Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Bike

Rating:
Summary: A classic, still excellent for roadies.
Review: I bought Frank's book in 1989. Then, it was the *only* source of detailed independent advice on bicycle componentry. It covers all the moving parts of a bike and includes saddles, seatposts and information about frame design, geometry, sizing. The only missing bits are headsets, handlebars and stems. Franks years of wisdom shine through in his writing and advice.

A lot of the components have clearly changed in the last decade, though there are still a number of products still in production in upgraded form. The descriptions of the design of the parts and important features are invaluable. Frank's book came before the time of mountain bikes, so there isn't anything specific to them, but the chapter on gearing is still worth reading.

Since the technology of road bikes hasn't changed a great deal, I think roadies would find the book much more useful than mountain bikers.

In 1988, *****. In 1999 for roadies, ****. For others in 1999, **, but still worth borrowing to read.

Rating:
Summary: 1988 book tells how to upgrade road bikes.
Review: I wrote this book in 1988 when I was Engineering Editor of Bicycling magazine. 25,000 copies were sold. It is a unique "How To" book for upgrading road bikes. There is nothing on mountain bikes. The chapters on, bicycle selection, gear trains, chains, pedals, wheels, tires and tubes, brakes, saddles, and seatposts contain good information that is still useful today. The chapters on cranksets, freewheels, shift levers, and derailleurs describe the state of the art components in 1988. I still have 15 copies.