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5 Best Mountain Biking Books

Jason — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:27:58 +0000

Q: What are some of the “must have” mountain bike books?

A: There is at least five really good mountain bike books out there that should be on any serious mountain biker’s book shelf or Kindle.

#1 – Mastering Mountain Bike Skills by Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack

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Product Description:

Increase your speed, control, and versatility on the bike. Mastering Mountain Bike Skills provides detailed technical instruction for all mountain biking disciplines:

Cross-country
Downhill
Mountain cross
Free riding
Dirt jumping
Urban terrain

With top pro mountain biker Brian Lopes as your teacher, you’ll learn how to handle the bike better than ever, in any conditions, across all types of terrain. Key tips and special photo sequences throughout the book add insight to Lopes’ world-class instruction.

Comment:

If you only buy one book, make it this one. LOADED with many great riding tips. This book warrants space on everyone’s book shelf.

#2 – Park Tool BBB-2 The Big Blue Book of Repair by C. Calvin Jones

[amazon-product alink="19C6F5" bgcolor="ffffff" bordercolor="663300" height="240" region="us" width="120"]B001B6NAW2[/amazon-product]

Product Description:

Park BBB-2 Big Blue Book of Bike Repair- 2nd Edition-2008 Written by Park Tool Director of Education Calvin Jones with repair tips garnered from the author’s 30 years as an educator and mechanic. Big Blue just got bigger and better! Freshly updated to include new topics, latest technology, techniques and equipment. Packed with hundreds of photos and hundreds of procedures. From tire repair and derailleur adjustment to wheel truing and bottom bracket replacement. Special topics such as tool selection, bike cleaning, and on-the-trail repairs are also covered, and an appendix at the back of the book provides valuable reference materials the BBB-2 provides both the novice and veteran mechanic the information needed to perform nearly any repair from trailside repairs to complete overhauls. The Big Blue Book is the perfect reference guide and step-by-step repair manual for nearly any bike, including road, mountain, bmx, and single-speed. We wrote the book on bicycle repair.

Comments: Can’t even count the times this book has been a life saver. Keep it right by the bike rack/tool bench. You will use it.

#3 – The Mountain Biker’s Training Bible by Joe Friel

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Product Description:

Mountain biking presents unique challenges, and noted expert Joe Friel addresses them all in his latest book. Covering every aspect of training, he helps riders maximize their experience and minimize problems.

Comments:

Very in-depth book that will open your eye to the many legs of becoming a great rider. ROI for a book of this caliber is better than most bike part upgrades. Joe Friel is an expert endurance sports coach. He is best known as an elite triathlon and cycling coach. Friel has written ten books on training for endurance athletes. Much more than just a riding tips book, this book will progress your riding step-by-step.

#4 – Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance by Lennard Zinn and Todd Telander

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Product Description:
The most concise, well-organized, and clearly illustrated reference available, Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance gently guides the reader — regardless of mountain bike experience or mechanical prowess — through every aspect of maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting in a succinct and easy-to-read format and presents the latest technological advances and equipment in mountain bike components. Detailed diagrams and simple instructions explain everything from repairing a flat tire to building a wheel. The instructions are useful for anyone interested in mountain bikes, yet concise and complete enough to cover every state-of-the art technical concern facing today’s mountain biker. This timely revision offers updated information on shock pump adaptors, master links, V-brakes, cleat mounting and pedal overhaul, oversize handlebars, carbon steering tubes, tubeless rims, and much more. Repairs are rated for degree of difficulty while line drawings illustrate how parts fit together and show the tools needed to keep bikes in top shape and pedaling smoothly both on and off the trail.

Comments:
A more in-depth book than the Park book. This book delves into hub rebuilding to wheel building. Truly a great resource for any wrench or any rider just trying to get a better understanding of his/her bike.

#5 – The Art of Wheelbuilding: A Bench Reference for Neophytes, Pros & Wheelaholics by Gerd Schraner

[amazon-product alink="19C6F5" bgcolor="ffffff" bordercolor="663300" height="240" region="us" width="120"]0964983532[/amazon-product]

Product Description:
One of the most well known wheel building books on the market.

Comments:
Interested in wheel building? Get this book. Planning on sitting down and actually building your first wheel(s)? Then get Roger Musson’s book as well.

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Mountain Biker’s

Jason — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:07:34 +0000

As we fast approach the New Year, it is time to consider what our biking New Year’s Resolutions can be. Following is a list of 10 possible goals to add to your resolution list.

1. Try/ride/buy your first 29er. I have been there. I was a snobby FS 26″ rider before, swearing I wouldn’t be “trendy” with the sure to pass fad of 29ers . . . . until I rode one. Now I own two, and love them. Give it a try. It might not be for you, but it just might be.

2. Go single speed. Simple. Maintenance-free. Great training. Can start with a conversion. What’s not to like?

3. Enter your first 24 Hr Race.

4. Give road riding a try. Blasphemy you say? You don’t have to be all carboned and lycra’d up to keep your legs loose on those wet trail days. A cheap $250 single speed road bike off of Craigs will serve you well and will be a nice change of pace.

5. Volunteer for some trail maintenance and/or trail building. It never hurts to give back and make you appreciate the trails we are all fortunate enough to have.

6. Do a bike repair that you would normally take to the shop. The money you save you can take the wife to dinner to butter her up for for that new bike build you are dreaming about. Don’t forget the Power Point.

7. Go tubeless, you will never look back and just might become a brew master.

8. Make a tool for headset install/removal or other need. A quick Google search will find many simple and effective tools to make for cheap. Stay tuned to this site, as we will be showcasing a few.

9. Ride you bike to work at least once. There are many stipulations you can play with on this one to make it interesting, like doing it in the winter.

10. If the 24 Hr Race was too much for ya, then how about entering a local beginner race. You might just be surprised as how well you do, but no matter what, you will have fun.

If New Year’s Resolutions aren’t your thing, than at least make a promise to yourself that yourself that you will try and get out and ride more.

Be safe, and have a happy New Year.

mountainbikefaq.com » For Fun

5 Best Mountain Biking Books

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Mountain Biker’s

Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Videos