"From Pinarello to Campagnolo, Sidi to Giro, Italian Racing Bikes profiles dozens of Italian bicycle manufacturers, component makers, and accessory companies"--

The most informative book on the precision and craftsmanship of the racing bicycle—essential reading for gearheads. This beautifully illustrated volume is a celebration of the design history and craftsmanship of the racing bicycle. Easily the most well-researched book available on the subject, it covers every aspect of the art and design of the beloved cult object, whose rich history intertwines with that of design, engineering, and sports. With special feature sections dedicated to the fifty most legendary brands, this is the story of the visionaries who created two-wheeled legends. From the cradle of road biking on the plains of northern Italy to the rugged trails of Marin County, where mountain biking was born, the book explores the most hallowed names in bicycle design, from Cannondale and Campagnolo to Shimano and Specialized. It is a fascinating look at how the racing bicycle’s design and parts have evolved over time. Complete with sublime photography of the design features that make each bike unique, including gears, shifters, cranks, handlebars, and wheels, this book represents a heartfelt tribute to the precision, craftsmanship, and speed of the racing bicycle. Edited by a seasoned cycling veteran and long-time cycling journalist, this is the perfect book for cycling fanatics and design aficionados alike.

An Italian SCHINDLER'S LIST, this is the inspirational story of Gino Bartali, who made the greatest comeback in Tour de France history and secretly aided the Italian Resistance during the Second World War. ROAD TO VALOUR is the inspiring, against-the-odds story of Gino Bartali, the cyclist who made the greatest comeback in Tour de France history and still holds the record for the longest gap between victories. Yet it was his actions during the Second World War, when he secretly aided the Resistance, rather than his remarkable exploits on a bike, that truly cemented his place in the hearts and minds of the Italian people. Based on nearly ten years of research, and including fascinating new interviews, this is the only book written that fully explores the scope of Bartali's wartime work. A breathtaking account of one man's unsung heroism and his resilience in the face of adversity, this is an epic tale of courage, comeback and redemption, and the untold story of one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century.

An elegantly designed guide on how to find, buy, and restore vintage bicycles. An engaging handbook on one of the biking world’s most important trends, this is a step-by-step guide to the art of finding, restoring, and maintaining vintage bicycles. Cycling has become a very popular pastime in recent years. Whether for fun, commuting, or sport, there are millions of new cyclists every year around the world—with many developing a passion for vintage bicycles. This book includes indispensable advice for vintage bicycle enthusiasts. Step-by-step photographs show readers how to set up their cycle for a ride in the city, in the countryside, or a vintage cycling event; special tools, products, and materials for restoration are outlined; and specific elements of each bicycle, such as the saddle, handlebar, and wheels are discussed in detail. Thirty of the most popular vintage models are showcased in specially commissioned photographs, and the historical significance of each model is provided. Equally rich in beautiful photos and practical tips, this book will appeal to cycling lovers and design buffs alike.

The story of Italian cycling is the story of Italy in the twentieth century.

Features racing bikes from the last 100 years. Spectacular photography of racing machines from the Tour de France, the Olympics and World Championships, as well as bikes for everyday use. This breathtaking new Compilations gathers a hand-picked selection of bicycles from Europe and Australia, and documents developments in technology and style over the past century. Racing bikes integrate form and function and the results are often surprisingly elegant, as well as practical, whether for cycling in competition or for pleasure. The racing bikes contained in this book range from unused models to well-ridden but lovingly restored machines from early-20thcentury models featuring wooden wheel rims, to the latest in carbon-fibre and titanium technology.

G. Franco Romagnoli's The Bicycle Runner is an irresistible memoir of coming of age, friendship, love, and war during the perils of Fascist Italy. Like all boys growing up in Rome during the 1930s and 1940s, the author was expected to join the Balilla—Italy's fascist Youth Organization. With political divisions running deep in the families within his palazzo, he and his motley group of friends were recruited into the underground Resistance. Racing around Rome on bicycles, they smuggled messages and weapons for the partisans. Later, the author fled to the Italian countryside and narrowly avoided German mop-up operations—despite being sold out by his most trusted of friends. But this is much more than a war story. Lyrical in language, rich in sentimentality, and possessing the magic of a classic Fellini film, Romagnoli's memoir is a charmingly told tale of the search for manhood and the bonds of family and friendship.