|
|
 |
The Bicycle Wheel, Jobst Brandt (1981)
Acocet 0 9607236 4 1 Octo 150pp $10.95
A treatise, nearly as elegant as its subject, that guides readers
through the physics and engineering of this remarkable invention
 
|
So much of a given are bicycle wheels that one does not often pause to
consider what a beautiful and remarkable invention they are. Often tipping
the scales at less than a kilo apiece, they will comfortably support riders
of 100 times that weight, or more, and transmit more than 1000 watts of
power without showing the strain.
Brant's simply illustrated book, guides even those with no scientific
training an engaging insight into the engineering principles that lie
behind these structures. So effortless is his style, however, that at
no point do you feel as though you are sitting though a lesson.
The author also guides readers though the process of making wheels -
a process that he persuasively shows is within the wit of most of us -
with a bit of application, and the right tutor. Happily Brandt is just
that. Like this book, it is an experience to be savoured when you have
time to give it some relaxed attention. You will be ever more appreciative
of the mechanical miracle between your legs, once you have done so.
PS May 09
|
Bookmark this on Delicious
Follow the site!
Join our list we will let you known when new reviews
are added to the site. We will never share your email address with
third parties.
tim@timdawsn.demon.co.uk
You can also follow us on Facebook
|
Visit our sister site
for dispassionate, expert advice on general cycling
issues
|
How this site is organised
As reviews are added, they are featured on the
front page. All titles are listed in the master index and cross-referenced
in the other indicies.
The subject line contains the title, author and
date of each book's publication. As a general rule, we list the
date of the actual edition that we read, unless there is an obvious
reason to use the original date (say where we read a reprint).
The first line of the main text contains the name
of the publisher, the ISBN
number, where it exists, an indication of the book's
size and the number of printed pages that it contains. Finally,
where it is clear, I list the published price of the work in the
currency that is most prominently displayed.
We summarise the book in a single sentence or two
in the next line. The rest of the review is then intended as a self-contained
piece.
|
|
