Does assume that you have some basic tool and metalworking skills, but still beginner-friendly.

11 of 12 found the following review helpful:


Could be useful...  Aug 20, 2004 By Felix The CAT
Covers weird bikes unlikely to be built by the average home builder-some seem to be of the "circus" origin. Deals with fabrication using steel bike parts from scrap.

Nevertheless, will spark your imagination to create your own. Shows detailed building of a low racer recumbent among other "designs".

Pictures are small, black & white, however the text is somewhat detailed.

11 of 13 found the following review helpful:


I really enjoyed this book -I would rather have built a bike  Aug 21, 2004 By David Sundy "Crafty Coyote"
If you are thinking about buying an unusual bike, buy this book first and you may decide to build it instead. There a several types described and this will get your creative juices flowing. I particularly like the Spincycle!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Covers the basics that his website doesn't  Mar 18, 2010 By Damian Wheeler
The main advantage of this book over his website is that it details pulling old bikes apart for salvaging useful components. For this reason alone it is worth buying to avoid the pitfalls when working things out for yourself. The included plans that are covered are OK for some practice work perhaps, or if you want to build a chopper style bike, but there are more appealing options on the website.

8 of 10 found the following review helpful:


Descriptive and motivating  Jul 07, 2005 By David S. Robbie "dsr51262"
This is a really great book. Brad and Kathy really have written a very clear and easy to understand book. There is a good section on tools, safety and welding. With welding, you have to learn by doing. This book will now put my gas welder to good use. These bike projects are a great way to build welding skills. Just make sure the welds are good with good penetration on all sides before committing it to a road bike though. There are high speed bikes in this book that you don't want coming apart on a busy road. Because they use galvanized EMT conduit for some of the projects, I am glad to see there was a safety caution about the zinc oxide fumes if welding it. Zinc oxide is very dangerous, so follow all safety measures when welding or cutting anything galvanized. There is a great section on bike parts and taking a bike apart. I love books like these which give ideas on tinkering and building something great from someone's throwaways. There is really a goldmine of bike parts that are thrown away each week. I am now on the lookout for bikes. I have always wanted a recumbent, but the prices are ridiculous. Now I will be able to build one for a very low cost. There are tons of descriptive pictures to look at that clearly explain the text. If you are interested in tinkering, sharpening your welding skills, rescuing bikes from landfills, tearing apart bikes for parts, and building a unique (or your own design) bike from scrap parts, this book will not disappoint you. Well worth it and highly recommended. I can't wait for their other books to come out.

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