Book review: Advanced Road Bike Maintenance by Dirk Zedler and Thomas Musch

As the Preston Guild Wheel cycleway proves to be one of the most successful and lasting legacies of the 2012 celebrations, many of us are hitting the road in the quest to keep fit.
Advanced Road Bike Maintenance by Dirk Zedler and Thomas MuschAdvanced Road Bike Maintenance by Dirk Zedler and Thomas Musch
Advanced Road Bike Maintenance by Dirk Zedler and Thomas Musch

And with cycling dynamo Sir Bradley Wiggins as a famous near neighbour and the 10th Ironman UK triathlon set to return to Lancashire this year, cycling has never been more popular in the North West.

But before saddling up and heading for the great outdoors, it’s best to make sure your trusty road bike is in perfect working order.

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The road bike is a beautiful machine and offers the best way to turn muscle power into speed. It’s stylish, efficient and when properly maintained, is light, fast, agile and will provide many miles of riding pleasure.

And when it comes to care, maintenance, problem-solving, repairs and upgrading, there can be no better place to turn than the ever-reliable Haynes handbooks.

This full-colour, step-by-step illustrated book covers the maintenance, set-up and customising of racing bikes, covering all aspects from carbon frames, cranks and handlebars to gear components and alloy and carbon wheels.

All the information in this eminently practical book is bang up-to-date and includes details of the rapid developments in the field of road bike components. There is advice on upgrading your bike, plenty of professional tips and Haynes’ tried and tested maintenance and care instructions.

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Learn how to set up your bike perfectly for maximum efficiency and comfort, and explore in detail the wide range of components fitted to modern road bikes.

The function of each part is explained, and extensively illustrated procedures offer advice on the correct set-up, adjustment, maintenance and renewal of every component.

Many road cyclists seek to upgrade and individualise their bikes and this book is an indispensable guide to tools and lubricants, frames and forks including light alloy, titanium and carbon, cranks and chain rings.

The advice covers lightweight components such as carbon frames, forks, cranks and handlebars, together with top-of-the-range crank sets and gear components, and professional alloy and carbon wheels.

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This handbook is an essential companion for all road bike enthusiasts wishing to learn more about their bike, providing a treasure trove of discovery for both bike novices and experienced enthusiasts already familiar with many of the technical details.

So whether you have been cycling the highways and byways for decades or are contemplating the first steps to becoming a committed road cyclist, don’t leave home without first consulting this amazing road bike ‘bible.’

(Haynes, paperback, £25)

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