The Custom Road Bike

The Custom Road Bike is perhaps the most comprehensive book on the modern road bicycle I’ve yet seen. Chapter by chapter it covers a given part—fork, hub, headset, spoke, tire, etc.—with crisp studio photography, history and parts advice. There are a number of interviews key names in the bike industry, like none other than Ernesto Colnago putting in his two cents. The aesthetic and solid writing is no surprise given that author Guy Andrews is the editor of Rouleur. The book certainly has a narrow focus on only the highest end road componentry and custom frames currently available, functioning as a resource for the people actually purchasing such bikes and parts and as something to lust over for everyone else. A solid addition to the bookshelf that stands apart from the lesser bike books that crowd the bookstore shelves. The 224 page hardcover edition is available for $50.