Bicycle Mechanics - Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (3rd ed.): anyone got this?

Have anyone got this book and follow it? I am interested to hear what peoples thoughts on this book are. Please share your thoughts/experience.
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I have a copy of the second edition. It is good source of information. It has enabled me to perform some of my own maintenance and learn about the bike.

If you don't have a copy, get one.

I have the MTB version and it is a good place to start. It'll tell you what to look at and get to know the terminology. As you get more familiar with the specific components you'll want more detailed information. Shimano has pretty good online doc's for their stuff but they assume some basic knowledge that Zinn provides. Park Tool is a good resource online as well. Sram seems a little sketchy on online stuff but I'm just starting to explore their website. One of the biggest problems so far is stuff like "Bontrager Approved" and other no name components. That's were only experience (making mistakes) and posting pictures here can help.

Oh by the way. I really appreciate the regular contributors to this forum. I've found out how much there is to learn so far.

I have what I believe is the first edition of the Zinn road manual (copywrite 2000) and was very pleased with it when I bought it. If I didn't have a copy, I would certainly get the latest one as a primer on general maintenance procedures.

Since I bought mine, I have been keeping up to date using the various manufacturer's tech documents and the Park Tool's, Sheldon Brown's and other web sites so I don't rely on a book so much any more.

Good book with lots of good info: exploded views of various types of BBs, headsets, hubs, brakes, shifters, brifters, etc.. Methods and techniques for various repairs and maintenance. All good stuff.

When checking out books, use Amazon and read the comment and ratings. Zinn gets a lot of good reviews.
I opted for the 2005 editing of the Bicycling guide. Hey, it was only $5 shipped. Nice book, btw.
I'm about to pull the pin on buying a Barnett's set, spendy yes, but if I avoid one bad mistake, it's paid for itself.

I've got the '95 edition of Zinn and the Art of MTB Maintenance, and the new edition of the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. Both are clearly written with really nice illustrated diagrams. There will be times when a repair description will leave me scratching my head, but I've found that I just need to reread the section and be patient with the repair process--i.e., don't rush myself. This book is great for 75% of anything that might need to get fixed or upgraded on your bike.

No section on road disc brakes, unfortunately. C'mon Zinn, get with modern tech!

No section on road disc brakes, unfortunately. C'mon Zinn, get with modern tech!
These thing aren't even officially on the market yet. You want him to predict the future? :)

I have a copy, and I'm lukewarm about it. I'd take a close look at the Park "blue book" if you are shopping.

The Zinn book has a LOT of good info; my complaint is that it can be hard to follow as he sometimes seems to jump around between how to handle Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM etc. and also between removing/servicing/installing components.

So I find I have to flip around a lot when performing or researching a task.

My $0.02. The Zinn book is good but I'd be interested to compare the Park book if I had it to do over again.

-Tom in SoCal

Thank you for all your input, I do have this book. But as I go through the book, I found that sometime what it said in the book is different than what the bike shop told me, people discussing here, or other info on internet.
few examples: when to change chain, if the cassette need to be change with the bike chain...etc
But I guess I will just follow the book.

Thank you for all your input, I do have this book. But as I go through the book, I found that sometime what it said in the book is different than what the bike shop told me, people discussing here, or other info on internet.
few examples: when to change chain, if the cassette need to be change with the bike chain...etc
But I guess I will just follow the book.
There are some things that aren't hard fast rules but based on various riders' and mechanics' experience and even philosophy. Chain life definitely falls in that catagory. There are several approaches to chain and/or cassette replacement and all of them have their merits and their weaknesses. Zinn is writing a guide, not gospel.

These thing aren't even officially on the market yet. You want him to predict the future? :)

Avid BB7 road brakes, for example. I've got 'em on my bike. They've been around for a few years.

There are some things that aren't hard fast rules but based on various riders' and mechanics' experience and even philosophy. Chain life definitely falls in that catagory. There are several approaches to chain and/or cassette replacement and all of them have their merits and their weaknesses. Zinn is writing a guide, not gospel.

Thanks for the explanation, that make sense.

Avid BB7 road brakes, for example. I've got 'em on my bike. They've been around for a few years.

Were they around before "95" the edition of the book that you have? The 3rd edition for the Road Bike mentions disc brakes but refers to the mountain bike book.

I have this book but this was the first time I opened it. It looks good and has good illustrations and as for being up to date, it does discuss Shimano DI components.

Never read it, because I prefer the internet. Park tool, sheldon brown, ETC. I'd hate to buy a book, just to get it unreadable with grease stains as I work on my bike

Never read it, because I prefer the internet. Park tool, sheldon brown, ETC. I'd hate to buy a book, just to get it unreadable with grease stains as I work on my bike

I really like the Park website. I'd like to see a copy of their manual to see how it compares.
I like books to chill out with and read through. I've had training in the 1970's, but there's a lot I'd forgotten about, as well as innovations I've completely missed.

Overall, at this level of bicycle manual, I'd rate the Park Blue as the best.

- Mark

....I prefer the internet. Park tool, sheldon brown, ETC. I'd hate to buy a book, just to get it unreadable with grease stains as I work on my bike
Don't the grease stains on your computer monitor bother you? :D

Were they around before "95" the edition of the book that you have? The 3rd edition for the Road Bike mentions disc brakes but refers to the mountain bike book.

I have this book but this was the first time I opened it. It looks good and has good illustrations and as for being up to date, it does discuss Shimano DI components.

Yep, you're right. My old Zinn and mtb book briefly mentions hydro disc brakes as being new on the market, and the road book says to look in the mtb book. Oh well!

I have to say, though, Avid BB7s are quite easy to take care of and SRAM has a nice tech manual on their website for folks to dl and peruse.

Btw, I had the blue book as well and didn't find it to be any more useful or helpful than Zinn. It's a bit smaller as well, so I don't believe it's as comprehensive. Nice pictures, though.

I have the previous edition and like it as a reference. Every once-in-awhile, I will refer to it. Also, when I was new to wrenching, it was great to provide the overview of everything. However, for specific problems I encounter now - which are usually more unusual than just pulling off a crank or the like, I usually find the internet more useful than the text...either the message boards, the Park Took, or Sheldon Brown's site. It is more much likely that someone else has encountered my weird problem with Bike X than will be noted in the book.

I have and like the first edition. I don't have anything newer than what it covers, so it's fine for me. I use several manuals and websites off and on, but Zinn is one of the clearest. I use Park occasionally, and Glenn's and Cuthbertson each for my vintage stuff. With tough problems or where I need reference data (like BB or headset dimensions), I use Sutherland's and sometimes Barnett's.