Bicycle Repair Step by Step: How to Maintain and Repair Your Bicycle (Cycling resources) [Paperback]

Rob Van Der Plas (Author), Rob Van Der Plas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cycling resources | Publication Date: September 2002

This new book from the world's leading writer on bicycle technology covers the 138 separate bicycle technical parts and maintenance/repair/replacement operations, each individually explained and illustrated. The book is illustrated step-by-meticulous-step with full colour illustrations and drawings. If you only have one cycle repair book, this is the one: it is both exhaustive and definitive, and easy to follow. - Know your Bicycle - Know your Tools - Basic Procedures - Preventive Maintenance - Wheel Removal & Installation - Wheel Hub Maintenance - Tyre Maintenance - Wheel Rim & Spoke Maintenance - Rim Brake Maintenance - Hub Brake Maintenance - Crankset Maintenance - Pedal Maintenance - Chain Maintenance - Handlebar Maintenance - Derallieur Gearing Maintenance - Hub Gearing Maintenance - Headset Maintenance - Saddle and Seatpost Maintenance - Frame and Fork Maintenance - Suspension Maintenance - Accessory Maintenance - Troubleshooting - Glossary - Bibliography - Index -

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Cycle Publishing (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892495392
• ISBN-13: 978-1892495396
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,817,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rob van der Plas is a professional engineer and a long-time bicycle enthusiast. He has authored more than 20 books on various aspects of bikes and biking in English, German, and Dutch.

His first English-language book was The Penguin Bicycle Handbook, published in the U.K. by Penguin Books in 1983. Other of his books were published by Sterling Publishing (U.S.), Spectrum and Elmar (both Netherlands), and BVA-Verlagsanstalt, BLV-Verlag, Falken Verlag, and Ravensburger Verlag (all Germany). Translations of his works have appeared in Swedish, Danish, Polish, Hungarian, French, and Spanish.

In 1984 he started his own publishing venture, initially called Velo Press, later renamed Bicycle Books, to publish books on the subject written by various authors (including himself). Bicycle Books was sold to Motor Books International in 1997, and in 1999 he formed Cycle Publishing / Van der Plas Publications, publishing both cycling books and books on other subjects.

He lives in San Francisco, and is still active both riding bicycles and writing on the subject. His latest book, Bicycle Technology, coauthored with Stuart Baird, is a pretty impressive tome comprising 320 pages with 800 illustrations that was published July 2010.

In addition to writing about the subject, he is also active as an expert witness in patent infringement and other cases involving the bicycle and bicycle technology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For beginning bikers only, November 5, 2002

By 

"climaroc" (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bicycle Repair Step by Step: How to Maintain and Repair Your Bicycle (Cycling resources) (Paperback)

First off, I have been a fairly serious mountain biker and road cyclist for many years. I have taken my bike into the shop for tune ups all this time, and was looking for something that would help me do it on my own...primarily focused on derailer and brake work.

For a beginner, and by that I mean someone who has never been serious on a bike, this is probably a good book to start with. However, if you have riden at a moderate or above level, this is not the book for you.

It took until page 46 before I got past all of the things us frequent cyclists know and take for granted...checking your tire for wear (thanks, I wouldn't have thought of that!), switching tubes (you have to learn that quick), adjusting seat height, what to carry in a bike field kit, etc. When it finally gets to the good stuff, I don't think it does a good enough job with the tune-up and repair items...not enough detail. In addition, he tries to cover all bikes, so there is not enough detail on any type. It would be good to have more detail on bike computers too.

Perhaps there is a need for a book that specializes in road bikes, one in mtn bikes, and one in cruisers, the first two being at an advanced biker level.

To sum up: good if you are a beginner, bad if you are advanced.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid book of basics on bicycle maintenance, November 19, 2002

By 

Chris in St. Pete (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bicycle Repair Step by Step: How to Maintain and Repair Your Bicycle (Cycling resources) (Paperback)

If you've never worked on a bike before this is a good book to start your journey. It goes over all of the adjustments and maintenance items you will need to pay attention to on your bike.

Downside is that a good portion of the bike technology they cover is no longer standard equipment on current bikes. This isn't enough of a problem to not recommend the book however. And could actually be useful if you pick up an older used bike that you want to get back in operating condition.

Excellent graphics and easy to read directions make this a solid choice for the beginning bike mechanic. One note: You will need a few bike specific tools to work on your steed.

Pros:
Excellent design & Layout
Easy to understand
Comprehensive

Cons:
Comprehensive
rag paper pages

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly presented guide and first-rate reference, September 5, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bicycle Repair Step by Step: How to Maintain and Repair Your Bicycle (Cycling resources) (Paperback)

Bicycle Repair Step-by-Step: How To Maintain And Repair Your Bicycle by bike expert Rob Van der Plas is a highly practical and thoroughly "user friendly" guide filled from cover to cover with straightforward, simple, and clear instructions enhanced with full-color illustrations on the skills and arts of keeping a bicycle in the best possible condition. From knowing what tools assemble and keep on hand, to maintenance of the gears, brakes, and suspension, to wheel replacement and more, Bicycle Repair Step-by-Step is a superbly presented guide and first-rate reference.