The Complete Handbook of Cycling
Essential Knowledge for Professionals, Businesses, and Serious Riders
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The practical reference for cycling professionals and serious enthusiasts—everything you need to know about bicycles, from fundamentals to business opportunity.
About this book
Cycling is everywhere, but most cyclists—and many who sell or service bicycles—operate without a clear understanding of how the machines actually work, what specifications genuinely matter, or where the real leverage points are in the industry.
This handbook fills that gap. Written for professionals, business owners, and serious hobbyists, it covers the fundamentals of bicycle mechanics and design; the categories, grades, and specifications that define different bikes; how to choose the right machine for a specific purpose; routine maintenance and real troubleshooting; the brands and suppliers driving the market; emerging technologies and regulations; and concrete business opportunities from shop operation to consulting.
Unlike marketing materials or forum advice, every claim here is grounded in how cycling actually works. Whether you service bikes, sell them, ride competitively, or want to build a business in this space, you'll find the practical knowledge you need.
Reader Reviews
Deborah Green
★★★★★Finally, a cycling book that respects your intelligence. I run a small bike shop and was tired of pointing customers to scattered manufacturer websites and forum threads. This handbook covers everything from how bottom brackets actually work to how to structure a rental operation. The specs chapter alone has saved me hours of research, and the business opportunities section helped me identify a service gap I'm now filling. Wish I'd had this five years ago.
Carol Torres
★★★★★Solid reference that treats cycling as a serious subject rather than a lifestyle brand. The maintenance chapter is genuinely useful, and the explanation of frame geometry finally makes sense of why my road bike handles differently than my gravel bike. Only minor complaint: I wish there was more on e-bike specific service issues since that's where the market is moving, but otherwise this is exactly what I was looking for.
Laura Smith
★★★★★My main use case was understanding bike specs before buying a new machine, and this delivered. The types and specifications chapter breaks down what actually matters versus marketing noise. I do wish the choosing chapter had more concrete decision trees or scenarios—I had to think through my own situation a bit—but once I understood the geometry and component tiers, the choice was obvious. Good book.
Jason Thompson
★★★★★I'm a certified mechanic and thought I'd know most of this already. Turns out there were gaps in my understanding of frame geometry and drivetrain standards I hadn't thought through properly. The troubleshooting chapter won't revolutionize anyone's practice, but the business and trends sections gave me real ideas for expanding beyond service work. Strong all-around resource.
Edward Anderson
★★★★★This is the book I've been recommending to every customer who asks 'how do I know if this bike is right for me?' Instead of explaining it for the hundredth time, I can hand them chapter 3 and we can actually have a smart conversation. The whole thing is written from the perspective of someone who actually understands the category rather than trying to sell anything. Essential for anyone serious about cycling.
Emily Thomas
★★★★★Good foundation-level reference, but I was hoping for more depth on the racing and performance side. The chapter on types covers the basics, but there's not much detail on gear ratios, aerodynamics, or how pros actually choose equipment. Still useful for someone new to cycling or wanting to understand the basics, just not quite the level of specificity I was hoping for as a serious competitor.