I haven't read the books either, but I think the general idea is that the bikes a lot of us are being sold are not ideal for the kind of riding we do or could be doing. Skinny tires, big front chain rings, small rear clusters, a large saddle to bar drop, clipless pedals, etc. look really cool, and are great if you're racing and maybe if you can ride at a sustained 20+mph pace, but these sort of features aren't really ideal for a lot of people who could be cyclists. At least a few of my friends and acquaintances think that a racing bike and Lycra is what cycling is all about, not efficient commuting in an urban environment, for example, and that's what's not very helpful. Of course it's fine if someone wants to spend money on something. But isn't it also fine if a thoughtful, knowledgeable observer with a lot of experience wants to relate what he's seeing and thinking?
Thanks.
kg1