Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling

It is interesting to read how bicycle riders like this author think. As a sometimes rider who does not commute to work on a bicycle, I do not intend to dodge in and out of traffic --- ever, nor do I insist on sharing the road when a perfectly good sidewalk is unused alongside. That is the only law I will break on my bicycle. This writer seems to think that occasionally running a red or weaving around cars at a traffic light is okay and I do not. He is not a speed racer type, but somewhat militant about his rights still. I don't see the point actually. In my view, cars are bigger than me and my bicycle will lose a confrontation with them so I avoid such confrontations. The self-proclaimed bike snob is far braver than me, or is that more foolhardy? Definitely a younger perspective than mine. His book is quite a lot of fun to read and includes some tips and techniques that are of great value to any cyclist. He writes in a casual entertaining style and his books and his blog are well worth the cost of admission. Every cyclist should have this book on his her shelf.

There is no perfect bicycle book, although Eben Weiss comes as close as anyone has in recent years. As has already been pointed out by others here, the `Bicycle Snob' book is a conveniently portable condensation of material, observations, et al, from his bicycling blog, with sharp corners rounded off and language neatly smoothed out to fit uncontested on any pedalist's book shelf.What Weiss has done here is produce a book that, while very amusing, articulately arch and volubly informative, would be best regarded as a beginner's 'Audubon Field Guide to Urban Two-Wheelers', for he would seem to have prepared a (near) perfect introduction to bicycling for those who are not quite fully fledged members of the sub-species he describes so cleverly (blame this on his editor or publisher, perhaps.Clearly, Weiss found himself faced with the challenge of mixing lots of disparate author objectives into the writing bowl in order to reach the widest possible audience. It appears a compromise of sorts was reached with his editor/publisher in that the book definitely has a strong element of `Bicycling for Dummies' in it. Including basic bicycle maintenance advice (and a condensed `how-to' guide) is great for absolutely hopeless or totally unknowledgeable would-be cyclists (and for providing encouragement to and moral support for those who have always eyed cyclists and their steeds rather warily), but it wasn't quite the sort of uniformly high-level Oscar Wilde type rumination on cycling that I was expecting from someone who is used to being a bit more...um, shall we say, unconstrainedly candid?Much of what I found in this book version of Weiss' take on the two-wheeled universe was quite fulfilling, since I find that although I tend to wear wool sox with my Keen sandals, I mostly fit the same `Retro-grouch meets the Lone Wolf, versus the Curmudgeon' pattern that he styles himself after. I suspect that age has much to do with this, since it is a known human awareness dynamic that age & experience tend to catalyse a strong sense of cynicistic crankiness in individuals who have been observing the foibles of humanity for more than half a century. Weiss proves himself a sharp and astute observer of his fellow cyclists, certainly, and although I'd personally add a category or two more to his `various subsets of cyclists', they are for the most part quite accurate to a most entertaining degree.I am reminded of a few encounters of my own with some of these types of cyclist he describes, one of the most memorable being the ultra-roadie I met one afternoon after returning home (on my bicycle) from work. This chap (a supremely fit 30s-something) was dressed from head to toe in brightly colored roadie Lycra and had shaven his arms, legs, head (and probably anything else he could take a razor to) in the approved manner of a `serious' road racer. His bike was at least a ten thousand dollar machine, based on what I could discern from checking it quickly over, and he had experienced a flat just a short way from my home on a major urban artery. He didn't appear to have an adequate pump with him, although he did have a spare tube.Passing by him on my old 1971 Peugeot PX-10 commute bike, I felt an immediate pang of comraderly sympathy for his plight, vividly recalling numerous similar circumstances I had had in the past, stranded out in the middle of nowhere on a hot day and eyeing my small Crank Brothers pump with some perplexity. Therefore, upon reaching home I grabbed my heavy-duty floor model bike pump from the garage and cycled the short distance back to him, offering to let him use it to speed up the job (and lessen the work).Before I really knew what was happening, he commanded me to take the pump and blow up his tire while he critically supervised the whole process with a stern gaze. Taken aback by this unexpected brazenness, but also admittedly highly bemused by his moxie/mojo titre, I dutifully pumped his tire up for him. No sooner was it full and the Presta fitting disconnected than he got back on the bicycle and pumped off, putting on a blazing display of accelerating biceps and quads that rapidly disappeared in the distant heat-haze. Standing there with the pump in my hand and receiving not so much as a nod of thanks from this supremely self-assured fellow, I marveled open-mouthed at the arrogantly assumptive nature of self-important people like this. To me, that was the supreme `archetypal roadie experience' and it's probably why I will never be one myself (yuk). So much for the `brother cyclist' empathy urge!At any rate, Weiss has delightfully nailed the main groups of cycle subsets to the cross of his overall witty riposte and also managed to cover a few other areas of concern I share. One of these is his critical analysis (doubtless toned down considerably in the book) of cycling sub-cultures (especially the `style cyclist'). In his macroanalysis of cycling style, Weiss makes very relevant reference to basic principles of human sociology and in this context, while he places himself squarely in a deserved niche as a skillful and astute raconteur, he is still able to inform and educate the reflectively challenged. Weiss references the same patterns involved in any cyclist's attempt to stand out from the crowd on two wheels that are found in Chapter One of the human mating manual (e.g. the most brightly feathered, most verbally conspicuous male gets the fecund female). After all, for most ordinary people life is all about setting one's self apart from and above the herd, isn't it? The methods used by urban cycle stylists to do that with a bicycle are most fascinating and worthy of a whole field study guide in and of themselves.In furtherance of this association, Weiss seizes upon the `fixie' phenomenon and makes rather incisive statements about the foolish affectation `fixie cyclists' have for that particular fad's code of conduct and sense of style (and make no mistake, folks, the fixie thing IS all about perceived style and élan). Safety is an entirely separate matter (by fixie reckoning) and has never had anything to with style and élan in the fixie world. Of course no matter how super-cool a hipster thinks he is, there's nothing very wise at all about riding around in a highly congested urban environment without accessory brakes on one's bike, unless one is simply subconsciously compelled to end up as an organ donor.Although there are a few inconsistencies in this book, such as his `narchy admonishment (in `Rules vs. Fashion') that despite there being NO absolute rules one must heed, there ARE certain things one ought to observe (like align one's tube stem with the tire data), Weiss never loses sight of the fact that style...all style...is an affectation that one either accepts or rejects to suit the whim and I find myself in agreement with him most of the time. I do maintain some disagreement with him in the matter of wearing a helmet, however, since my background in medicine has given me insights into the need to protect one's noggin against massive head trauma that he clearly does not have, and whether one rides against the proper directional flow in bicycle lanes or not, having a skid-lid wrapped around one's brain is still a very, very good idea.As I said, in writing a book suitable for everyone, Weiss has apparently had to mollify his publishers who are clearly concerned about not unnecessarily alienating certain types of would-be cyclist reader/buyers. You therefore can't expect him to turn the full `retro-grouch' heat up on many of his more entrenched opinions and I respect that. One thing that he makes clear is the fact that to a great extent, bicycling IS all about the bike in a certain larger sense (sorry, Lance!), although the most important thing is still to simply get on a bike and ride it...any bike, anywhere, any time. The riding's the thing, not the affected style adopted. The highly affected (or is it `afflicted'?) humming beans among us shouldn't be allowed to have it any other way!This is a great book for someone who is interested in learning a bit about the bicycle culture before plunging into it for the first time. It's also a great book for the Compleat Bicycle Fanatic who must have a copy of every bicycling book ever written on his reference shelf. It's additionally a worthy read for anyone interested in the sociological affectations (or mating rituals) of the human race and for those who haven't been previously amused and entertained by the somewhat more acerbic commentary found in Bike Snob's blog. Overall, it is a very entertaining read in many places throughout its pages.One final aspect of this book stands out in my mind. Weiss is clearly a product of the New York City mindset, a nuance that is reflected in both his references and context. It probably fits the NYC scene perfectly, where `style cycling' has reached a new high water mark. For a bit more casual west coasties like myself, it loses a bit of its ionic charge in the venue relocation. Still, it is a worthy read and most enjoyable as a complete piece.It makes me wish I have more faithfully been following his pithier blog observations in their archetypal, buck-nekked fleshly identity. I've no doubt it would probably be delightful to share some Leninaid (SIC) with Weiss and trade bicycle stories with him, based on what I have read in 'The Bike Snob (book)'. My only remaining question: When's the movie going to be released?

My expectation was that this book would be anecdotal with the author essentially making fun of cyclists at a very shallow level. And yes, there is quite a bit of that (and why not, it's fun); but the book had much more depth both in content and execution. This book is witty, insightful and relevant; though I would speculate that with all the popular culture references, it may not age well. I found myself acknowledging and laughing at alot of his observations. This is a book about cycling by a man that clearly and obviously loves every aspect of it. It allows us cyclists to see ourselves and confirms (at least for me) many of the thoughts I've had on a bike. It also gives the burgeoning cyclists and/or non cyclists a glimpse of the cycling universe. Here's one quote that articulates how I feel about cycling, "But cycling is less a hobby than it is a discipline with the potential to transform you. It brings balance." No, not all cyclists are this esoteric or heady, and I admit this quote misrepresents the tone of the book; but for me, its sums it all up. This book was an unexpected pleasure.

The blog is by far a better read and much more entertaining. It was a good attempt at a book and kept me interested for the most part. I dont mind buying the book considering how much I read the free blog postings, but if it were not for the blog I would feel taken advantage of after reading the book.Keep up the greatly entertaining postings bikesnob.

My wife recently bought me this book for my birthday, keeping up with my ever increasing interest in cycling for pleasure. Perhaps her purchase was spurred on by my compatriot, Bradley Wiggins, recent Tour de France win and my obsession with tracking my rides on my beloved single speed bike on my iPhone.For some reason she did not think I would like this book; was unsure if I would like the writing style or content. She could not have been more wrong. On a plane heading to London, I was conscious of laughing out loud at page after page. The Bike Snob is very funny. Whether discussing the history of biking or classifying various types of urban cyclist, his relaxed and humorous style really works. Throughout however the Bike Snob's passion for cycling ties together his often wandering stream of consciousness narratives. I read Bicyling magazine, but in the Bike Snob I recognized myself, a shared love of cycling around Manhattan and Brooklyn for no other reason than to be out on a bike (Bike Snob is a New Yorker), and someone who is not above being honest about something so simple, cheap and easily accessible.A superbly written, funny book.(I now read the Bike Snob's blog religiously too).

J’ai dévoré cet ouvrage. Le premier chapitre m’a semblé absolument soporifique car l’auteur y raconte sa recherche personnelle des racines du cyclisme à New York. Mais heureusement je l’ai parcouru vite fait car j’avais déjà lu une partie de la suite. Et après le premier chapitre, c’est merveilleux.L’auteur est un cycliste aguerri. Non pas que je le connaisse : je suis tombé sur son livre par hasard. Mais l’ensemble de ses réflexions montre une expérience profonde du vélo. Comme tout cycliste le sait, en pédalant on finit par réfléchir et philosopher. Bike Snob nous partage le fruit de ses réflexions, et ce d’une manière fort humoristique. En lisant son livre je réalise que nous partageons un nombre infini de points communs.D’emblée, Bike Snob définit le cycliste comme quelqu’un qui utilise son vélo même s’il n’y est pas obligé. C’est mon cas : mon vélo me sert souvent à me rendre au travail ce qui pourrait justifier son usage vu que j’y gagne du bien-être et une profonde liberté. Mais comme tout le monde me le rappelle tout le temps, ce choix n’est pas évident : il y a la pluie, le froid, le soleil, la chaleur, le danger des voitures, le milieu urbain qui est compliqué ; bref, pour eux je suis un fou. Le choix n’est pas évident donc, mais juste pour les non cyclistes. Comme Bike Snob je sais que ce ne sont que des prétextes utiles à ceux qui n’ont pas été conquis par la petite reine. Car même si j’admets avoir un grain de folie pour oser vélotaffer au quotidien, c’est au fond le choix le plus intelligent, rationnel, et émotionnellement valide. Le vélo remplace quasiment tous les autres sports et permet de transcender sa propre vie. Je le savais sans vraiment le savoir, et Bike Snob l’a explicité.Ce livre n’apprend pas à entretenir ou utiliser son vélo correctement en milieu urbain, ce pour quoi il y a d’autres livres (voir « Effective Cycling » de John Forester). Mais il permet d’accéder rapidement à une vision philosophique du vélo, une vision qui ne pourrait autrement provenir que d’années de pratique. Et comme il est très drôle, sa lecture est agréable.Le seul point délicat de ce livre est son niveau d’anglais extrêmement élevé. Du coup j’ai eu besoin du dico pour pas mal de mots. A ce titre, la version ebook est pratique car (sur Kindle du moins) un appui sur le mot permet d’en avoir la traduction. Mais la version papier est absolument magnifique, un très bel ouvrage aux nombreuses dorures. Difficile de choisir entre le papier et l’ebook du coup.Merci de m'avoir lu jusqu'au bout. J’espère que mon expérience vous est utile.

Very interest point of view regarding cycling and the role cycling is having in moderns society. Not only for NYC/US readres.

This has been a great read one I would highly recommend. Enjoy the experience rather than dream about the experience is a great message we all need to take on in all facets of life.Less time thinking more time doing and the enjoyment will follow.

Consigliato per chi vuole leggere qualcosa, inerente alla bici, senza impegnarsi!scritto bene!Il libro è in lingua originale! Must Have

This guy is witty. Loads of bike related quotes and anecdotes in here. An amusing read if you're into bikes and the like.