Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide

by Lennard Zinn

Overview

Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the world’s best-selling guide to bicycle repair and maintenance. From basic repairs like how to fix a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, Lennard Zinn’s clearly illustrated guide makes every bicycle repair and maintenance job easy for everyone.

Lennard Zinn is the world’s leading expert on bike maintenance and repair. His friendly step-by-step guide explains the tools you’ll need and how to know you’ve done the job right. The book’s interior is easy to read, even in a dimly-lit garage or workshop. Hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations and exploded parts diagrams show just the right level of detail to lead you through every bicycle repair task.

This smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. In over 500 pages, Zinn’s guide includes simple instructions for hundreds of bike maintenance and repair jobs:

• Basics: How to fix a flat tire, lube a bicycle chain, adjust the brakes
• Emergency repairs: How to fix a broken chain, tighten loose spokes, repair a bent derailleur
• Easy shifting: How to adjust shifters, derailleurs, and cables for clean and smooth shifting
• Wheels: How to true a wheel, install a new tire, change a cassette, replace broken spokes, build your own wheels
• Overhauls: How to service and replace pedals, chains and chainrings, saddles, handlebars, stems, headsets, forks, bottom brackets
• New tech: How to maintain 11-speed systems, electronic and wireless shifters, disc brakes
• Cyclocross: How to set up a ’cross bike for racing, select the right components, and make quick repairs
• Troubleshooting: How to figure out what’s wrong with any bike and fix it

Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance makes bicycle repair and maintenance easy, quick, affordable, and fun. With Zinn at your side, you’ll know how to keep your bicycling running smoothly for years.

What’s New in Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, 5th Ed.:

• More than 700 comprehensive illustrations and exploded views.
• New chapter on electronic shifting covers maintenance, service, repair, and troubleshooting of all Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo electronic shifting groups.
• New chapter on disc brakes covers maintenance, service, and repair of all hydraulic and mechanical systems.
• New tech covered in depth: through-axle forks, SRAM eTap wireless shifting, second generation Shimano and Campagnolo electronic shifting, direct-mount sidepull brakes, SRAM X-Sync 1x11 cyclocross systems, tubular tire gluing tapes.
• New troubleshooting charts
• New master guide to press-fit bottom brackets
• Also covered in the 5th edition: All derailleur shifting systems (5-speed through 11-speed); all bottom bracket systems (cone-and-cup through press-fit); all brake systems (including caliper, V-brake, cantilever, and disc); all headset, stem, handlebar and fork systems; wheelbuilding for all bikes including cyclocross and disc-brake wheels; special sections on cyclocross throughout including troubleshooting, maintenance, service, repair, and equipment selection; updated and expanded torque tables; complete illustration index and complete subject index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781937715373
Publisher:	VeloPress
Publication date:	01/01/2016
Edition description:	5th ed.
Pages:	560
Sales rank:	125,267
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Lennard Zinn was a member of the US national cycling team and is a lifelong endurance athlete. He has reported on major stories for VeloNews for 30 years and is the author of the world’s best-selling guide to bicycle maintenance and repair. Zinn has a degree in physics and has built custom bicycles for over 30 years.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Maintenance and Repair

1 Tools
Basic, intermediate, and advanced tool kit recommendations
Tools to carry on a ride and on multi-day tours
Tools for cyclocross racing

2 Basic Stuff
Preride inspection
Wheel removal and installation
Chain lubrication and cleaning
Cyclocross race pit set-up and bike care
General guide to tool usage and mechanical work
Bike maintenance schedule

3 Emergency Repairs
Flat tire prevention and repair
Dealing with jammed chains, loose spokes, shifting problems, broken parts

4 The Chain
Cleaning, lubricating, regular maintenance
Checking wear, replacing the chain, choosing the right chain tool
Troubleshooting chain problems (squeaking, skipping, jamming, dropping)

5 Cable-Actuated Shifting Systems
Operating integrated shift/brake levers
Installation and adjustment of derailleurs, shifters
Installing new shift cables and housings
Maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of all parts
How to get more gear range; mixing and matching components

6 Electronic Shifting Systems
Complete coverage of all electronic systems (Shimano STI, Campagnolo EPS, SRAM eTap)
Installation and adjustment of all shifters, derailleurs, batteries, wires, control units
Battery charging, installation, troubleshooting

7 Tires
Removing, installing, repairing all tire types
Fixing flats, all tire types
Tire sealants: how they work, which to choose, how to use
Cyclocross tires: how to choose, set up, select tire pressure, maintain

8 Wheels
Truing a wheel, fixing loose or broken spokes
Adjusting and overhauling hubs
Freehubs, freewheels, cogs and cassettes
Lubrication, maintenance, parts replacement

9 Rim Brakes
Coverage of all types of caliper, cantilever, direct-mount, and V-brakes
Installation, adjustment, troubleshooting of all parts
Cable and casing installation and adjustment
Troubleshooting all rim brake problems

10 Disc Brakes
Pad check and replacement
Installation and adjustment of all disc brake types
Truing bent brake rotors
Cable replacement and adjustment
Hydraulic installation, set-up, bleeding, overhaul, and maintenance
Troubleshooting all disc brake types and problems

11 Cranks and Bottom Brackets
Crankarm and chainring removal and installation
Fixing bent or warped chainrings, crankarm spiders
Threadless bottom bracket specifications and options
Bottom bracket removal, installation, adjustment, overhaul, maintenance (all types)
Cyclocross crank and chainring set-up
Troubleshooting crank and bottom bracket problems (all types)

12 Stems, Handlebars, and Headsets
Stem removal, installation, adjustment (all types)
Removing stuck stems
Handlebar removal, installation
Aerobar installation and adjustment
Wrapping handlebar tape
Headset removal, installation, overhaul, adjustment (all types)
Troubleshooting stem, handlebar, and headset problems (all types)

13 Pedals
Removal and installation (all types)
Setting up, installing, and adjusting pedal cleats (all types)
Pedal overhaul and bearing replacement (all types)
Troubleshooting pedal problems

14 Saddles and Seatposts
Choosing, installing, adjusting a saddle
Seatpost installation and adjustment
Integrated seat masts
Removing a stuck seatpost
Troubleshooting saddle and seatpost problems (creaks, squeaks, slipping post, loose saddle)

15 Wheel Building
Everything you need to know to build your own bicycle wheels
Parts and tools
Lacing a new wheel; spoke patterns explained
Tensioning, truing, centering
Radial, two-cross, three-cross, disc brake, cyclocross, and wheels for big riders

16 Forks
Fork inspection and maintenance
Checking and adjusting fork alignment
Fork upgrades

17 Frames
Frame design and materials
Frame inspection; fixing bent derailleur hanger
Checking frame alignment, adjusting dropout alignment
Fixing damaged threads
Correcting high-speed shimmy

Appendixes

A Troubleshooting Index
Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and repair of all areas

B Gear Chart
Gear development for standard and compact cranksets

C Road Bike Fitting
Choosing a frame size from body measurements
Choosing the correct crankarm length
Positioning of saddle and handlebar
Positioning a time trial bike for UCI compliance

D Glossary
Definition of all common cycling terms and components

E Torque Table
Tightening specifications for all common bicycle fasteners

Bibliography

Index

Illustration Index

About the Author and Illustrator

Editorial Reviews

Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the gold standard textbook for aspiring home mechanics. From simple tasks such as fixing a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains or brakes, this book’s step-by-step guides explain the tasks and tools your newbie will need to get the job done right.

RoadBikeReview.com

Lennard Zinn is a veritable cycling Einstein and, as a naturally gifted teacher, he has the unique ability to explain even the most difficult mechanical task. So unless you currently ride on a high-profile pro team with your own mechanic (and maybe even then), Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is an absolute ‘must-have’ book.

Davis Phinney

Lennard Zinn really is the world’s most helpful and comprehensive human when it comes to bicycle repair and maintenance.

Bike magazine

We often hear that triathletes don’t do their own bike maintenance – that we don’t know (and don’t care) how to wrench our bikes. But as athletes who make a sport of flying our bikes all over the world only to build them back up with just a pair of Allen wrenches, we know all too well how important it is to know the ins and outs of bike care. Your copy of Zinn probably won’t be your every day go-to guide for bike care. But on those days when your race steed needs some serious maintenance, or even just when you’re proactively researching for a little more knowledge if the worst should strike you on the road far from home – you will be glad you have Zinn in your library.

AeroGeeks

Lennard Zinn may work for ‘the enemy’, but we at BikeRadar will be the first to acknowledge his contributions to the dark art of bike fixin'. His bible for the home (and pro) mechanic is now in its fifth edition, with updates covering all the latest tech...There are almost 500 pages in this impressive volume, which is extensively illustrated to help you tackle virtually any bike repair task.

BikeRadar.com

Praise for Lennard Zinn and His Bike Maintenance Guides

"Longtime VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn’s maintenance books are bibles for both pro and amateur wrenches. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is a beast of a book and can help you remedy any problem that might arise while working on a road bike. It’s packed with in-depth explanations and useful diagrams. No workbench is complete without it.

VeloNews magazine

This smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is essential cycling gear for all road and cyclocross riders.

Crossbikereview.com

Lennard Zinn is an institution in the bicycle worlda legend. Legions of cyclists have learned to repair bikes from him, ridden bicycles he’s built, or used his advice as guidance on how to better enjoy the world on two wheels.

Bicycle Times magazine

Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has instructions on anything an aspiring wrench would want to know. What impresses most is Lennard’s overall approach of simplifying a task and reminding us how rewarding it is to perform our own service.

Podium Café

Longtime VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn’s maintenance books are bibles for both pro and amateur wrenches. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is a beast of a book and can help you remedy any problem that might arise while working on a road bike. It’s packed with in-depth explanations and useful diagrams. No workbench is complete without it.” — VeloNews magazine

“Lennard Zinn may work for ‘the enemy’, but we at BikeRadar will be the first to acknowledge his contributions to the dark art of bike fixin'. His bible for the home (and pro) mechanic is now in its fifth edition, with updates covering all the latest tech...There are almost 500 pages in this impressive volume, which is extensively illustrated to help you tackle virtually any bike repair task.” — BikeRadar.com

“ Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the gold standard textbook for aspiring home mechanics. From simple tasks such as fixing a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains or brakes, this book’s step-by-step guides explain the tasks and tools your newbie will need to get the job done right.” — RoadBikeReview.com

“This smartly organized guide shows how to repair new and old bicycles from top to bottom. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is essential cycling gear for all road and cyclocross riders.” — Crossbikereview.com

“Lennard Zinn is an institution in the bicycle world—a legend. Legions of cyclists have learned to repair bikes from him, ridden bicycles he’s built, or used his advice as guidance on how to better enjoy the world on two wheels.” — Bicycle Times magazine

“Today's bicycles are complicated machines that can be expensive to maintain and repair. Zinn has written this book to help both the leisure bike rider and expert mechanic handle almost any problem associated with road bikes.” — Library Journal

“Lennard Zinn really is the world’s most helpful and comprehensive human when it comes to bicycle repair and maintenance.” — Bike magazine

“ Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance has instructions on anything an aspiring wrench would want to know. What impresses most is Lennard’s overall approach of simplifying a task and reminding us how rewarding it is to perform our own service.” — Podium Café

“Lennard Zinn is a veritable cycling Einstein and, as a naturally gifted teacher, he has the unique ability to explain even the most difficult mechanical task. So unless you currently ride on a high-profile pro team with your own mechanic (and maybe even then), Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is an absolute ‘must-have’ book.” — Davis Phinney, Olympic medalist, national champion, and Tour de France stage winner

“We often hear that triathletes don’t do their own bike maintenance – that we don’t know (and don’t care) how to wrench our bikes. But as athletes who make a sport of flying our bikes all over the world only to build them back up with just a pair of Allen wrenches, we know all too well how important it is to know the ins and outs of bike care. Your copy of Zinn probably won’t be your every day go-to guide for bike care. But on those days when your race steed needs some serious maintenance, or even just when you’re proactively researching for a little more knowledge if the worst should strike you on the road far from home – you will be glad you have Zinn in your library.” — AeroGeeks

“ Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is simple, easy to follow and the illustrations are magnificent…If you are looking for a bicycle repair manual, get this book.” — Cycloculture

“Lennard Zinn’s book might be the work that launched a 1,000 repair projects. Or, at least, it placated many home mechanics when they started cursing skipped shifts or loose headsets.” — Canadian Cycling magazine

“ If ever there was a classic text on bike maintenance, this has to be it…Like its predecessors, it goes from super simple right through to complete re-builds. All are explained by a combination of Zinn’s unique humour-filled, insightful and clear text, with Todd Telander’s brilliant illustrations.” — 220 Triathlon

“Zinn is very good at taking you incrementally through the learning process—whether you are a beginner or expert mechanic.” — Out There Monthly magazine

"There really is no other bicycle repair manual like this. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is very up to date, very clear—thanks to the profuse illustrations—and accurate and comprehensive…And it’s all in a very enjoyable format intended to be encouraging and confidence-building." — USCyclingReport.com

“Now in its fifth edition, this is a telephone directory of a book.There is a wealth of excellent info in this rather large tome… Zinn makes little pre-supposition as to the technical abilities of his readers and it's this aspect that makes you feel that you can manage the majority of the repairs detailed in the book…While the illustrations will help you identify the myriad bits and pieces composing modern-day componentry, it is Lennard Zinn's step-by-step instructions that will get you from broken to fixed in the shortest space of time.” — TheWashingMachinePost.net

“Simple to read and follow, the illustrated, large-format paperback manual features everything from replacing a flat to repairing components. It’s a great addition to any new biker’s library but offers invaluable advice for experts, too.” — Sports Guide magazine

From the Publisher