Review of Park Tool BBB-2 The Big Blue Book of Repair

Park Tool BBB-2 The Big Blue Book of Repair - 2nd Edition
By: Park Tool Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 19
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The Best Bicycle Repair Manual

On: 2010-03-18

In the early 1970s, I taught myself bicycle repair. I went on from there to have a modest bicycle repair shop for 12 years. I wish that this book had been available then. It has complete easy to follow instructions for most types of repair and maintenance. Over the years Ive read most of the bicycle repair manuals on the market. This is by far the best. My only criticism is that it doesnt cover repairs for the cheaper bikes (of which there are many out there). These bikes have one piece cranks, coaster brakes and nutted hubs. For these repairs, the best repair manual is still Anybodys Bike Book. Its out of print but available on used book sites such as Amazon and ABE.

Must-have title for any cyclist

On: 2010-03-08

I bought this book after my bike mechanic recommended it. It has clear instructions, and photos to show you how to do many kinds of repairs to your bike. I have other bike maintenance/repair books and like this one the best.

Big Blue Book of Repair

On: 2010-02-14

Great book with lots of good info.Ive just skimmed it so far, but it looks like a winner.

Excellent book.

On: 2010-02-03

I am an avid bicyclist and bike mechanic.
Leave it to Park to create an excellent bike repair manual.
For the most part, it is up to date.
The pictures and illustrations are excellent. Most of the
writing is easy to understand. It has some good technical
references as well. Buy this before your next repair!

Pretty good book on bicycle repair

On: 2009-11-26

Ive been repairing my own bicycles for years, but I recently upgraded my bike. The new bike came with the latest brakes chain, sprocket, derailers and well I figured I should upgrade my knowledge of repairing to match. To that effect, this book is great. As in for a person who is handy with tools, knows something about bicycle repair already, this book is just what you need. Its concise, clear photos, and diagrams will get your bike in top shape. However, if you have never done any repair work, I wouldnt start with this book. It is good that with the photos and instructions you can tell pretty well what is the level of skill needed to do the repair, but if this had been my first book it would have been not quite enough information. I rate it akin to those cookbooks which do tell you everything you need to know but do it in a language that experienced chefs understand, and thus beginners are lost.

For a beginner Id recommend Anybodys Bike Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Bike Repairs and the Park Blue book. Or Glenns Complete Bicycle Manual and this book.

For a well versed bicycle mechanic go for it. Its as good as Park Tools are, which is excellent.

Detailed, helpful repair book

On: 2009-11-16

I received this book during a Park Tools introduction to bicycle maintenance class at my local REI. I have found it to be quite the useful tool when trying to determine how to go about fixing my bike or performing maintenance tasks. The color pictures are detailed enough to be helpful, and the explanation of each picture also helps you figure out what you are looking at. This book definitely sets itself apart from the other bike maintenance books available with its detailed level of instruction, the coverage afforded to each of the different types of derailleurs, brakes, shift levers etc., as well as the excellent pictures. The only negative, and obviously it is not too negative as I gave the book 5 stars, is that since the book is from Park Tools it will of course only suggest using the Park version of a tool or stand even if something cheaper or better may exist. This is definitely something I would recommend to anyone setting up their home workshop or who needs some detailed instructions on bicycle maintenance from the most basic of flat repairs to rebuilding the headset.

Bike repair

On: 2009-10-12

A well illustrated and technical book that will get you through any repair. I highly recommend it.

Big Blue Does it Again -- No, Not IBM.... ;)

On: 2009-09-14

This is the consummate bike repair guide for people keen on doing their own work. It covers basic tune ups right up through wheel truing, and other such complex repair tasks. The pictures are clear and the text incredibly easy to read. C. Calvyn Jones is the expert on bike repair and yet he never presents information in a manner that cant be easily understood.

A must-have for any home bike-mechanic.

Must have bicycle repair book

On: 2009-09-12

Without a doubt this is the best book that I have seen on bicycle repair. It covers all aspects of repair that the average owner can do at home and then some. It is a must have book at a can have price.

Good book

On: 2009-09-08

This is as good as they say. helpful pics., easy to read and understand text,useful! always have in my e.d.c. pack!

Awesome stand for a good price

On: 2009-08-17

This is fantastic - it can hold my tandem or xtracycle without problems, and is possible to carry across the ocean. What more do you need?

Useful Book on Bicycle Repair

On: 2009-07-05

This updated version of Park Tools bicycle repair book is an improvement over the prior edtion. The book with photos provides an excellent over view of the many components on a bicycle--such as the various types of brakes a bicycle can be equipped with. While a bicycle owner with a basic coaster brake bicycle will be disappointed since this type of bicycle is not covered (no info on basic bottom bracket and crank servicing such as on old Schwinns or Bendix coaster brake servicing), the book covers more modern bicycle components. The photos are good, as are the descriptions.

While not every bicycle owner may desire to repair their own bicycle, this is a useful book to inform any bicycle owner. Besides it certainly is nice to learn about your bicycle should you need to make an emergency repair. Even eventually learing to service your own bicycle can save $$$ when you see how easy it is to service some components.

Of course with modern bicycle features special tools are sometimes required and not every cyclist desires to purchase such tools. To that extent this book does identify the Park tools necessary and it is somewhat of a sales tool for Park--that is why I gave the book 4 stars not 5.

Still with this book, I have reviewed other bicycle repair books to compare notes and confirm information about the repair I am undertaking or having a bicycle shop repair. There are other books available that are equal to this book.

Best book I've found for maintaning your bike.

On: 2009-06-26

Ive found this book to have all the illustrations I need to properly maintain my bike. The book most frequently recommended on this site, The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes(Expanded and Revised 5th Edition) Ive found to be great on theory but horrible for practical applications.

This book, the Big Blue Book, on the other hand has tons of practical applications. I feel its the perfect book for people who want to spend more time fixing their bikes and less time discussing what angle a fork or seatpost should be at.

One picture that stands out is taking apart the rear hub, how many different types of fittings you can expect to find. Its very straight forward and something a beginner mechanic definitely needs, and a good reference for anyone of any skill.

Fundamentally good information, desperately in need of proofreading

On: 2009-06-15

Billed as the ultimate bike repair book, its unquestionably right up there, but it looks like it was rushed to press. In all fairness, though, Im a compulsive proofreader, and very picky. Ignore the errors where you can, spend some time figuring out the ones you cant ignore, and youll be glad you bought the book.

comprehensive repair guide

On: 2009-04-25

Regular maintenance is a must for anybody who regularly rides a bicycle. There are two ways to maintain your bike; either pay somebody else to do it, or do it yourself. Having spent a great deal of money over the years paying bike shops to do tune ups and replace components, and having also had these very same professionals (at multiple shops) completely botch relatively simple operations, I have come to prefer the latter. To this end, a good bicycle repair manual is mandatory.

Based on the positive recommendations of several discussion boards and previous reviewers, I bought this particular manual. It offers a thorough set of instructions by a preeminent mechanic covering virtually every repair and maintenance operation you can expect to perform on your bicycle. Each major component of the bicycle has a chapter devoted to it. Illustrations are copious and in color, with clear notations throughout. It is actually a real treat to thumb through the chapters and soak up the knowledge contained therein, and though I am no expert, my impression is that the author has effectively transmitted his massive expertise into the written medium.

Possibly the most useful tool you can buy.

On: 2009-02-27

I have a few other bike repair manuals including fine editions from Zinn and Langley. I find the Park Repair Book superior in that it offers more logical steps and better illustrations. Seems to work for me. One improvement would be a larger format with a spiral binding that would lay flat... maybe the 3rd edition. That said, if you need one bike repair book, get this one.

FWIW... On several occasions in the past I have contacted Park Tool and found their service to be exceptional. Their tools cost a little more but are well designed and built to last.

Very good: well produced, well written

On: 2009-02-11

Just to echo the other comments, BBB-2 is a very good repair manual for the intermediate home bicycle enthusiast. It is the best produced of any bike manual Ive seen, with excellent, clear photos and layout. It does emphasize Park tools in every possible context, but it is understood that Park tools are pretty much the best.

At 245 pages, it covers every topic relevant to a home repair. You wont learn how to build a wheel, but you will learn how to true a wheel.

The only downside is that the book is so nice, Id hate to get grease on it.

The "must-have" reference for bicycle repair gets better...

On: 2008-09-14

This new Park Tool Big Blue Book of Repair - 2nd Edition (also known as BBB-2 to differentiate it from the first edition) is a superb improvement over the original edition, Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair, which was considered by many to be THE "must-have" reference for bicycle repair by many enthusiasts, cyclists and bike shop owners.

This is a good, solid repair manual for almost any bike, be it the single-speed classic cruiser, mountain bike, BMX or road bike. At 246 pages, this new edition has hundreds of photos that will prove to be quite helpful when doing bike maintenance. Like the previous edition, it was written by Calvin Jones, whose years of experience as the Park Tool Director of Education shows.

There is a definite emphasis on tool selection (dont forget that it comes from Park Tool), but such topics as general bike upkeep, emergency repairs, on-the-road fixes and even bike cleaning tips are well covered. Theres a thorough table of contents that will appeal to novice, experienced enthusiast and shop mechanic alike.

The various sections cover a wide range of topics. For example, the chapter on pedals covers everything from removal and installation to bearing service to servicing Shimano pedals. There are plenty of helpful photos in each chapter to help illustrate the repair topics. The four appendices in the back of this edition cover such topics as a tool list, glossary, the recommended torque for bike components and a bike map.

The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair is used as the official student textbook in a unique program for learning bicycle maintenance and repair known as the Park Tool School. Check with your local bicycle dealer to see if one of these hands-on programs is coming to your area. If so, getting this new edition will give you a jump on the curriculum covered.

Another excellent manual worth considering is The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes, a more basic, well-written reference that is also excellent for teaching youngsters how to perform their own bike repairs.

Even if you just want to get BBB-2 as your sole bike repair manual, its a great 5-star reference. Highly recommended.

BBB-2... a significant improvement over the original edition.

On: 2008-09-14

This new Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair 2nd Edition (also known as BBB-2 to differentiate it from the first edition) is a superb improvement over the original edition, Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair, which was considered by many to be THE "must-have" reference for bicycle repair by many enthusiasts, cyclists and bike shop owners. This is a good, solid repair manual for almost any bike, be it the single-speed classic cruiser, mountain bike, BMX or road bike. At 246 pages, this new edition has hundreds of photos that will prove to be quite helpful when doing bike maintenance. Like the previous edition, it was written by Calvin Jones, whose years of experience as the Park Tool Director of Education shows.

There is a definite emphasis on tool selection (dont forget that it comes from Park Tool), but such topics as general bike upkeep, emergency repairs, on-the-road fixes and even bike cleaning tips are well covered. Theres a thorough table of contents that will appeal to novice, experienced enthusiast and shop mechanic alike.

The various sections cover a wide range of topics. For example, the chapter on pedals covers everything from removal and installation to bearing service to servicing Shimano pedals. There are plenty of helpful photos in each chapter to help illustrate the repair topics. The four appendices in the back of this edition cover such topics as a tool list, glossary, the recommended torque for bike components and a bike map.

The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair is used as the official student textbook in a unique program for learning bicycle maintenance and repair known as the Park Tool School. Check with your local bicycle dealer to see if one of these hands-on programs is coming to your area. If so, getting this new edition will give you a jump on the curriculum covered.

Another excellent manual worth considering is The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes, a more basic, well-written reference that is also excellent for teaching youngsters how to perform their own bike repairs.

Even if you just want to get BBB-2 as your sole bike repair manual, its a great 5-star reference. Highly recommended.