A must-have reference for anyone who works on bicycles.

Reviewed by Monte L. May, PCI #262/EMSCI #009
Kansas City Police Department (MO)
IPMBA Industry Liaison

Attention all bike maintenance people on tight budgets, have we found a deal for you! This book is a fantastic resource for any department mechanic. It is also an excellent guide for introducing officers to maintenance techniques.

I recently read the third edition of this title. The book addresses a broad spectrum of bicycle maintenance topics. It is structured so that it presents material at different levels, identifying procedures for the novice as well as for the more advanced. It also provides helpful tips on bicycle fit, and discusses the different tools needed for various repairs.

I have long used the previous editions for reference. I have found the Third Edition to be a very thorough revision. It includes maintenance on many new technologies in the industry, including the Shimano brand hydraulic and Avid brand cable-activated disc brakes.

The step-by-step instructions are not difficult to follow. They are written clearly and concisely. The book is filled with illustrations that are very explicit and provide the reader with a clear picture of the parts of the bicycle being addressed.

Additionally, Zinn includes chapters on troubleshooting and emergency repair; tables on gear inches; and sections on bike fit, wheel-building, forks, and even frame repair.

This book is an excellent resource for any mechanic. It does not replace professional instruction but it is an excellent manual to have in your library. I would recommend this book to anyone who works on bicycles. The book retails for $21.95 and is available from Velopress, www.velogear.com/maintenance1.html or 800-234-8356.

This review originally appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of IPMBA News.