JamesRL

I'm someone who used to bike a lot 25 years ago. Back then I did minor maintenance myself. I replaced brakes, cables, tires, tubes, adjusted the derailleurs etc. I went to a wheel building class at Bloor cycle, I did build a front wheel from my old hub and new rim.

But it has been a long time since. I've gotten tuneups recently at the LBS, but I should be able to do them myself. Sure it will take longer, but thats how we learn.

But thanks to a BikeForum member, I have a new project. When I mentioned my frame was too small, someone here graciously gave me a larger frame that he never got around to using. Its a japanese made Bianchi. I rode a Bianchi Sport SX back in the 80s, a similar frame, perhaps a little better than the donated one. Instead of swapping from my existing bike (which might fit my son fine) I've bought a group and wheels from someone doing a swapout. All I need now is a BB, stem, bars, seatube and seat.

So to get the project underway, I'd like a good maintenance book as a reference. Illustrations are good. I've looked at what is on Amazon, Zinn's book looks good, as does the park book.

I figured many of you here might have experience with more than one of these books. Any suggestions, comments, favorites?

evrythngsgngrn

I recently went through this same decision and ended up with the Zinn book (specifically the road maintenance one), it seemed a bit more in depth (almost double the length of the Park book) and the price was better (ordered from chapters online).

fietsbob

I still use the Sutherlands Shop manual ​I got 25+ years ago ..

bikeman715

+1000

HillRider

Do they issue annual updates or is the info 25 years obsolete? 25 years ago was 1989. Index shifting was in it's infancy, brifters didn't exist and Campy was still trying to make indexing work at all. Steel was king for fames, aluminum frames were still a specialty and carbon was no where to be found in any bicycle use. Has your repair manual gotten beyond that stage?

Panthers007

My old fave? "Anybody's Bike Book" by Tom Cuthbertson. It was just fun! Other than that, I use my Sutherland's.

Andrew R Stewart 

+++111

Grand Bois

My 4th edition Sutherland's was a free online download, but it doesn't appear to be available anymore. I consulted Sheldon Brown online a lot when I first got back into bikes.

flyfisherbob

I am partial to the Zinn books. I bought both the mountain bike and road bike manuals. The Bicycling magazine book is pretty good also, imho

Andrew R Stewart 

Any one see the news that Sutherlands has been sold? Andy.

Rubato

I bought the 7th edition in March-looking for a used copy of the 6th edition.