Fifty Bicycles That Changed The World

by Alex Newson, Design Museum (With)

The bicycle is the world's most popular form of transport. From the Penny-Farthing, the Dandy-Horse and the Velocipede the design of the bicycle has evolved over the decades both in terms of style and technology. From high-performance cycles to practical run-arounds, conceptual bikes to commercial models, here are the 50 most important, pivotal bicylces from around the world.

Genres: Cycling

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2013

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and interesting

[John Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating wee hurtle through the history and evolution of the bicycle

[Jesse “Burnsy” Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book includes world in the title, but it’s clearly focused on praising British cycling and design.
A couple mistakes, lots of great photos, and short concise paragraphs.

[Robbie Tyrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually expected this book to be worse than it was. Hence the 2 star rating. It does have some interesting detail on a myriad of different bikes. One I’ll pick up again from time to time I guess.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a general, cultural, UCI-dominated bicycle review this is an excellent book.

This book is about cultural and commercial significance. Adding to Paul's review, there are two categories which merely receive a token mention: recumbent and non-diamond frames.

The UCI-dominance on cycling culture is fairly evident. Chronologically ordered, once the safety bicycle is introduced (no. 4) we get to see a couple variations on this style of frame: Pedersen, tandem, cargo (front box), y-frame, and a few others. Mostly we see technological iterations (e.g. derailleurs, aerodynamic variations) with aerodynamics being the only one for which a progression is shown.

One semi-recumbent is mentioned (LWB pictured). We do get to see a few other truss-style frames (Pedersen, Moulton's F- and AM-series frames, and STRiDA) as well as a handful of beam frames (e.g. Brompton).

Among those designs missed are several recumbents (velomobiles, centre- or pivot-steering); a road-/race-bike equivalent to the y-frame (Tortola's RoundTail); and all manner of tricycles. Was our direct-drive children's tricycle not significant for introducing us to human-powered transportation?

For a general, cultural, UCI-dominated bicycle review this is an excellent book. I would like to read this author exploring topics like 'gears/drivetrain' and 'aerodynamics' and 'comfort' and 'agility' to delve deeper into these areas than was possible in this "Fifty __ That Changed The World" book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all those that have any interest in either design or the bike, then this is well worth reading.

As the title suggests, the book is about fifty bicycles or technologies that have made a significant step in the process of bicycle design, innovation and those bikes that are iconic in some way or other.

The range of bikes covered, if from the penny farthing to the latest Pinarello ridden by the Sky team. Other models include the Schwinn, the chopper, Boardman's Lotus bike and the Moulton. Each bike has a well written piece of text and images. There are some exquisite bikes in here; and even the one that I ride!

[Ainslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a browsing book (for me anyway). Some interesting and entertaining information and photoes/illustrations, and also some technical descriptions that were beyond my grasp. I'm interested to follow up some of the other books in the series.

[Andrew Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short book with good general insights. I now understand why people would want to own more than one bike!

[Jake Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cool pictures and it's fun to see the evolution of bikes over time.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting selection of bikes