It's All About The Bike- By Robert Penn

I just finished this book, on loan from a fellow chainlinker.

Basically the author has been a life long cyclist and finally decides to build the ultimate bespoke bike.

In order to get all of the best components for his dream bike, Robert travels to various places to meet the companies that will provide his components. Cinelli, Chris King, Brooks et al.

While that part and the overall concept of the book is cool enough, I think that I enjoyed the history of the bicycle that Penn inserts through out the book. He posits that we are the cusp of another "Golden Age of The Bicycle."

This is a quick read, but should be of interest to any Chainlinker.

Happy reading!

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 3, 2012 at 5:42am

 I thought when you wrote It's All About the Bike you meant Lance Armstrong's book that I enjoyed called It's Not About the Bike.

Permalink Reply by rb on April 3, 2012 at 5:56am

Hey Julie-

i do think that this is part of the angle for this book.

On the final page or so of the bike, Penn refutes Lance's assertion, and says that it really is "All About The Bike."

Check out the Penn book, great weekend read- some excellent bike history scattered throughout.

Maybe I should read Lance's book now...

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 3, 2012 at 6:04am

If I find it in my bookshelf you are welcome to borrow it.

Permalink Reply by SlyRed on April 3, 2012 at 7:02am

I am the book owner of whom Rich speaks.  I went to a great deal of effort to get the accompanying documentary on DVD called "The Ride of My Life".  It was produced and aired on BBC Television and hasn't been seen in the United States.  I'd love to arrange a 'screening' if someone would find a venue.  A pub that would welcome us in would be perfect.  PM me and we can try to coordinate this.  (City locations are cool)

Permalink Reply by Todd Webb on April 3, 2012 at 7:45am

I read the book by Robert Penn and found it very interesting.  Not so coincidentally I was reading his book while I was building up my own bike.  I could talk for hours about all the components, but will spare you all.  What a great experience!

Regarding the venue - perhaps try the folks at Heritage General Store?  It would be a great match for them.

Permalink Reply by SlyRed on April 3, 2012 at 7:47am

Great idea!  Any of you Chainlinkers have a direct line to the proprietors at Heritage General Store?

 

Red

Permalink Reply by Tim S on April 3, 2012 at 8:06am

Give Michael (Salvatore) a ring over there, they always seem to be open to bike related events in their place.

http://www.heritagebicycles.com/

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 3, 2012 at 9:05am

It is not so much all about the bike -but the building of the bike.   A bike,  handbuilt by the owner, will be more enjoyable to him/her as every aspect of the creation was touched by the hand that will ride it.

And on the 7th day of the bike build, we RODE.   And it was good. 

Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on April 3, 2012 at 12:42pm

The documentary has been on Youtube for a while:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj4iu8w5Dys

Permalink Reply by SlyRed on April 4, 2012 at 3:24am

Indeed it has.  I just think it would be fun to watch it with a group of bicycle enthusiasts and discuss it afterwards.

 

Red

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