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Zinn
And The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | has tons of info. everything you need to know and then more (it had 5 pages about hydraulic v brakes) | | Weaknesses: | um.. it's big? | | Bottom Line: | if you like having a bike that works, this is great. A lot cheaper to do what this book says than paying a dollar a minute for a bike shop guy repair your bike. if you're obsessed with bikes like me, you find yourself reading about some random part, even if your bike is working. great book | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, Florida
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Books a million | | Strengths: | Very easy to read. It talks about new bikes as well. | | Weaknesses: | No actual photographs. No technical specs. | | Similar Products Used: | Bicycle magazine maintenance book. | | Bike Setup: | Giant trance 2, XT setup | | Bottom Line: | This book is great. I have the 2005 book, and I like having a good reference. I lost my last reference book, and this book is great. While some have complained that there are no technical specs in this, he tells you that in the introduction. At the same time, any time I buy a new product, the specs have allways come with it. I just need a guide. At the same time, if you have access to the internet, you can get specs on anything. Great book for the beginner. Even someone who has no idea about bikes can learn from this. If you have trouble with hydraulic disc brakes, this is the manual for you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Waimauku, Auckland, NZ
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodhill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Trademe | | Strengths: | Lots of info. | | Weaknesses: | The Drawings | | Similar Products Used: | Er none | | Bike Setup: | Frame, wheels and lots of bits that are bolted on. | | Bottom Line: | A good mechanical introduction especially for the beginer who knows little about their bike. I took up riding again about a year and a half ago (14 year break) and this book has given me the ability to perform most of the maintenance tasks needed to keep me off road and out of my lbs. Most of the drawings are ok, although some of the methods/descriptions can be confusing and long winded i.e. overhauling hubs.
If you know nothing about bikes, have a brain, can use tools and would like to save yourself a fortune, i recommend you buy this book and a tool kit. If on the other hand your more experienced, i recommend you look else where.
I'm happy cos i get to work on my steed, save spondulux and hide in the garage away from the ball and chain, everyone's a winner!!! Happy hucking | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester Hills MI USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Gift no idea mayber borders | | Strengths: | Good basic info and backup for manufacturer's tech info. Specialized to specific type of bike. | | Weaknesses: | tends to be a little wordy and drawing could be better some of the directions take a couple readings | | Similar Products Used: | various | | Bike Setup: | Fisher HKeK race face prodigy crank set, time aluim pedals, avid mech disc brakes and speed dial 7 levers stock manitou shock (next big purchase) | | Bottom Line: | A good book to have on hand for repairs enough information to get yourself in over your head and back out again. Clearer illustrations would be nice. As with any manual ( bike, auto, etc...) you should have some knowledge of how to spin a wrench before you start | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BikingEnthusiastico
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good for beginners only. | | Weaknesses: | Not a good book for the experienced. | | Bottom Line: | This book is too simplistic for anyone who already has some (small) amount of skill in bike mechanics. There really isn't enough 'meat' to get into the nitty gritty that some of us more experienced toolers would like to see, and I'm no where near the level of a pro mechanic, just an arm chair fixer upper who has some basic skills and not clueless on things like how to align the derailleurs.
Technical schematics? The illustrations look like they came from a junior high drafting room. Completely useless, they belong in a newspaper editorial section, not a technical manual.
On the physical quality issue, the binding is absolutely terrible. It does NOT want to stay flat no matter what you do. Granted, this is certainly not a fault of the author as he probably had no clue this would happen. I think the publisher did this on purpose just to piss off the author?
Furthermore, I'm shocked there was no technical reference section for looking up popular hardware pieces, such as cog sizes, chainrings, etc. Such a lack of general reference is a major turn-off to this book and decreases its value. To sum it up, this book has been sitting on my shelf for half a year now, as I find absolutely no use for it whatsoever. Quite a shame, since the author seems to have a lot of knowledge, but appeared to have rushed through this book just to 'get it out'.
The bottom line is that this book is probably pretty good for a total newbie that doesn't know anything but has some eagerness to learn. But for anyone else, stay away, there is nothing in here you will gain from. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dwight moody
a Weekend Warrior
from Allston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Barnes and Noble | | Strengths: | Comprehensive, decently written | | Weaknesses: | Cheap binding, would prefer hardcover. Spiral bounds fall apart too easily. Illustrations somewhat lacking | | Similar Products Used: | Something very crappy I forget the title of. | | Bike Setup: | Hardrock, rigid, lots of little upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I was a beginner at doing my own repairs when I bought this book, and it has saved me hundreds of dollars. I don't think it's too complicated, though some of the illustrations are kind of confusing.
Now when I take my ride into the shop, I can talk to the techs like somewhat less of a chump, and I only bring it in when I don't have the tool I need. Result: They do most of my work for free and I get invited to parties. Hooray for me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nigel Pickard
a Weekend Warrior
from Westwood MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Amazon | | Strengths: | Covers alot, seems well written in parts, good diagrams and illustrations in some sections for the simple stuff. | | Weaknesses: | No spiral binder, sections that jump all over the place, poorly written (or perhaps to be more accurate, poorly edited together?). Terrible diagrams that are good as useless in some sections. Too simplistic in parts. Does not cover some specific proprietary components (but that's a very weak criticism as it's impossible to do so!!) | | Similar Products Used: | looking at stuff, rubbing unshaven chin, and saying: "I need a hammer" | | Bike Setup: | C'dale Jekyll 500 SRAM drivechain | | Bottom Line: | I have the 3rd edition (or the most up to date one for 2002).
Maybe this is a really good book overall, but I had a very frustrating experience using this as a reference to build up a disc wheelset. This definitely ISN'T the book to use for this task. So frustrating to read -it has you continually jumping and cross referencing from one section to another. Poor descriptions, poor diagrams, definite lack of clarity for the disc wheelbuilding section. Other sections do appear to be clearer, but it seems to be more of the simpler common sense stuff anyway. I strongly suspect the editors butchered some stuff and never even attempted to follow some of the directions -a bad recipe for a book attempting to be a how-to.
Perhaps I'm alone on this one after reading other reviews, but based on my experience this isn't a five chili book. In retrospect, I wouldn't have paid the money for this.
Recommended for people who really don't know anything about their bikes and want to attempt some simple maintenance; not recommended for anyone who knows how to adjust derailleurs, brakes, install BBs etc already. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a
from Earth
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | In-depth explanations. | | Weaknesses: | Illustrations | | Bike Setup: | Tommasini Sintesi. Yeti Arc. | | Bottom Line: | The author explains it very simply to the layman. The only fault I can find is some of the illustrations. Overall, though, a very useful book. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The dirtier, the better | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Borders | | Strengths: | Has lots of good info; As others stated, covers all the newer gear. | | Weaknesses: | Diagrams | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Wahoo; round tires (for now) ;) | | Bottom Line: | I recently got back in to the sport after a couple of years and this book is a good refresher on how to perform repairs and upgrades (properly). That is a huge help for me because all the LBS around here are quite expensive. This book is worth the $20 in that I'll save that much the first time I make my own repair. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flash Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Goleta
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ellwood Mesa Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$21.00 | | Purchased At: | Borders in Goleta | | Strengths: | Everything you could ask for and more in a repair book. This review is for the new third edition. It gives you confidence in attempting things that are present much more vaguely in other, so called "repair manuals". The third edition is really up to date, and covers a lot more than I expected concerning repair of newer components. Zinn's book made me more aware of not only my mountain bike, but also myself and how both parts fit in to the conditions that may come up, both on the trail, and at home. This book is well thought out. | | Weaknesses: | Not really anything on singlespeed mountain bikes. That isn't going to detract from my general view of the book, howerver. | | Similar Products Used: | Bicycling Magazine's "Bicycle Maintenance and Repair" and
"The Bike Book" by Fred Milson, Meredith Press (Haynes Publications), Des Moines, Ia. 1997 | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Toccoa/Chris King/XT/Kore/GEAX Sedona/ETC.
Kona Unit/RaceFace/Koski/SDG/Tioga Factory XC SL 1.90/ETC.
A whole lot of other bikes, too. | | Bottom Line: | Buy it! I'm actually sorry I ever bought that Bicycling book. It sucks. This one doesn't. You might just learn how to repair your bike, and still be friends with your LBS staff. It would be nice to have Leonard Zinn as my neighbor, however. That way I could borrow not just his knowledge, but maybe also his tools! Sure!
Leonard! You are great! One of my new heroes!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris book reader
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond,VA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | palmer park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | b & N | | Strengths: | A great book with very nice drawings. | | Weaknesses: | a few products fall through the cracks | | Similar Products Used: | hmmm | | Bike Setup: | a nice full suspension rig | | Bottom Line: | this book is great. I first bought it to help me do my own repairs and Maintenance. I saved 65 bucks right off the bat and haven't been back to the LBS for ANY repairs in a year! I did go to get my new headset pressed in b/c I didn't want to f*ck up my new Chris King headset by trying to halfazz it at home. This book also helped me indentify the mystery pedals I have I instantly knew I had scott pedals when I look at his exploded drawing of pedals.
VERY good book- buy it if you want to learn how to fix your own bike- skip it if you already know how to do everything.
I love it!
Five flaming burgers! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
moabbiker
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | some good info for newbies | | Weaknesses: | not much detail, lacks newer component info, binding sucks | | Bottom Line: | Needs more info and how about some photographs? Really folks, if you're good with searching the net, then save your money and forget this book. You can get all the info you need by going to park tool's website which has better instructions and photographs! And the rest of the info you can find on the internet, through various peeps biking web sites. MUCH better info there and you can print it out to take to your home makeshift repair shop (i.e. the backyard). Zinn's book can't even be used in the field since the darn thing has a binding that refuses to open up flat. For goodness sakes Zinn, get some publication samples before releasing the book! A repair book should be spiral bound or at least be able to open up FLAT on a table! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tino
a Weekend Warrior
from CT
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | EMS | | Strengths: | puts bike maintence in normal very easy to understand language, helpful diagrams, a ton easier than anything you get from the manufacturer, great for almost every kind of maintence, repair..... | | Weaknesses: | doesnt have info for newer items like disc brakes, newer forks, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | my common sese...not really similar | | Bike Setup: | rocky mountain pipeline.....built to take a beating | | Bottom Line: | a great book if you want to master all around bike maintence | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that looks too scary! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | bookstore | | Strengths: | Easy to understand language, exploded diagrams, and difficulty levels at the beginning of each section. | | Weaknesses: | My edition is way outdated. I don't like the drawings at all. You can make out what they are drawing, but I would've loved to seen actual pictures. | | Similar Products Used: | tinkering around | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Trek 6500 | | Bottom Line: | I use it to this day to help me on some maintenance issues while I working on my bike. Some things are old(ie forks...), but the instruction manual on the things tell you how to service them anyways. Recommended. I'm going to give a slightly low rating because I've seen better books out there now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from McLean, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Takes away the fear of fiddling with your bike! Diagrams are easy to read and the instructions are easy to follow. | | Bottom Line: | I do some sort of damage to my bike almost every time I hit the trails. Either the wheels bend a little, the brakes come out of alignment, or there is some sort of bizarre sound coming our of the drive train. I used to think it was a badge of honor to have the dirtiest bike around. After reading and using the book, I now know a dirty bike is a badge of shame! It means that you don't care about your trusted friend, and you happily let it sit in disrepair. I used to blow wads of money at the bike shop every time my bike became unridable, and usually, I missed out on a great ride while it was sitting in the bike shop.
Zinn's book takes away the fear of the derailleur. It explains what the little screws do, and how to adjust them properly. It gives you the know-how to understand when you need to take your bike in for repair, and when you can just do it yourself. It gives you common sense ideas for solving problems on the trail so you can ride home, instead of push it. It tells you which tools you need.
A couple of weeks after I purchased the book, I bought a bike stand and a better tool set...for less than I pay for a typical tune up. Now, every time I get on my bike, it rides like it just came back from the shop...actually better than that. I care a hell of a lot more about performance than the guy at the shop, so I spend the extra time to get the adjustments dialed in as perfectly as possible. Now, every time I get on my bike, the old components look like new, and the ride like they are.
Buy this book, save money on maintenance, and best of all, enjoy riding more than you ever have before!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Hawaii
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | half.com | | Bottom Line: | Overall, it's not a bad book, but somehow I was hoping for a little more detail in the servicing sections. This book is somehow geared for the mechnically inclined, but new to the biking world type of person. The more experienced bikers will probably know a lot of what's in here, but I'd like to see a little more advanced information available. Also, it would be nice if some photo shots could be added. I realize this would add to the cost of the book publication, but frankly I would think it's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a
from Santa Fe, NM USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Borders | | Strengths: | It's a fairly well detailed book which includes clear drawings and a fair bit of humor even when that project isn't going in the right direction. | | Weaknesses: | It is not detailed enough for real shop purposes and I wish Zinn wouldn't make me jealous of his bike, which is on the cover of the latest edition. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayne's | | Bike Setup: | '00 Team Marin | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this book to basically anybody but those at lower and upper 15% of bicycle techs. The lightweights won't understand it and a more comprehensive text is more appropriate for a shop. I will certainly buy the next edition if there are enough updates to get another dose of Zinn | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil M
a Weekend Warrior
from LEHIGHTON
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | barnes and noble | | Strengths: | helps u with everything i just got the brand new- updated, 3rd edition!!! | | Weaknesses: | not for begginers. | | Bottom Line: | a great book, not for begginers , but if you take some time and just think u can figuire the stuff out yourself it doesn't say... for begginer stuff find something on the internet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frogskins
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't found one yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Can't remember | | Strengths: | Clear and concise. Covers all range of repairs from beginner to expert. | | Weaknesses: | A little outdated (Second Edition). Could use a spiral binding | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F600 Disc, Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | I love this book! I knew the basics about bicycles but this book really opened my eyes to so much more. Not only did it teach my to perform repairs on my own bike, now my friends ask me to adjust theirs. I can't wait for the 3rd Edition! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Infusionathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Weaverville, NC
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Comprehensive; clear and concise without leaving much out.
Well written; this book is easy to understand and fun to read.
Good tool lists.
Great section on fitting a bike.
Useful suggested torque table. | | Weaknesses: | Illustrations are mediocre. Photos, as in Zinn's "Mountain Bike Performance Handbook" would be better. The first edition does not deal with coil-and-oil shocks. This isn't really a weakness, just the book showing it's age. I've heard that the more recent editions have a better shock section. | | Similar Products Used: | The Bicycle Repair Book by van der Plas, Sloane's Manual of Bicycle Repair, some book by the editors of Bicycling magazine.....
| | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent book. The best I've read. It's very complete, even though the edition I have is four years old. It doesn't deal with my shock (coil Z2), but I figure that's the job of the owner's and shop manuals. It enabled me to shim out my bottom bracket myself, properly cut down my steerer tube, and find my correct stem size, all without setting foot in a shop. This book has paid for itself many times, and has made me much more aware of how my bike works, as well as how it doesn't work. Basicaly, if you want do work on your own bike, this is the book for you. Zinn's "Mountain Bike Performance Handbook" is a great companion volume, and, if you want the ultimate in coverage, you should buy both to start with. This book gets 5 for value and 4 for overall, because of the illustrations. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paisley Rioux
a Weekend Warrior
from Near the Delaware, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: |
A quick caveat: This book is not for the beginner. If you read the reviews below you'll notice that most of these folks have some idea of what they're doing before they tackle maintenance. Before buying "Zinn and the Art..." make sure you sit down with two or three other manuals and compare.
For my purposes this book was useless. I had a fairly serious brake problem and had hoped for some guidance that went beyond, "Remove the grip shift and the brake assembly." Gee. Help?
Before exchanging this book I took a good look at the other topics and how they are presented. There is entirely too much cross-referencing. In the next edition, too, the publisher should consider spiralbound, and perhaps a laminated index of gear ratios, etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ravenshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | MEC | | Strengths: | It certainly is nice to save some $...and most gratifying to do the work yourself...I'm not tht mechanically inclined so once I was over the fear of royally screwing up I'm not really that intimidated anymore. | | Weaknesses: | I agree with some of the other reviews in the fact that it would be nice to have it spiral bound for ease of use. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | who cares what I ride. | | Bottom Line: | It makes a lot of sense to invest in this book as you can save some significant $ in the long run...first you need some reliable tools and remember don't lend your tools, CD's or your girlfriend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hobbs
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Greenbelt - Austin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport Shop - Austin | | Strengths: | Easy to read; most complete book on the market; saves you $$$ | | Weaknesses: | none that I know of | | Similar Products Used: | Some web sites have repair info | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | If you own a mountain bike, you need this book. If you learn to do just one simple repair yourself instead of going to the LBS, you will more than make up for the price of this book. And it is easy and fun to read. I learned a lot about my bike just reading through this book. He gives great insight as well as the technical stuff. Buy it!! 5 flaming feet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SHAWN SR
a Cross Country Rider
from SOUTHEN CALIFORNIA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | INDIAN CANYON | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | PRODUCT SPECIFIC INFORMATION. TELLS YOU HOW TO REPAIR OR
ADJUST WHATEVER BRAND OF COMPONETRY YOUR RUNNING. | | Weaknesses: | THE BOOK IS A LITTLE DATED. THE AUTHER SAY'S NOTHING ABOUT
TODAYS DISC BRAKES.
| | Similar Products Used: | NOTHING EXCEPT MOUNTAIN BIKE MAGIZINES.
| | Bike Setup: | 98 STUMPJUMPER PRO, BASICLY STOCK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
MY TIME ATAC CARBON PEDALS AND A BROOKS SWIFT SADDLE.
| | Bottom Line: | THIS BOOK IS GREAT. ALL THE REPAIRS AND ADJUSTEMENTS I'VE
PERFORMED HAVE TURNED OUT GREAT. THE ONLY THINGS I'VE HAD
THE LBS DO TO MY BIKE IS TRUE MY WHEELS AND SETUP MY
PROPER CHAINLINE. I DON'T PLAN ON BUYING A MASTER PARK TOOL
SET BUT REPAIR BY MY LOCAL LBS WILL ONLY BE STUFF REQUIRING
EXSPENSIVE EQUIPTMENT AND A LOT OF EXPIRENCE.
I ESPECIALY LIKED THE PART ON FRAME SIZING. THIS WILL GIVE
YOU A BASIC IDEA IS THAT OFF THE RACK FRAME IS GONNA FIT.
AS A PRO CAR MECHANIC, I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, Alaska
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Clear, concise information presented in simple language. The book also covers a wide range of new and old components, so it's useful to owners of older bikes as well as to people with the latest models. | | Weaknesses: | The simple drawings could be a bit clearer at times, but for the most part, they serve the purpose just fine. I wish the book was spiral bound so that it would be easier to lay flat on a workbench, but considering its size and thickness, that probably isn't practical. | | Bike Setup: | Everything from my M2 Stumpjumper to my youngest child's single-speed Mongoose kid's bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is a very satisfying alternative to using bike shops for your maintenance and repairs. I've always been frustrated by shops that want to keep my bike several days for a simple repair that often ends up being performed by some teenage trainee who does a mediocre job, at best. Bikes are relatively simple machines, and with a good guide and a few decent tools, most service work can be done at home quicker, cheaper and often better. Do yourself a favor and invest in a workstand, some good tools and this book. Use them well, and you'll do a better job of maintaining your bike and be proud of doing it yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Wyckoff, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive and very thorough | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Klein Pulse Pro
XTR blah, blah, blah | | Bottom Line: | Calling this gem a book is a huge mistake. It should be called the MTB Bible. You can fix ANYTHING on your ride pretty quickly with it at your side. I can't figure out why LBSs sell them, because it allows you to do all repairs and upgrades yourself. Too bad it doesn't come with tools!
Seriously, mine is a greasy mess that's used and abused. I actually stole it from my friend because it was so good when I borrowed it.
Go get this book if you want to know your bike!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Beverly
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Concise, inexpensive, well written, comprehensive | | Weaknesses: | vague,if not confusing illustrations, not terribly up to date but you can't release one every year. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | This is a great way to leard how to take care of your bike and make trailside repairs. It reads pretty well and will almost definitely include all the parts on your bike. I bought it knowing next to nothing about how to work on my bike and I now feel confident enough to do most of my repairs. I would list this book as an essential item to everyone who doesn't consider themselves a bike mechanic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jojo
a Cross-Country Rider
from york, PA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
The whole book | | Weaknesses: |
not in color | | Similar Products Used: |
local bike shops | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX 870
Shimano XT group | | Bottom Line: | Instead of spending the money on taking your bike to the shop buy some tools and buy this book and do it yourself. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Mathers
a Cross-Country Rider
from Waterloo, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Well organized, fun, services different levels of skill levels | | Weaknesses: |
Black and White | | Similar Products Used: |
bicycle Magazines Complete Bike maintanene hand book. | | Bottom Line: | This is as great book for all levels of bike hobbiests. It is up to date and gives a good level of discription. I liked how it seperates the ability to make a repair baced on your equipment. Good book. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pippo
a Cross-Country Rider
from switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | very good,....compliments!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willy
a Racer
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wasatch Crest, UT Cottonwood Canyon, LV,NV | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Simple easy instructions. Covers almost every type of part. (it covered service and repairs on Magura brakes) | | Bottom Line: | Written so even the mechanicly chalenged can do maintenance and repairs on their bike. (I know cause I am and I did) I was able to change both front and rear derailers and both shifters and after I did the stuff worked. A definite must for any MTB rider. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Tremann
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ft Lauderdale Fl
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Oleta Park and then any thing not in Florida | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Extremely entertaining and the drawings help when you dont understand the words. Also I have the second addition which is a little better then the first. | | Weaknesses: |
None. It is great reading | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 8900 Manituo SX-Ti Spinergy wheels | | Bottom Line: | Definitly the best maintance book out there | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe s.
a Cross-Country Rider
from mn.
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
easy reading, fun to read, doesn't bore me | | Weaknesses: |
how to fix the brakes section sucked......but i got through it. | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
97 LTS-3, MANITOU X-VERT | | Bottom Line: | i just started fixing my own bike. this book does a great job telling you how to fix what's wrong with your bike. i had trouble with the brake section......but made it!!!
i got the book before i got my work-stand, i have read thorough it twice.....it really helps!
ok ok............ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SPUD
a Cross-Country Rider
from FONTHILL
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | IF IT WAS UP TO DATE I WOULD GIVE IT 5 BUT ITS REALLY OUTDATED FOR99' BUT ITS STILL NOT THAT BAD | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SGT ROCK
a Weekend Warrior
from Drumheller, AB
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Up to date
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Topics spread throughout the book | | Similar Products Used: |
Bicycling's Repair Guide | | Bottom Line: | This book rocks - haven't been able to find an aspect of maintenance or repair it doesn't cover. Only annoyance is the organization; for example, wheel building references are spread throughout the book, so you have to flip back and forth. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Easy to understand.
Clear descriptions | | Weaknesses: |
Pictures arent really that great
The binding is not good. You cant leave it open on a workbench while working without weighing down the pages with something. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike. The binding problem is only a minor annoyance and this book gets as detailed as I wanted it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross-Country Rider
from Nottingham
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Covers the whole range of maintenance you would need
Simple to read and understand | | Weaknesses: |
Diagrams can be a bit vague
Description of how to adjust braking sytems is crap
Many topics are spread out of several pages so cross referencing is required, not good when your hands are covered in oil/grease... | | Similar Products Used: |
Haines Manual for MTBS
Manufacturer's information | | Bike Setup: |
Klien Attitude Comp Manitou | | Bottom Line: | Pretty good - the brake adjustment section did not tell me what was wrong with my v-brakes, I play until it was fixed | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross-Country Rider
from State Colloege PA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tussey Mt.` | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Excellent writing
good illustrations
fun to read
good sense of humor | | Weaknesses: |
not as detailed as Barnett's-this isn't really a bad thing for most, though. | | Similar Products Used: |
Barnett's manual
The Bicycle Wheel
Paterek's manual
Sloane's New Bicycle Book | | Bike Setup: |
cr-mo hardtail, 98 SX-R fork | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent book for most people. I know a good deal about bikes, and I didn't feel insulted as I read it. A beginner would be well advised to pick this up, and learn as they go along. It's fun to read, too, unlike most repair books. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TrailRipper
a Cross-Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Rock Lake | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
In depth, fun to read, and concise. | | Weaknesses: |
None, really | | Similar Products Used: |
Well.... | | Bike Setup: |
You have to use your eyes a lot. | | Bottom Line: | This book is not only fun to read, but it's also very helpful in almost any repair the home mechanic would want to do. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
koala
a Cross-Country Rider
from lake O, OR
Date Reviewed: March 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Bottom Line: | this is the best book in the world. Yes, the pictures (or drawings) are cheap and don't work for everything but its made up for by covering almost everything. This is the book I learned by! go get yourself a copy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a cross-country rider
from Bowdoinham, Maine
Date Reviewed: February 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I really like this book. It is current and has some great advice. The sketches are a bit cheesy, but the book over all is great. It is one of the best maintenece book son the market according to me. I do wish that there would be some more challenging repairs i the book. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a cross-country rider
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: February 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Great book, contrary to some of the other reviews I appreciated the diagrams more than the photographs in other books. Ever notice how hard it is to tell exactly what widget is being described in a low contrast photo? So far the 2nd edition has coverage on everything I've run into, and has given me some much needed guidance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a cross-country rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 16, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Great book. It has walked me through a drive train rebuild, a fork swap, brake adjustments and many other repairs. It is now pretty dirty, and has many notes scribbled in the margins. If you want a guide to working on your own bike this one is well worth the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Maymi
a weekend warrior
from New York City
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
After buying another book and returning it, I was skeptical about Zinn's. Nevertheless, I bought it. Well worth the money. I payed less than 18 bucks for it. The only downside for me, is the graphics on it (illustrations). They are all hand-drawn, cheesy-looking sketches that lack detail. Overall, this one deserves four tamales! Go get it NOW. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This thing is great! -especially if you're the least mechanically challenged. The exploded diagrams are a big help to the visually minded and the tone of the book is very user-friendly. I can't wait to start wrenchin'!The perfect-bound binding of the book makes it hard for photo copying specific pages. Also, it would've been nice if they (the publisher) had 3 hole drilled it for use in a notebook. I give it 5 stars nonetheless. A good read! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a cross-country rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great book for anyone into mtbing. It can save you $$$, but it is definitely worth having even if you only use it to expand your knowledge of how the components on your bike work. The LBS tends to treat you better if you're an informed rider. At least that's been my experience. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is an excellent book for anyone looking to cut down on trips to the LBS. It
is simple, informative and the diagrams are easy to understand. There is a wealth
of useful tips on repairs and component installation. Essential for new mtbers &
helpful to more experienced riders. Even tells you how to clean your bike! Bad
for bikeshops - good for us! It is the mtb bible. You can order from amazon.com. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin m
a weekend warrior
from Honolulu, HI
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I wanted to cut down on the cost of taking my bike down to the local bike shop for repairs and was looking for a bike maintenance book. I finally came upon Leonards book which I found to be great. The illustrations are descent which really go well with the text. It may still take sometime for me to make repairs, but the way I see it is that I'm gaining valuble knowledge and saving $$$$.Great book Leonard! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saxa
a cross-country rider
from boston
Date Reviewed: October 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This book is totally up to date, easy to understand, well organized, very informative and very funny. Zinn has been around bicycles for years and his perspective on the new vs. old ways of doing things is very helpful. This is a bike you can just pick up and read front to back. All the repairs have ratings indicating whether you should try them yourself, as well as complete lists of tools, risks, etc. He is fairly opinionated about the right and wrong way to do things, but it is not offensive since it is generally tongue in cheek and he really knows what he is talking about. Buy this book. It will pay for itself within a month of riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crank
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hey, I purchased 8 books on mountain bike maintenance and repair and relative to all the others, Zinn's book is the best because (1) he covers the latest gear; i.e., Shimano, Gripshift plus '97 shocks and (2) his writing style makes enjoyable reading. None of the other books cover the late model gear so if you are new into mountain biking and have a 97/98 mountain bike with mid to higher end components, this is the only book that covers repair of the componentson your bike. Some of the other books go into more detail on mechanical principles and theory so they make a good supplement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a cross-country rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 2d edition earns this the 4th pepper. The first edition was a bit out-dated, so I'm glad this edition came along, esp. in regards to V-brakes and modern shocks. 4 greasy thumb-prints would be more appropriate (like the copy I returned to the local public library). I purchased mine via amazon.com. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buzzman
a weekend warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the best mountain bike maintenance book available on the market today.
It is easy to understand and contains a ton of illustrations. I purchased the
second edition which has the latest info on v brakes & forks. Zinn has done an
excellent job in taking the fear out of working on a bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Littrell
a racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It's great seeing the feedback on Lennard's book. The 2nd edition was released in December -- and does include V brake and '97 suspension info.
We did have some trouble with the book's binding in the first edition. If you're one of those unlucky owners, please return your book to our office and we'll send you a spankin' new copy of the second edition.
Ship 'em via snail mail to:
Velo Returns
1850 N. 55th St.
Boulder, CO 80301 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Scottsdale
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Love to fix bikes, my wife always knows where to find me. This books good and current; but the publisher sucks, the binding fell apart in a few months and now I have to chase pages all over the garage. If I want a work out I go for a ride. If you buy it, get it on sale! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Otto
a cross-country rider
from Marin County, CA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recieved this book along with my bike for christmas. I skimmed through it, reading the interesting parts, and I found it to be very comprehensive and easy-to-read. There are a lot of illustrations and funny commentary, and it tells you how to do almost anything-- maintenence, overhauls, installation, removal, wheel builing, adjustment, you name it. The 2nd edition has updated components such as V-brakes and the 97 forks. It has a complete troubleshooting section, with the problem, the cause, and how to fix it. I give it a 5 and reccommend it to anyone who wants to maintain thier MTB's themselves. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a cross-country rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I would have a really hard time recommending this book to a newbie. Zinn and team seem to know their subject but aren't able to articulate it to paper. The layout of this book is poor. Often times Zinn will take a repair job that should be broken down into 3 or 4 major sections and lump every single painful step together. Overhauling threadless headset winds one through a maze of 50 some odd steps. Who can follow all these nausating steps? Break it down into 5 major sections. Maybe, just maybe, peace with ones self can only be reached by following Zinn through this jumbled up book and making it out with your sanity. The diagrams are poor with even poorer lables to boot. In my life this book is a complete waste of $20 bucks. Shit, I'm so bummed I bought it. I just want to burn it sometimes, but then I think it could actually come in handy on a long bike trip if I had to pull over and take a shit and didn't have anything to wipe my shitty ass. Save your money for some lube or something really worthless, you'll say, Man that was money well spent compared to that damn Zinn book. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a weekend warrior
from Berkeley
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This was the newest book on mountain bike repair I could fine. Most were at least 3 years old and didn't cover v-brakes or suspension. This book does a fair job covering important topics and has nice troubleshooting sections after each topic. Great for the beginner | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Hui
a weekend warrior
from Bloomingdale, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great book for the fairly new to maintenance, Wish the book would go into
labelling parts better, sometimes hard to find out what part X is they refer
to in the book. Good illustrations and easy to read print. I recommend this
book to all my friends who are interested. Good intro to all aspects of
bike maintenance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This book is the best I've seen. I think however it should spend more time or refining your drivetrain, specifically derailleurs. I've read the chapter on these subjects many times and am still terrible at maintaining my own gears I'm sad to say. It's not just a weakness of the book but many others as well. It's also a bit dated when it comes to some designs (ie, V-brakes), but not bad. I think it's the best book out there but still room for improvement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ITrainer
a weekend warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is an excellent shop book with decent illustrations and non-technical, yet detailed
enough, instructions to complete all but the most sophisticated repair or upgrade.
Good section on wheel building (3 cross only). I've tried several other how to books
for bikes and this is the best yet.Zinn and The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance
by Leonard Zinn (senior technical writer of VeloNews)
VeloPress
ISBN 1-884737-15-3 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Wright
a cross-country rider
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a comprehensive guide to mountain bike repair, covering basic maintenance to the most complex repair jobs. I've used the book to help me tune and upgrade my bike. I still don't do the big jobs, but I'm now comfortable with routine repairs. The diagrams are good and the information is up to date, up to and including V-brakes. The book may not be necessary for those who already know how to work on their bikes, but it perfect for people who want to learn how to take care of thier bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
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