Cycle Publishing
Van der Plas Publications

 

1282 7th Avenue
San Francisco
CA 94122, USA


Tel.: (415) 665-8214

 

 

Performance Cycling

A Scientific Way to Get the Most out of Your Bike
by Stuart Baird

Format: 8½ x 11 inch trade paperback
Description: 256 pages with 60 black & white illustrations
ISBN: 1-892495-28-7
Price: US$29.95

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  • What determines your speed
  • How much energy you have available
  • When to gear up—or down
  • Control and development of the right muscles
  • Maximizing your aerodynamic advantage
  • Effective steering, balancing, and bike handling
  • Mental aspects of performance

The book that explains how man and machine interact while riding a bike


About the book

In this book, author Stuart Baird reveals the scientific aspects that determine your cycling performance—and the bikes. It’s the laws of physics that determine the bicycle’s performance, not some voodoo-like mystery, and Stuart Baird proves himself a master at explaining how they apply to the situation at hand. Using the information in this book, you can improve your performance by more than you ever could buyingif you bought every supposedly speed- or performance-enhancing product on the market today.
 


About the author

Stuart Baird is a software engineer and a lifelong cyclist who actively participates in both time trial racing and self-supported bicycle touring. He is also the editor of the Brandywine Bicycle Club’s newsletter, and much of the information in this book has been "test driven" by the readers of that publication.
 


Table of Contents
 

1. Introduction: Physical and Mental Aspects of Cycling Performance 9
2. Force and Power
3. Gearing
4. Fit and Power Transmission
5. Uniform Conditions
6. Nonuniform Conditions
7. Braking
8. Cornering
9. Handling
10. Minimizing Rolling Resistance
11. Minimizing Aerodynamic Drag
12. Maximizing Acceleration
13. Summary

Appendix A: Measurement, Calibration, and Test
Appendix B: Equations
Appendix C: Programs

Glossary
Bibliography
Index

 
From the contents

The author on tour


 


Sample illustration (fork rake explained)