Brad Graham and Kathy McGowan have written an amazing book called Atomic Zombie Bicycle Builder’s Bonanza. This book is a “must have” for anyone that loves to tinker and make things. Inside the book are detailed instructions and over 200 photos that teach you how to hack, modify, and build bicycles using minimal tools. 

The book is written in a clear and easy to understand style that walks you through real projects ranging from playful to surreal. Anyone who loves DIY projects will love this book. After reading it, you’ll be ready for any Franken-Bike creation.

I found the book on Amazon for about $17 and they even had an electronic version available for an additional $5.  It won’t compare to the two week frame building course at the United Bicycle Institute. But if you think of the cost of tuition and room & board, this book is a real bargain. Also checkout Brad Graham’s website, which is definitely worth a visit.

• Amazon: Atomic Zombie’s Bicycle Builder’s Bonanza
• Brad Graham’s: Atomic Zombie Website

I ran across this website while doing research on leaning tricycles. The inventor of Jetrike has put all of his notes, working drawings, and research onto his webpage in hopes of fostering innovation in the field. His work is amazingly detailed and useful for anyone trying to develop a leaning trike with popular appeal.

We’d like to applaud his generosity and willingness to share. Keep up the great work!

Check out Biketrailershop.com, an online retailer specializing in bike cargo trailers.

Biketrailerblog.com, dedicated to bike trailers.

Cello, an unique bike case travel system for BOB trailers.

All three sites were started by Josh Lipton, here is his interesting blog where he talks in depth about running his own small start-up business.

Interested in workbikes, Workbike.org offers tons of info on workbikes.
Featuring a list of manufacturers, pedicab and cargo delivery businesses, online forums, books, history, organizations, etc.

Looks like the site is related to Zero Couriers, they claim to operate the largest fleet of freight cycles in London.  Check out their blog under workbike news.

Recumbent trikes with full fairings came from human powered vehicle (HPV) racing.  One was Mike Burrow’s Windcheetah, originally intended as a stable HPV trainer for HPV racers.  Recumbent enthusiasts soon discover the advantanges of a fully faired trike for commuting compared to a full faired recumbent bike.  There is no need to balance the vehicle at stops, no worries of side wind blowing the vehicle around.

Velomobile became the term used to describe these fully faired recumbent trikes built for commuting in traffic and offering all-weather protection.

One of the most well know is the Leitra, with a flip-forward front section that allows entry and exit of the rider.

Check out velomobile.net for more info on velomobiles.

(quoted from their website…)

The Center for Approriate Transport (CAT) is a non-profit organization committed to community involvement in manufacturing, using, and advocating sustainable modes of transportation. The first organization of its kind, the Center was founded in Eugene, Oregon in the fall of 1992. Since that time we have established a number of projects under one roof designed to further this mission.

Human Powered Machines was established in 1991. Our primary interest is in relieving urban congestion by building load-carrying workbikes. We also produce many types of vehicles including recumbents, utility trailers, folding bikes, hand- powered vehicles and farm machines.

The trike pictured to the right was designed by Human Powered Machines.

Anyone interested in cycling in traffic should take a look at John Forrester’s website.

He is a Cycling Transportation Engineer who wrote ‘Effective Cycling’ and ‘Bicycle Transportation: A Handbook for Cycling Transportation Engineers’. 

He promotes the idea that "cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers
of vehicles".

He also offers a traffic-cycling course for riders of all ages.  Check out the ‘Effective Cycling’ dvd.

For those interested in folding bikes, check out the Folding Society site.

Bikefold.com sells various models of folding bikes.

To the right, are folders made by Airnimal.

I just posted my photos from the North American Handmade Bicycle Show at the San Jose Convention Center. There was a huge number of custom bicycle builders from all over the world attending the show. The variety of bikes ranged from all out velomobiles to rat bikes built with found materials. It was great talking with the builders who went out of their way to be friendly and answer any questions.

Some of the themes I noticed throughout the show:

• Resurgence in bicycles designed for daily riding
• Lots of custom racks for carrying stuff
• Large diameter wheels for smoothing out the road (29″ mountain bike tires vs. standard 26″ wheels)
• Wheels with internal geared hubs for low maintenance
• Long wheelbase bikes designed for hauling stuff & touring
• Castellano Designs Downhill Wheelchair

Some fun stuff I saw at the show:

• Whiskey flask holder
• Coffee jug holder
• Seatpost bottle opener

My photos from the show on Flickr

Barnett’s Manual: Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics (4 Vol. Set)

• Comprehensive reference on all makes of bicycles and components
• Tons of great diagrams that walk you through each step
• Expensive - $115 for the manual and $85 for the optional CD-ROM from the BBI website (OUCH!)
• Worth the money for any professional or serious home mechanic

The Bicycle Book (Haynes Automotive Repair Manual Series)
• Book for general bicycle maintenance
• Good book for the average home mechanic
• In-expensive (around $16 at Amazon)