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Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance

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You only need one look inside to see why Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has become one of the world's best-selling books on bike repair. This smartly organized and clearly illustrated guide to road bike repair and maintenance—now in 2 colors for easier reference—can make a mechanic out of anyone. Lennard Zinn's expert advice makes quick work of taking care of every part of a road bike. Zinn can teach anyone how to completely and properly maintain all aspects of a bicycle to ensure years of trouble-free riding. Newcomers and experienced mechanics alike will benefit from the hundreds of illustrations, the exploded views of how components go together, and Zinn's practical, time-saving tips. The level of detail is astonishing, but Zinn's friendly advice is confidence-inspiring, and his years of experience make tackling even the most daunting task fun and easy. All the latest high-tech equipment is covered in this new edition, but Zinn does not neglect older bike technology. Indeed, no matter what road bike you may have in your garage, chances are you'll find it—and the way to fix it—in these pages. This new edition

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

66 people are currently reading
752 people want to read

About the author

Lennard Zinn

20 books5 followers

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5 stars
480 (49%)
4 stars
325 (33%)
3 stars
129 (13%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Christina.
16 reviews5 followers
Read
August 25, 2007
Because looking at sexy road bikes and road bike parts is porn.
Profile Image for James Paden.
28 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2015
I've struggled a long time with maintaining my road bike. Youtube videos don't have enough detail and I hate watching a 20-minute video to answer just one question. Google searches return confusing results. This book has answered every question I have so far and has done it in seconds.
Profile Image for Joe.
211 reviews25 followers
May 5, 2020
Oh, it is what it is. I wanted to be good at maintaining my bicycles, but I could not make myself want to do it. From my favorite movie, "a man can do whatever he wants, but he cannot want whatever he wants". (I think i got that right).
7 reviews
October 23, 2018
A solid reference for bike maintenance and repairs. Detailed instructions and helpful guides.
Profile Image for Heath.
69 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2019
If you want to learn basic to mid-level bike mechanics, this is the one. Book has paid for itself multiple times over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
9 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2020
The best book you can get on bike maintenance, but keep in mind it can't replace experience.
Profile Image for Kate.
1,303 reviews
April 4, 2017
"Eat a live toad the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."

"Never mistake motion for action." --E.H.
Profile Image for Thomas Delaney.
6 reviews36 followers
October 2, 2013
Although I didn't read this book in its entirety, I will say this book is a godsend for people who bike and want to learn about bikes. Zinn explains every task you can think of, many of which I wasn't aware of or did not need to know about. It really is about "road" bike maintenance. This book can help you regardless of your ride, but if you use a road bike you can get alot more from reading Zinn. There is no way you will read through this once, or 100 times, and get everything you need out of it. It really should be used as a reference. That being said, if you are into cycling, bike repair, or both, this book is worth buying.
7 reviews
October 13, 2015
The 2000 edition felt extremely dated. It's interesting to learn about the changes in bicycle components over the past 20 or 30 years however, mixing history and practical step by step instruction just made certain sections feel muddled. Illustrations were hand drawn and not very clear. Really would like to find a good comprehensive guide that covers as much as possible, within reason - this doesn't seem to be it for me. It's funny how practical YouTube videos are for subjects like this!
Profile Image for Joseph.
9 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2007
Describing mechanical adjustments of simple, yet elegant mid-eighties bike parts appears to be a gift that comes naturally to Zinn. His instructions for adjusting cup and cone style bearings make the process easy.
5 reviews
September 16, 2007
Not at all interested in bike maintenance, but this book is great for the novice or expert biker. He also makes some good arguments in the beginning about why you need to be able to do basic maintenance on your bike if you ride!
Profile Image for Molly.
25 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2008
I will never, never be the type to do my own repairs. It took me an hour an a half to fix my flat tire last month. How embarrassing. But, if I were the type - this book would be really helpful.

Leif, you want this book?

26 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2010
This is the everyman's bible to road bike repair and maintenance and must read for anyone wanting to get into bicycle wrenching. Although some of the sections are a little out-of-date by today's road bike standards, overall it is an absolute great guide!
6 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2007
Excellent directions and illustrations. Everything you would want to know about fixing and repairing your road bike is in this book.
Profile Image for Elly.
Author 59 books82 followers
September 7, 2008
Working on my bike used to make me cry. Now it doesn't. Best book ever.
Profile Image for Ann.
9 reviews
October 24, 2007
An ok book, but the diagrams are disappointingly unclear.
Profile Image for brian.
63 reviews13 followers
April 4, 2008
good info, but not nearly enough pictures to adequately illustrate what is being explained.
Profile Image for Mikey.
2 reviews
June 24, 2009
The only book you will need to learn how to fix all road bikes. Execelent diagrams.
34 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2011
Not so much "already read" as "often referred to". This book has become my go-to when I need to know such things as the torque rating for my chainring allen bolts. A great reference..
Profile Image for Joe.
7 reviews
December 12, 2012
Excellent diagrams, nothing on disc or v-brakes though.
Profile Image for Drew.
35 reviews
June 3, 2014
Everything the aspiring bike mechanic needs.
515 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2015
Huge book, full of good pictures and reference. Would check out to do something complicated to my bike.
287 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2016
for me this is essential reading. a few really great tips and a lot of right on knowledge.
Profile Image for Smellsofbikes.
253 reviews23 followers
November 21, 2010
Wish I owned it. 90% of this I already know, but the stuff I don't is worth its weight in gold.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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