Introductions - Seattle-ish cycling newb

Hello all I was into cycling a lot when I was a kid but always just bought complete bikes so don't know much about them... I know tons about computers most of which was learned from building them so I decided to do the same thing to learn about bikes...

so after reading a zillion reviews I have a Surly Cross-Check frame with fork... it also came with a "Race Face Deus headset" which I had to look up to see what exactly it's purpose was... so my main issue is I don't know what things are called or why different aspects of parts are better for different purposes so I have to look at already built bikes to see what parts I need and then look up why I need them... :P so I'm looking for a book i.e. I have whats known as the computer technicians bible "Building and Repairing PC's" (pick whichever edition...) for anytime I need to look any computer component up and for cars I have "Haynes/Helms/Chiltons" for computers and cars those are pretty much the definitive sources for anyone who knows anything despite there being hundreds of thousands of books available... I however don't know if bikes have a definitive source like that or if they do what it is but if there is one it's title would be great so I can pick one up and significantly cut down on newb questions :)

thanks for any help that can be offered. brand suggestions for different parts are also welcome I'm primarily building a street/rough road/trail use bike the absolute best isn't important to me mainly looking for things that are quality, durable, and affordable...

Hi, Psychism. You could start with any one of these:

Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1931382697/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1631834-2907235?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179202006&sr=1-1)
The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bike Maintenance and Repair (http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1631834-2907235?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179201952&sr=1-1)
Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Blue-Book-Bicycle-Repair/dp/0976553007/ref=sr_1_5/002-1631834-2907235?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179201952&sr=1-5)

Hello Psychism, where exactly is 'Seattle-ish'? Come say hello to us in the Pacific Northwest regional forum, too!

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Seattle-ish is currently Marysville that changes fairly often though so I stick with Seattle-ish.

thanks for the book suggestions I'll look them up when I return home.

Hey, more NW'rs!
Nice to see some "Seattle-ish" -ites around.
Hope to see more of you guys around.


Bebop (who is also "Seattle-ish")

The North-enders are starting to make a sizable group :D .

East Hill

East Hill,

Not north. Read my "location" again.


bebop

bebop, LOL! Maybe she didn't mean you when she wrote that. :)

Psychism, welcome...I'm really new here too but it seems like a nice place. Lots of information if you browse around the forums a little bit, too. It seems like just about everything bike-related has been discussed here at some point!

bebop, LOL! Maybe she didn't mean you when she wrote that. :)

I wasn't, actually. A lot of new people have come on board the last few weeks who are from Whatcom/Skagit/Snohomish counties.


It seems like just about everything bike-related has been discussed here at some point!
No, never! There's always something new to be learned every day :D .

East Hill

I bought the Zinn book the other's looked good too but from reading reviews of all 3 the Zinn book seemed to be the closest to what I'm looking for it'll be here Monday so after that I'll start buying parts :P probably buy most of them online can always goto recycled cycles to see how parts look in reality and if the prices aren't bad just buy them there

I'm sure I'll be asking plenty of questions and hopefully coming up with problems never discussed

We'll be waiting for those questions to come 'rolling' in :D .

East Hill

East Hill,

My apologies, but if you look back through the thread, I think you can see how the misunderstanding occurred.
Yes, it does appear that the native farming communities have found a form of recreation that does not involve racks of Rainier and Olympia beer!

:D (just kidding - a little local humor)

Wanna hear some more?

Ballard stole the sign from my home town.
Ask anyone in Ballard what that means and you should find out where I grew up, pretty quickly.



Bebop

I don't know about anyone in Ballard knowing that anymore! The last time I went to Ballard it had gotten pretty upscale--far more so than when I lived there around the mid 1980s...

I think they are even thinking about moving out the Nordic Heritage Museum!

So, you're from Snoose Junction?

hehehehe

East Hill

Easthill,


Never heard it called "Snoose Junction", but do you remember the sign I'm talking about?
It was there in the mid-80's (and waaaay before), because I used to pass it on my way to work at "Scandies" (if you remember that restaurant).
It was in Ballard AND my home town. The blue and white one with the little boy and girl on it, and in the middle it said "Velkommen to...", and then the town's name.

Know where I grew up?




bebop

Easthill,


Never heard it called "Snoose Junction", but do you remember the sign I'm talking about?
It was there in the mid-80's (and waaaay before), because I used to pass it on my way to work at "Scandies" (if you remember that restaurant).
It was in Ballard AND my home town. The blue and white one with the little boy and girl on it, and in the middle it said "Velkommen to...", and then the town's name.

Know where I grew up?




bebop

You know, I was there in Ballard around 1980-1985, but I don't remember that sign. :eek: . So you will have to fill me in :o .

East Hill

You know, I was there in Ballard around 1980-1985, but I don't remember that sign. :eek: . So you will have to fill me in :o .

East Hill

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20021219/450shorttrips19_d.jpg

...except it said "Ballard" instead of Poulsbo.
It was on Market street. Right where Ballard Avenue jags off from it, so not too far from "The Ballard Firehouse".


Bebop

Well, I lived right around the corner from Ballard Hospital, so I must have seen it and not paid any attention to it. Am I a bum, or what?

:o

East Hill

Well, I lived right around the corner from Ballard Hospital, so I must have seen it and not paid any attention to it. Am I a bum, or what?

:o

East Hill
LOL!
It's cool.


Bebop