Bicycle!: A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto

by Sam Tracy Sam

Providing cyclists the know-how to take bicycle repair into their own hands, this manual covers bike care without technical terms. Written by a bicycle mechanic and laden with photographs and drawings, this guide is a valuable resource for professional bicycle workers and commuters. This updated edition includes an expanded index and a revised resource section. Topics include essential tools, bicycle components, on-the-road repairs, scavenging, locks, preventing rust, and more.

Genres: Cycling, Reference, Nonfiction, How To, Sports, Bicycles

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Matt Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like a nice fella, knows bikes well but this is just a long-winded way of explaining what a bike is without really touching on how to fix the bloody thing. Not really a repair and maintenance manual, nor really a manifesto as it doesn't call for anything. It should really be called "Bicycle: a definition (300 pages)"

[Mark]

Began reading and then looked over the rest of a copy Sara got from the public library. I like it. Not really a repair manual though. As someone on here wrote, "It helps you understand your bike."

[Jaymes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical AND hilarious manual for how to DIY your bike maintenance.

[S̶e̶a̶n̶ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before purchasing this book, note that this is called a manifesto and not a guide or manual. If you want to read Tracy spouting off about his knowledge of bikes, then this is the book for you. If you want to learn how to maintain and repair your bicycle, look for something labeled as a guide or manual, something with lots of pictures and step-by-step instructions. I recommend this book for most general maintenance and repair, although you might want to get the newest edition if your bike has disc brakes and/or a suspension fork. I wouldn't know about that crap because I don't buy new bikes. Otherwise, not much has changed with the bicycle in at least the last 30 years, which is part of its beauty.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

YES. is really my response to anything simultaneously crying the glory of MPLS and Bicycles. While not exactly the best book for a beginner in bike mechanics, it does much to help you "understand" your bike. Also, many great tips on how to ride and many other topics surrounding the revolutionary cycle of things...

[Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever see a dude on a fixy, full sleeve, keys on a caribeener and wonder- what if that guy wrote a book? Here ya go.

But to be fair, Tracy knows his shit. This book is about real world repairs, not the shop manual. I wish there were more pics and diagrams but I'll take it.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love everything about bikes, especially the minutiae, this a mechanics dream. Written in a down to earth, engaging style.

[Melanie]

Bikes rule.