Please can you recommend a bike maintenance book?

Question

Hi, I am fairly new to cycling and have been commuting to work. The shop where I bought the bike have been great ( small independant ) at sorting out a few teething issues but I'd like to get a bit more involved with my bike. Can anybody please recommend a cycle maintenance book to get me to grips with the basics like adjusting brakes, gears etc

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Big Blue Book of Bike Repair from Park Tool.

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/blue-bo... (for example)

It is most excellent.  It is what my bike shop uses, also.

EDIT:  Yeeow!  I'm sorry!  Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, by Lennard Zinn.  I own one of his creations; you'd think I'd remember his book!  Thanks, Torrey.

Answer 2

Best selling bike maintenance book available on the market:

The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes(Expanded and Revised 5th Edition) here:

http://astore.amazon.com/joseph-amazon-s...

Price: $13.57

Answer 3

While Park has an excellent website (arguably better than any book on the market), I'm not impressed at all with their book.  

Bicycling Magazine and Zinn both have good books out....in fact, they're almost identical when you browse through them.  As much as I respect Mr. Zinn, I think the Bicycling Mag book is better.   Either one is just fine, though, and very easy to use.  

Honestly, for most basics, the Park website is one of the best things going, and it's free.  

Be sure to buy decent tools, especially when it comes to cone wrenches, allen wrenches/bits, and chain breakers.  If you get serious about it, consider buying these two tools that not many people have:  a chain wear indicator (about $10), and a derailleur hanger adjustment tool ($50 from Park).   Both are well worth buying and will save you bundles of cash in the long run.

Answer 4

Zinn and the art of Mountain Bike Maintenance by Lennard Zinn...easy to understand, lots of illustrations and has almost everything in it!