Bicycle Mechanics - Looking for an informative "bike mechanic" book?

Any recomendations? I'm looking for a good book for beginners who want to learn to work on there own bikes, and possibly build a bike over the winter. I'd like to it to break down what parts do what, maybe throw in some tips or at least help with troubleshooting and normal maintenance. Anyone know any good books, preferably with full color photos?

Thanks
NICK

I bought the Zinn book, saw this one & others recommended somewhere here I think. My opinion - Lots of text, good illustrations, entertaining, informative - recommended. I think it's a great beginner's book. As I am a beginner & this is my first book, I don't have a lot of perspective though. This book doesn't have technical tables & such that a 'denser' book might have & that you might need if you're building a bike from scratch, especially if you're getting parts used &/or from multiple sources.

Did you see Sheldon Brown's website? www.sheldonbrown.com

--Rich

It doesn't have color pictures, but Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781579548834&itm=1) is my go-to manual. Very well written and the black-and-white photographs are quite clear. Also, unlike the Zinn book(s), Bicycling Magazine's includes topics for both road and mountain bikes in a single volume...helpful for those of us with touring (or similar) bikes that contain a mix of components for road and mountain.

Barnett's manual is good. I got an older one which doesn't have any modern mtb or road stuff in it, but then I can find out about new stuff in abundance on the internet :)

- Joel

Park makes one (http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=19&item=BBB%2D1) that is basically their on-line manual. You can get the same information on-line but cleaning grease off the keyboard is tougher than cleaning grease off you chain;)

...but easier than cleaning it off non-laminated paper. Barnett's has laminated pages too, a plus :)

- Joel

...but easier than cleaning it off non-laminated paper. Barnett's has laminated pages too, a plus :)

- Joel

Grease on the book just shows that you are really working ;) Plus a Barnett's costs about 3 times what the Park book costs.

It doesn't have color pictures, but Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781579548834&itm=1) is my go-to manual. Very well written and the black-and-white photographs are quite clear. Also, unlike the Zinn book(s), Bicycling Magazine's includes topics for both road and mountain bikes in a single volume...helpful for those of us with touring (or similar) bikes that contain a mix of components for road and mountain.
+1

Yes, this is my favorite book. Aimed at beginners but very complete and thorough, with excellent illustrated walkthroughs of important repair and maintenance procedures. It's only about $12 online too!