The Recumbent Bicycle [Paperback]

Gunnar Fehlau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

This is the only book all about recumbent bicycles.

It covers the whole gamut: history, science, sports, touring, city-use, innovations, design and home-building.

It is unbiased as regards makes and models of bikes. Instead, it explains the effects of all the kinds of features found on recumbents, offering pro's and con's and leaving it to the reader to judge based on their needs. Recumbents are the most varied bikes on earth in terms of intended design goals, so radically different models are all great bikes for certain riders. All types get plenty of respect in this book! With this info and insight, plus plenty of test-riding, anyone can find the right bike for them!

The first edition sold thousands, with rave reviews. This fully-revised 2nd edition offers hundreds of new B&W and color photos, manufacturer listings and current news items.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A great introduction to the world of recumbents." -- Peter Eland, editor, "VeloVision" magazine

"A super book, full of photos, wisdom on every aspect of recumbent bikes, and resources for riders and builders!" -- David Gordon Wilson, author, "Bicycling Science"

"The best, most complete book on recumbents and HPVs ever written!" -- Warren Beauchamp, editor, Recumbents.com

About the Author

Gunnar Fehlau is a top cycling journalist and author. He lives in Germany and is the author of numerous cycling books in the German language. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Out Your Backdoor; 2nd edition (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892590581
• ISBN-13: 978-1892590589
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,965,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for new recumbenteers, November 28, 2004

By 

Bob Parnass (Oswego, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Recumbent Bicycle (Paperback)

I bought Gunnar Fehlau's book, "The Recumbent Bicycle," while shopping for my first recumbent bike. There's a lot of recumbent bicycle information available on the web, but most of it is disjointed.

This book covers the topic of recumbent bicycles in an organized and cohesive way. It introduced me to the different types of recumbents and their merits. The chapter "Basics of Recumbent Design" was particular helpful in contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of short vs. long wheelbase geometries.

The history of recumbents provided interesting background information. The author has a sense of humor. The treatment is technical where required, but at a layman's level. The section on aerodynamics is the only one containing mathematics.

I read the book over the course of several weeks, both before and after buying my bike. The index is comprehensive and that made it easy to lookup various topics when I wanted to refer back to specific points.

The photos and illustrations are good and clear.

If you want to compare specific brands and models, subscribe to the various recumbent bicycle email lists. Read specific product reviews and owner comments at the recumbent and other bicycle web sites. Models change each year so a book detailing specific models would become out of date quickly.

I highly recommend "The Recumbent Bicycle." This is the only book I could find devoted to recumbents, and luckily it's a good one.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to know in one place, February 19, 2001

By 

"remingtf" (Wilmington, DE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Recumbent Bicycle (Paperback)

This is a fantastic history of recumbents, along with lots of technical information. It has everything you need to know to get started, if you're thinking about buying a recumbent. If you're experienced with recumbents, it has a lot to offer as well.

This would make a great gift, something to give to all cyclists. For many cyclists, recumbents are a mystery. Give 'em this book, and clear up the mystery.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique book on a fascinating topic, January 25, 2001

By 

Anne Pann (Kalamazoo, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Recumbent Bicycle (Paperback)

I give this book a top rating because it has almost no competition. No other book that I know of deals with recumbent bicycles in this breadth and depth. Of course it also helps that it is extremely readable and full of cool pictures. Lots of interesting stuff here, from the history of these odd vehicles to the latest speed records and excellent tips on how to get one for yourself. Very well written (considering it's a translation) and well-suited to anyone who might be interested in these bikes, even if they have no previous knowledge. A bargain at twice the price!