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

~ (Author) "Whether you ride a bicycle for fun, fitness, transportation, or an adrenalin fix-or maybe all of these-you need this book..." (more)
Key Phrases: power connector, stirrup cable, smallest cassette cog, White Lightning Clean Streak, Campagnolo Ergopower, Liquid Wrench (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This revised, updated, expanded fifth edition is indispensable-with all the latest models, parts, and repair techniques, and terrific money-saving tips to keep any ride in tip-top shape Since its first publication, Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair has sold over 400,000 copies. The fifth edition is guaranteed to remain the category killer. This long-overdue update is a must-have for weekend riders and serious cyclists alike.

Whether they own the latest model or a classic with thousands of miles on it, beginners and experienced cyclists alike can depend on this book to get their bikes out of the shop faster and keep them on the road longer. They'll discover information on: o Building a dream bike workshop o Disc brakes, both cable-actuated and hydraulic o Dialing in front and rear suspension shocks for comfortable rides o The latest crankset and bottom bracket designs o Overhauling freewheels and cassettes for peak performance o Specs on all the latest handlebar and headset sizes o Servicing clipless pedals for maximum safety

With troubleshooting sections to quickly identify and correct common problems, 450 photographs and 40 drawings to clarify all the step-by-step directions so even the complete neophyte can get repairs right the first time, and Web sites and phone numbers of bicycle and parts manufacturers, this is truly the ultimate bicycle repair and maintenance manual-now better than ever in its fifth edition!

About the Author

TODD DOWNS is a self-taught, full-time wrench since 1989. He's built wheels that were raced in the 2003 UCI Cyclocross World Championships and prepared a bike for an Olympic hopeful's trip to the 2004 Summer Olympic Trials. Downs has been published in DirtRag magazine and serves as an editor of MTBJournal.com. He currently resides in the Boston area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 5 Rev Exp edition (February 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579548830
• ISBN-13: 978-1579548834
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > Repair & Performance
  #1 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Cycling > Mountain Biking
  #1 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Cycling > Bike Repair

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent repair book and inexpensive, October 1, 2005

By	Ari "Ari" (ny, usa) - See all my reviews

I ordered this aswell as the big blue book of bicycle repair from park and this book won hands down in every area. The price is half, the information is better and more detailed and it covers areas the park book doesn't. If you want to learn how to overhaul your bike as I did, this is the book to get.

102 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even WalMart and Target bikes!, August 20, 2005

By	Karen Delaney (Ingleside, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this baby to take apart that Target bike I had hanging in the garage for 5 years. It was so great, it had everything, even the cheap cruddy gear on my bike was covered, and I managed to put the bike back together again too! I discovered there was more to chain lube than that old can that you pushed on the bottom and dripped oil on the chain with. Plus I found out that I had the wrong size bike, completely, that my shifting system was the one they put on 3 speeds back in the 60's, and that it never pays to pry off stuff with the sharp part of the tool pointed at yourself. HOWEVER, the point is, this book ROCKS! I, a complete neophyte (mechanically speaking) took this bike to pieces and it went back together with not one screw left over. I actually did the Hans and Franz PUMP YOU UP pose after finishing.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meets and exceeds all my needs, May 24, 2006

By	David J. Miller "student" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book in anticipation of receiving a bicycle purchased off the internet, as I knew the bike would need assembly and a good amount of adjusting. A careful reading of this book provided all the info I needed to get the bike up and running, and it included many vital tips I would not have known otherwise. Basic stuff like how to adjust seat and handlebar position and angle were well explained. The more involved instructions on lubrication and derailleur adjustment were much more helpful than the manufacturer's bare bones instructions. But what was truly a saving grace for me was the chapter on disc brake assembly, adjustment, and care. I would never have known how properly mount a disc to a hub (use a star pattern, gradually increase screw tightness, and never touch the disc with your hands) or that you should never pull a brake lever without something (the disc or a spacer) in the hydraulic brake caliper. My own curious excitement with my new high-end bike would surely have caused me to do that. That chapter alone was worth the book purchase. The book is also full of pictures (although it's impossible to have a photo of every possible manufacturer's component) which help greatly.

Since the book fully covers modern bike innovations as well (fancy suspension, disc brakes, external bearing bottom brackets and two piece cranksets), it may seem to owners of department store bikes to cater to people with high end bikes. This is NOT the case at all -- the book covers low-end components as well. In actuality the book is quite comprehensive, and covers of the full range of bike components available today.

To the reviewers who complain that the book contains so much "useless" info, it is not the author's fault that you ride a cheap bike, making much of the book's valuable info not apply to you.

I have two mid-range bikes (Ironhorse Warrior Race and Raleigh C700) and the book covers all areas of maintenance that I've needed and can foresee needing. In addition, the author is quite willing to tell you what NOT to do at home and when to see a professional instead.

In short, this book will make bike ownership safer, more fun, and more satisfying.