Customer Reviews

Greg LeMond's Complete Book of Bicycling

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am no newbie to cycling. I have read many books from Benard Hinualt's book to all the major "new" cycling books including "Performance Cycling", "The Ultimate Ride", and the Cyclists Training Bible".
NONE of these books discribe and outline proper training like Lemonds book! Lemonds book may not be quite a "scientific" as some of the newer ones but that does not mean it is an inferior book.

Lemond has put his wealth of info across in a very easily understood and practical way. I especially liked his info on training and fitness for the serious cyclist and also training for the older athlete.

If you want to know how to become a top cyclist, or even a pro, then this is the book for you.

This book is not just for the serious cyclist. It has all the info that a newbie to cycling would need to know as well. The more experienced cyclist can easily weed through the basic and dive right into the "meat and potatoes" of training and tactics.

The only thing that this book is weak on is training by measuring power output, which has become all the rage of late. The fact is though that one doesn't ever need to measure "watts" in order to train productively and become the very best cyclist that one can become. Experienced cyclist know that preceived effort at various intensty levels along with a decent heart rate monitor is all anyone ever needs to reach ones peak.

As far as I am concerned this is the best book ever penned on cycling!

Some of the information in this book may be a little out-dated, but I think it is still worth it for the beginning cyclist. The chapter on sizing a bike is a must-read for all people who are beginners and may be seriously considering cycling. I would buy the book again just for this chapter. I think there are other books out there with more up to date information, but this one should be on every cyclists' bookshelf.

This book covers just about every facet of riding a road bike as well as fascinating information on the United State's most accomplished modern bicycle racer.

There is one "gotcha" though and that is that you need to take Greg's advice about bicycle sizing with a substantial grain of salt. Riders of more than average height will arrive at bicycle sizes much too small if the sizing procedure is followed to the letter.

On the other hand,the fitting information is about the best in print.

Greg's understanding of bicycling history is the most complete and accurate I've found.

Great insights on climbing, racing and training tactics. In depth fitting chapter is worth the price of the book alone. Equipment write-ups are dated, but that's not what you're buying this book for.

Reading Greg LeMond's story - from his first race as a fifteen-year-old in 1975 to his second Tour De France victory in 1987 - makes you want to get out there and ride. LeMond still rides, you know. A friend recently participated in a benefit ride with Greg. Fans will be happy to learn, although he's picked up a few pounds over the years, LeMond still has a huge engine.
Included in this superior collaboration with fellow cyclist and writer Kent Gordis are extensive chapters on bike fit, training, diet, maintenance, and riding tips. These are techniques useful not only in racing but for everyday cyclists - road hazards, traffic issues, the proper gear to have along. It's all there.
I first read this book in 1992 when I began cycling at the age of 51. Even though the bikes are better now, and everyone can afford a HRM and software that will help you keep records of your workouts, the superior and detailed section on bike fit remains valid. Actually, nothing here is really outdated. It's still you, the bicycle, and the hill just ahead. Cycling is hands down the best way to get yourself in shape. Read, and then go for it. On your left!
Art Tirrell - author of The Secret Ever Keeps - coming March 07 from Kunati Book Publishers, rides a 2003 Lemond Chambrey.

I read this book first in 1996 when I was getting into ROAD RIDING. I was 46 and needed to exercise regularly to avoid the early onset of Type II Diabetes and to control Hypertension. Since then I have become a 2,500 miles per year rider in the rolling hills of Bucks County, PA and I credit this book for most of the "book" knowledge I have acquired so far. The first part of the book tells the "Lemond" story which is fascinating in itself. The second part of the book deals with Technical issues in excruciating details which my engineering mind adores and appreciates.

I consider this book as a "must read" companion for all aspiring road riders.

Like "Gray's Anatomy" for physicians, LeMond's is one of those classic texts in a subject, bicycling in this case. However, by having been published nearly a decade ago, it's obviously outdated in few sections, particularly equipment's; it was written before handlebar gear shifters and heart-rate monitors became easily accessible to the public, for example. On the other hand, the chapters on how to pick and fit a bike, techniques and tactics and maintenance are superb. This book should be fixture on any serious cyclist personal library. It's just a pity that LeMond hasn't considered updating it (...yet?) for the benefit of "fellow bikers".

I've just read this book. It's very nice to see what Greg thinks about cycling, his philosophy, and the racing tatics is very good. What kept me from giving it a five-star rating was that equipment choice and other chapters are totally out-dated. Other than that a very nice book. I advise you to get it, especially if you like Lemond.

This book shows the topic of bicycling training from practical point of view, despite some inaccuracy around heartbeat training, I find it very helpful.

Back in the 1970's I really enjoyed reading Sloane's Complete Book of Bicycling. LeMond's book is not nearly as general, but is for people who are training to ride hard, not just those who want to ride better and longer. I did learn something valuable about pedaling technique. While I enjoy reading about cycling and such reading inspires me to ride more, this was a little too much about LeMond and too little about cycling for my tastes. I am not sorry I read the book, but it is not what I hoped, even though it came highly recommended by others.