The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles
Text: Jan Heine — Photography: Jean-Pierre Praderes
"The most wonderful, fascinating, fabulous bicycle book ever published!"
"Striking Images – even noncyclists can't help but become engrossed."
"The photographs make every detail of spoke, chain and handlebar pop out on the page."
"Gorgeous – will appeal to bike connoisseurs and enthusiastic newcomers alike"
"Anyone who loves bikes will love this book."
"Superb color photography, very highly recommended"
"A coffee-table book of the best kind!"
Grant Petersen, Rivendell Reader
Click on the links to read the full reviews.
See more images from The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles in OUTSIDE Magazine's photo gallery.
During the "Golden Age," small makers built amazing bicycles that transcended their function to become a form of art. Their craftsmanship was not limited to the frame, but included hand-made derailleurs, brakes, stems, racks and other components. The entire bicycle was carefully designed and crafted as a unit, combining function and beauty. Famous makers like René Herse, Alex Singer, Jo Routens and others spent countless hours on each bicycle in their search for perfection.
With lavish color photography, The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles charts the development of these machines from the early 1900s through the present day. The 50 classic bicycles in this book display amazing craftsmanship, elegance and function. Each brought innovations that continue to be used today. Additional historic photos show the bikes in competition and with their original owners. Insightful descriptions set the scene for each bicycle and explain its details. Here you find machines with a level of craftsmanship that never has been surpassed.
The Authors:
Jan Heine is editor of Bicycle Quarterly, a magazine about
classic bicycles and cycling's history.
Jean-Pierre Pradères' photography has been published in many magazines and books, including the Guggenheim Museum's The Art of the Motorcycle.
"Simply the most beautiful bike book ever!"
Out Your Backdoor
"Lovingly photographed and well written"
Austin on Two Wheels
"The old gear-changing systems are particularly fascinating."
"A great book which should be on all cyclists' bookshelves"
Hilary Stone, News & Views, Veteran Cycle-Club
"Sure to become a favorite!"
Bill Bryant, American Randonneur
"Exceptional photography, a pleasure to read and view"
"The best quality photographic work and printing I have seen"
"Leave it to the French to elevate bicycle making to an art form."
Metropolis Magazine
"I could have done with it 50 years ago! I am still studying it and find it most interesting"
Ken Taylor, Jack Taylor Cycles
"The sharp layout parallels the meticulous quality of the subject matter within"
"A stimulating pleasure."
Click here for more reviews and readers' opinions.
$50
168
pages, 9.5" x 12", hardcover
Shipping and handling: $5 (U.S.; Canada
$20†; International $30†).
Washington State residents, please include $5.23 for sales tax (Book $50 + Sales Tax $5.23 + Shipping and Handling $5 = TOTAL of $60.23).
Send payment (U.S. currency) to
Bicycle Quarterly
2116 Western Ave
Seattle WA 98121, USA
† For international orders, maximum shipping charge is $50, no matter how many books/components are ordered.
For a downloadable order form (PDF format), click here.
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Questions? Contact us.
Also check out our other books and our magazine Bicycle Quarterly.
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Henry Burton, Fremont Place Books, Seattle