Here are the details about this book...
The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle Frank Berto, Ron Shepherd, Raymond Henry 352 pages with 1,200 illustrations 8-1/2 x 11 inch hardcover ISBN 1-892495-21-X, Library of Congress Catalog Number 99-71325 US $49.95 SORRY, THIS TITLE IS NOW OUT OF PRINT About the book: The Dancing Chain is the bicycle book that shows how your modern bicycle got to be the way it is: light, agile, fast. Whereas other books dealing with the history of the bicycle go into great detail about hobby horses, boneshakers, and high-wheel bicycles, The Dancing Chain focusus on the developments that led to today's bicycle and the gadgets that make it tick: the derailleur gearing system. It traces the development from single speed, via many iterations to the modern derailleur-geared mountain bike and road bike. It has chapters devoted to developments arranged roughly by decades--going back to before World War I-- and a final chapter explaining how derailleurs work and what to look for if you want them to work well. There is also an extensive bibliography, an alphabetical index, and a table listing all the major derailleurs of the last 50 years. The book is very generously illustrated and printed on high-quality paper and a hardcover binding to make it last.
About the authors: Frank Berto is a re tired professional engineer He was the engineering editor for Bicycling Magazine during the decade of the mountain bike's development. He is considered America's leading gearing expert and is currently mainly active as an expert witness dealing with bicycle related issues.
Ron Shepherd lives in Australia. He is a retired university professor and a keen bicycle tourist. He has been fascinated by the bicycle's gearing for many years and fors some time self-published The Low Gear Bulletin.
Raymond Henry is a schol teacher in France. He is one of the world's leading cycle historians and was a member in the French Cycle Touring Federation's cultural committee. He is also the author of the definitive book on the history of the derailleur bicycle in France, published by the Museum of Art and Industry in St. Etienne, France.
In addition, the book contains contributions by Tony Hadland (Great Britain) and Walter Ulreich (Austria).
About the cover illustration: Changing of the guard. Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali slugging it out on teh Isoard during the 16th stage of the 1949 Tour de France. Although Bartali, lusing a Cervino derailleur, is leading here, it was Coppi, riding a bike equipped with a Simplex derailleur, who went on to win the Tour that year.
About the illustrations: 1200 superbly detailed illustrations are included in The Dancing Chain. Many of them are line drawings by the celebrated French bicycle illustrator Daniel Rebour. These drawings have all been restored to their original level of detail, in a way they have not been shown in other works. The illustrations alone are worth the price of the book. HOWEVER, THIS TITLE IS NOW OUT OF PRINT.
<rabbitman@mindspring.com> Cc: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 3:29 PM Subject: Re: [CR]Dancing Chain anyone?
> Beekman is inquiring with Van Der Plas about reprints! If interested,
email
> Beekman because the more interest expressed by CR members and subsequent
> inquiries, the better the chance Van Der Plas will reprint...
>
> Beekman books can be reached at the following URL:
beekmanbooks@zoomtown.com
>
> Regards, Steve Neago
> "Where Beekman is in my backyard at Cincinnati, OH"
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "renaissance-cycles" <info@renaissance-cycles.com>
> To: "Questor" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 2:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Dancing Chain anyone?
>
>
> > Where can I find the web-site for Van Der Plas??
> >
> > BC.........Baron Corpuz...........And the gang!!............Holland.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Questor <questor@cinci.rr.com>
> > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>; Larry Osborn <losborn2@wvu.edu>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 5:26 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CR]Dancing Chain anyone?
> >
> >
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > Beekman books is in Cincinnati, I called the owner and the book is out
> of
> > > print but they are searching...
> > >
> > > Email beekmanbooks@zoomtown.com
> > >
> > > Address 1531 Tremont Street
> > > Cincinnati OH
> > > U.S.A. 45214
> > > Phone 513-471-4300
> > > Fax 513-471-4311
> > > Sales Conditions Payment in full by check (drawn on US bank only),
> money
> > > order, cashiers check, or Visa or Mastercard must accompany the order.
> > > Please add shipping: within the USA $5.00 for the first book and $1.50
> for
> > > each additional book for UPS ground service. Shipping charges are
higher
> > for
> > > oversized books. Charges for international shipping - rates on
> > > request.Please confirm availability before sending payment. Refund in
> full
> > > if condition is not as described. For other returns, refund for the
> price
> > of
> > > book less a $5.00 restocking fee and shipping charges.
> > > Specializing in Used and Out of Print in most subject categories.
> > >
> > > Regards, Steve Neago
> > > "Where Beekman Books is in my backyard in Cincinnati, OH"
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Larry Osborn" <losborn2@wvu.edu>
> > > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 10:16 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [CR]Dancing Chain anyone?
> > >
> > >
> > > > At 06:00 PM 2/19/02 -0500, you wrote:
> > > > >Here I am, such a good guy. My significant other asked what I
wanted
> > for
> > > > Christmas and I said "The Dancing Chain". She asked where she could
> > order
> > > > it from, and I replied that she should order it from a local shop
that
> > > > sponsors book discussions, symposiums and political involvement. I
> > believe
> > > > in supporting my L(bike)S and L(book)shop They put an order in back
in
> > > > November - December. Last month, I started wondering why they didn't
> > call
> > > > us to pick up my Christmas present. Just today they call back and
> relay
> > > the
> > > > message that the book is now out of print.
> > > > >
> > > > >The publisher , Van Der Plas, is now saying on their web site, that
> the
> > > > book is indeed out of print. Cycles De Oro seems not to have a copy
> > ready
> > > > to send out either. Is anyone willing to sell an extra copy? Any
> > readable
> > > > condition will be acceptable. As many of you know, my cycle history
> > > > knowledge is very low considering how much posting, and
pontificating
> I
> > do
> > > > on this list. Unless you want to continue to hear my rudimentary
> > questions
> > > > and baseless cycle philosophizing, I suggest you try to help me out.
> > > > >
> > > > >Garth Libre, essentially ill informed and cyclically illiterate in
> > > > Surfside Fl.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Ebay seller "beekmanbooks" has sold several copies over the last
year,
> > but
> > > > I haven't paid any attention lately. You might search their current
> for
> > > > sale list (hundreds of titles), or shoot them a message directly.
> > > >
> > > > Larry "Farenheit 451" Osborn
> > > > In the semi-literate zone outside Morgantown WV