BikeSnobNYC

I've been an irregular reader of BSNYC's (Eben Weiss's) blog (bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/‎) for years. He plays an important role in the world of cycling, trying to keep cyclists from taking themselves too seriously. That's a pretty quixotic mission, but I'm glad he's doing it.

This book is a little different -- it's about commuting, and about the battle between driving commuters and cycling commuters. His unholier-than-thou attitude carries over well to the subject. He pleas for peace show more between cyclists and drivers, faulting both, although he's clear that it's nowhere near an even battle. Drivers carry 3000 pounds or more of armor and blunt weaponry, while cyclists fight back with 20 or so pounds of bike and lycra.

His chapters on "annoying behavior" are especially good -- cyclist on driver behavior (e.g., "passive assault" in which cyclists more or less dare drivers to hit or kill them), driver on cyclist behavior (e.g., the "right hook", which, if you are a cyclist, you're too familiar with -- I've been "right hooked" at least a half dozen times), and cyclist on cyclist behavior (e.g, "wheel-sucking" or drafting, which is an indispensable part of racing, but just rude on a bike trail). It's always hard not to recognize yourself in the things that Weiss calls out as either dangerous or ego-driven, or both. That's what I like about reading him -- he makes me laugh at myself.

It's a fast read, and it might even be effective in delivering its message to calm down, take it easy, and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, drivers aren't likely to read it, but cyclists can do their part to defuse the battle. show less

This is a really enjoyable little book, great to read on rainy days when you don't feel like getting out on your bike. The Bike Snob mixes a little bit of attitude -- not too much -- with a pretty practical account of cycling and cycling culture. He's not an over-the-top advocate or even a "snob" in the more-carbon-than-thou sense, but an easy-to-take writer with intelligence and a healthy sense of humor about himself.

The book combines three things -- a little bit of cycling history, a show more description of cycling culture, and a little bit of introduction and encouragement to people who aren't yet strongly into cycling. He talks quite a bit about the dangers of cycling -- how to ride in traffic, etc. -- and how to get over fears. He also talks about some of the more inane cycling fads -- like stubby-barred brakeless fixies ridden by anybody other than a bike messenger.

I confess he caught me out with his description of the different types of cyclists. I knew I was a roadie, but he tweaked me a little bit with his description of the "fetishist." Yes, I have one vintage show-bike that I like to look at more than ride. I do have others that are purely for riding, so I escaped the paragraph with my self-esteem intact.

Reading the book made me like the writer. I'll be a more regular reader of his Bike Snob blog at bikesnobnyc.com -- I just added it to my RSS reader. show less

Very light hearted but still a lot of practical good advice, enough for experienced cyclists and new cyclists both. A bit dated, I imagine... do people still ride those narrow handlebar no brake fixies? Maybe. I have never been much around such hipster environments. Anyway there is a lot of stupid humor but it never really gets in the ways and it works well to break up the monotony of facts. The book doesn't pretend to be more than it is. Very nicely done.

Though not encyclopedic, this slim volume by Ben Weiss (Bike Snob) is pretty thorough in covering, buying, maintaining, using, and overall philosophy of bikes. I found his humor to be more self-deprecating rather than snarky. E.g.,

* On Fat Bikes (mountain bike with fat tires): "Basically, if you saw Fargo and thought it was a documentary, then you might want to consider a fat bike."

* On the Cyclist's Bill of Rights: "3. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A SMUG SENSE OF SUPERIORITY. It's an unavoidable show more by-product of riding. Enjoy it. Just keep it to yourself."

* On 'Your helmet Miranda Rights: "2. Failure to use a helmet will be used against you in a newspaper article, regardless of its relevance ("The cyclist's leg was severed by the drunk driver. She was not wearing a helmet.")"

* On Cleaning Your Bike: "Roadies, for example, treat bikes like they're underwear: wash after every use. The reality, though, is that bikes are much more like jeans."

There is tons of useful information for both the newby and (so-called) expert. Lot's of good, basic illustrations too. I'm one of those guys that rode a $49.99 Toys-R-Us road bike for several years for a 20 mile daily round-trip commute, so I guess I know bikes. This book's going to get this 58 year old dude back and up and cycling. Based on Mr. Weiss' descriptions of different types of bikes, I think I'm going to go with the Dutch bike, ". . . or, as the Dutch call it, a bike."

And I promise to look into changing my chain regularly as it stretches out and causes extra wear and tear to my gears (I did not know that).

(copy of my review on Amazon.com) show less