By coupling step-by-step instructions and detailed photos and illustrations, Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies gives readers the information they need to keep their bikes in working order, often without taking it to the shop. 
By coupling step-by-step instructions and detailed photos and illustrations, Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies gives readers the information they need to keep their bikes in working order, often without taking it to the shop.
A good beginners look at basic bicycle maintenance that anyone with basic tools and mechanical skills can performed. Learned a lot about preventive maintenance.
This book is resorceful but a bit wordy. I was expecting a little more of a hands on technical book. A technical book pointing to parts (pictures) and saying what they do and how to adjust them in a medium level step by step process with warnings, cautions and notes.
I bought this book because I wanted to learn about how to keep my bike working well. I take it in to the professionals when something actually breaks or wears out or otherwise needs serious fixing, but I wanted to learn about my bike’s everyday needs and workings. Sadly, this book turns out not to be what I wanted, as it focuses almost entirely on the “Repair” mentioned in the title and very little on “Maintenance.”
I’ve made it about halfway through the book and have mixed feelings. It is good for entry level and people like me who want a strong foundation before proceding. So far I would give this book a 5 star on the basics and things easy to overlook. I just wish that it had more indepth guidance. Usually when I maintenance something I will take every bearing and screw out to overhual and inspect it. So far this book wouldn’t serve that purpose. I also purchased the Zinn book and am awaiting it too arrive. I am hoping what with this as the entry the Zinn will take me to moderate to advanced maintenance. I recommend the dummies guide as a 101 course book for all riders. If you feel comfortable or wish to advance further then look elsewhere. It is a guide for dummies/beginners, so keep that in mind.
This is one in a long line of “for Dummies” books I have purchased. When starting any new venture there is an inherent problem in most of the literature on the subject. It always assumes a certain amount of inherent knowledge. The “for Dummies” line makes no such assumption. That is exactly what makes them great. The provide the foundation for further knowledge. They are wonderful “gateway” reading. Never disappointed.
Keep your bike in perfect working order and perform repairs at home or on the road with this simple step by step well explained manual for everyone who owns a bike.
Contents 23/25
Ease of Understanding/Practicality 21/25
Pictures/Illustrations 21/25
Additional Features 21/25
Total 86/100
Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is your all in one repair and maintenance book to keep your bike on the road or trail without having to spend all that money in a shop. Maintain your bike whether on the road or at home and keep it in top shape, in tune and looking good with simple to follow steps.
From how your bike works to final adjustments and routine maintenance with a chart to keep you on schedule with your repair and maintenance you can keep your bike in tune and working. Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is your all in one manual to keep those common street and mountain bikes using step by step instructions, illustrations and detailed photos to keep you on track with your repairs.
The book starts out logically with a general idea of how you’re going to go about regular and routine maintenance as well as why you should do things on a regular basis. They also include some very good safety tips and general guidelines for bike riding and working on your bike at home or on the road.
The second chapter gets into how your bike works so you understand how your bike and various parts of it work together. The next section is on tools and maintenance techniques so you know what all those special tools are for as well as the common ones you may already have.
The book includes tips on tools you may not even need to buy but can rent if you do need them during your repair or maintenance. They also include helpful advice on setting up a workshop or area to work on your bike and the necessary equipment you need to work such as the all important bike stand.
The book continues on with road repairs and things you can do to tide you over until you get back home and can make the correct repairs. They also give a list of things you should always carry with you for these quick repairs and a list of items to take on extended trips.
Continuing chapters go into when to say enough is enough and seek out those expert bike shops to get your repairs done right and where to buy a bike to get the best deal for you. They continue the book with chapters on individual repair of the bike from the steering and handle bars to the tires and everything in between.
The book contains not only detailed repairs and maintenance as well as alignment to tips and hints to make things easier and some things you should not do. They have illustrations and photos that go hand in hand with the step by step sections for repair and maintenance to keep things simple and understandable.
They also include a few funny cartoons but more importantly they have those highlighted main points for each step and then explain the step right after that. They also include the tips with the usual For Dummies bulls eye and arrow to highlight each tip.
You also get the grayed sections of other useful and helpful information that did not really fit into the chapters and paragraphs but still helpful information. They have included plenty of helpful information and advice from how to shop for a bike to how a bike shop runs their business by helping you to buy parts and bikes.
Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is a great step by step manual with all that extra content to not only help you with your bike but with many decisions in biking like purchasing new parts or even a new bike. Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is well worth the cost and one of those must have books for anyone who wants to save money by doing even the simple stuff on your bike.
One thing I like with the For Dummies book is the step by step guides that have the necessary parts highlighted for easy repair and adjustment while you’re actually doing it. When the book is lying open on the toolbox and you have a wrench in hand trying to figure out what to do next its right there in bold.
Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is an excellent manual for repairing and maintaining your road and mountain bike at home so you can save money and do it yourself. I highly recommend Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies as an all in one repair and maintenance book that will help you keep your bikes in good working order.
I recently purchased a new mountain bike and decided I wanted to gain a better understanding of the mechanics. This book is great for the bare bone basics of how bicycles operate. If you want more fine details such as how to choose parts for upgrades (fork sizes/diameters and so on) I would look elsewhere. This book does discuss how to replace/adjust parts such as derailleurs and cog sets and much more. I would certainly recommend this book.
This book has such an excellent insight into how to repair and maintain your bike like a professional. Each step or problem that a rider may face is carefully instructed for you so that you have all the steps necessary to do an excellent job! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn new skills about keeping your bike in shape and also those who just want to learn more about the mechanics of bikes! Overall great book!!
Highly recommend. Down to earth, simple instructions and information that anyone can use. Easy to follow directions. Good tips and advise.
Good basic info, but it didn’t live up to the rave reviews I read here. Easier to just google the issue I’m having and watch YouTube videos of bike repair. There are some really good ones out there.