Tue Hysrip ‘The Cannondale SH600 is a hybrid bike that blends the light weig fa sport-road bike with the rugged durability and versatility of a mountain bike. Iris a general tuse bike, perfect for riding 10 the office one day and exploring a muddy track the next; Handlebar is flexible and enjoyable — the essential bike Teer Sar Stem Brake lever Cable yo Fork crown 2 hoe Brake pivge bole Panes rack mous} bosses) Dylicteae Wi ioa Hubsile orspindles 4 ‘Fork drop outs Hub flatigee Prestavalves eValvecap «Nipple BIKE ANATOMY TECHNICAL TERMS Bicycles have their own terminology and language. Many byeycle parts have names that are descriptively self-evident: a seat post holds a saddle, a chainring circular device for moving a cha a crank isa lever, and a crankset i a pair of cranks. However, other parts have names that are less sel evident: boss, spider, straddle wire, bearing race. Language of bikes ‘Some of the terms are borrowed from engineering, othe arcane survivors fiom the past, But all are important to the language of bikes. To the newcomer it's a language that can require decoding. What does it mean if'an enthusiastic salesperson, or zine review, says of a bike, Wea tight rear end with shore What isa stay, and how short is short! We've organized this hook to answer these {questions as they arise ~ and to understand the ection gives the jelines: whar bicycles and how they are made, how and your body works on a bi how a bike should fit you. Words explained These pages explain key terms in bicycle design ~ wheelbase, tal, rake, angle, and the basics of framebuilding; they introduce word that describe how you use your body to ride ~ cadence, ankling, nd honking. Subsequent sections are devoted to specific types of bicycles and, with the exception of The Everyday Bike inchide information on anatoeny frame design, constuction techniques, and the izing requirements for each style of bike ‘Wherever you are in the book, you should be able to find relevant oemation nearby Bicycle-speak comes natutally enough. You don't need a lot of technical information in order to enjoy riding a bicycle ~ or reading this book‘THE ESSENTIAL BIKE Frame Works ant This is the distance A, frame must support the rider, turn pedal herween wheel O\ force into forward motion, and steer. The axles, or where the contact points for the rider — pedals, saddle, ‘fs contact the and handlebar — and the space needed for the | fiyy™whectase wheels are fairly constant parameters, which is | $3) in (98-cn) for why road-racing and mountain-bike frames are toad bikes and up 10 similar in shape. Frame geometry and materials 45 in (114 cm) for mountain bikes. Trail (T) is the involve many elements, each strongly related | ‘stance a wheel ose fellows behind the steering to each other, so slight design variations can | [hn Bui anerece the guna, Reke (Re the produce very different characteristics and cet ofthe axle (fork performance levels. The nuances are complex end) from the stecring pivot line. Increasing rake decreases trai Less trail means easier and delicate, making bicycle design more an art than a science, While modern materials and technologies aid the creation of revolutionary | leering anid the new designs, ultimately the feel and handling of ‘sensitive handling. a bicycle comes about through the frame- “i More trail means builder's touch, instincts, and experiment ee oe ¢ but renter stb, | “ MOUNTAIN BIkE FRAMES These are designed for strength and stability over rough ground. Overall, the construction ts chunky and robust, the general shape is low-slung to increase ranowueraiy, and the germs peo let Res Groeten relaxed for both predictable steering SEAT-TUBE ANGLES: These | FArPame nl createsspace between crud a seabed Tange fm 68-247 depending | the nlcrund the fone Ste enh ot ake relaive whose ‘Tor Tue: This often slopes down from the head tube tothe seat cube MOUNTING Bosses: rigid platform for cantilever brakes is provided by mounting bosses welded ong ] #SEAT TURE: To allow more movement under the rider when on rough ground, and a low saddle on descents, the seat tube s7.7-12.7 cm (3-5 in) lower than fon a road frame #Borrom BRackeT: Height varies from, 295-533cm (Ve in) ‘eCHAIN STAYS: These vary from T6ie18¥ in (43.4474 em). The normal length for climbing bikes is 16-17 in (43.4-43.6.0m). Longer stays id stability and provide better positioning for loals over the rear axle, WHEELBASE: This can vary my 40-45 in (1916-114. cm), with the fast models in regular cing 40-42 in (10L6- 106.7 em.FRAME WORKS. “sHEAD-TURE ANGLES! Those ‘can be from 73-76°, Steep angles ‘move the front wheel ack, shortening the wheelbase, and ving aster steering reaction, ‘SSEAT-TURE ANGLES: These ate from 72-76. Steep angles ane asociated with fax bikes, bur this dimension is primarily a function of top tube length, “ORKS: Maximum stress fom road shock i at th tase ofthe blades, near the joint with the steerer tube. The tips do move but vertical movement tssmall Forks are raked for fine-tuning trail and steering, not suspension, 1» Cuanestar Lenore: (On acoad bike the length fromm 40-42 cm (151-161 in) This gives nimble handling but leaves no space for smdguards ot wide tytes. ROAD-RACING FRAMES These are desimed tobe light. lean, and compact, to fit he vder hike a suit of clothes. The 3AU2.5V titanium alley (94.5% ttanivon, 3% akuminium, 2.5% tama) in these Merlin frames is lighter chan steel, extremely strong, and immune to corrosion. The tubing is produced for aircraft hydraulic systems, and, in chemical and nuclear industries, for plumbing corrosive fluids BOTTOM BRACKET: Height is 10411 in (264.28 em). The wheelbase from 381-39 in (98-99 cin), gives quicker ind-extra 1, improving steering, beter handl weight over the front wh traction and balance Compurers ‘These are essential tools in modern breyce design and construction, Stress analysis programmes running on powerful computers car mimic road shock, pedaling, and other forces acting ona bicycle, enabling quack testing and measuring of a wide range of design variations Compucer-aided design STEERING PERFORMANCE Trail is generous, ranging from U3 m (44-74em) or more, which helps pull the front wheel into line (On mona bikes rake i om Vie2iin (4-7 em), allowing for the greater tral created by shallow head tube angle of about 70 depres. A climbing frame might step the head tube ange and useless rake. ‘On racing bikes rake tends to be a Shallow hel sin (Ye cm). Trail 44-7 m (114174 0m) making (CAD) programmes are the bike stable at hgh sped used to produce blueprints. q eis human: Drow ours ‘hen roo “These are made from solid wlera-hant GA titanium, cur with 150,000 psi water et tested for touch and rideTHE ESSENTIAL BIKE Frame Construction and Materials icycle frames are either made from metals Te refined from ores, such as steel, aluminium, Saas and titanium, or from composites of combined Seay-entie « — structural fibres, such as carbon, glass, aramid, erate ribicigice earls Mane sea f Sree v The grade of ul used on the frame an be quickly ‘lertfie bs 0 ‘of the makers) stickers on the frame and forks are isotropic ~ equally strong and stiff in all directions ~ and give the most strength for the least weight when used as tubes arranged in the classic diamond-frame pattern. Composites are anisotropic ~ strong and stiff along the axis of the fibres — and the fibres can be formed into almost any shape required, with the strength placed where needed. Consequently, composite materials are uniquely suited for creating moulded and one-piece monocoque frames (see p.138). Scat tube FRawee Set cle tubing is made in a range of dfivent ality grades and weieh ana sol in matched framesets for building specific types of bikes. Framebuilders sometimes mix tubes of different eyes ta pralce frames finely tuned forthe w and riding tye of iividual thers bridge JOINING: Many high-quality ste! frame tubes wll tur brittle or distort if overheated, and ezine alloy) o silver, wet remperattes than stee, to forin a metalic glue for joints. Most buiklers use brass Camp ich temains semi-molten over a wider pater reat Theat range than silver, and bridges slrop outs feaps moe readily Brazino Ric To keep an even temperanire, gas are burners are carefully positioned around =i the lug to hea ic uruformly. Once at the ——=—_ right temperature, the pujfs white flu will mele, cleaning the metal swface. The SSkibL:, Modem alloy see are versitile, and can be brazed or TIG-welded by machine, reducing costs with no great loss ot quality, The finest, lightest rubing must and top-quality fies depend Weare of the solder, a rod of alloy (brass ov silver) is applied, which mets and flows around re the joint by capillary action es WILL IT BREAK? Metal breaks either from an impact safety. If well-chrashed (bur not frames in one season oF les, but it which exceeds the strength of the abuse), steel or titanium frame has been found that if these “dead ‘metal, or from the fatigue of small, will stay almost as good as new, but frames” are re-aligned, they spring repeated stresses. Steel and titanium not aluminium frames, which are. back to life in top condition. both have farigue limits and will not thought to have a useful life of three Composite frames are still too new break so long as the stresses remain _to five years. The life of most steel. _ to gauge long-term durability but under limits. Aluminium has no. and titanium frames is measured in as with aluminium, the processes of fatigue limit, so each and every decades. While aluminium frames internal friction may actually cause stress causes wear and weakening, _are extremely inexpensive for their cumulative weakening, loss of and eventual failure. Aluminium weight, in the ls jorthe vitality, and eventual failure. How frame designets take this farigue very expensive titanium frames, may eventual remai and .over-building be better value, Many professional riders of composite frames are too p for long-term racers claim that they exhaust steel excited, happy, and pleased to care » be see with enough strengFRAME CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS ‘Tue FINISHED FRAME The frame (right) is talred, Steering tubes brazed, aligned, and painted with nder-coats and coloured SS N enamels; lacquer is then Head tubee ‘material, and for absorbing Food stress. aplied From ug, this ame could be produced in. one week, and he bike made in 2 fess hones The lug points taper in thickness hey travel along the tube to distribute seress 1 Speake whole eke wei >» “Stiffness” isthe resistance a ee material has to structural change, independent of shape. Rigility isa function of both stiffness and shape, and fora tube, ean be increased by thickening the walls or widening the tube. In theory, the tube diameter should not be greater than 50 times the wall thickness. Several high- Aa verac fess) Sie yachy quality bicycle tubes exceed this fork-blale cube tapers in wall thicknes eae at a the tue secon nao which i Y iin, making ‘aid to increase sprnginess and the ability thom vulnerable to smpace damage. To increase diameter [alan or Continental blade, narrows in. without adding weight, a lighter, sealord be ip wah ne ice doe material tu be ued ‘wll thickness, ad is sid to have greater so that wall thickness is lateral gut and resistance tosde-to- sufficiently strong, Thus while side forces whist cornering aluminium and titaniam are not lighter tovabsoth road shock. Another type, the as stiff as steel, they A and can form large diameter tubes Tipse LUGS: Lg strengthen joints by proving more surface ata for brazing TUBE DIAMETER to make rigid but light frames, (CaRBON-FIBRE: LUGuEss FILLET The tubes are glued BRAZING: The with epory resins raze is buile up A T1G-werce - completely visible TiG-weld feathering ‘column quite heavily MWe rervcrices we Tugs. The tube and s often with a bare metal ends have glas- requited when \ functional frame fibre sleeves 9 frame tuber ate , which does not help prevent joined at odd angles damage easily aid hence any galvanic (os ona custom machine) requires minimal maintenance cortesion. ‘when lags cat be used. Bonvev: Soom TIG-weLpep ALUMINIUM. TIG-wenep Sree: ALUMINIUM (On lugs frames, the tubes can be cut “Techniques for Glueing frame jones perfectly to the precise lengths ad angles THG-welding are ‘limuaates the fequited, so that each Frame sie s ‘how very precise problem of heat proportionally correct. Deep penetration and can be safely ‘damage, and the ‘marks (above) indicate how far the used on lightweight, lcs are sually metal has been fused. After being heat-areated, butted stronger than {ground smooth with abrasives, the chrome molybdenum steels the materials ‘arved welds help to distribute stress being joined, away from the joint, somewhat inthe same manner a tradicional lug.‘THE ESSENTIAL BIKE The Human Engine ,,,.*" “he human body is similar to a combustion engine requiring a continuous supply of oxygen and fuel to maintain its efficiency. It works most effectively when the power output and oxygen intake are balanced. Working your body too NS caenoaianoid fast causes panting; running it lest over-hard causes waste by- products to accumulate in the muscles, which leads to pain and cramps f aseraa! Ae call psn tae fnsoe Draconic of exercise, cycling is excellent, particularly for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, which are the key to good health. dorsi Biceps -*Brachilis Triceps “Recta ahdominss = Weis da faige: External extensors oblique luteal muscless Hamstringse Grits ‘Gastrocnemiuse, P—aTihials anceror -*Extensoe digitorurn longus ~ePeronens longus Peroneus brevis —Peroneus Superior extensor retinaculum —Inferior extensor : recinaculu Achilles ceeduote 1a, tendon © prevent overheating and foo bum.Eat often, but lightly if you are cycling, Cyclists thrive on energy-tich carbohydrates such as pastas, cereals, and fruits. Proteins and fats are fine as part of a balanced diet, but they take a long time to digest, and burn too slowly. Food and Drink Carbohydrates, stored in the body as glycogen, can be depleted in less than two hours by hard riding, sometimes resulting in an overwhelming total loss of energy if care is not taken. Hence the need for frequent replenishment. Fat stores, by contrast, are almost unlimited; long, moderately intense rides burn the most fat and are the best for weight loss. Sugary foods should be avoided, for although they give a brief surge of energy, they fool the body into lowering its metabolic rate. Drinking water frequently, before you feel thirsty, is also important. By the time you feel a thirst, the body has lost enough water to impair performance, so drink often. “ARM MUSCLES ‘Arm muscles both help to contrl the bike and to move your body positon back and forth over the halears. Avoil locking your ‘elbous straight ~ bending them helps absorb any road shock. Back Musctes Back and stomach muscles are not dnectly employed in pedalling, brut operate in equim to keep your upper ody and Read postiomed, and your chest open. Loner back muscles are not {fully exercised, and should be protected from the cold ‘Tuion Musctes ‘Cycling walizes the largest, most Powerful muscles in the body. In the thigh, the quads and the hams work im harmony to drive the pedals around and the bike forward. As sou push down withthe quads atthe top of your thigh and extend the leg, the hams sunderneath contract to bring the leg ack up to complete the circular pedaling motion. Strain can ‘occur if unnecessary force és applied by having the sale too high and overseretcing the quads, on too low and overcontracting the hams. AVOIDING Ket STRAIN Inthe lower leg, the gastrocnemius (calf muscle), is connected tothe thigh bone behind the knee and the Achilles tendon above the ankle. Upper and lower leg ‘muscles lever and pivot through the knee. Pedalling at an aerobic cadence of 80 rpm (revolutions per minute) bends and extends the knee 4,800 times an hour. Strain occurs if a knee is pulled out of its vertical plane o ifthe pedal twists the foot ‘out ofits natural alignment with the knee ‘THE HUMAN ENGINE VULNERABLE JOINTS Patellag Parella Knee Flexi Unlike most joints, knees are held together only by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The bones slide easily ‘over the cartilage, lubricated by an oily fluid within the synovial capsule. The soft risus swell when damaged, Foot Tension While pedalling, the plantar fascia (the major ligament membrane in the arch of the foot), is placed under repeated tension and must be supported by astffsoled cyeling shoe to prevent damage by over-flexing.Adjusting for Size emo nesneron8 nom For mountain biking and racing, a vider should use the smallest he most important feature of a bike is how — Fme dat fis, Stal frames sens wei and re safe and it fits the rider. Performance, comfort, and stablry om descents and on comers. Using the fiting machine the risk of injury can be affected by variations, — (bebw and righ) to measure Both a taller and a shorter rider sometimes as little as 5 mm (% in), in your riding states that while angles will han change, the sea tube position, so be meticulous about establishing 14%? tbe length ull ary gute considerably your bike size and your cycling position, The methods for doing this are well-founded, although not infallible. Physically SaDOLE HiGIT: Stand with your feet 10.2em (4) apart with your back agbinst 4 wal: Measure you inseam leg length fon your crotch to the for. Multiply this sum Guat is 90 ByS855 angen 3m 1181 ch make any adjustments seis che dance a shed that will work best for ean) be ser between the top of your own physique and eines ome type of riding. Once you do work out your bike size and riding position, stick with it, even if initially it may feel inefficient and uncomfortable. Body muscles all need time to adjust to new patterns of movement, and your reward will be riding a bicycle that moves when you do. of the bottom bracket axle-e Seat Post: Exposure should he 8.9-12.7 cm (3.45 in) for acing 7.6-10.2.em (3-4 in) for touring, and 15 20.3.€m (6-8 in) or Tor Tune LeNotii 1 combined top tube and stem length should EARANCE: You ould straddle the bike witha clearance between the crotch and the top tube of 25 6 em (1-2 in) on racers; 2 amass eben et cei e & aoe 74" most common. Smaller bikes have ‘mountain and hybrid bikes. « n) oF more on steeper seat angles. HEAD ANGLE: This results from the frame fil neat angie tp tube length, wheel clearince, and the quickness of steering s se Pepa Position: When rising a Dike, make suce the widest part e o 2 a o - your foots over the pedal axle.TAILORING A BIKE Machines such asthe Ele (xight), the Fit Ki, and S Size-Cyee, and specialized computer programmes such as ProBikefit, assess every aspect necessary for fitting a bike toa rider. The machines allow a custom frame builder to adjust all the related factors in bicycle sizing in order co measue up a bike that will complement the cyclist perfectly. The ProBikeFit programme includes data an practically every bicycle and component currently available, and can quickly match a rider's measurements with ao off-the-shelf bicycle that wll give the bes The vital factors in sizing are saddle height; the lengd of the top tube; the amount of seat post exposed when the saddle height is correc; and the clearance between ad the top cube, These factors will vary, depending on whether the bike is for racing, touring, or ‘mountain biking, and on your own physique. You should be able to ride with a straight back for easy breathing, a relaxed body, and arms slightly bent to absorb shock, HANDLEBAR STEMS: Handlebar stems extend your reach. Most tds use 6-10 em (24-39 in) extension. The longer the stra, the greater the risk of breakage. If you need longer than 12 cm (4.7 in), the top tube is too shore. HAxoLenar HEGHT: For normal riding che top of the stem ould be 2-4 em (08-1.6 in) below the rop of the dle, and racing, a lve a8 7.6 cma (3 i). HaNoLepar Winti: This should be as wide asthe shoulders: 38-40 cm (15-15.7 in) for women, 40-42 em (15.7-16.5 in) for mene r on the dr KNEES: With hands bars and ADJUSTING FOR SIZE SiziNc FRAME: Adhustable for proportional ube lengths.« grape = j ‘SEAT ANOLE “HEAD ANOLE Determined PRoporTions: Well-sied Theseeper fg brent angles give femur (thigh) fromesftthe J] angle kK proportions aster steering. | of individual / \ : { | Sows ot a tes length.e \ Bike Sizinc For WoMeN Relative o height, women generally have shorter torsos and arms than do men. Sing a ‘woman's bike by inseam lng and seat tube ize can often result in 0 long «top tube. The best bet isto have a longer seat post, ‘nda smaler bike fame ‘SADDLE POSITION: The sade should be level: ites tp risks discomfort and nerve damages teed dow pitches the rider forward, placing roo much weight on the arms, Women ontal t Daor Bak DePt#t: This is related tthe sae of yours hands: 14 en (5.5 in) is shollow, 14-15 em (5 5.9 in) is median, and 15 cm (59 in) of more is deep.« ce @ a a a r the road, your kes, should overlap your bows at the top of the pedal stoke have wider pelvie tones and should use broakler-hased siddles.The MOUNTAIN BIKE The mountain bike represents the most exciting development in cycling this century, a revolutionary bike that has revolutionized an industry. It gives cyclists access to places that were once thought impossible to ride, and makes cycling accessible ro millions who once thought they would never enjoy == tidingabike.Nowthe // affluent world’s most « popular bicycle, the \ mountain bike, with fat tyres, low gears, heavy-duty brakes, and beefed- up frame, has turned a century of cycling technology on its head. Like all good simple inventions, it came from somewhere least expected — not from adesigner’s drawing board, but from a couple of really dedicated bike bums in Marin County, California, during f 7 Bp iaddle the mid-Seventies. Ugly Duckling " When co-inventors Charlie Kelly ! and Gary Fisher first paraded the mountain bike to the cycle industry it was like the debut of the ugly duckling: a fat and heavy bike ina world dominated by sleek racing machines. Instantly rejected by blinkered manufacturers, their_ mountain bicycle instead fostered its own grassroots industry in California. The word spread, sales began to take off, and once-reluctant manufacturers Stem Brake ate humble pie as the mountain bike made the USA a pioneering force in the worldwide cycle business. The mountain bike caught on because it answered a need. Itappeals because it offers easy balance, certain stopping power, fewer jolts, and low cears that allow even a beginner toclimb the steepest of hills; best of all, it allows you to tide off-road away from traffic Rapid Development The drawbacks of the early bikes have been ironed out. The 45-Ib (20.4-kg) bike Kelly and Fisher first introduced has slimmed down to 25 Ibs (11.4 kg) with tyres that are still fat but weigh less. Cantilevers and hydraulics have replaced the heavy hub brakes, and development continues apace. Derailleur gear operations have been demystified by simple one-touch click-up, click-down levers. New suspension systems have dramatically improved comfort, performance, and ride, turning the once-ugly duckling into one of the ultimate rider- friendly bikes. Fork Celis and mone bikeTHE MOUNTAIN BIKE Mountain Bike Anatomy ith its rugged but light frame, fat tyres, powerful brakes, and wide- range gear ratios, the mountain bike has ‘opened up off-road riding to millions. Ultra- lightweight bikes, such as this dismantled Trek 8900, incorporate a suspension system and many advances in materials technology, The tubes of the 1.95-kg (4%-Ib) frame are Bracket anew joined with cast-aluminium lugs and aircraft , O; adhesives. The main tubes are carbon-fibre and the stays aluminium alloy. This material is easy to work with when fitting derailleur VY and brake mounting points. +Quick release Tab alee Aluminium alloy seat staveMOUNTAIN BIKE ANATOMY O ff \ Fork brace 0° All-weather brake shoe ‘Brake am mounting bosses *Aisfhydraulic damping units today, close ofall bikes sald‘THE MOUNTAIN BIKE Gears and Brakes }f-road riding is often a dynamic mixture of continuous bike handling, rapid gear changing, and frequent braking. Mountain bikes use straight handlebars for maximum bike control, and the gear and brake levers are grouped together to be operated without removing the hands from the bars. Brake levers can be adjusted to the size of your hands, and positioned so that two fingers can curl over the lever and operate the brakes at any time, while the other two fingers stay curled around the of the frst models the shifter breaks do GEARING SYSTEM: Rapid Fie shifters are mechanically complex with a smal pats, ana reliability profusi Lower Levers One push shifts supa chainwheel ata time, An extended push takes you from the smallest to the largest chatnwheel.« p) THunsturrers RoTARy SHIFTERS Operated with «wis ofthe wrist, che Grip Shife gear changers simple and reliable. Is key adweage i that your fans keep a firm grip om the bas. A Irncing be can ulue involuntary shifts, however, and to aid his devotes ane hoping for & model that downshifts with atts, bu wpshifs with a bution fe wounted thu spstem for compet automa 26 ‘option, «the eyelist, Ui lightweight, and are the preferred gearing indexed ge goes out of adjust inscanity be changed to operate manually ‘ma conventional friction mode, handlebar to maintain bike control. The gear levers are positioned so they can be operated by a push of the thumb or by twisting the wrist Strong, easily-controlled brakes are vital for mountain bikes, and this has stimulated many variations on the simple but powerful cantilever brake design, as well as new designs in brake blocks and rims. Developments such as ultra-strong hydraulic brakes and all-weather hub drum brakes, have further enhanced bike performance and control. as been very poor If LEVER: One ofthe two front derailleur shi the upper lever takes you down a chainwheel a a time shifters are reliable, am bikes. Ifthe semi shifting system int, the lever canGEARS AND BRAKES HyDrauic BRAKES Hydhauaic brakes (left) are fluid-operated (like car brakes) and have tremendous ower — enough to crush a weak rim ‘and yet operate easily and smoothly They are particularly effective in wet muddy, or icy conditions CANTILEVER BRAKES Cantilever brakes (right) are light smong, and powerful. Monenting a brake close to the rim helps to keep ic rigid and provent juddermg. Design variations such asthe voller-cam brake offer even reater power and precision, but can require frequent maintenance and often clog up with mud on off-road runs Baake Levers: These are mounted just below rather than horizontal with, the handlebar, for Leer AND RIGHT The international convention for gears is thatthe eft lever operates the front changer on the chuinheel the right lever operates the rear deraiienr. Wath rakes, convention vais fom country to country. Inthe US, for example, where the mosnin ike originated the lf lever operates the fro brake, the right lever the rear brake. In the UK, the pition. ae roversed Before you ride an unfamiliar bike, always check which wary the levers operate —*Rean DERAILLEUR SHIFTERS: The upper lever shifts down a cog at atime, che lower lever reverses the process. GEARS AND GEAR RATIOS A.gear, like a lever, isameansof using gears is anticipation: shift carly, With the chain on a small chainring changing the rate at which work is before anew gear is needed, 0 and lange sprocket (below), the ddone, The rate of change is called cadence remains smooth ani steady. _ieycle moves a shorter distance for the ratio. Ona bicycle the ratios Anticipation is particularly important each tur ofthe exanks; the bicycle determined by relative sizes of the when downshifting to lower gears travels further when the crankset chainrings and the for climbing. Although modem chain ison a lage chainring freewheel sprockets or cogs. With transinssions shift quickly and and sll sprocket. 2 52-tooth (T) chainring, one positively, it helps to ease ts complete tum of the eranks will pedal pressure for just a y rotate awheel with a 13T sprocket moment - half a stroke four times, a ratio oF 4:1, while isenough— when shifting 2ST chainring willtum awheel through the gear. witha 28T sprocket once,a ratio Never eros the chain of L:1.A 52/13T gear isbig, and by running it from the gives syeed, while a 28/28T gear is smallest chainring to Tow, and gives the powertoclimb smallest cog, or largest hills albeit soe chainring to largest cow The average cyclist produces ‘These combinations wil horsepower on a stealy basis, with cause the chain to cut maximum efficiency when pedalling across at ton severe , ateadences of 55 «0 85 rpm. The an angle, thereby purpose of gears isto maintain an reducing efficiency efficient cadence, and the key 10 and increasing wearTHE MOUNTAIN BIKE Clothing s you cycle you generate ten times more heat than when at rest, and feel about 11°C (20°F) warmer. The key to comfort is to dress lightly, in layers that can easily be added or removed to suit conditions and pace. You're likely to need only a few well-chosen garments even in sum- It is always essential, however, mer, to pack extra clothes for protection in case you have to stop, or if the weather worsens. If venturing into unfamiliar territory, include a survival kit (see p.34) for any unforeseen emergency Sunower TOURING Eve ‘warm weather, a good proof jacker isa priority. Many ofthe lightweight models can be folded up small enough to fit into a pocket-size pouch when not being wor. GLOVES: Thee insulate against shock and vibration, and fall protec Heat Loss heat las theot head by wearing « Tore-Tex helmet cover ot insulated cap. Winter TOURING Wind and rain can chill a vider far below the temperature. A full-length weatherproof suit (right) in Go Tex or another breathable material, with room underneath for additonal insulating clothes, isa good defence. Ankle-length boots wll also give maximum support and protection for the feetCLOTHING Coup-weaTHER RipinG Hot WEATHER RIDING The rider below illustrates the protection needed in sub-rer Lightweight shi remperatures. You need three layers of clothes: an inner layer but pack addiioal clothes as instarance against chill or too (of a quick-drying fabric, a mide layer of wool or ple fabric for much su. Add-on garments such as leg warmers, nylon vess, warmth, and an ower windbreaker ieally made of Gore-Tex, and long-sleeve jerseys ar lightweight ana can be folded nt Entrant, or Thintech. [n milder weather the middle ayer can a tmy space. Be aware of exposed skin use moisturizer and be omuted, but kef i in your pack m case you need it later waterproof sunscreen if necessary to proxece it from sen A doun-filled lon vest is one option: light and easily packed and wind. A.cyeling cap unulerneath the helmet, with the peak ino a small hag, quickly urns meo a god insudator reversed, will shield che back of the neck from the sin ‘and shots, as worn below, are all you need, Booy: Try wearing a thermal layer under windbreaker. help tnvcokt weather HEAD: As your head Tones the most heat in cold weather, protect a headband ap under your #Lurs: Coating your ips with a special moisturizer prevents wind chapping SHIRT: Wear a shirt made of fabric that dra ‘away perpiration, thus helpen You to stay cool Tints: Easy leg ‘warmth ined by tights.«- = SHOES: As the cleats ar #SHORTS: These should recesed into the be lined to prevent chating and offer‘THE MOUNTAIN BIKE Sizing a Mountain Bike ountain bikes are made for vigorous riding. A fit that distributes the rider's weight and gives good balance is essential. With the saddle at the correct height and the cranks parallel with the ground, the bony protrusion just below the kn should be directly above the pedal axle The back should have a forward lean of at least 45 degrees, so that the stronger gluteus muscles in the buttocks and lower back can be used for pedalling. Positioning in this way will shift more weight onto the arms, which should be slightly bent at the elbows to allow for shock absorption, with the wrists kept straight. speeds. Narrow «me Better for speSIZING A MOUNTAIN BIKE SIZING AND SAFETY Yon need to be able 1o move the bike around underneath you without bruising your thighs, and wo have the confidence to take a fall ‘without any serious injury The standard advice on sising a mountain bike recommends that the bike is to 4 (5 10cm) smaller than your road fra However, mountain bikes are measured in several different ways, and many models have sloping top tubes, so try out several different bikes first to get a feel for what suits you best Important factors are general fit and reach, oTcH Tn good-quality mountain bikes, each frame ‘Cutanance size is proportional; frame angles and tube For ot wl ridin lengths are adjusted so that larger sizes have have at least 34 more reach, smaller sizes have less teach. in (St 10cm) With the saddle ar the correct height, you ant plenty of seat post and distance from the top tube. Your knee should be over the forward pedal witha level erank, and you should havea sufficiently comfortable reach down to the handlebars to incline your back at a 45-degree angle, with slightly hent arms clearance from the crotch to the top tbe « Sizing for Women ‘Women usually have a shorter reach, and need more seat post and a shorter top tube, A rough guide to measuring the size of frame for a woman (in inches), is as follows: FLOOR-TO-CROTCH DISTANCE x 0.52 = Size This is only a rough estimate, but ic should provide a basic guideline. Always test-ride several bikes for size before you finally decide to go ahead and buy one ‘Tuk SMALL Many first-time mountain. bike riders feel more comfortable ona frame that 1s actualy lager than they need. Smaller frames are much more manoeuvrable, lighter, and safer. Select the smallest frame that gives you a good overall fi. Too Bis A high top tube is fine for wwn riding and smooth oad touring, but yo will sill need at least 1 in (2-5 cm) of clearance. A top tube that fits ton snugly might lead to a painful accident! Too SMALL A very low top tube means that itis easier to perform stunts and wicks on the bike. However, unless you are sinall, the reach wil be too short, andl the vide very wncomfortable 31‘THE MOUNTAIN BIKE Touring Mountain Bikes nn terms of sheer versatility, mountain bikes are hard to beat for touring on- and off-road. At one end of the range there are sporty, ultra- light mountain bikes, with a fast and formance. They have short wheelbase 5 top tubes, and forks that have the minimum of rake, Touring on these bikes usually involves e'per- slop Back S For any distance torn ood cary the Toad on your} This way the b chang rable carrying essentials in a backpack. A backpack is good discipline when you are trying to regulate the weight you bring ~ its limited capacity forces you to leave the junk behind. At the other end of the spectrum are heavy-duty, long: distance load carriers with long wheelbases, that are easily capable of carrying 30-kg (66-1b) Dua Purpose The Klein Atvirud ‘which is also excellent for ligt re bike weighs Sheough ia 21 nealing eficlencTOURING MOUNTAIN BIKES loads — potentially all the equipment you Heavy-Duty Tourer should need for a two-week camping holiday. The EW. Evans (below) a mader mumunzain bike designed Stability and balance are vital, co check thac fo" comfort, sali, and load-carrying. This Bike comes uth tability and balance are vital, so check that ‘brazed-on bosses to take pannier racks both front and rear front and rear panniers are evenly weighted as Paerdan bose tule oom acs oon and you load them. Place heavy items at the bottom anu! weight ths unrers fame geometry cmfuly cleadned of the panniers, keeping the bike's centre of — tominimie the effect of carrying heavy los over very long rig Oi de Gab tats in @teble aaa distances. The long chain stays are typical ofthis standard of gravity | a tring a, alojang pairs wb isa tou ag ches of fouling the rider’ heels. Bikes like this ae ideal fo off-road touring holidays where you want to carry sufficient equipment to establish a base camp out in the country, then unload and en oo soe te lea lacie offroad ening aching tacks are eldom strong enough WHEELBASE: The long wheelhase makes for stable handling when carrying panies, STEERING: The generous fork rake reduces the shock from bumps and potholes, anal makes for an alL-sound smoother ride-p ‘sPANNIERS: Standard bags + the top of the rick 00k, hele ‘which fastens the cm of the hag toa eyelet FRONT RACK: The lowrider front racks centre the hags over the front hub axle for CHAIN STAYS: These ate long, to al rear the pannier bags to be positioned over the back axle for optimum weight distribution. 3