Front cover of Cyclepedia.
Front cover of Cyclepedia - A Tour of Iconic Bicycle
(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)
By Apphia Michael
last updated

Not just for the bike geek out there with an incumbent need for encyclopaedic knowledge, designer and bicycle collector Michael Embacher's frame-tastic book looks into the weird and wonderful world of bicycles through a charting of 100 models designed over the past 90 years.

Embacher's collection of bikes is fascinating and his concise approach to describing each bike and its virtues, definitely makes it easier to tell your Cinellis apart from your Colnagos.

With a foreword by bike enthusiast Sir Paul Smith, who pays homage to the Gazelle Champion Mondial and its uncanny resemblance to his first bicycle, the carefully curated record of bikes features models that have been chosen for their innovative mechanisms, engineering precision, and commendable design.

Cyclepedia starts off with an essay on brief history of bicycle design, before embarking on its ride through the different types: mountain, racing, single-speed, touring, kids', tandem, urban, folding, cargo, and curiosities - exemplified by the strange but fascinating Capo Elite 'Eis' hybrid, which, with its strange capabilities as part ice skate part bike, allowed the rider to superfluously ride without mishap across a frozen lake (if so desired).

With a refreshing striped down two-wheel-and-frame approach to it all, the book promises to take a closer look at some of the world's greatest design triumphs and rarities, that will have even the most disinterested cynic pouring over the book's pages.

A spread featuring the 1978 reincarnated model of the Sølling Pedersen bicycle...

A spread featuring the 1978 reincarnated model of the Sølling Pedersen bicycle...

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

... whose original design was put in place by Mikael Pedersen (1855-1929).

... whose original design was put in place by Mikael Pedersen (1855-1929).

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

One of the few folding bikes with 28-inch wheels, this fashionable bicycle by Trussardi was produced in a run of 3000 in 1983.

One of the few folding bikes with 28-inch wheels, this fashionable bicycle by Trussardi was produced in a run of 3000 in 1983.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

Pictured here is the Cinetica Giotto model number 1010 circa 1990...

Pictured here is the Cinetica Giotto model number 1010 circa 1990...

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

... a highly coveted collectors' bike.

a highly coveted collectors’ bike.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

A Köthke model, circa 1948, which Embacher describes as made 'by specialists for specialists'.

A Köthke model, circa 1948, which Embacher describes as made ’by specialists for specialists’.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The Colnago Brügelmann (circa 1979) was sold by dealers Manfred and Rolf Brügelmann...

The Colnago Brügelmann (circa 1979) was sold by dealers Manfred and Rolf Brügelmann...

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

... who brought out this version of the luxurious Colnago model under their own name.

... who brought out this version of the luxurious Colnago model under their own name.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The book also looks at a forward-thinking folding bike its time, the Duemila, circa 1968. 

The book also looks at a forward-thinking folding bike its time, the Duemila, circa 1968.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The René Herse Diagonal, which Embacher cites as the 'crème de la crème of touring bikes'. 

The René Herse Diagonal, which Embacher cites as the 'crème de la crème of touring bikes'.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The René Herse frame shown here is number 6955.

The René Herse frame shown here is number 6955.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

An up-close inspection of the featherweight Mecadural Pélissier, which belonged to the Mecadural series of aluminium bicycles produced by Mercier after World War II. 

An up-close inspection of the featherweight Mecadural Pélissier, which belonged to the Mecadural series of aluminium bicycles produced by Mercier after World War II. 

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

This rather cumbersome bike, nicknamed Inconnu (meaning 'unknown'), is apparently the only one of its kind in existence.

This rather cumbersome bike, nicknamed Inconnu (meaning 'unknown'), is apparently the only one of its kind in existence.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The Copenhagen, circa 1995, by Danish designers Herskind + Herskind.

The Copenhagen, circa 1995, by Danish designers Herskind + Herskind.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The Vélastic, a 1925 model with adjustable seat height, by the Vialle brothers.

The Vélastic, a 1925 model with adjustable seat height, by the Vialle brothers.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

It's hard not to love the unconventional tandem make-up of  Tur Meccaica's 1980 Bi Bici bicycle, which actually measures only slightly larger than a single bike.

It's hard not to love the unconventional tandem make-up of  Tur Meccaica's 1980 Bi Bici bicycle, which actually measures only slightly larger than a single bike.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The Gazelle Champion Mondial road bicycle (circa 1981).

The Gazelle Champion Mondial road bicycle (circa 1981), apart from its enjoyable riding experience, became renowed for its original Colrout cranks - the crank lever was at least 34 millimetres short of the standard.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher.)

The 1992 Breezer Beamer.

The 1992 Breezer Beamer, a model still manufactured today, was the first mountain bike with complete suspension to win the Downhill World Championships in 1992.

(Image credit: Designs by Michael Embacher)
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