The elite bicycle - Gerard Brown

On a modern bicycle, carbon fibre, titanium and ceramics are combined with hand-worked steel, CNC'd aluminium and finely-tooled leather. There's also a deep and rich tradition of engineering excellence allied to artisan eccentricity in all parts of the bicycle industry. Some manufacturers are still using processes that have changed little over 50 years, while others revel in the challenge of marrying the latest materials with innovative design to create the ultimate riding experience. Unique behind-the-scenes access gives a revealing insight into the skills and techniques that go into making superlative bicycles Explores aspects of the manufacturing process from handcrafting and finishing to the most technical industrial process Includes shots of the industrial process, portraits of the craftsmen and women and photographs of the finished components and bicycles