Bicycle Engineering and Technology

An accessible guide to the engineering behind the bicycle

Bicycle Engineering and Technology brings bicycles into focus as both everyday machines and carefully designed pieces of engineering. Andrew Livesey writes for readers who want to understand how bicycles are made, how they work, and why their design details matter on the road, in the workshop, and in the wider cycling industry.

The book is pitched in a way that keeps the technical material approachable. It explains core ideas in applied science and manufacturing while also introducing the practical side of riding, maintenance, and bicycle use. That balance makes it useful for cyclists who want more than general advice, as well as for students and working readers looking for a clear entry point into the subject.

What the book covers

• A brief history of bicycles and bicycling, including a development timeline
• Frame design, frame sizing, and frame materials
• Wheels, tyres, rims, hubs, and the forces that affect rolling performance
• Gears, drive systems, chains, crank length, and gear ratios
• Brakes, friction, momentum, and kinetic energy
• Saddles, handlebars, ergonomics, and rider position
• Electrical power and the construction of electric bicycles
• Materials, joining methods, and workshop processes such as soldering, brazing, and welding

Designed as a practical reference

Livesey’s approach is broad rather than narrow: the book does not treat bicycles as isolated objects, but as products of materials science, mechanics, human factors, and manufacturing practice. It also supports readers with explanatory terminology, making the text more usable as a reference than a quick overview alone.

The result is a resource that speaks to keen cyclists, bicycle technicians, engineering students, and anyone curious about how bicycle design choices affect real-world performance and ride quality.

Why it stands out

Some books about cycling stay on the enthusiast side; this one leans into the engineering without losing sight of the rider. That combination gives it a distinctive place on the shelf: part technical introduction, part historical survey, and part practical companion for readers who want to understand bicycles more deeply.

If you are looking for a thoughtful ebook on bicycle engineering, bicycle technology, and the mechanics of modern cycling, this title offers a clear, structured, and genuinely useful starting point.