Review: How to be on your own: A Beginner's Introduction to Bicycle Care
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2014
Chris Amstrong opens this reader-friendly little book by sharing how he became a cyclist: as young man his physician recommended exercise to treat his elevated blood sugar and blood pressure. New to the arena of bicycling he purchase a sued bike, learned by default how to maintain it and now shares that journey with the reader. Along with his own history he offers the history of bicycles dating back to the first one in 1817 - a short but entertaining bit of information.The begins the meat of the book: a description of all bike parts, how to approach each aspect of the bike to maintain and care for the bike, he offers photographs of the various instruments used in repairing bikes and in general makes the whole concept of bike care, maintenance and repair feel very much within the scope of every bike owner - beginner or not. He takes us through winterizing, ways to avoid damaging the braking mechanism, lubrication, rust prevention, uses and misuses of WD40, how to remove a wheel, how preserving your shock system, how to properly remove nuts and bolts from tight corners of a bike, and more.For many this book may at first appear too simple - but check on the secrets of technique here and you'll likely find there are some important discoveries you never considered! Grady Harp, April 14