Looking to learn

[Killiekevin]

Just started road cycling by buying a triban from decathlon. Loved my first ride and looking to cycle to work most days and leisure at weekends.

My problem is I know very little about bikes and really want to know more. I'm a bit of a geek and hate not knowing how things work.

I read people on here talking about bottom brackets, groupsets, cassettes, 30-12 and its all just over my head at the moment.

Is there a book or a website where I could find a really good in depth explanation of road bikes, parts and how they work.

Before anyone suggests googling I have and there are, as you can imagine, millions of sites. Just wondering if anyone knows of the best to save hours of trawling. Book would probably be better as I prefer to read paper books rather than on a website but all suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Rasmus]

www.sheldonbrown.com

 

[midlife]

The Zinn books have been pretty good over the years, Richard Ballantine was a good read a while ago

Shaun

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

www.sheldonbrown.com

The Zinn books have been pretty good over the years, Richard Ballantine was a good read a while ago

As above, but if you don't want to be overwhelmed just learn as you need to... i.e. if you want change something then check the website or the Zinn books... I have just adjusted my wifes gears by using youtube video and it worked and now I understand about cable tension and limiting screws, and I have been riding bikes 30+ years. There will be plenty people on the forum ready to help as well.

Enjoy

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Try park tools website too.

You could find a local bike maintenance course, to get the basic terminology & the right way to do at least the basics of maintenance & if you fancy more advanced fettling.

Make a list of bits or words that you want explaining and Ivm sure we'll all pitch in and fill in the glossary.

To start :

Bottom bracket : the gizmo that the pedal cranks bolt onto.

Groupset: all the sexy bits you can replace for going and stopping: gears and brakes shiffers, cogs, bottom bracket etc.

Cassette : the rear set of cogs.

30-12: the range of the cassette: biggest cog has 30 teeth, smallest cog has 12.
Numbers like this tell you basically what type of riding it is intended for: 25-11 fast, road bike. 34-14 mountain bike type gear.
Bigger numbers 52-34 etc tell you it is the same tooth count for the front cogs (chainrings)