Review of Barnett's Manual: Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics (4 Vol. Set)

Barnett's Manual: Analysis and Procedures for Bicycle Mechanics (4 Vol. Set)
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 16
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Extraordinarily thorough but not without gaps

On: 2008-06-15

Barnetts is easy to love. Its beautiful, elaborate technical line drawings on every page elevate the manual nearly to coffee table status and reflect a deep love of the bicycle. Its extremely thorough step-by-step instructions leave nothing to chance. It presents interesting, sometimes nonstandard service or assembly procedures that work well. The philosophy of detail, logic, measurement, and consistent methods in my view go to the heart of effective bicycle service and bring rigor and professionalism to the bicycle mechanics trade. Honestly, there are few things Id rather do on a weekend afternoon than sit down and rebuild a brake caliper or hub or other bike part, Simple Green and clean grease and paper towels everywhere, with a volume of Barnetts on the floor opened to the correct grease-resistant page.

But the style can be a bit much. Barnetts is written in an almost robotic style that can get difficult to read. The formal structure - the vocabulary grouped all at the beginning of each section, many procedures broken into over fifty steps - at times seems suited more for computer than human being. For example, Barnetts lengthy and technical wheelbuilding instructions verge on incomprehensible, whereas Sheldon Browns free online instructions are shorter, more heuristic and colloquial, and ultimately far easier to use. The irony is that Barnetts best explanations, buried in these huge checklists and stilted subsections, are often just as colloquial as anything in the literature.

A more serious complaint is Barnetts incomplete selection of topics. One expects a modicum of completeness from an expensive four-volume set aimed at professional shop mechanics. Several reviewers have complained that Barnetts is out-of-date in its lack of treatment of low-spoke-count wheels and other new technologies. As a bit of a retro grouch, the lack of the newest fads doesnt bother me much. But I would argue that backwards compatibility is at least as important and is sorely neglected here. The 212-page thirty-eighth chapter on overhauling suspension forks and rear shocks consumes most of the fourth volume even though not all bikes - not even all mountain bikes - have suspensions. After admirably concise distillations of diverse service prodcedures in the previous chapters, that chapter miserably misses the forest for the trees. And after that expenditure of paper, not even a page is dedicated to overhauling internal-gear hubs or working on fixed-gear drivetrains even though such bicycles have a large place in the cycling landscape.

At the end, though, Im thankful for my copy. Barnetts has details and mundane procedures not covered elsewhere, and it is much easier to get out ones wrenches and get greasy with Barnetts than with a computer screen. At the time of this review, its hard to find a hard copy of Barnetts; I can only hope that the book returns to print soon.

The only professional quality bicycle repair manual

On: 2008-05-17

No other bicycle repair manual goes into the level of detail that the Barnett Manuel does. The manual provides trouble shooting tips, torque specifications, exploded diagrams and tool recommendations for every repair possible on a bicycle. The target audience for this manual is the bike shop or the enthusiast that wants to do everything on a bike themselves.

The manual consists of four volumes:

Volume 1
Introduction
Frames
Forks
Bearings

Volume 2
Wheels
Tires
Drive trains

Volume 3
Handlebars
Seats
Shifting systems
Brakes

Volume 4
Suspension
Appendix

The 5th Edition is the last printed version. This edition will provide everything you need to repair any bicycle except for some of the newer technologies such as the 2007 and newer Campagnolo Ultra Torque crank sets and some of the newest mountain bike suspensions. These newer technologies are covered in the CD version of the manual. The CD also has more photos but only of the newer technologies. All of the other photos and line drawings in the CD are the same as the print version.

Highly recommended if you want do all everything on the bike yourself.

Excellent book for the bicycle mechanic, pro or not.

On: 2008-02-09

I became a professional bicycle mechanic myself after I readed this book! I owned an bike shop for two years and it became very valued for the service quality in which I applied Barnetts techinics.

This is a great book! It goes into deep explanations of how every little part of the bicycle work, with the all the bell & whistles theories, then it explains with an great language what is to be done!

I used to think that I knew how to setup an derailleur, but after reading the book, I just learned that I knew very little about it! Read it well and practice it well. Youll find that your adjustments will last much longer and tune-up will be less frequent.

Recommended for both the pro or wanna-be mechanic. It is so complete that it even explain basic tools usage (hammers, screwdrivers, open-end wrenchs, etc).

The last edition I have (5th) was pretty updated back then and theres the digital DX update available.

Go ahead and forget about every other bicycle maintance book you ever readed!

As advertised, but reality was less than expectations.

On: 2007-10-19

Its what I expected, but not what I had hoped it would be. If you never worked with a bicycle before, and want to be a good bicycle mechanic, its well worth it. If you have some experience with bike repair over the years, it may just reinforce what you already know in many areas. But it is the bible of bike repair.

Excellent Manual

On: 2007-09-12

This guide covers all the basic and most advanced bicycle repair procedures. Graphics are instructive and clear. As opposed to other manuals it includes good trouble shooting and diagnostic sections. It includes indications, symptoms, maintenance cycles, tools, tool usage, complications, checklists, different types of parts--their specification and dimensions--and it goes on. The only irksome aspect is that after buying the latest print edition I was prompted to buy, at a similar price, the expanded DVD with the latest components. This is not fair.

wow

On: 2007-06-15

Very impressive. Unfortunately, I cant give it 5 stars because of the price, and the fact that its a bit dated. Something like this should be on a subscription system, as new parts/procedures come out, pay a small fee and get the new/updated content.

Just what the cyclist ordered

On: 2007-01-10

Having recently started seriously doing my own work on my bicycle I find these books excellent. I already have the Haynes Bicycle manual which was a useful book to start with but I was looking for one that explained more than just how to make basic adjustments or simple component installations. I particularly like the detailed explanation in each chapter of how the various components on a bike work and the consequences of correct/incorrect adjustment or installation. The range of component types/brands covered in the books is also impressive. The books lean towards the text side of things (hence the 4 volumes) with many well drawn and clear diagrams which may not suit some people.

Just what the cyclist ordered

On: 2007-01-09

Having recently started seriously doing my own work on my bicycle I find these books excellent. I already have the Haynes Bicycle manual which was a useful book to start with but I was looking for one that explained more than just how to make basic adjustments or simple component installations. I particularly like the detailed explanation in each chapter of how the various components on a bike work and the consequences of correct/incorrect adjustment or installation. The range of component types/brands covered in the books is also impressive. The books lean towards the text side of things (hence the 4 volumes) with many well drawn and clear diagrams which may not suit some people.

Detailed Maintenance Manual

On: 2006-11-04

This set of manuals provides detailed instructions for how to perform maintenance on your bike. I used this manual for instructions on how to build wheels and successfully built my first wheelset. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. If that is what you are looking for, you will not be disappointed.

This is not the newest edition......

by: porkch0p On: 2006-05-25

Be careful with this purchase, because, although the price
is good for the 4 volumes, its the 5th edition, and not
the newest 6th edition!

I think the description of the item doesnt make this
clear at all, and some folks may be disappointed.

This is not the newest edition......

On: 2006-05-24

Be careful with this purchase, because, although the price
is good for the 4 volumes, its the 5th edition, and not
the newest 6th edition!

I think the description of the item doesnt make this
clear at all, and some folks may be disappointed.

EXPENSIVE ??- THINK AGAIN !!

by: inovatechno On: 2005-11-03

This is the BICYCLE REPAIR/MAINTENCE BIBLE!!!

Expensive? Think again!
With the average mid price bicycle hovering around $800.00, and the better road bikes at $1,500.00 (and up)this book (AND THE PROPER TOOLS) will pay for themselves.

Why fool around with other so called "bicycle repair" books which cover little more than chain cleaning/cable adjustments??

The vast amount of small bike shops closing their doors & the remaining "Bicycle Superstores", who employ a new "mechanic" each week-Barnetts Manual will save your hair & scratches on your frame!
Barnetts Manual will guide you through basic tune up proceedures/adjustments to keep your bike in top shape.

YOU ARE NOT A "HANDS-ON" TYPE" PERSON??
You STILL need this manual! The knowlage gained from Barnetts Manual will keen your eye to the "Mechanic" while he is repairing your bike!!

ONE SIZE FITS ALL-IN DEPTH!!!
ANY NOVICE can gain a thorough mechanical understanding of bicycle components, repairs, tune-up, & adjustments.

ADVANCED!
Simple tasks like the "correct" proceedure to mount a tire/tube right up to bottom bracket/headshell facing & complete suspension fork rebuilds are covered!

HOWEVER! With the hundreds of makes, models, mid-year changes in specd equipment-not to mention modern bicycle technology which changes faster than dish TV programing, DONT EXPECT EVERY MAKE, MODEL, YEAR of every bike/component to be covered.

Providing you have the bicycle specific tools required, Barnetts Manual will complete your toolbox.

PLEASE!
Buy it from Amazon-Nice people! Nice Prices!

Best bicycle repair manuals out there !!

by: anythingaboutbikes On: 2005-02-05

At over 1000 pages (grease-resistant), a binding format that separates this massive book into four easy-to-handle volumes (and allows you to transfer the pages to a ring-binder, if preferred), every little detail the novice needs, all the advanced information the experienced mechanic wants, quick-find chapter dividers, and comprehensive coverage of all parts of the bike and all technologies are just some of the features that make this manual the bicycle tool you cant do without.

More than a thousand computer-generated illustrations with phenomenal detail and clarity are used. More than ever, words and pictures are used together to optimize and simplify understanding.

There are recommendations and procedures for numerous new tools introduced since 2000.

Almost 200 additional forks and shocks covered in their new release fifth edition (available on their website. Look for BBinstitute or Barnett Bicycle Institute using Google). Dozens of new disc brakes covered. Integrated headsets now covered. Expanded coverage of Campagnolo products. Procedures for servicing newer models of pedals and cartridge-bearing hubs added. Wheel-building procedures for low-spoke-count and paired-spoke wheels. Procedures in every chapter have been refined and expanded.

Best there is out there for sure. Great investment. Not a waiste of money !

This is what you're searching for.

On: 2004-06-16

Dont waste your money on those paperbacks that clutter the sports sections of Barnes & Noble and Borders.
The Nashbar & Performance Bike offerings are just as inadequate.
By the time youve spent $10-$20 each on 2 or 3 of those anecdotal "manuals" with their "fits all" diagrams,
you can almost pay
the Amazon discounted price for this...........
.........THE REAL THING.

Comprehensive with many details, yet perhaps a little dated

by: cyclingman1 On: 2001-08-27

I havent seen any bicycle maintenance books that come close to providing the kind of detail that Barnetts Manual does - detail in such areas as exact measurement and classification of parts and threads, tool part numbers for many manufacturers, and elaborate torque specifications. The Manual actually consists of four volumes with vol 4 consisting of material extracted from the previous three for easy access. The repairs and adjustments are conducted via written step-by-step procedures. Many of the adjustments utilize self-adhesive markings that are put on the bike for the purpose of exactly increasing or decreasing the tightness of bearing adjustments. Proper torquing is always specified. The Manual attempts to be comprehensive covering both road and mountain bikes and all sorts of groupos. Some of these are covered better than others. The manuals also deal with frame preparation using facing and threading tools. In some ways the manuals are a little dated. For example the wheel building and truing sections use traditioanl rims and spokes, not to mention traditional hubs. But modern wheels are using vastly reduced spoke counts, exotic spoke materials and shapes, and cartridge type hubs. The translation from the old to the new is hardly discussed, if at all. Cartridge hubs in particular are given insufficient weight. On the other hand the adjustment of newer STI derailleur systems is superb, not to mention threadless headsets, V-brakes, etc. The author probably would contend that his manuals facilitate learning the principles of bicycle repair and maintenance and that dealing with new technologies would follow the same guide lines. And there is of course some truth in that. However, a purchaser of these manuals could be disappointed if he or she expects every bicycle part to be covered in detail, becasue they are not.

great manual

On: 2000-09-15

This book is a weath of knowledge and experence. It covers items that I never have know about and am able to do more work on my bike than ever before. It has detail explinations about how to perform repairs and maintance and will tell you if you need to start with another procdure first before starting the procedure you are about to work on.

Awesome Tecnical Manual

On: 2000-08-18

If you have ever needed to change a part on your bike, upgrade to something better, change out your drivetrain, tune your derailleurs, or even true a wheel... this is the book for you! With awesome in depth pictures, and step by step technical procedures for doing just about anything to the bike that you so dearly love. John Barnetts experience with bike repairs far surpasses that of the guy that you normally bring it into for those expensive repairs, so spend the money for the book, and save money in the future while at the same time learning from one of the top professionals in his business! Do it, its an awesome book!

Unbelievably detailed and user friendly!

by: Anonymous On: 1999-03-20

The most detailed book on bicycle repair I have ever seen. Even though it is written for professionals, the detailed step-by-stem procedures leave nothing to assumption. All procedures are covered by detailed worksheets which you are encouraged to photocopy and use as a guide through the repair. The illustrations are great. Details, worksheets, and illustrations make this book very user friendly, even though its target audience appears to be professionals.