I'm with you man, I want to do this stuff myself.
That book sounds awesome btw! You think theres a total begginer book out there I could learn some stuff from I could pick up from barnes and noble? I'm totally new to this stuff but I'm willing to learn the more and more you scare me about LBS heheh.
TY!

About the cross chain, I totally understand what your saying. I just thought it was weird cause it was the front middle sprocket....but I think your right.