Bike Repair and Maintenance For Dummies®
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Part I: Getting Started
Part II: Basic Bike Repairs
Part III: Shifting into a Higher Gear: Advanced Bike Repairs
Part IV: Keeping Your Bike on the Road
Part V: The Part of Tens
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Getting Started
Chapter 1: Channeling Your Inner Grease Monkey
Starting down the Road of Bike Repair and Maintenance
Before, During, and After Your Ride
Before you ride
While you ride
After you ride
Making Repairs
Performing Maintenance
Monthly maintenance
Annual maintenance
Chapter 2: Bike Physiology: Understanding How Your Bike Works
Gross Anatomy: Identifying the Parts of a Bike
Getting Your Bearings
Don’t Screw This Up: The Threading System
Tightening enough, but not too much
When fasteners come loose
Shopping for threaded fasteners
Considering How Cables Control a Bike
Gearing Up
Making Sure You Don’t Get Derailed
The Quickest Release in the West
Other Bike Parts to Keep in Mind
Chapter 3: Setting Up Shop: Repairing Your Bike at Home
Tools of the Trade
Assembling your bike-tool starter kit
Specialized tools for advanced bike jobs
Setting Up Shop
Considering how much space you need
Factoring in ventilation
Looking into the light(ing)
Wrangling a workbench
Focusing on storage
Banking on a bike stand
Chapter 4: Making like MacGyver: Handling Repairs on the Road
When You Can’t Call AAA: Handling Your Own Bike Repairs on the Side of the Road
Repairing a bent rim
Replacing a broken spoke
Fixing flats and torn tires
Repairing a broken chain
Extracting a jammed chain
Dealing with the derailleur
Knowing When You Should Walk Home
Inspecting Your Bike after an Accident
Looking for looseness
Checking the alignment
The All-Purpose Repair Tool: Duct Tape
Chapter 5: Help! When You Need Professional Assistance
What to Look for in a Bike Shop
Shopping at Your Bike Shop
Buying a bike
Buying accessories
Recognizing the Repairs You Need Help With
Repairing frames
Installing a new headset
Truing a wheel
Working on suspension
Part II: Basic Bike Repairs
Chapter 6: Burning Rubber: Tires and Tubes
Why Flat Tires Happen to Good People
Fixing a Flat
Grabbing yourself a wheel
Removing the tire or at least half of it
Finding the puncture
Patching the tube
Inspecting the tire
When it’s more than just a flat
Ready to Roll!
Putting on the tube and tire
Attaching the wheel
Coming to a screeching halt: When you get another flat right away
A Pound of Cure: Preventing a Flat
Chapter 7: Hugging the Curb: The Wheels
The Spin on Wheels
Shopping for new wheels
Caring for your wheels
Inspecting the wheels for problems
Taking off a wheel
Repairing dents in the rim
Installing the front and rear wheels
Hubba-Hubba: Working on the Hubs
Overhauling the hubs
Reassembling the hubs
Adjusting a hub
I Spoke Too Soon: Working on the Spokes
Replacing a spoke
Truing a wheel
Chapter 8: Stopping Short: The Brakes
Types of Brakes
Inspecting the Brakes
Removing and Installing Brakes and Brake Pads
Removing brakes and brake pads
Installing brakes
Adjusting Brakes
Adjusting brake-pad position
Centering and tensioning brakes
Silencing those squeaking brakes!
Using the brake quick release
Replacing brake cables
Chapter 9: Taking Your Seat: Saddles and Seat Posts
Saddle Up! Types of Saddles
Material
Function
Gender
Removing and Installing a Saddle
Adjusting the Saddle Fore, Aft, and Height
Angling for the right angle
Fore and aft, to and fro
Chapter 10: Hitting the Links: The Chain
A Chain Is Not a Chain Is Not a Chain: Types of Chains
Recognizing What Can Go Wrong with the Chain
Getting down and dirty
Stuck in a rut: Stiff links
Wear and tear
Caring for Your Chain
Keeping it simple: Cleaning and lubricating your chain
Going deeper: Giving your chain a heavy-duty cleaning
Replacing a Chain
Unchain me! Removing the chain
Measuring your new chain
Reassembling your chain
Chapter 11: Gearing Up: Freewheels and Cassettes
The Dirt on Freewheels and Cassettes
What’s so free about a freewheel?
The best things come in packages: The cassette
Inspecting Your Freewheel or Cassette
Cleaning the Freewheel or Cassette
Lubricating the Freewheel or Cassette
Removing a Freewheel or Cassette
Removing a freewheel
Removing a cassette
Removing individual the cogs on a freewheel or cassette
Removing the free-hub body
Installing a Freewheel or Cassette
Part III: Shifting into a Higher Gear: Advanced Bike Repairs
Chapter 12: Holding It All Together: The Frame and Suspension
I’ve Been Framed: Your Bike’s Frame
What to look for in a frame
Types of frame materials
Inspecting your frame
Maintaining your frame
Suspended in Disbelief: The Suspension
Types of suspension
Tuning the suspension
Maintaining the suspension
Chapter 13: Putting the Pedal to the Metal: The Drivetrain
Putting the Pedal to the Metal
Shopping for new pedals
Identifying worn-out pedals
Removing pedals
Overhauling the pedals
Installing new pedals
Crank It Up! Working on the Crankset and Bottom Bracket
The crankset
The bottom bracket
Chapter 14: Dropping It into Gear: The Shifting System
Demystifying Derailleurs
The rear derailleur
The front derailleur
The derailleur cable
Gear Shifters
Removing shifters
Installing shifters
Chapter 15: Turning on a Dime: The Steering System
Gimme a Hand: Types of Handlebars
Delving Deeper: Handlebar Options
Taping Your Handlebars
Getting Your Head around This: The Headset
Inspecting the headset
Adjusting your headset
Overhauling your headset
Part IV: Keeping Your Bike on the Road
Chapter 16: An Ounce of Preventive Maintenance
Before You Ride
Assembling an emergency tool kit
Giving your bike the once-over: A pre-ride inspection
While You Ride
After You Ride
Cleaning your bike
Giving your bike a lube job
Storing your bike
Chapter 17: Regular Bike Maintenance
Monthly Maintenance
Surveying your bike for structural damage
Kicking the tires
Cleaning your bike
Giving your bike a lube job
Tightening up
Checking the brakes
Examining the chain, cogs, and chainrings
Protecting your saddle
Inspecting the suspension
Annual Maintenance
Deep-cleaning the chain
Truing the wheels
Replacing cables and housing
Overhauling the hubs
Overhauling the headset
Overhauling the pedals
Overhauling the bottom bracket
Cleaning the rear derailleur
Replacing the brake pads
Replacing the handlebar grips or tape
Waxing the frame
Checking your accessories
Part V: The Part of Tens
Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Steps to Take before You Ride
Take a Road Safety Skills Class
Adjust the Handlebars
Adjust the Saddle
Check Tire Pressure
Check the Brakes
Look for Looseness
Check the Wheels
Grab Your Toolkit
Wear Your Helmet and Gloves
Improve Your Visibility
Stock Your Emergency Gear
Chapter 19: Ten Considerations in Fitting Your Bike
Considering Crank Arm Length
Going for Gearing
Resisting the Temptation to Tilt Your Saddle
Setting the Saddle Height
Looking at the Saddle Fore and Aft
Choosing the Right Saddle Type
Sizing Up the Frame
Focusing on Frame Dimensions
Positioning Your Handlebars
Getting a Handle on Handlebar Style
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Improve the Performance and Comfort of Your Bike
Upgrading Your Wheels and Tires
Ramping Up Your Rear Derailleur
Beefing Up Your Bearings
Pumping Up Your Pedals
A Shoe-In: Choosing the Best Shoes for the Job
Saddle Up! Taking Your Saddle to the Next Level
Upgrading Your Handlebars
Boosting Your Brake Levers
Taking Your Clothing up a Notch
Embracing Your Inner Geek with a Cycling Computer
Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies©
by Dennis Bailey and Keith Gates
Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies©
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
111 River St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008943495
ISBN: 9780470480366
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Authors
Dennis Bailey: Dennis Bailey has been actively involved in bike repair and maintenance for over 18 years. He has worked on bikes on biking tours in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Dennis brings a perspective on how to maintain and repair bikes, not just from within the comfort of a well-stocked bike shop or garage, but from the side of the road, where, on many occasions, he’s had to put on his MacGyver hat and improvise with whatever grab bag of supplies were available at the time. You can contact him at [email protected].
Keith Gates: Keith Gates started as a bicycle mechanic in 1977 when he was in high school. In 1982, after going to college, he got married and went back into the bicycle business as the Service Manager for A-1 Cycling in Manassas, Virginia. He became a partner in the business in 1984 and, in 1992, took advantage of an opportunity to buy out his partners. He has been the sole owner of A-1 Cycling since then, providing personalized service and expertise to local bike enthusiasts of all ages. You can contact him at [email protected].
Dedication
Dennis Bailey: This book is dedicated to Randy Cronk, who showed me that the world is best explored on two wheels.
Ke
ith Gates: This book is dedicated to Fred Landau, who originally opened A-1 Cycling and gave me the opportunity to turn my passion into a career, and to the many people throughout the years who have helped A-1 Cycling support the Northern Virginia cycling community.
Author’s Acknowledgments
We want to express our debt of gratitude to the many people behind the scenes who made it possible to transform an idea about helping bike riders of old and young alike into something on paper on bookstore shelves. They include our acquisitions editor Michael Lewis; our project editor and copy editor, Elizabeth Kuball; our photographer, Jean Fogle; and our technical editor, Ed France.
Special thanks to Barb Doyen, our agent extraordinaire, who always has a way of matching the right people with the best project.
Dennis Bailey: Thanks to my wife, Adriana, and our daughter, Valeria, who make it all worthwhile. Additional kudos to Dave Coldiron, Aaron Plank, and Brad Graley for their timely and important contributions.
Keith Gates: Thanks to my wife, Lynn, and our children, Colin and Chelsea, and the rest of my family for their love, support, and encouragement throughout the years.
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at http://dummies.custhelp.com. For other comments, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax 317-572-4002.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Elizabeth Kuball
Acquisitions Editor: Michael Lewis
Copy Editor: Elizabeth Kuball
Assistant Editor: Erin Calligan Mooney
Editorial Program Coordinator: Joe Niesen
Technical Editor: Ed France
Senior Editorial Manager: Jennifer Ehrlich
Editorial Supervisor and Reprint Editor: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Assistants: Jennette ElNaggar, David Lutton
Art Coordinator: Alicia B. South
Cover Photos: © Daniela Richardson
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Lynsey Stanford
Layout and Graphics: Reuben W. Davis, Cheryl Grubbs, Christine Williams
Proofreaders: John Greenough, Joni Heredia
Indexer: Broccoli Information Management
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Kristin Ferguson-Wagstaffe, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
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