Mechanics book
11-15-17, 06:33 PM
#1
Grumpy Old Bugga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Mechanics book
The family have offered to buy me a book on bike mechanics. Nice of them seeing I've been repairing and building bikes since the 80's, nearly all learned using the time honoured trial and blunder method. However, with hydraulic discs and some other new stuff around, and with so much utter rubbish on the internet, I thought, 'why not?'
The question is, which book? Mtbs don't really feature in my world so I don't require anything heavy on that score. Although I ride steel, my son has a cf racer.
Any suggestions?
The question is, which book? Mtbs don't really feature in my world so I don't require anything heavy on that score. Although I ride steel, my son has a cf racer.
Any suggestions?
11-15-17, 06:45 PM
#2
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,810 Times
in
3,318 Posts
My pick would be Chapman Piloting & Seamanship. Not sure why I don't have that yet.
I think it's a good choice considering you have bike stuff down. But being from where you are, the stuff in that book might come natural too.
I think it's a good choice considering you have bike stuff down. But being from where you are, the stuff in that book might come natural too.
11-15-17, 06:49 PM
#3
Grumpy Old Bugga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
I used to build wooden boats, pretty much just bikes now.
11-15-17, 07:20 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,975
Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times
in
534 Posts
"The Bicycle Wheel" by Jobst Brandt. I found my copy at a used book store... paid 47 cents for it on "half price day"... the regular price in that store would have been 99 cents, which partially explains why that book store is no longer open, eh?
the standard go-to book on bike mechanics is the "Big Blue Book of bicycle repair" from Park Tool has a fairly good section on hyd. brakes, and disc brakes in general...... get the newest edition possible...
the standard go-to book on bike mechanics is the "Big Blue Book of bicycle repair" from Park Tool has a fairly good section on hyd. brakes, and disc brakes in general...... get the newest edition possible...
11-15-17, 08:23 PM
#5
I never finish anyth
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Western KY
Posts: 1,114
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
86 Posts
I would add Zinn's Road Bike Maintenance to the list. I learned to lace a wheel from that book.
__________________
Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
11-15-17, 08:55 PM
#6
Grumpy Old Bugga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Actually, the Park Tools book is a sensible choice considering their website is my go-to site for mechanical information on the internet. Thanks.
I've heard Zinn's mentioned pretty often too
I've heard Zinn's mentioned pretty often too
11-15-17, 09:05 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
11-16-17, 01:06 AM
#8
Senior Member
I've purchased a couple of Zinn's through the years and have no complaints.
Cheers,
David
Way up North
Cheers,
David
Way up North
11-16-17, 11:52 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: West Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,112
Bikes: '84 Peugeot PH10LE
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
39 Posts
I learned all my bike fix it stuff from Tom Cuthbertson's "Anybody's Bike Book" but I still ride steel and use DT friction shifters.
Jon
Jon
11-16-17, 11:57 AM
#10
Banned
Zinn has a separate book focusing on MTB too, I expect that has hydraulic brake bleeding..
and of course did you save the product information sheet of your specific brake?
there may be download and print options..
...
and of course did you save the product information sheet of your specific brake?
there may be download and print options..
...
11-18-17, 07:43 PM
#11
Grumpy Old Bugga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Zinn has been ordered. My only concern, and it's a very minor concern, is that it was published in Jan 2016 and it can't be too long before the next edition comes out.
11-18-17, 08:57 PM
#12
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,637
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4736 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Yes, the next edition promises a chapter devoted to installation of tire-valve mounted power meters. You shoulda waited.
11-19-17, 04:31 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
The problem with any book is that they don't update themselves. I'm pretty good working on a certain class of bikes but I've grown to realize that my knowledge is slowly becoming obsolete. I'd say to try internet websites, like Park Tool but I'm thinking they could stand a more frequent updating on topics like cable pull ratios too.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
11-19-17, 07:07 AM
#15
Mechanic/Tourist
11-19-17, 05:17 PM
#16
Grumpy Old Bugga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
The problem with any book is that they don't update themselves. I'm pretty good working on a certain class of bikes but I've grown to realize that my knowledge is slowly becoming obsolete. I'd say to try internet websites, like Park Tool but I'm thinking they could stand a more frequent updating on topics like cable pull ratios too.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
11-20-17, 06:48 AM
#17
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Another vote for both Zinn's, Zen and the Art of Road Bicycle Maintenance, (kudos on ordering it already,) and the Park Tool, Big Blue Book of Bicycle Maintenance. I keep both handy to my work bench, and have a few others in my bookshelf for reference, as well.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
11-22-17, 06:33 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 174
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The problem with any book is that they don't update themselves. I'm pretty good working on a certain class of bikes but I've grown to realize that my knowledge is slowly becoming obsolete. I'd say to try internet websites, like Park Tool but I'm thinking they could stand a more frequent updating on topics like cable pull ratios too.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
Another problem with such guides is that they may have good instructions regarding "how to do something" but most aren't much on telling you "what to do". You can pull your hair out struggling with a rear derailleur adjustment but, if the problem is a bent derailleur hanger, they don't tell you that.
"Barnett's Manual DX is simply the most comprehensive resource ever published for bicycle mechanics. Digital publication enables us to publish new editions that correspond to every new equipment model year, whereas the discontinued print version could only be updated about once every three to four years."
With unlimited downloads for life!
https://www.bbinstitute.com/the-barnett-manual
Last edited by superstring; 11-22-17 at 06:38 PM.
11-22-17, 06:43 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,930
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1819 Post(s)
Liked 1,695 Times
in
976 Posts
The best basic bicycle repair book I ever have read was "Glenns's complete bicycle manual" It is very out of date unless there have been revisions over the 30 years since I bought it. It has been superseded by information freely available on many internet sites, updated on an almost daily basis. I would not waste money on any book on bicycle maintenance today
Bicycle repair is about knowing the various requirements of the component suppliers used by various bike companies, which can change from year to year. No book can address that
Bicycle repair is about knowing the various requirements of the component suppliers used by various bike companies, which can change from year to year. No book can address that
Last edited by alcjphil; 11-22-17 at 06:48 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IntoTheWild
General Cycling Discussion
40
11-15-11 11:11 AM
