Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair — 4th Edition

Don't know the difference between a seat stay and a chain stay? Regularly over haul bottom brackets and wheels? Can you adjust a derailleur in your sleep? This book is for everyone interested in bike maintenance and repair. Well written, simple to follow directions make most jobs within reach of anyone with the correct tools and basic mechanical aptitude. The first chapter covers fasteners, the types and how to properly secure and loosen them. All types of work are covered. When used in combination with the videos that the author has posted on YT, seemingly complex jobs become possible. I was afraid to touch my disk brakes and shifting at first but now I can change the pads, adjust the brakes, and adjust the shifting if I ever need to. Yes, there was some trial and error (with frustration) involved, but patience and persistence won the day. My last job was to take apart a wheel and service the hubs and bearings. Scary stuff for me but, I did it. Better yet, I had no left-over parts. The book really breaks down what is needed so I can see why some tasks are better done at the bike shop but a surprising amount of work can be done in the home shop.

The book is a tried and true bike repair guide. It's your classic DIY style book. Most chapters need two to three readings to really understand the parts, how they work and more importantly how to fix it. I believe it's a lack of diagrams and pictures. Albeit, the ones that are used are excellent. What I'm really saying is, there aren't enough. Second, some explanations are simply poorly explained, I confirmed for example when it came to understanding hubs. Most online articles, including Park Tools articles! did a much better job. Which leads me to my last and most significant point that errs on the side of not buying this book or at least it's not necessary, is that 100% of the information in this book is available for free on Park Tools website and better yet, each skill comes with a video that is professionally made and easier to understand. I tested it, I wrote down all the skills from the main chapters, and found all the articles and videos related to each topic online (for free) and learned more than had I just read the book. alas, my final opinion... It's a good book. but there is better free content online from the same authors!

If you have the desire to work on your bicycle then this book will help you do it well. Sure, they recommend their branded products, and you can use that for comparative shopping when purchasing tools, but more importantly are the clear step-by-step ways to get things done simply. The KINDLE version of this textbook works well for those older eyes that like to zoom-in on images, so to get a clear picture of what’s being explained.

This book paid for itself within the 1st week after purchase. I've always had a hard time adjusting my derailleurs until I bought this book. No, more taking my bike to the local bike shop and paying to have them make the adjustments. Yes, I watched lots of YouTube how-to videos, but it just didn't click until I read this book. I'm now fixing my kids, my neighbors and my buddies derailleurs. There is a ton of great info w/ pictures. Highly recommend.

The outstanding photos in this book make it much easier for me to understand than the main competitor’s book that relies on drawings. Not just a great mechanic and YouTube star, Calvin also has a way with words. The last sentence in the book (just before the appendices start) has me laughing every time I look at my bike saddle.

This is a very technical book of how to build a bike from the ground up by parts. Very informative of what each part is it does. This worth the money and shipping was ok during this covid 19 time. I bought another book that helps this book be perfect, also in my reviews.

After reading all of the bicycle repair books that I could get hold of, I decided that this one was the best, most complete book available. The little more price gets you a lot more info that is easy to understand and use. I wanted the Kindle version so that it would be with me when I need it. When bike touring, I can’t take physical books with me. I like being able to zoom in close to see something better too.

Good for rookies up to intermediate level bike maintainers. 251 pages of concise writing (i.e.,, no fluff), with step-by-step lists on how to repair stuff. Covers both legacy and modern components, such as disc brake systems. Lots of photos. Covers “on-ride repairs”…maybe the most useful section for me.

Covers a lot of repairs. Good tips for a do it yourselfer. Well illustrated and written.

This book is a must have for any home bike shop. Am waiting for the additional ebike section. I don't even have my bike worked on unless they have park tools hanging on their wall

Don't know the difference between a seat stay and a chain stay? Regularly over haul bottom brackets and wheels? Can you adjust a derailleur in your sleep? This book is for everyone interested in bike maintenance and repair. Well written, simple to follow directions make most jobs within reach of anyone with the correct tools and basic mechanical aptitude. The first chapter covers fasteners, the types and how to properly secure and loosen them. All types of work are covered. When used in combination with the videos that the author has posted on YT, seemingly complex jobs become possible. I was afraid to touch my disk brakes and shifting at first but now I can change the pads, adjust the brakes, and adjust the shifting if I ever need to. Yes, there was some trial and error (with frustration) involved, but patience and persistence won the day. My last job was to take apart a wheel and service the hubs and bearings. Scary stuff for me but, I did it. Better yet, I had no left-over parts. The book really breaks down what is needed so I can see why some tasks are better done at the bike shop but a surprising amount of work can be done in the home shop.

The book is a tried and true bike repair guide. It's your classic DIY style book. Most chapters need two to three readings to really understand the parts, how they work and more importantly how to fix it. I believe it's a lack of diagrams and pictures. Albeit, the ones that are used are excellent. What I'm really saying is, there aren't enough. Second, some explanations are simply poorly explained, I confirmed for example when it came to understanding hubs. Most online articles, including Park Tools articles! did a much better job. Which leads me to my last and most significant point that errs on the side of not buying this book or at least it's not necessary, is that 100% of the information in this book is available for free on Park Tools website and better yet, each skill comes with a video that is professionally made and easier to understand. I tested it, I wrote down all the skills from the main chapters, and found all the articles and videos related to each topic online (for free) and learned more than had I just read the book. alas, my final opinion... It's a good book. but there is better free content online from the same authors!

If you have the desire to work on your bicycle then this book will help you do it well. Sure, they recommend their branded products, and you can use that for comparative shopping when purchasing tools, but more importantly are the clear step-by-step ways to get things done simply. The KINDLE version of this textbook works well for those older eyes that like to zoom-in on images, so to get a clear picture of what’s being explained.

This book paid for itself within the 1st week after purchase. I've always had a hard time adjusting my derailleurs until I bought this book. No, more taking my bike to the local bike shop and paying to have them make the adjustments. Yes, I watched lots of YouTube how-to videos, but it just didn't click until I read this book. I'm now fixing my kids, my neighbors and my buddies derailleurs. There is a ton of great info w/ pictures. Highly recommend.

The outstanding photos in this book make it much easier for me to understand than the main competitor’s book that relies on drawings. Not just a great mechanic and YouTube star, Calvin also has a way with words. The last sentence in the book (just before the appendices start) has me laughing every time I look at my bike saddle.

This is a very technical book of how to build a bike from the ground up by parts. Very informative of what each part is it does. This worth the money and shipping was ok during this covid 19 time. I bought another book that helps this book be perfect, also in my reviews.

After reading all of the bicycle repair books that I could get hold of, I decided that this one was the best, most complete book available. The little more price gets you a lot more info that is easy to understand and use. I wanted the Kindle version so that it would be with me when I need it. When bike touring, I can’t take physical books with me. I like being able to zoom in close to see something better too.

Good for rookies up to intermediate level bike maintainers. 251 pages of concise writing (i.e.,, no fluff), with step-by-step lists on how to repair stuff. Covers both legacy and modern components, such as disc brake systems. Lots of photos. Covers “on-ride repairs”…maybe the most useful section for me.

Covers a lot of repairs. Good tips for a do it yourselfer. Well illustrated and written.

This book is a must have for any home bike shop. Am waiting for the additional ebike section. I don't even have my bike worked on unless they have park tools hanging on their wall

This is the only bike repair book that you will ever need. It is well written and illustrated. While the Park Tool web site is excellent, it is much easier to have a book in front of you than having to go to the web site. I highly recommend this book to any cyclist.

Calvin Jones is the best

This was always a great book, and having it on Kindle makes it better It's section on road repairs is great when stuck on the road.

Had all the information that I needed to work on my bike.

I'm Looking for information on hydraulic bicycle brakes

After decades of riding bikes I’ve found this to be the best manual for all types of bike repairs/ maintenance , and def a must have for every bike mechanic. Also the park tool videos on YouTube are great for visually learning.

Great advise for mechanic work/adjustments on my disc breaks!

A complete bicycle maintenance and repair guide anywhere from the reknowned ParkTools. A must have for anyone who works on their bicycles.

Teaches you every repair you can think of it has come in handy more than once

Calvin Jones and Park Tools put together a very informative and easy to use repair book.

Liked everything was just what i needed and wanted

Ordered for my hubby

I would like to emphasize the positive side of the paper format - it is the ability to use information when you have grease on your hands! A smartphone is not an option here.

Thanks

Excellent resource to repair and maintain your mountain bike. Easy to read and comprehend.

informative

the book was very informative

I bought that for routine maintenance and repair a lime bus swinging play come in and should be in the day

very clear in the explanations of what to do

very complete and easy to follow.

Best bike repair book I’ve found

Great updated version

Details explanation on the problems included

Excellent guide

One of the best bicycle repair and maintenence book on the market, may be the better one! Great job, mr Calvin Jones! Every edition of this book ALWAYS has upgrated to most recent technologies and repair methods. Fine illustrations, text easy to read. Highly recommended.

I've played with fixing my bike in the past. Recently I started helping a friend and realized that I need to learn more. Picked up the ebook version of the Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair. I not only fixed his bike, but improved one of my bikes as well. It is written in a way that anyone can follow. Not your typical boring, snoring tech manual. It is actually easy to read and follow. Highly recommend.

This book has really helped me learn how to repair my bike and save money in the process.

Great organization, good photos, detailed descriptions. I think it can get through just about any repair or maintenance. Paired with Yiu Tube videos, I am going to try to build my first wheel. Yippee!

I bought it to have a printed copy of my ebook version. I wish it was hardcover or at least better quality. Very good content but written on a poor quality book.

This is useless to me I thought it was a hard copy book that I could put in the shop, but no it's not and they will not do a return on this so I am stuck with it.

Nice the book the I appreciate is the pictures most books are so technically you lose interest. This book hit it out of the park.

Comprehensive reference for bike maintenance and repair.

This book is horrible. It provides a meaningless summary of a wide range of topics but nothing to make a repair. YouTube is way more informative.