Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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

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.