Bicycle Mechanics - Bike maintainance book

Yeah, I know it may be corny, but I've got a project bike and need somewhere to start. I've been riding for 10 years and the extent of my home maintainance is changing tubes, chains, and maybe a brake pad or two.

I'm looking at the few on performance's website, anyone have any opinions on those or others? Thanks!

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=6200

A good, old standard is "Anybody's Bike Book" by Tom Cuthbertson. Tom, who passed away in 2005, is noted for his fun descriptions that get the ideas across with humor. Armed with this book, one would be well equipped to overhaul their bicycle.

A Zinn book (your choice depending on whether you've got a road or mountain bike) is the best first choice. A close second is Bicycling Magazine's book by Todd Downs (don't know anything about the other Bicycling Magazine books). All IMHO, of course!

I second the Zinn books. Great detail and actually fun to read, as well.

I have used this one: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20325&subcategory_ID=6200

and in fact rarely open it anymore. If you lived close, I'd let you borrow it till you gained some experience. Check your local library too.

A Zinn book (your choice depending on whether you've got a road or mountain bike) is the best first choice. A close second is Bicycling Magazine's book by Todd Downs (don't know anything about the other Bicycling Magazine books). All IMHO, of course!
+1 on both of these book recommendations.

IIRC, the Cuthbertson book is very elementary and probably very dated by now. It wouldn't hurt to read it but don't expect much.

+1 on both of these book recommendations.

IIRC, the Cuthbertson book is very elementary and probably very dated by now. It wouldn't hurt to read it but don't expect much.

Hill: It has been updated. It does cover the innovations that we see today compared to the first printings from yesteryear. It's got a few gaps, but what doesn't? And it's fun reading style captures one's attention and makes the subject matter clear at the same time.

It certainly isn't the last word, but I think it would cover the OP's premise of a simple how-to book. It's not intended to be an end-all course in bike-mechanics.

Happy Trails!

Zinn is great. Also try this free downloadable:
http://www.4shared.com/file/84506507/9b5924f4/BikeMaintenanceBook.html

Don't know about others but I have the Zinn road bike book. Use it, like it, and would recommend it.

Here's one that is very, very detailed. I happened across this website via a Google search. I wonder about copyright issues on this particular document. Anyone know where this might have originated?

Bike maintenance manual (http://www.scribd.com/doc/9452394/Manual-Of-Bicycle-Repair)

I like the new edition of the Park Tool book (BBB-2). Sometimes photos are nicer than diagrams. Zinn's is good too.

Manufacturers' installation/service instructions are often great resources.

Here's one that is very, very detailed. I happened across this website via a Google search. I wonder about copyright issues on this particular document. Anyone know where this might have originated?

Bike maintenance manual (http://www.scribd.com/doc/9452394/Manual-Of-Bicycle-Repair)

Barnett's???

+1 on Sheldon Brown.

There is a good freebie on the web:

http://www.howtofixbikes.ca/

The author is a member here who introduced this to us a little while back. It's free as an open publication.

My favorite is the Park Tools book.

There is a good freebie on the web:

http://www.howtofixbikes.ca/

The author is a member here who introduced this to us a little while back. It's free as an open publication.

Gotta love it when people reinvent the wheel. A crappier wheel at that.

Gotta love it when people reinvent the wheel. A crappier wheel at that.

It's free. :lol:

Barnett's???
Yep, that's exactly what it is. It may be an older edition as Specialized had most chapters from the previous version posted on it's web site as a free download a few years ago.

I actually bought the .pdf of Barnett's Manual. Cost me around $150 I think. Think. It's a very large file - 209MB. That's almost 1/4 of the Encyclopedia Britannica - Aardvark - Zygote. It covers every nook & cranny of the bicycle. If you're a true devotee of the bicycle, then you might consider it. But if this is your first attempt to learn basic bicycle-mechanics, I wouldn't recommend it too highly. There's a lot of room in there to get lost in.

Barnett's Manual (http://www.bbinstitute.com/manual.htm):D

Goodie - I have the latest! Now I can sleep tonight <in a bag of nuts & bolts>!

Any of the Zinn books, but then again, I'm a bit biased.

Find the nearest LBS running a Park Tool School...the absolute best, totally worth the price to get the hands on with the tools you might not have had access to and the the quality time with a very knowledgeable mechanic to ask questions.

Gotta love it when people reinvent the wheel. A crappier wheel at that.

Gee thanks. For my first try, I think it's not that bad and over 6 000 downloads in the first 20 days must be saying something. I guess you can't please everyone and it's made for the true novice. I can understand why some more knowledgeable bikers might not find it good, but they are not the intended readers.

Peace

Gee thanks. For my first try, I think it's not that bad and over 6 000 downloads in the first 20 days must be saying something. I guess you can't please everyone and it's made for the true novice. I can understand why some more knowledgeable bikers might not find it good, but they are not the intended readers.

Peace
Hey, what's wrong with it? I downloaded it twice. I also used your article on building a bike trailer to great advantage. It's not the lightest, but I'm guessing I'll be able to hand it down to my grandkids.

Thanks gerv. For me nothing is wrong with it. It was a response to a less than constructive criticism. Glad to hear that you built a trailer. I've been wondering how many of those have been built around the world. I've received at least 35 emails from people who have built them.

.
Hi,
.
Bicycling Magazine published two books that are great. The
first is the Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
and the second is the Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Bike
by Frank Berto. I think the second is available on Frank
Berto's website. I have the 1990 edition of Bicycling Mag's
book, perfect for '60s, '70s and '80s bikes, if that's what
you're working on. This and later editions are on eBay
often.
.
Here are some of my favorite online sites but there are
many more. Sheldon's and Park Tools' are excellent.
.
Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
(1990 edition for any pre-1990 bike, hard back: eBay $10 with S&H)
.
Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Bike
(Frank Berto, 1988. Parts venders, specs, pricing, compare and contrast)
.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html
http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/wrench.html
http://www.parktool.com/repair/index.asp
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Bicycle-Repair-1824/index.htm
http://www.bunchobikes.com/repairindex.htm
.


http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830/ref=reg_hu-wl_mrai-recs

i think this is the one you are talking about.

has anyone used this one before? looks pretty good. i leaning on this one, zinns or chainbreaker

Yes, I'd choose a Zinn book first, but this book comes in second; I use both it and my Zinn book.