Friday, January 3, 2014

Book Review: Park Tool “Big Blue Book Of Bicycle Repair”


Unless you have been living under that old, proverbial rock, then no doubt you have heard of the Park Tool Company.  Since 1963, they have been providing the bicycle industry with quality tools to keep our rides reliably rolling.  And, with all of this history, it made sense they would put forth a book for the home mechanic on how to get the job done right.  Thus, the Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair.

First published in 2008 (now in its Second Edition), it was written by C. Calvin Jones, and it pretty much covers every aspect of on and off-road cycling in its eighteen chapters, four appendixes, and 245-pages.  And, while most “How-To” books are as dry as stereo instructions, this book is well laid out with appropriate descriptions, and color, step-by-step photos to help the do-it-your-selfer, as well as listing the proper tool(s) required for the job.

Thorough, step-by-step instructions, with color photos, makes the job easier.

Billed as “A Do-It-Yourself Bicycle Repair Guide,” it is available at most bicycle shops and online.  I think it is a must have for anyone whom even remotely takes their cycling and maintenance seriously.  Personally, I have not only been reading it to inform myself on how to do certain at-home repairs, but I have even found myself referencing the book to make sure the things I have already been doing on my own are indeed correct.

Retail: $24.95 USD
Park Tool part number: BBB-2
ISBN 978-0-976553-02-1

Editor’s Note: The Third Edition, part number BBB-3 has just been released, and it includes many updates in cycling technology since the Second Edition was released, such as 11-speed drive trains, electronic shifting, and additional tubeless wheels/tires systems.

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