Looking for a book

[IBrakeforPastry]

Can someone recommend a good book for basic bicycle maintenance and repair? Maintenance would be more important because I don't mind taking the bike to the LBS for the bigger stuff. Components have changed a lot over the years and I'd like to know I'm doing the right thing, and using the right products. How to clean, how to lube, how to seal. I need to spend a few more dollars for free Amazon shipping :p

[indysteel]

I have Zen and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance.

But I'll be honest that I often find watching a video much more helpful. My husband does most of our maintenance, but before we were married, if I needed to fix something on my bike, I simply googled it and perused what came up. Park Tool's website has a lot of helpful information, in both written and video format.

[Catrin]

I have to second Indy on this. It is useful to have books, but in the end, I turn to internet videos when it is time for me to try something mechanical on the bike. I have THIS (http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/B002Z2RSNI/ref=sr_1_72?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355841949&sr=1-72&keywords=bicycle+maintenance+book) book but I find I only turn to it when I can't seem to find a video.

[goldfinch]

I have Zen and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance.

But I'll be honest that I often find watching a video much more helpful. My husband does most of our maintenance, but before we were married, if I needed to fix something on my bike, I simply googled it and perused what came up. Park Tool's website has a lot of helpful information, in both written and video format.

I like the Park Tool site and videos. I have the Park Tool book which adds some to what is online and has the advantage of being in the garage, by the bikes, when I want to work on something, as an easy reference.

[Wasp]

Have you tried looking on you tube? Usually someone has posted a video, regardless of topic/subject.

[IBrakeforPastry]

I guess the internet is the way to go, but as goldfinch said, it would be handy to have a book with me in the garage. Or take it to work to read on my breaks. Maybe learn something and gain some general information. The other day I put my new bike on a trainer. I couldn't find the quick release for the back brake, so I Googled the make and model, and sure enough, there was the diagram. I ran back downstairs and finished the job. That was fine for a quick fix, but won't be too practical if it's a big, greasy job.

[goldfinch]

I mentioned the park tool manual. I like it for modern bikes. When I worked on rehabbing my old Schwinn I ended up buying a used older manual that was good for a person with no experience working on older systems. http://www.amazon.com/Glenns-Complete-Bicycle-Manual-Maintenance/dp/0517500930 Plus, I have learned from being a birder that it is nice to have more than one resource.

[OakLeaf]

I like the Park Tool site too. If you have Shimano components, they have all their factory service documents on their website - don't know if the other component manufacturers do the same thing.

For an older manual ... my first ten-speed I took apart and reassembled nearly everything on it - including the freewheel, after I found the pawls and springs when they went everywhere - with the Clear Creek Bike Book (http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invid=9556511968&browse=1&isbn=9780451054593&qsort=&page=1). Who else remembers that?! :D


But, I don't do seals. I let the LBS take care of sealed bearings.

[OakLeaf]

PM Press is releasing an updated edition of their bicycle repair manual. Don't know anything about it. Anyone have comments on the first edition? https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=500

[Melalvai]

Sheldon Brown (http://sheldonbrown.com/) is a wealth of information. However, since he died, I do not know if it's being kept up to date, so there might be issues with newer bikes. I tried to talk him into publishing his site as a book while he was alive, and he was interested, but not interested enough to get around to it.