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Bike repair & maintenance PDF

307 Pages·2014·41.649 MB·English
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BBiikkee RReeppaaiirr MMaaiinntteennaannccee && Expert advice for keeping your bike in prime condition Illustrated maintenance lessons detail each step Simple solutions for emergency fi xes and on-the-road repairs Christopher Wiggins No one likes a know-it-all. Most of us realize there’s no such thing— how could there be? The world is far too complicated for someone to understand everything there is to know. So when you come across a know-it-all, you smile to yourself as they ramble on because you know better. You understand that the quest for knowledge is a never-ending one, and you’re okay with that. You have no desire to know everything, just the next thing. You know what you don’t know, you’re confident enough to admit it, and you’re motivated to do something about it. At Idiot’s Guides, we, too, know what we don’t know, and we make it our business to find out. We find really smart people who are experts in their fields and then we roll up our sleeves and get to work, asking lots of questions and thinking long and hard about how best to pass along their knowledge to you in the easiest, most-accessible way possible. After all, that’s our promise—to make whatever you want to learn “As Easy as It Gets.” That means giving you a well-organized design that seamlessly and effortlessly guides you from page to page, topic to topic. It means controlling the pace you’re asked to absorb new information— not too much at once but just what you need to know right now. It means giving you a clear progression from easy to more difficult. It means giving you more instructional steps wherever necessary to really explain the details. And it means giving you fewer words and more illustrations wherever it’s better to show rather than tell. So here you are, at the start of something new. The next chapter in your quest. It can be an intimidating place to be, but you’ve been here before and so have we. Clear your mind and turn the page. By the end of this book, you won’t be a know-it-all, but your world will be a little less complicated than it was before. And we’ll be sure your journey is as easy as it gets. Mike Sanders Publisher, Idiot’s Guides Bike Repair & Maintenance by Christopher Wiggins A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ALPHA BOOKS International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61564-457-5 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2013956273 Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 16(cid:4)15(cid:4)14(cid:4)(cid:4)(cid:4)8(cid:4)7(cid:4)6(cid:4)5(cid:4)4(cid:4)3(cid:4)2(cid:4)1 Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA (cid:37) Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P of the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada printing; the rightmost number of the second series of Inc.) (cid:37) Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, numbers is the number of the book’s printing. For example, England (cid:37) Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin a printing code of 14-1 shows that the first printing occurred 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin in 2014. Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative Group Pty. Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 the understanding that the author and publisher are not 017, India (cid:37) Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, engaged in rendering professional services in the book. Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New Zealand (a If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin Books competent professional should be consulted. The author (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for Johannesburg 2196, South Africa (cid:37) Penguin Books Ltd., any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Copyright © 2014 by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Most Alpha books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. Special books, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs. form without permission. Please do not participate in or For details, write: Special Markets, Alpha Books, 375 encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. No Trademarks: All terms mentioned in this book that are patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service information contained herein. Although every precaution marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books has been taken in the preparation of this book, the and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors of this information. Use of a term in this book should not or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or resulting from the use of information contained herein. For service mark. information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. IDIOT’S GUIDES and Design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Publisher: Mike Sanders Senior Web/Graphic Designer: William Thomas Executive Managing Editor: Billy Fields Indexer: Celia McCoy Senior Acquisitions Editor: Brook Farling Layout: Ayanna Lacey Development Editorial Supervisor: Christy Wagner Proofreader: Cate Schwenk Production Editor: Jana M. Stefanciosa Photographer: Greg Perez Contents 1 Bike Basics 1 Bike Types .......................................................................2 Setting Up Your Home Workshop ...........................6 Bike Anatomy .................................................................4 The Tools You Need .....................................................8 2 Wheels and Tires 13 Wheel and Tire Anatomy .........................................14 Removing a Tire and Punctured Tube ................22 Axle Types .....................................................................15 Patching a Tube ..........................................................24 Valve Types and Rim Strips ....................................16 Replacing a Tube and Reinstalling a Tire ...........26 Using Quick-Release Skewers ...............................18 Working with a Spoke Wrench ..............................28 Removing Your Wheels ...........................................20 The Importance of Proper Inflation .....................30 3 Brakes 33 Types of Brakes ...........................................................34 Setting Up Disc Brakes ............................................46 Setting Up Caliper Brakes .......................................36 Cable Lube and Maintenance .................................50 Setting Up Cantilever Brakes .................................38 Troubleshooting .........................................................52 Setting Up Linear Pull Brakes ...............................42 4 Shifters and Derailleurs 55 How Shifters and Derailleurs Work .....................56 Shift Cable Maintenance ........................................64 Types of Shifters .........................................................58 Replacing Shift Cables ..............................................66 STI Lever Maintenance ..........................................60 Adjusting Rear Derailleurs ......................................70 Cable Housing Differences ......................................62 Adjusting Front Derailleurs ....................................72 5 Freewheels and Cassettes 75 Freewheels Versus Cassettes .................................76 Minimizing Wear and Tear .....................................86 Lubricating Freewheels and Cassettes ...............78 The Differences in Chain Wrap .............................88 Removing and Installing Freewheels .................80 Removing and Installing Cassettes ......................82 Recognizing Worn Cassette Bodies .....................84 6 Chains 91 Understanding Chain Differences ........................92 Replacing a Chain .......................................................98 Cleaning a Chain ........................................................94 Correcting Chain Problems .................................104 Lubricating a Chain ...................................................96 When a Chain Falls Off ..........................................106 7 Hubs 109 The Anatomy of a Hub ............................................110 Internally Geared Hubs ..........................................118 Sealed-Bearing Versus Loose-Ball Hubs ..........112 Wheels with Internally Geared Hubs ...............120 Adjusting Loose-Ball Hubs ...................................114 Checking for Play or Bent Axles .........................126 Measuring Rear Hub Spacing ..............................116 8 Saddles and Seatposts 129 Types of Saddles ......................................................130 Seatpost Collars .......................................................140 Adjusting Your Saddle ...........................................132 Suspension Seatposts ............................................142 Changing Saddles ....................................................134 Determining Your Saddle Height .......................144 Seatpost Sizes and Types .......................................138 The Benefits of Bike Shorts ..................................146 9 Pedals 149 Getting to Know Pedals .........................................150 Using a Pedal Wrench ............................................160 The Simplicity of Flat Pedals ...............................152 Adjusting Pedal Tension .......................................162 A Look at Clipless Pedals ......................................154 Installing and Adjusting Cleats ..........................164 Types of Clipless Pedals .........................................156 Recognizing Cleat Wear ........................................168 Cycling-Specific Shoes ...........................................158 10 Steering Systems 171 Quill Versus Threadless Stems ............................172 Removing and Rewrapping Handlebar Types and Sizes ...................................174 Handlebar Tape ........................................................188 Headset Types ...........................................................176 Removing and Installing Mountain Bike Grips ...................................................................192 Adjusting Threaded Headsets ..............................178 Steering System Safety ..........................................194 Adjusting Threadless Headsets ..........................180 The Benefits of Gloves ............................................196 Installing Aero Bars ................................................182 Raising Your Handlebars ......................................184 iv Idiot’s Guides: Bike Repair and Maintenance 11 Frames 199 Types of Frames .......................................................200 Cleaning Your Frame .............................................208 A Look at Derailleur Hangers ..............................202 Inspecting Your Frame for Cracks .....................212 Accessory Mounts and Braze-Ons ....................204 Dealing with Dents and Dings .............................214 Seat Tube Maintenance ........................................206 12 Suspension 217 Cleaning and Lubricating the Suspension ......218 Adjusting Sag ............................................................220 13 Cranks and Bottom Brackets 223 Crank Arm Fixing Bolts .........................................224 Removing and Installing Bottom Brackets .....236 Removing Crank Arms ..........................................226 Chainring Fixing Bolts ...........................................240 A Look at Bottom Brackets ...................................230 Cranksets ...................................................................242 Measuring the Bottom Bracket Recognizing Wear ...................................................244 Spindle Width ...........................................................234 14 Accessorizing Your Bike 247 Adding Water Bottle Cages...................................248 Installing Lights .......................................................260 Installing Frame Pumps ........................................250 Attaching Baskets ....................................................262 Adding Racks ............................................................252 Mounting Computers .............................................264 Fastening on Fenders .............................................256 Attaching Bags ..........................................................268 15 Emergency Road Repairs 273 Fixing a Cut Tire ......................................................274 Fixing a Twisted Chain ..........................................276 Fixing a Broken Spoke ...........................................275 Fixing a Bent Derailleur Hanger .........................277 Appendix A Glossary 278 Appendix B Maintenance Schedules 282 Index 286 Contents v Introduction If you think about some of your first glimpses of freedom, they likely came thanks to a bicycle. Mine allowed me to break the confines of my block. My editor’s enabled her to pedal the cornfield-lined country roads around her home with her dog in tow. You probably had similar experiences. Bikes make our world just a little larger and give us the freedom to saddle up and hit the road, whether that road leads around the neighborhood, to work and back, up and down trails, or somewhere yet to be determined. Wherever you’re planning on riding, you need to know some essential maintenance and repair to keep your bike in good working order. I’ve worked with some great bike mechanics over the years, and none of them went to bike repair school to learn what they knew. They all learned by doing, apprenticed to an older co-worker or bike shop owner. Years of practice and a passion for what they did honed the skills they have. You probably know someone like this. It’s probably the person you turn to when you have problems with your bike. This book is in no way meant to replace those valuable assets. Idiot’s Guides: Bike Repair and Maintenance is meant to give you a greater understanding of the workings of your bicycle and to take some of the mystery out of how things work and why they do what they do. Armed with this knowledge, you should feel more in tune with your machine, better equipped to recognize problems, and confident in determining which repairs you can handle and when you might need some help. This understanding is something everyone who is passionate about cycling should have. My hope is that the things you learn in the book will add years to the life of your bike, and the enjoyment you get from riding. Now let’s get our hands dirty. Acknowledgments I had a host of great people to learn from when I started in the bike business. I owe a debt of thanks to all those great mechanics. I learned something from every one of them. I couldn’t have done this without Kevin Duitsman. He is a great mechanic in his own right, and a better man. To everyone in my family who has supported me through this career in the bike business, and the process of this book, this is as much for you as it is for me.

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Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.