Bike Repair and Maintenance For Dummies

Make your own repairs and maintain your bike like a pro

Want to be your own grease monkey? This plain–English guide gives you expert tips for keeping your bicycle in great condition and handling most repairs by yourself. You′ll also see how to extend the life of your bike, increase your riding comfort, and improve safety through routine maintenance. No matter the make or size of bicycle, this hands–on resource has all the tips you need!

Get to know your bike understand its parts and how they work together

Set up your repair area assess your space and stock up on the tools of the trade

Handle common bike repairs from tires to wheels, from brakes to the chain, get your hands dirty with routine repair procedures

Go beyond the basics tackle advanced repairs involving the frame and suspension, pedals, and shifting and steering systems

Keep your bike wheeling along perform preventive maintenance and annual tune–ups to keep your bike in good working order

Guarantee a great ride from adjusting the handlebars to checking tire pressure, know the steps to take before you ride

Open the book and find:

What you can fix and what you can′t

How to handle breakdowns on the road

Ways to tune your bike for performance

Monthly and annual maintenance for your bike

Steps to take to ensure safety and comfort

Detailed photos and illustrations to guide you

How to store your bike long–term

Part I: Getting Started.

Chapter 1: Channeling Your Inner Grease Monkey.

Chapter 2: Bike Physiology: Understanding How Your Bike Works.

Chapter 3: Setting Up Shop: Repairing Your Bike at Home.

Chapter 4: Making like MacGyver: Handling Repairs on the Road.

Chapter 5: Help! When You Need Professional Assistance.

Part II: Basic Bike Repairs.

Chapter 6: Burning Rubber: Tires and Tubes.

Chapter 7: Hugging the Curb: The Wheels.

Chapter 8: Stopping Short: The Brakes.

Chapter 9: Taking Your Seat: Saddles and Seat Posts.

Chapter 10: Hitting the Links: The Chain.

Chapter 11: Gearing Up: Freewheels and Cassettes.

Part III: Shifting into a Higher Gear: Advanced Bike Repairs.

Chapter 12: Holding It All Together: The Frame and Suspension.

Chapter 13: Putting the Pedal to the Metal: The Drivetrain.

Chapter 14: Dropping It into Gear: The Shifting System.

Chapter 15: Turning on a Dime: The Steering System.

Part IV: Keeping Your Bike on the Road.

Chapter 16: An Ounce of Preventive Maintenance.

Chapter 17: Regular Bike Maintenance.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Steps to Take before You Ride.

Chapter 19: Ten Considerations in Fitting Your Bike.

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Improve the Performance and Comfort of Your Bike.

Index.

Dennis Bailey has been actively involved in bike repair and maintenance for almost two decades. He has worked on bikes on bike tours in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Keith Gates has been repairing bikes for more than 30 years and provides personalized service as the owner of A–1 Cycling, with locations in Manassas and Herndon, Virginia.