1. what's the best way to measure one's sit bones? Before I even start shopping for a new saddle, I need to figure out what size I need. Plus, I'm also wanting to gauge the various LBS around to see if they actually are knowledgeable or simply clueless.

2. Any good online sites for bicycle maintenance? Or just get a book from Amazon? Will be working on my bike and the kid's cheap X-mart mtb wannabe's...

3. Any ideas on a decent, inexpensive repair stand?

Thanks in advance

sit on your saddle with pieces of paper sandwiching a piece of Carbon paper?

1) Find a Specialized dealer and have them measure you with their "sit o meter" thing. It's quite accurate.

2) Park Tools Has some fantastic videos and is laid out nicely.

3) This is the stand I have used for the past 3 years and I really like it. Performance Bike

Do they even still MAKE carbon paper? I haven't thought about it in years.
Anybody remember typing term papers with carbon paper and Korrectype (sp?) or Wite-Out? There's a PITA that's almost unimaginable now.
For sites, parktool.com is good. As for books, I like Zinn's. He's done two or three at least, titled generally "Zinn's Book of (Road Bike, Mountain Bike, whatever) Repair and Maintenance." I built my first Atlantis from the frame up using that.

Or even worse - Remember the old circular "wheel" type typewriter erasers with the brush attached? Ouch.

Bike repair info: https://bicycletutor.com/

Bookmarked it!

1) No idea? I've never measured mine.

2) Google.com is the best bet for bike repair info because it draws from so many sources (bike tutor, park tool, youtube, etc.)

3) Park Tool PCS3