Need general repair help

[btchance]

I'm currently determined to learn how to do basic maintenance and repair on my bikes (both road and MTB). So, I am looking for any advice you girls have on good books to get that are easy to follow and what basic tools you would recommend, both to carry with me and to keep at home.

I can already change a tire and have everything for that. I'm usually able to pick up on this stuff fairly easily, but just don't know where to start.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[DebW]

The Parktool website has just about everything you need to know. For tools, start with a set of allen wrenches, pliers, and a third hand. That will let you adjust brakes and derailleurs. Later you can add a cassette lockring tool and chainwhip. Maybe a chain tool. Cone wrenches if your cones are adjustable. Whatever bottom bracket tools your bike takes (crank puller, lock ring spanner, pin spanner are usual). Spoke wrench. Truing stand and dishing tool if you get really crazy.

[KnottedYet]

I love the Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair. Great pictures, clear explanations.

[DebW]

If anybody is buying pliers specifically for bike work, get some linesman's pliers. They're great for cable pulling and some have a cable cutting feature as well. Here's a nice Craftsman pair:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&pid=00945093000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Pliers&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

For cable cutters, I recommend these Craftsman cutters (they go through spokes too):
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&subcat=Pliers&pid=00945074000

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&pid=00945084000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Pliers&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

[DebW]

If anyone has a penchant for crescent wrenches, an 8 inch is useful and a 12 inch can sometimes be a lifesaver when you really need some torque. A 10 inch crescent wrench is useless because anything on a bike than an 8 inch doesn't fit, a 10 inch won't fit either. A 12 inch fits a threaded headset locknut and can be used to torque a cassette lockring or tighten a fixed BB cup. A bench vise is a wonderful tool as well. The best trick with a bench vise is to clamp it on a fixed BB cup and then turn the bike frame. Great for pulling freewheels and cassettes too.

[btchance]

Thanks girls. I'll look into those suggestions. I appreciate it!

[maillotpois]

Also Lennard Zinn's book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931382697/sr=1-2/qid=1156550275/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-2108610-8739253?ie=UTF8&s=books