Introducing Bicycle Atlas
We set out to create the friendliest, most in-depth guide to the bicycle.
What we do
Bicycle Atlas is an interactive encyclopedia that brings together the bicycle as both machine and culture, from its 200-year history to today's e-bikes. The internet is full of cycling information, but much of it is mixed in with product advertising, available in only one language, or limited to fragmentary tips. Our goal is to create a resource that anyone, from first-time buyers to people who want to do their own maintenance, can read from start to finish to gain a systematic understanding of the bicycle.
Many things are hard to grasp from text alone: how speed changes when the gear ratio changes, what happens when you turn a derailleur's barrel adjuster half a turn, or why the head angle on a downhill bike is so slack. That's why every chapter of Bicycle Atlas comes with interactive tools you can try for yourself: simulators, calculators, exploded views and diagnostic tools.
Editorial principles
- Accuracy: Historical facts are based on published primary sources and museum and academic material; technical information is based on component manufacturers' technical documentation and industry-standard maintenance procedures. Where a topic is disputed (e.g. the da Vinci bicycle sketch), we say so.
- Safety first: Our maintenance guides clearly flag safety-critical warnings, and we state plainly when a job should be left to a professional.
- Independence: We do not produce content in exchange for payment from any brand or retailer. Product names are used only as illustrative examples.
- Transparent approximations: Figures in our calculators and infographics are estimates based on physical models and typical real-world values. The assumptions used are shown on screen.
- Continuous improvement: We keep refining our content based on error reports and reader feedback.
How the content is organized
The site is organized into seven chapters: History, Bike types, Anatomy, Assembly & fit, Repair, E-bikes and Calculators. Each chapter can be read on its own, yet is designed to flow naturally from the one before and into the one after.
About advertising
Bicycle Atlas is free to use and may display Google AdSense ads to cover running costs. Ads are clearly separated from content, and advertisers have no influence on editorial content. For details on ads and cookies, please see our Privacy policy.
Disclaimer
The maintenance and fitting information on this site is general guidance. Standards and specified torque values differ between bikes and components, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions first, and if you're unsure, leave safety-critical work such as brakes, steering and wheel retention to a professional mechanic. To the extent permitted by law, the operator accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of the information on this site.
Contact
To report errors, send suggestions or inquire about partnerships, please use our Contact page.