What is the best bike repair book?

[cycleman]

I have an old Haynes one from 1999 which I think was the 3rd Edition. It is a simplistic and skimps on some detail, but I like the layout. There is lots of white space and plenty pictures so you can dive straight in.

It is also a hardback so you can stand it up and fold it out while working and use it as reference.


I also have the Blue Book of Bike repair by parktool. There is an immense amount of detail but I find some of the phots dont follow on in a sequential manner as much as I would like them to.

There is also a lot of text explaining certain tasks were more pictures would be better. To me it feels like I would have to read over it several time before attempting a task weheras with the Haynes book (simplistic as it is) I coulsd dive straight in.

If you could combine the strengths of both books I feel you could have the ideal manual.

My ideal book would be one where there are lots of pictures along with text explaining every single step so you can do the more difficult tasks in one go ( even though they may take long)

I was wondering whether anyone could recommend any other exellent books. I know Haynes are bringing out a revised version in May 2012 but I doubt I will wait that long

 

[HLaB]

I've got a few but I think the most detailed is Zinn and like you the Haynes one is too simple but I also quite like Guy Andrews 'Road bike maintenance' its got more pictures but is still detailed and seems to be something in between, it also has a spiral bind making it easier to open a specific page when you are doing work. Backed up with the net so far the books have worked for me. Another book I've got is a Rob Van Der Plas one and it is really good for quick reference but some of its pictures are non sequential.

 

[numbnuts]

not a book, but
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

 

[PpPete]

Zinn is excellent. I got it for Christmas last year. Very clear diagrams and straightforward text.

 

[boydj]

+1 for the Parktool site. It's very good. Google will also find you videos of most repair jobs - I find these help to take away some of the fear factor you get when tackling some jobs for the first time.

 

[ianrauk]

Zinn is excellent. I got it for Christmas last year. Very clear diagrams and straightforward text.

yup.....

 

[cycleman]

I've got a few but I think the most detailed is Zinn and like you the Haynes one is too simple but I also quite like Guy Andrews 'Road bike maintenance' its got more pictures but is still detailed and seems to be something in between, it also has a spiral bind making it easier to open a specific page when you are doing work. Backed up with the net so far the books have worked for me. Another book I've got is a Rob Van Der Plas one and it is really good for quick reference but some of its pictures are non sequential.

Thanks. I will check that book out. That is a great point about having a spiral binder I will definately look into that one.

I think all repair manuals should be this way.

 

[Blue Hills]

+ 1 for Park- Big Blue Book of Bicycle maintenance. Explains things in a very straightforward way - doesn't try to be flash or witty, sees no need for colour pics to make it bookshop friendly just lots of close-up B+W pics - very clear. An excellent book - worth every penny. There's now a second edition. Lots if it is available free on the web site mentioned above.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Just print out the pages you need from the Park Tool website. It is kept up to date, whereas the books date quickly. You can get get the books for bedtime reading (local library?). Use the printouts to do the job - doesn't matter if you leave fat oily fingerprints all over them .