The Complete Idiot's Guide to Bike Maintenance and Repair

by Meany, Terry

• ISBN13: 9780028641393
• ISBN10: 0028641396
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Bike Maintenance and Repairprovides recreational cyclists with the "do-it-yourself" means to maintain and service their own bikes without having to pay someone else to do the dirty work. Rather than spanning the entire field of bicycling, this book focuses on those things readers need to know in order to keep their bikes safe and trouble-free-- including, bike basics, workings, maintenance before and after riding, tools and accessories and common repairs.

Author Biography

In addition to being the author of three Complete Idiot's Guides (CIG to Electrical Repair, Plumbing, and Remodeling Your Home), Terry Meany is a bicycle enthusiast. Although past his bike collecting days, he has rebuilt and assembled an array of interesting bicycles and parts over the years. No estate sale or closeout bin at a local bike shop was safe from his snooping. He has built bikes for commuting, touring, and simply ones that interested him. He still has a soft spot for traditional English bikes and keeps a Holdsworth and an ancient Raleigh SuperCourse on hand for riding.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Bike Basics	1	(44)
Pedal Power	3	(12)
The parts and components that make up a bike and why your bike moves in the first place
Two-Wheeled History	15	(8)
How and where bicycles evolved
from wooden contraptions to the sleek, full-suspension mountain bikes so popular today
Bike Details	23	(10)
No matter what your biking style, there's a bike made to suit you and the terrain or road you want to ride on
Tools and Parts	33	(12)
Repairs and maintenance start with tools and new parts
bicycles require some of both
Part 2: Repairs Lite	45	(76)
You Need Some Stinkin' Rules	47	(10)
Some guidelines to get you started and keep your bearings straight, your chain from slipping, and your cables taut
Gimme a Brake!	57	(18)
Riding fast is great fun, but you have to be able to stop---this chapter shows you how
When Tires Retire	75	(18)
Everyone gets a flat tire sometime
with a simple repair kit and tire pump, you'll be able to finish your ride
Wheel Therapy	93	(12)
Learn how to keep the busiest components on your bike moving right along
The Power Train	105	(8)
A look at your gears, pedals, and chain---the links between your muscle and the road
Clean-Up Time	113	(8)
A few simple tips for keeping your bike looking like new
Part 3: Bigger Repairs	121	(62)
Your Bike's Steering System	123	(12)
Understanding the front end of your bike, those components that are so easily ignored
Bottoming Out	135	(10)
Pedal easier when you tend to your bottom bracket and crankset
Chain Gang: Pedals and Chains	145	(12)
How to take care of the dirtiest part of your bike (because without it, you're not going anywhere)
Derailleur Systems, Part 1	157	(10)
Some basics on these intriguing components
Derailleur Systems, Part 2	167	(10)
Learn how to adjust and choose the right derailleur for your bike
Cassettes and Freewheels	177	(6)
Care and feeding of your ``rear gears.''
Part 4: Specialty Areas	183	(48)
Saddle and Seatpost	185	(8)
Figuring out how to sit on your bike and what to sit on
Frame Affairs	193	(8)
You might not do them at home, but it helps to know if your bent up frame can be repaired and whether or not it's worth doing
Mountain Bike Specifics	201	(8)
A once over on mountain bikes, where they come from, and modern suspension systems
On-the-Road Emergencies	209	(22)
What to do when you're really stuck and running low on spare parts and tools
Appendixes
A Glossary	217	(6)
B Buying a Bike	223	(4)
C Riding Your Bike	227	(2)
D Resources	229	(2)
Index	231