Handcrafted Bicycles: Builders, Frame Design, and Inspiration

A coffee-table book showcasing the work of 32 bicycle builders from 13 countries, celebrating their unique designs and the stories that inspire them.

Handcrafted Bicycles: Builders, Frame Design, and Inspiration celebrates the artistry of bicycle building, revealing that bicycles are so much more than a set of handlebars, a seat, a frame, wheels, a chain and pedals. Bicycles are about the builder, the rider, the ride, riders’ needs, special componentry, and aesthetics. This stunning coffee-table book showcases 32 exceptional bicycle builders from 13 countries, capturing their unique designs and the stories that inspire them.

Authors Christine Elliott and David Jablonka explore the deep connection between builders and riders. With spectacular photographs and engaging narratives, the book delves into the nuts and bolts of bicycle design and the componentry that makes each creation unique. Designers include both established and contemporary bike builders who find themselves in demand for an ever expanding cycling culture.

Key Features:

•    32 Chapters on Different Bicycle Designers: Each featuring striking visuals and engaging text
•    International Perspective: Builders from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US
•    Historical Context: Insights into the evolution of bicycle design and culture
•    Personal Stories: Anecdotes that illuminate the passion behind each bike

This timely publication aims to captivate a new generation of cycling and design enthusiasts.

Christine Elliott, PhD in book history from Monash University, authored The Coffee-Table Book in the Post-war Anglophone World (2023) and coauthored Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit (2009). She has enjoyed cycling trips in Italy and Greece. She lives in Victoria, Australia.

David Jablonka, coauthor of Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit (2009), has a 30-year love for cycling, including competitive events in Australia and beyond. He runs Second Chance Cycles in Melbourne, promoting bike recycling and education. He actively maintains and repairs bicycles. He lives in Victoria, Australia.