This book may be about your next bike, or perhaps it will help you to upgrade a bike you already have. It will be a companion when making decisions about your bike, not a guide to everything and anything to do with bikes. It is concerned only with performance bikes, and road bikes at that. Track and time trial bikes do come into it and so does that most awkward of road-bike brothers, the cydocross bike. These are the bikes that I know most about, so they are all here.

This book shows you how to put together your dream road bike, whether it's for weekend racing or a stage of the Tour de France. Featuring chapters on each of the key components, from the frame to the accessories, there is also advice on topics such as frame geometry and weight saving. In addition, professional mechanics share their trade secrets, showing you how to make your bike run like clockwork. With specially commissioned photographs and interviews with key designers and manufacturers, this book will help you specify and build your ideal bike.

Introduction

Bikes

The Best Bike for You

The Road Bike

The Time Trial Bike

The Track Bike

The Cyclo-cross Bike

Ben Serotta

The Frame

Frame Design

Frame Geometry

Materials

Construction Processes

Richard Sachs Cycles

Steering

Forks

Headsets and Aheadsets

Chris King

Wheels

The Right Wheels for You

Lightweight Wheels

Track Hubs

Road Hubs

Tyres and Tubulars

Rims

Wheelsets

Quick-Release Skewers

Bob Parlee

Bike Fit

Saddle, Fit and Position

Seat Posts

Brooks Saddles

Controls

Handlebars

Aheadstems

Handlebar Tape

Brake Levers and Gear Shifters

Traditional Controls

Brakes

Cantilever Brakes

Cable Systems

Independent Fabrication

The Gears

Bottom Brackets

Cranks

Rear Derailleurs

Front Derailleurs

Emesto Colnago

The Drive

Pedals

Cassettes

Chains

Dario Pegoretti

Guide to Builders

Websites and Further Reading

Acknowledgements

Index