I checked this book out of the library recently, and, as with most all of Berto's books, it is most certainly a book any vintage drivetrain/brakeset user, or enthuthiast, must have on hand - and when they sell at Amazon.com, lightly used, for $5-15, you cannot afford NOT to have this book on hand.

It is, unquestionably, the best reference guide I've ever found regarding mid '70s-late 1980's componentry. Freewheels and early Shimano UG cassettes are discussed in considerable depth, both friction and indexed derailer systems are addressed, the minute details of the chains available during the era, shifting patterns, various cranksets, et cetera - complete with the most extensively detailed charts you'd ever want.

One cannot begin to explain everything that is in this book - suffice it to say that he couldn't have written a book any better for what was to become the future vintage lightweight enthuthiasts of today.

Amazon.com has a few copies of it available, new ($79 ) and used ($6-20). If you don't already have it, get it - and if you don't, well, you're missing out:

https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Maga.../dp/0878577513

Take care,

-Kurt

Ordered.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been prowling the used book stores in my area for older repair guides and such for help in working on my bikes but nothing I've found so far gets into the specific components. I knew something had to be out there!

That certainly sounds like a subject worthy of Frank Berto!

It'll satisfy you and then some.

You'll find yourself spending the evening glued to this book, that I'll guarentee you.

Of course, the wife may not be too happy about that, but that's another story.

-Kurt

And my favorite search engine for used books is https://used.addall.com. It led me to the Berto book at half.com for $6.24 shipped.

Neal

Got one!

Thanks for the recommendation!

Dang. I could only find it for $8.85.

My favorite is www.abebooks.com. It searches used book stores all over the world.

That's because I bought the one for $6.24! Sorry, John.

Neal

You'll find that the book is easily worth 4 times the price tags you fellows are bickering about. Anything under $15 is a giveaway - you'll find out when you get it.

-Kurt

Thanks for the reference, Kurt. Anything to agitate the wife!

I find that almost all of Frank Berto's writings to be technofreak nonsense. His findings generally have absolutely no place in actual day to day riding.

Well, I think you'll find that public opinion - once they recieve their copies - will see things differently. Us vintage folks like to mull over and dissect our parts until we're blue in the face - or for the Suntour fans, "Blue Lined in the Derailer."

-Kurt

I'll check out the local used places first, too bad I forgot about biking books while my tower was closing.

No worries. I was teasing. Quite surprised to find it so inexpensively.

Good idea, but you'd still probably be better off with one of the $5, used copies from Amazon - you'll probably spend more in gas and effort then to simply order one of those.

-Kurt

I like his reviews at the end of each chapter. He was definitely a fan of the Dura Ace 7400 stuff.

Enjoy the read!

Texbike

And he could also appriciate Campagnolo Victory for what it is - not the snob appeal of it. In fact, he rates the Victory RD superior to C-Record as well. It's curious that the very point he made of the Victory being superior - the highly adjustable pivot stop positions - was also to be found out later to be the C-Record's weak point, a sprung pivot stop that had a tendency to crack.

-Kurt

Gots one. Thanks for the recommendation.

Not if I bike!

OK $5.60 copy from Amazon on the way.

Another good old cycling book I found for the collection: 2 Wheel Travel; Bicycle Camping And Touring, by Peter W. Toby. The title is self expanitory, good reading , being outdated adds to the charm.

To think there were 22 copies of this available when I originally posted this thread...

-Kurt

I ordered mine also. Watch, it'll turn into a NY Times bestseller! No one will know why. Suddenly publishing houses will race to turn out mind-boggling coffee table tomes with bike p0rn photos, like 55/Rad's bike photos. Oh, and the ones that tenordl just showed us of the Hercules. Actually, there's so much fine photography here in C & V I should just leave it at that.

East Hill

Let me know what you think of it. As you mentioned to me that you're not 100% familiar with BB/headset work, or similar, I'd also recommend the Haynes Bicycle Book, Second Edition. I don't agree with some of the advice in the book, but on the whole, it is an excellent pictorial tuturial on doing these slightly more complex jobs.

Yes...and those same books will end up in the Barnes & Noble's transportation-themed Clearance section in about a month, just like all the other automotive, railroad, and motorcycle photo books. Of course, just like their counterparts, said book must be chock full of nice (but not breathtaking) photos and improper/incorrect descriptions.

-Kurt

I received my copy yesterday. It definitely lived up to my expectations.

Thanks for the good advice, Kurt!