Maintenance reading suggestions?

[Rumblefish]

I've been cycling for a little over a year now and I've been leaving the bike maintenance to my boyfriend for the most part who's been riding for years and is all kinds of handy. We're moving at the end of this month and we'll be so close to the bike path that I'll be able to go riding a lot on my own. And I suppose it is also time I learn to stand on my own two wheels :p

I already know how to change a flat in theory, and plan on practicing a lot in the living room to get very comfortable with it before hitting the path. I can do some other basic stuff, such as adjusting my saddle.

My boyfriend also wants me to learn more about diagnosing possible problems with my bike when I'm by myself and learning how to handle said problems, which is a good idea. He is a good resource and I plan on using him for information, but sometimes written material is very helpful for me. Can anyone recommend some good online reading, or books that provide maintenance info and "diagnostics" as it were?

Thanks so much!

[lph]

Somebody just gave me a tip about this site: www.parktool.com (go to the repair help section). I've only just glanced through it, it seems maybe a bit detailed but very thorough. I got the impression you should know in advance what the problem is, though.

[KnottedYet]

Park Tool's "Big Blue Book" of bicycle repair is pretty spiffy.

(and while you're at it, pick up a copy of Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists.)

[boy in a kilt]

If you can find a copy, Terry used to have a great book that they included with their bikes.

As for changing flats, why not practice? pull your tube out a couple of times so the first time you are trying to do it is NOT when you are sitting along side the road in a pi*sing rain with the sun going down.

And the park site is always good.

[KatyLady]

I don't know what type of bike you are riding. I just picked up a copy of Lennard Zinn's "Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance". Mechanic in a local bike shop highly recommended it.

[Melalvai]

I've yet to come across any written resource besides Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com) that was remotely helpful. I don't know why bicycle mechanics is such a difficult topic to write about.

[bluebug32]

I don't know what type of bike you are riding. I just picked up a copy of Lennard Zinn's "Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance". Mechanic in a local bike shop highly recommended it.

This is a good book (as is his mtb maintenance). The free Park Tool site is also very handy.

[out_spokin']

I'm a visual person and like to go at my own pace, so a book often helps me, too. I recommend the Bicycling Magazine guide - it covers road and mountain bikes, and since I have one of each I went with that over the often-recommended Zinn guides. I also like it because it has excellent photos - I've been able to piece things together better with them. Lately I've taken my repair and maintenance to the next level - I took a couple classes at a local shop which gave me more confidence to tackle harder things. I found the Park site to be good, but sometimes more technical than I could handle at the first reading, at least. The videos at: http://bicycletutor.com/ are cool and watching them a couple of times before I head off to do something has worked well. Another similar site is http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/381_bicycle-maintenance-repair.htm which I've watched a few of as well. Crazy to have a laptop and book open next to my tool box, but hey, it's working!