Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: Channeling Your Inner Grease Monkey 9

Chapter 2: Bike Physiology: Understanding How Your Bike Works 19

Chapter 3: Setting Up Shop: Repairing Your Bike at Home 35

Chapter 4: Making like MacGyver: Handling Repairs on the Road 53

Chapter 5: Help! When You Need Professional Assistance 69

Part II: Basic Bike Repairs 81

Chapter 6: Burning Rubber: Tires and Tubes 83

Chapter 7: Hugging the Curb: The Wheels 99

Chapter 8: Stopping Short: The Brakes 119

Chapter 9: Taking Your Seat: Saddles and Seat Posts 143

Chapter 10: Hitting the Links: The Chain 155

Chapter 11: Gearing Up: Freewheels and Cassettes 173

Part III: Shifting into a Higher Gear: Advanced Bike Repairs 189

Chapter 12: Holding It All Together: The Frame and Suspension 191

Chapter 13: Putting the Pedal to the Metal: The Drivetrain 207

Chapter 14: Dropping It into Gear: The Shifting System 231

Chapter 15: Turning on a Dime: The Steering System 251

Part IV: Keeping Your Bike on the Road 271

Chapter 16: An Ounce of Preventive Maintenance 273

Chapter 17: Regular Bike Maintenance 289

Part V: The Part of Tens 299

Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Steps to Take before You Ride 301

Chapter 19: Ten Considerations in Fitting Your Bike 309

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Improve the Performance and Comfort of Your Bike 319

Index 325

About the Author

Dennis Bailey has been actively involved in bike repair and maintenance for almost two decades. He has worked on bikes on bike tours in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Keith Gates has been repairing bikes for more than 30 years and provides personalized service as the owner of A-1 Cycling, with locations in Manassas and Herndon, Virginia.

Reviews

"...this hands-on resource guide has all the tips you need...Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is an excellent guide." (Caravan Club Magazine, April 2009)