I've had a number of recommendations (here in posts and from non-Trifuel folks) for the Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance book. However, I also mountain bike and adventure race, and as a result of the harder impacts on my bike think learning maintenance on that bike might be even more important.
How different is mtn bike maintenance from road bike maintenance? I thought they were fairly similar, and was suprised to see there is a whole Zinn book for each one.
If there is a different book that you recommend even more (for the complete newbie to bike maintenance) I'd love to hear it :)
There's more stuff related to suspension and brakes in MTB books. I'd get both. The Park Tools website has TONS of stuff available for free and I find it better than most books. If i was to get ONE book, I'd get the MTB book. The only thing a on a road bike thats not on a MTB is the brake/ shifters. More carryover of knowledge from mtb to road.
How are mtn breaks different from road ones?
Ahh right suspension. Forgot about it. Must mean I need to get on the mtn bike more :)
Do you like the Zinn books?
I agree that the park tools site is a great resource, but I like to just browse through books learning stuff sometimes (and don't always want to be at a computer). I would use the site as reference as well though.
I would recommend Park Tool's BIG BLUE BOOK of bicycle maintenance... its filled with color pictures and addresses everything from hydraulic brake lines and suspension forks to bar end shifters
Zinn books are nice. Beat the crap out of the Bicycling books for sure. I've only glanced through the PArk book, but I imagine its much the same as the website, just in paper form.