Publisher's Synopsis
Bicycles are the most economic means of locomotion in the history of humanity, used as a form of transport by most of the world before the advent of automobiles, and today they continue to play a key role in the lives of many people across the five continents. There are those who use them for work, others for sport, some use them to deal with congested city traffic, and others use them because they are the only means of transport available. There is no vehicle that is as egalitarian as the bicycle, it is common and aristocratic at the same time, affordable or expensive, according to the model and the use for which it was designed. - This book, accompanied by stunning photographs, traces the history of this simple and exceptional means of transportation. Created at the dawn of the industrial age, it appears to be perfectly designed to face the challenges of post-industrial society: from the 19th century's first velocipedes, to the invention of the pedals and the chain, to the first ladies' bikes, and the evolution of materials and technologies such as wood, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, and electronic transmission. This book also pays homage to those leading racing bikes that have made cycling history, bringing success to great champions like Coppi, Bartali, Hinault, Anquetil, Merckx, Lemond, Indurain, Pantani, Conti and Nibali. Ongoing technological updates have allowed this vehicle to be propelled into the future: giving birth to futuristic models, concept bikes with innovative designs that experiment with shapes and materials, giving us a glimpse of what the bike of tomorrow might look like. Custom-made bikes are enjoying increasing success; original and unique, tailor-made by craftsmen who are highly specialized and creative producing models that respond to the tastes of the growing number of enthusiasts and collectors. One chapter of the book is devoted to the phenomenon of mountain bikes, which over the last 35 years have carved out an important role in the two-wheeler arena, becoming increasingly widespread distribution and seeing the creation of various kinds of sporting competitions such as cross-country, enduro, freeride-biking and downhill mountain biking. These days, however, some bicycles are assisted by electric power. This new development has attracted a great deal of interest from the public and government, who are increasingly aware of sustainability issues. In leafing through the pages of this book, it may seem that the history of the bicycle has only just completed the first stages of a long journey.
